WASHINGTON NEWS

Hearings Set on Medicare— The House Ways and Means Committee opened hearings March 1 on the Administration's proposals to expand Medicare and the Social Security cash benefit program. The committee scheduled three weeks of testimony on the Social Security changes sought by the Administration. First witness will be Health, Education and Welfare Secretary John Gardner. The major change sought in Medicare would add 1.5 million persons under 65 receiving Social Security disability payments to the program. In addition certain types of podiatry services would be included, and the extent of the Title 19 "Medicaid" program for the indigent would be curtailed. In a special message on health expected soon, the Administration also may make recommendations involving the role of hospital specialists under the Medicare plan and outpatient drugs. The bill calls for an overall 20% increase in Social Security cash benefits, along with numerous other liberalizations, including a higher income