The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-05-22

Liberal Viewpoint
By DR.. HARRY ELMER BARNES =

THE depression and certain other contempt
Il rary developments have upset the economic
status of the average American doctor. Over
third Of our American physicians realize less
than $500 in annual income.
Hence 1t is no wonder that many physicians
who once Stunned the idea Of social medicine
are now eagerly listening to such proposals
The essential facts about the situation are
set forth very lUcidy by an eminent New York
surgeon who writes an article on The Plight
Of Doctor" under the pen name of George w.
AspinWau in the American Mercury. He epito-
mizes the growing desperation Of many doctors
IN the following paragraphs:
The practice Of medicine is no longer lucra-
tive. The average family Cor neighborhood)
doctor is not earning living Some have aban-
doned their profession for other fields. Others,
more determined or more hopeful, have been &C
cepting SIS weekly from the unemployment re-
lief funds"
The following are among the more important
reasons for such a deplorable condition:
In the first place the number Of physicians
has increased rapidly at a time when the pOpu-
l9tlOn growth Of the country has been slowing
down. Between 1909 and 1881 1000 licensed
physicians entered the practice Of medicine, ap-
proximately 1000 Of them between 1927 and
1881. 1t is estimated that about $500 new doc
tors began practice in the year 1888 alone.
In spite of the progress of medical science
and public information, healers of the shyster
and have flched from the public over hundred
million dollars year.
THEN the government stepped in and sup
piled free treatment for veterans, and those
entitled to industrial compensation. This has
benefited the doctors who receive payment for
such service. but has cut in on the practice and
income of the remainder
Most striking and important of all however
IS the great increase in the number of those who
are receiving free treatment from competent
physicians.
1t is estimated that there are about 100000
persons daily IN need of medical attention in the
United States. Approximately 1000 of these
are treated in free clinics. OF the 100000 who
are treated by private doctors some 225,O0O do
not pay their bills.
In short about two-thirds of the nations sick
are on the free list. 1t is estimated that Amer
lean doctors donate over S1500,000 daily in free
medical attention
This is only one side of the picture If doc
| tors are starving at a time when their prepara-
/ ton for practice is yearly becoming more and
more expensive and eXacting, there are MANY
middle class Americans who are bitterly OPP
pressed by their doctors bills. They are re-
luctant to seek free clinical treatment, but at
the same time the fees they are charged es-
peciaIly in hospital treatment, are far greater
than they can pay.
/ 1 he JeCIlInCdI ndJJer OF JreaJlng SICK per-
Il son is exclusively the problem of doctor
But sickness as a whole is social problem and
| must be handled by society Everybody must
/ receive adequate medical treatment and ply
scians must be able to earn truly decent
living.
1t is probable that no other profession i'm
poses so heavy a drain upon money and energy
IN preparing for practice. It is absurd that a
man should have to spend eight years between
high school and medical practice and then earn,
IN many cases less than 81 500 yearly
SoclaIlzed medicine would seem to be the
only solution Of the problem from the standpoint
Of physician and patient alike
/ Group-Or chain store-medicine, industrial
! medicine and health insurance arc certainly to
! be preferred to the present combination of an
archy and poverty which prevails in the medical
/ practice of the United States
But they are all most decidedly inferior TO
4 frank and honest socalized medicine under a
system which would insure medical control and
! public support.
So long as the doctors resist this same So
lutoh OF their problem they will deserve to
stew in their own Juice,