There was talk everywhere of the need for some form of national health insurance; several Democrats had sponsored bills in Congress and President Ford had agreed in principle, although he was raising fiscal objections. A real discussion never quite develops, though we do get clear statements, from Mr. Seidman of the case in favor, from Dr. Smith the case against. BS: "I would like to have a medical-care system where the doctor can give the patient care on the basis of need, and not on the basis of the patient's financial resources." WFB: "Well, Dr. Smith, do you acknowledge that that is a fair description of the existing situation?" MS: "Not at all, Mr. Buckley. Unfortunately, nowhere does emotion cloud judgment to a greater degree than in the consideration of the mechanics of how health care would be provided."