Verhovayak Lapja, 1947 (30. évfolyam, 1-24. szám)
1947 / Verhovay Journal
Why Change The Provisions Of The Sick Benefit Department? — Legal Reserve Health Insurance Demanded By Insurance Department. — October 8, 1947 _ VerhoVQy Journal PAGE 5 LET TRUTH BE UNCONFINED CHICAGO BRANCH 503 Those who have read the Convention Story will remember how unfavorably the delegates reacted to the proposed amendments of the Bylaws of the Sick Benefit Department. The amendments originally proposed by the Board of Directors were roundly defeated, whereupon the actuary was requested to develop a new series of recommendations which, then, were reluctantly adopted by the assembly. Fending the approval of | these recommendations by the Insurance Department, the amendments will be presented for final action to the dis- i trict sessions to be held in November. (The new by-law eliminating the district sessions will be carried into effect only after the amended By-laws will have been finally approved, hence, the post-convention district meetings still will be held this year.) Obviously, the district meetings will be unable to intelligently discuss and properly act upon the proposed amendments unless the problem facing the Association is fully explained to the district representatives as well as the members of the Sick Benefit Department. It is imperative that these amendments, as adopted by the National Convention, be subsequently approved by the district meetings which, however, may be handicapped in their deliebrations by the apparent pressure on the part of many of those members who fear a curtailment of their membership privileges. In the folowing, therefore, we submit a factual report on this issue in order that all interested parties may acquaint themselves with the circumstances that have rendered the adoption of these amendments an unavoidable necessity. The Original Provisions. Three of the provisions of the By-laws of the Sick Benefit Department had been amended by the National Convention. The first provided for the payment of sick benefits for a total of 62V2 weeks in all instances. The second provided for the limitation of payments during any one calendar year to not more than 25 weeks. The third provided for the payment of sick benefits for the first week of disability in cases of injuries or illnesses resulting from accidents. The New Provisions. These three provisions have been amended by the XXI. National Convention, to wit: 1. ) In case of one continuous illness, the members of the Sick Benefit Department shall be entitled to receive sick benefits for not more than 50 weeks. However, if the illness is not continuous, or if the members suffer from two or more subsequent illnesses. they shall be entitled to the full 62 Vz weeks’ benefits. 2. ) Sick benefits shall be payable in all instances only beginning with the 8th day of disability. In other words, sick benefits will no longer be payable for the first week of disability resulting from accidental causes. 3. ) Members of the Sick Benefit Department shall be entitled to sick benefits for not more than 20 weeks during any one calendar year. (Incidentally, our readers are requested to disregard the explanation of the 3rd provision as it appeared in the Convention Story in the last issue of the Journal. Due to a misunderstanding we were under the impression that it referred only to members above the age of 65. This was an error. The provision refers to all members of the Sick Benefit Department.) It should be clearly understood, that actually, the reduction of priviliges on all three counts is very slight. The first provision will affect the members only in those exceptional instances when benefits are claimed for one continuous illness (like tuberculosis, cancer, etc.), of 50 weeks’, or longer, duration. The ordinary course of the average illness calls for a much shorter period of sick benefit payments, and, in such case, the member’s eligibility for the full 62 V2 weeks’ sick benefits is not affected at all. The second provision eliminates the first week’s sick benefit payment for disability resulting from accidental cause. Actually, several district meetings adopted recommendations to this effect and, therefore, little, if any, difficulty should arise on this count. The third provision will hardly affect the average members, because, even though not more than 20 weeks’ ’benefits will be paid during any one calendar year, they still will be entitled to full 62 V2 “The humblest citizen of all the land when clad in the armor of a righteous case, is stronger than all the hosts of error.” (William Jennings Bryan.) Mrs. Jolán Lucas (editor of THE FERRET SEZ) and Mr. Albert B. Steinmetz (who writes Sunkist Southern California Echoes) are to be highly commended for their very timely approach — when the Verhovay Convention was in session — to the subject of bettering our Verhovay Journal thru more contributions. Both of them enumerated