ABSTRACT
The views of critics of the National Health Service are widely publicized; but more and more thinking Americans are trying to find more objective reports. The American people are being presented with the choice between two principles: charity or social insurance. Charity as at present organized (both private charity and public assistance) is insufficient to meet the need. Even many of those who favor medical care for the aged through social insurance are suspicious of how it would work in practice. The King-Anderson bill proposes to extend the social security system, which already provides the old age pension and disability and certain survivor benefits, to include the provision of some free medical care for persons receiving the old age pension (Social Security insurance benefits). The King-Anderson bill provides medical care through an insurance system, there is a widespread feeling that people would be getting something for nothing.
