Correspondence Between President Harry S. Truman and Ben Turoff

Tells of his experiences with doctors these last twenty-five years; believes the Presi- dent's plan for socialized medicine would be a mistake. April 12, 1949 AREA B.S. & ARCHIVES NATIONAL RECORDS SERVICE" GOVERNMENT AND LIBRARY My dear Ben: Your letter of April first is most interesting. The main difficulty is that you start off with the wrong premise. Nobody is working for socialized medicine - all my Health Program calls for is an insurance plan that will enable people to pay doctor bills and receive hospital treatment when they need it. I can't understand the rabid approach of the American Medical Association - they have distorted and misrepresented the whole program so that it will be necessary for me to go out and tell the people just exactly what we are asking for. I am trying to fix it so the people in the middle income bracket can live as long as the very rich and very poor. 1 am glad you wrote me because I think there are a lot of people like you who need straightening out on this subject. Sincerely yours, Harry. Mr. Ben Turoff Lees Summit Missouri (1) april-1-49 (and I dont mean 5. TROMAN april tool) The Honorable President ANY 'NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS United States of america. U.S. SERVICE" GOVERNMENT Mr. Harry s. Trumau- Dear Harry:- you knowsomething." It's a thrill to write the above - really. But this is only the third time I've done.20 twice you recall, when you first took every time you could. Whether you Leededing over-admanishing you to "run off fishin"- advise or not- you have, and I believe that is helping you there these terrible days. I dont know why you chose to accept the burden again, but you did-and by your own affort. Realizing the emands on you year time, Ilget to the point as you know, illness foreed me to gine up my Frad business two years ago. The skin affliction (Psoriasis) the past 25 yrs., has shot my nerves-and new they add Pernicous anemia (P.A.) on to that so I've had as much Cov more) contacts. with doctors, than anyone and socialized medicine was be unto the poor axperiences have proven to me:-thetif we have devil that has a chronic or neurotic ailment and even many others. Especially during. the (2) war time - and sunce-the dectors have been worked to death- it's fitiful. Bing human being they too, are sorely in need Etime to rest a relax, but seldom get it. Like the rest of us, they have waxed fat during these lush years- and the woult? It takes weeks (often) to get to see or make an appointmention one - and when you do-you get a quick hurried assembly line diagnosia a treatment- but one thing isn't very often overlooked- that's the 5 or 15 or 25 buck fee. I've been to everyone of them of any consequence These several years - wicluding the Vet's adm- and other local hospitals- and at present have (3)three one a vets adm. skin dector a K.C. neurologist- and a local one-and I may add these three (3) I honestly feel are domy their best, but where there ailments of allergic conditions are present- your Dr. Graham will tell you-it's like being President- a 'SOB' of a job (y pibl not object to the usurpation of your copyright). Even paying your way Curcept Vets Adm) it's quite nus atisfactory- and before I took it upon myself to bother you with my too. long letter- I have called stalked with nearly every seck person Hnow and everyone, without Exception, say the very self same thing- "my God, - it wouldreally. be aroful. (3) SERVICE" RECORDS TRUMAN LIBRARY GOVERNMENT yes Harry, I behive it would be a mistake. However I'm only trying to present the picture as I find it naturally you have reasons for your point 7 view, so if you feel me out of line - I'll do as you direct- you still he my President. Paggone it Harry no kiddin'- everytime Iwrite that Presidents Harry S Truman'- I can see the old bask the County (gackson) the roads you built the Juctures of. farms + town in the County-dwing your Residing Julge days. I have one-and like the Squib Chem. Co. advertises their products, litense, this book contains, not one but many "Priceless Ingredients". Hope I. haven't bored you too much and I'll try to keep from writing for another 3 yrs. if we are hereabents- To you Harry - and my love to mus. Truman But of Luck-and Yods Guidance a margaret. as wer-yours Ben Turoff Lees Summit. (PS) (Here'sa good slogan) for every individual + every Country- my Prayer- "Let there be Peace on Earth-and let it Begin with me "- Goodby now) From 2-46 Oreon E. and R. G. Scott ESTABLISHED 1896 REAL ESTATE, INSURANCE AND LOANS 8th and Chestnut Sts. Scott Building St. Louis 1, Mo. 1sen TUROFF Juraff UNITED AIR MAIL MOTOR COMPANY STATES POSTAGE 12 APR SUMMIT M 2 5¢ 5¢ SINCE Texa 1918 1949 11/2 CENTS 11/2 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 308-312 SOUTH DOUGLAS ST. LEE'S SUMMIT, MO. MO PAGES OF WHAT ONE NEWAPRINT CANNOT REVEAL Y DRIVE TELLS BEHIND THE WHEEL Donorable Harry S. Truman President W.S. a. Washington Corduroy Tires Personal D.C