some of our old contributors to the Journal for the past number of years. Stephen Huzianyi agrees with them and with this Scribe that some of the old contributors did endeavor, through their efforts, to raise the standard of the Journal by their literary writings. (Steve was among the very few who some years ago contributed articles in English which were published in the Hungarian editions of the Verhovayak Lapja, because there were no English editions out at the time. — Ed. Note.) Now that our membership has been substantially increased, and especially the readers of the English division, let us show to those thousands who joined recently the Verhovay ranks that in the VERHOVAY they will find Americans of Magyar descent and/or origin who, by their deeds, merit attention of all members of our organization. We would again like to see articles and writings from »me of the old contributors — not to mention our new members — so as to make the job lighter for our editor. Certain weekly newspapers, printed in the Magyar language, unfortunately, always wish to discredit everything that is Hungarian, thereby allying themselves with purveyors of hate against the Magyar people and their 1000 year-old country and traditions. These newspapers, as of late, have bitterly attacked the AMERICAN HUNGARIAN FEDERATION. Why, this Scribe doesn’t know. But he does know that The American Hungarian Federation has done much for the Magyar people and for Hungary, which has been literally crucified by lies uttered by sly boulevard politicians and false prophets of Central Europe. The record of the accomplishments of the AHF is certainly a noble one, judging from its deeds. The AHF, as this Scribe knows, has given substantial information on things Hungarian and on Hungary during the course of many years, not to mention the assistance that has been rendered to many Hungarians and Americans weeks’ benefits except in those rare instances mentioned under the first provision. Amendments to Strengthen Sick Benefit Fund. The fact is that more than 90% of the members will never be affected by the amending of the above provisions while the remaining 10% will not suffer any real hardship due to the curtailment of privileges in their cases. The reduction of the number of' weeks during which benefits of Magyar descent. The vote of over GOG of the Verhovay delegates voting to remain in The American Hungarian Federation is evidence that there are still those who respect, at least partially, their 1000 year-old Magyar heritage. Stephen Huzianyi handed me a copy of his telegram to the Verhovay Convention. Here it is: , “Mr. Kolozsvary, Chairman Verhovay Fraternal Convention Hotel Fort Pitt Pittsburgh, Pennsylvnia To all Verhovay delegates: Please accept belated though sincere wishes for a very successful convention. Congratulations to the delegates for their integrity and farsightedness in voting to remain as the substantial supporter of the Amercian Hungarian Federation. The Federation has accomplished much for Americans of Magyar descent and origin, as well as for the downtrodden and bleeding Magyar nation: Every delegate with an ounce of reverence for his Magyar origin will be in accord with the American Hungarian Federation., Myself I heartily endorse the views of the majority of the delegates. May you all bring everlasting credit to the great name of Verhovay, to the unfortunate Magyar people, and to our great United States. (Signed) STEPHEN HUZIANYI”. This scribe agrees wholeheartedly with Steve in boosting the AHF and it is hoped that other columnists will voice their opinions regarding The American Hungarian Federation. If you do not receive information from the AHF, it is easy to get it, simply by writing them at 839 Seventeenth Street, Washington, D. C. Long live The American Hungarian Federation! Long live the Vei’hovay organization! * * * Carl and Marcella Hcdits (2342 W. Walton) are the proud parents of Gregory Joseph, born in St. Anne’s Hospital, and baptized at St. Stephen’s King of Hungary Church. The godparents were Vilma Pohlman and Joseph Hodits. Although a little late, we do wish Carl and Marcella and the youngster the best of luck in the world. Congratulations! . * * * Joe and Rosemary Hodits (nee Fapp), who live at the 1569 N, Hoyne /Avenue address, recently celebrated their 1st wedding anniversary. Congratulations to you two! And double congratulations are in order, for we understand that they are expecting an addition to the faimly. will be payable during any one calendar year does not represent a true loss because, in most instances, the member still will be eligible to receive the equivalent of 62 V2 week’s benefits. The only true curtailment of benefits will be suffered by those suffering from continuous illness of 50 weeks’ or longer duration. One should keep in mind, however, that all insurance companies strive to protect themselves against (Continue on page 6) THE SCRIBE OF KŐSZEG.
