Workmen's compensation; emphasis on rehabilitation.
Since the first law was enacted in 1911 major emphasis has been placed on monetary satisfaction of liability with insufficient attention to rehabilitation of the occupationally disabled. An effective workmen's compensation program must have three basic goals: (1) Rehabilitation of the occupationally disabled; (2) assured, prompt, and adequate indemnity for the occupationally disabled or their survivors; and (3) minimal costs to employers and society commensurate with the first two goals. It is suggested that the medical societies of each state provide a broadly representative committee to advise the administrative agency on medical policies and practices. This committee would prepare registers of all physicians in each locality who are willing and qualified to accept calls for service to injured employees, would mediate complaints originating with the employee, the employer, the insurance carrier or the administrative agency, and would cooperate with the administrative agency in educational programs for all concerned. It is the physician's responsibility to help the administrative agency in shifting the emphasis from indemnity to rehabilitation. The disabled employee is entitled to all services available to restore him to an earning capacity.