The American Ethical Union believes that health care is a right to which every man, woman and child is entitled.

The AEU favors a national health insurance program as the most effective means of achieving this right. We believe the following are among the major provisions which national health insurance legislation should contain:

1. Availability of health care to all persons, regardless of age or ability to pay.
2. Comprehensive coverage which would include preventative, diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitative services and mental care, for as long as necessary.
3. Provision for safeguarding the quality, quantity, continuity and effectiveness of service and employ economy in the use of resources.
4. Accountability to the public both in the planning and providing of services.
5. Universal coverage rather than partial enrollment.
6. Inclusion of programs for research as well as for manpower development in the health field.
7. Encouragement of organized group practice as a means of improving health care delivery.
8. Insuring of freedom of choice for patients and doctors.
9. Nothing in such national health legislation should preclude the private practice of medicine or the private funding of medical care or research.

Submitted by the American Ethical Union Public Affairs Committee
Passed at the Riverdale-Yonkers Assembly April, 1973

Source: AEU 65th Annual Assembly Memo [job08scan]

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