Allan Hurst

HEALTH INSURANCE IN ISRAEL

To the Editor:— Having recently returned from Israel, where I was invited to make a study of the tuberculosis program, I would like to tell you of their health insurance program. The Kupat Holim (Workers Sick Fund) is the health service of the General Federation of Labor (Histadrut) in the state of Israel. The founders of Kupat Holim, a handful of agricultural workers in Judah and Galilee, established their first dispensaries in 1912. Larger scale developments began in 1921, following the foundation of the General Federation of Labor and the growth of the labor community within the country. From its small beginning of isolated dispensaries, there is now a widely ramified network of institutions throughout the country, which serves about one-half of the population. The aim of the Sick Fund has been to provide an inclusive medical program. Briefly, the primary unit is the small medical aid station in the

A Therapeutic Rationale in Tuberculous Broncho-Stenosis.

Summary 1. The mechanics of tuberculous ulcero- and fibro-stenosis are discussed. 2. The poor prognosis for cases of this type is presented. 3. Cases are described to illustrate the various features of the condition. 4. Thoracoplasty is recommended before the “opaque lung” appears to forestall further parenchymal damage by the “atomiser” and “backfiring” effects. 5. Resection is to be considered early after the appearance of the “opaque lung” as not only necessary but inevitable.