The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-01-02
a Sound Suggestion

\ A Sound Suggestioa
Resent Recommendation By = COM
1nitteo q the state medical associa-
tion that North Dakota counties dras-
ideally revise their system Of extend
tng medical relief 70 The poor de-
Derves not only careful consideration
but prompt actioo.
Tho issue presented = too impor-
tnnt to brook delay foe We are. under
che present system Of appointing one
physician to oct - county DOCTOR"
baking serious chances with the
health and welfare q . large num-
Der Of people.
The report q the committee makes
no indictment Of tho doctors who
now perform this service IN various
counties. It = TO b assumed that
they are doing the bes: they can and
q may b that their service y tech
Nically beyond reproach.
Yet 1t u obvious that tho present
system does not meet the needs Of
che people to be served. The feeling
of intimacy and eonfidsnce, which Is
half tho battle IN fighting against
illness O physical handicap. = miss
lng. T1as touch Of the Family doc
tor. = sorely needed By many in
theso times and It should not be de-
uied them because Of their inability
70 pay, particularly when there Is no
indication that the system proposed
YIN cost any more than the oue ~
now are using.
The report. 1t win be recalled, rec
>pmmended that every physician IN
Dch county b given tts status Of
bounty doctor and permitted TO treat
county cases. on = reduced fec basis.
Every individual would 60 to the
doctor Of his choice, just - though
he were to pay the bin himself. Tho
present practice OF herding the poor
into the hands Of one doctor would be
eliminated. In its place W would
have . system which would insure
better service and do much to MAIN
tain tho self-respect a the persons
10 b benefited.
Careful check could b Kept GA the
casts and the public Informed Of the
manner IN which this experiment
works out. This = necessary 10 pro-
tect tho public purse. Il tho cost
per case 4 not too far In excess Of
that now incurred, the change would
- N unmitigated blessing. for It
would mean 4 better standard Of
health TOR the community and . hap
piss oitizsuIy.
10 have . large number q doctors
serving those in need = Obviously
better than having Just ons.
That It Win mean more persons OBJ
oaining service at county expense Is
phviouA That i one q the points
u it, lavor. Many persons sogely IN
hsed Of professional attention would
bot hesitate to call . doctor with
lWhom they are familiar. These same
Individuals might wait until It was
Zoo late before desperation or un-
bsarable pain drove than to consult
ths physician assigned % caring for
The poor. There = : stigma about
bccepting charity which many per-
bans resent. The aim should b to
maintain rather than eliminate their
cgids.
Tho proposed system would impose
NV duties upon tbs general practi-
tioner and the medical protemion
should see 10 4 that these ars INST
81 the best possible fashion. Phya-
SLAMS have . high sthical standard.
. this plan = made effective Il
should b observed - spirit Is wsll
- n letter. Il the rates contem-
piated place too great : burden On
ths public treasury thsy should -
reduced. but ths idsa itslh i TOO WI
liable % abandon tor hack q such
adjustments - my prove to b NC
essary.
Everyone knows tha& those who pay
their d0ckors fact tl,n hill for MANY