HEARING - U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging

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pointedly in the comment from Mrs. Rieger that when the private
supplemental coverage reached the premium of $60 a month, it was
no longer affordable-resonates in the testimony that we can
expect from the industry, that they think that more and more
people are not insured for supplemental coverage because of its
cost, not because of its availability. I think that is a truism.
And Senator Pressler in his questions to Mrs. Fish as to what she
might have done-my impression is that in the last 5 years, although
the industry is certainly much older than this, but in the
past 5 years there has been a virtual explosion of private coverage
offered in things like the Sunday supplement to a newspaper. My
impression, too, is that they run the gamut from some that are
very good to some that probably are not worth the premium.
I think the real question is the one that has been focused on in
Mr. Shapland's written testimony, and that is, how do you make it
affordable. So I would say that I think that Senator Pressler is correct
in commending the staff and the Chairman in setting the
hearing and in selecting the witnesses. I think these three ladies
have given us a very sharp focus on the problem of perhaps the
majority of Americans who have worked hard all their lives, tried
to save, tried to be independent, only to come to that time when
their loved ones are devastated by severe health problems and
their savings are in turn devastated. And someone who thinks that
they have been provident, someone who has prized their independence,
can find themselves virtually wiped out.
I do not know what the answer is, but the committee is right in
focusing on it, and I think that gives particular focus to the testimony
that we are about to hear.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman MELCHER. Mrs. Fish, I noted that in responding to
Senator Heinz, you said that your mother's determination is to
make it to 100.
Mrs. FISH. Right. I believe she will.
Chairman MELCHER. You believe she will.
Mrs. FISH. Right-cost or no cost.
Chairman MELCHFR. Will you tell her for me that I believe that
elderly people contribute very much through their families and
through their acquaintances to the quality of life and to the integrity
of society of America; and that because they are aged, they
have more experience than the rest of us.
I asked you if she still voted. Tell her I think she should. There
is an election coming up before she reaches 100, and I think she
should.
Mrs. FISH. I know she used to; her and Daddy always did.
Chairman MELCHER. Well, what this is all about is making a determination,
and what Congress is all about is to make a determination
of what are the priorities of America. Those of us on this
committee feel rather strongly that health care for the elderly is a
very high priority of the country. But nobody has more experience
than someone who is almost 100 in making that determination.
So tell your mother for me that I want her to be part of the process
of making that determination.
Mrs. FISH. Could I ask you a question?
Chairman MELCHER. Yes.