Under the 1954 Amendments to the old-age and survivors’ insurance program, protection was extended to some 10 million additional workers and benefits were increased.  The system now helps protect 9 out of 10 American workers and their families against loss of income in old age or on the death of the breadwinner.  The system is sound.  It must be kept so.  In developing improvements in the system, we must give the most careful consideration to population and social trends, and to fiscal requirements.  With these considerations in mind, the Administration will present its recommendations for further expansion of coverage and other steps which can be taken wisely at this time.

Other needs in the area of social welfare include increased child welfare services, extension of the program of aid to dependent children, intensified attack on juvenile delinquency, and special attention to the problems of mentally retarded children.  The training of more skilled workers for these fields and the quest for new knowledge through research in social welfare are essential.  Similarly the problems of our aged people need our attention.

The nation has made dramatic progress in conquering disease—­progress of profound human significance which can be greatly accelerated by an intensified effort in medical research.  A well-supported, well-balanced program of research, including basic research, can open new frontiers of knowledge, prevent and relieve suffering, and prolong life.  Accordingly I shall recommend a substantial increase in Federal funds for the support of such a program.  As an integral part of this effort, I shall recommend a new plan to aid construction of non-Federal medical research and teaching facilities and to help provide more adequate support for the training of medical research manpower.

Finally, we must aid in cushioning the heavy and rising costs of illness and hospitalization to individuals and families.  Provision should be made, by Federal reinsurance or otherwise, to foster extension of voluntary health insurance coverage to many more persons, especially older persons and those in rural areas.  Plans should be evolved to improve protection against the costs of prolonged or severe illness.  These measures will help reduce the dollar barrier between many Americans and the benefits of modern medical care.

The Administration health program will be submitted to the Congress in detail.

The response of government to human concerns embraces, of course, other measures of broad public interest, and of special interest to our working men and women.  The need still exists for improvement of the Labor Management Relations Act.  The recommendations I submitted to the Congress last year take into account not only the interests of labor and management but also the public welfare.  The needed amendments should be enacted without further delay.