The details of Israel’s all-embracing social insurance program were outlined here last night at a press conference by M. Kanievski, chairman of an interdepartmental government committee set up to draft a social security scheme. Mr. Kanievski stated that the government’s plan would be implemented in three stages.
First, the government will provide hospital facilities for the entire population; he estimated that by the end of the year there would be some 1,800 hospital beds available, double the present number. Social security insurance will be provided in this stage, he said, as well as health insurance for mothers and a complete workmen’s compensation program.
Also, a national insurance scheme will protect widows and orphans and persons too old to support themselves. A subsidy will be provided for each child born to an Israel mother and free dental service will be available to all children. Finally, unemployment insurance will be provide.
In the second phase, the program will provide complete medical service for the entire population. The third phase entails nationalization of all hospital facilities, further subsidies for children and guaranteed national housing for the entire population. Mr. Kanievski expressed the opinion that the social security program will not overburden the Israel taxpayer because he is already paying 14,000,000 pounds ($42,000,000) annually for this purpose.
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