Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1936-09-03
OPINIONS OF OTHERS

(Short timely letters on topics
whether or not the writer's opin-
American. All letters must be
signed with the writer's name for
our information. Signed articles
Wrter d ape more 1ne effective but II the
name used. it will be withheld.)
GOVERNMENT DECENTRALIZATION
AND COOPERATIVE MEDICINE
Editor Askov American:
My son, Bernhard, is a patient in ,
government veterans hospital in Los
Angeles. The monetary cost to him
is exactly nothing. Under the laws of
the United States he is entitled to this
hospital and medical care because Of
the fact that he was soldier in a
training camp during the World war.
The law provides that veterans are
entitled to hospital service whether
or not the disability is service con-
nected."
The question naturally arises, If a
man is entitled to such wonderful hos
pital treatment and such expert med
ical care simply because he happened
to be at certain age in 1917; why
shouldn't this self-same service be
available to every man. woman and
child in the United States? Under our
present scheme of things, there are
three classes of people who freely
can obtain hospitalization-th rich,
the destitute and the veterans. The
great majority must still support the
old prOfiteering system.
1t is not likely that we can obtain
social service in that line overnight.
However. we can organize a coOpera-
tive service just as soon as we make
up our minds to do so. Such is not
without presidents; they have we'll
medical cooperative system
in Denmark that has worked success
fully for more than so years. l was a
of this until l emigrated 10
the United States in 1891.
There was some talk about such an
association in AskOv by the time our
DR.. p. N. Fenger came to
Askov. l think it was DR.. Fenger
who brought up the question. How
ever, there was not at that time suf-
ficient number of people to support
such an institution.
A serious illness and operation for
a member of family is almost suf-
70 I,.su ox,o 90 nd
laborer from house and home, with
the increased cost of medicine and
in the years rolled by
since the first of us landed in Askov.
l think it is a timely topic to take up
for discussion and consideration right
now.
Here is an example of cooperative
medicine. Economy is village of
some 300 people, typical farming
in east-central Indiana.
Economy decided to organize coopera-
tive medicine and is working under
this plan: ~ Membership is open
to both individuals and families. (2)
The members are entitled to all med
icines that the doctor prescribes. (3)
Free office consultation. (4) Physical
examinations at least once a year.
(5) Free home calls. (6) Emergency
cases. (7) Full care for chronic cases.
(8) Free smallpox and diphtheria
for children under five
and for all others at the cost of Sc
runs. (9) Minor surgery that can
be done in home CIR office.
The doctors attendance at hospital
surgical cases is included.
To summarize the advantages of a
cooperative medical plan: ~ 1t en-
phasizes prevention. (2) Closer SUI
pervision of community health. (3)
A vast amount of unnecessary illness,
misery, anxiety and death is pre-
vented, to say nothing of time saved.
the victim is least able to meet them.
(5) A family may plan ahead and bud
get medical expenses just as they plan
other expenses. (6) Taxpayers can
afford for themselves as good service
as they now buy for the poor. (O
One part of the community does not
have to pay more because another part
fails to meet it's doctor bills. (S) When
a doctor is supported comparatively by
a community, he is available for
health talks, study classes etc.
The Economy Health Association Of
fers to send copies of articles and by
laws for 1Oc. l have sent for some
and will mail copy for four &c
stamps to anyone, and if it finds favor
in our community we can call meet
ing and discuss the question.
LUDWIG MOSBEK.
Askov, Mimi, Aug. 81, 1886.