Evening star., 1937-11-04
MEDICAL UNIT ACTS
ON GROUP SERVICE
D. c. Society to Call Atten.
ton to Phases of U. S. Plan
Held Illegal.

Rejecting proposal to hire at
torneys and start a direct court at
tack on the new group medical service
plan for employees of Government
agencies under the Federal Home
Loan Bank Board, the District Medi-
cal Society last night decided instead
on action to direct attention to local
government officials TO asserted illegal
phases of the program, it was learned
today.
The society approved a resolution
directing its secretary to ask the
American Medical Association to COM
municate to the District Commits
sioners, the district attorney. corpo-
ration counsel. insurance commissioner
and local licensure board the sub
stance of an article in the issue Of
its journal for October 2.
The article reported that the legal
department Of the American Medical
Association believed, after a study Of
the Group Health Association, Inc,
plan, that it was Illegal in certain
aspects. 1t called attention to legal
provisions in the District against the
practice of medicine by corporation
and against check-off system against
the pay of Government employees to
collect dues in the association.
To Proceed Cautiously
The society's decision to proceed
cautiously" as one member expressed
it, came after long discussion in q
closed session during which the pro-
posal to institute direct legal proceed
ings against the "socialized medicine"
plan was rejected. 1t was pointed out
that the medical society's charter does
not give it authority to take part in
court action, and most Of the doctors
expressed the feeling that such a
course would not be proper.
Sponsors of the more drastic pro-
posal ccntended that the group health
plan makes it more difficult for young
men to get foothold in the profess
sion urging direct action to stop sucn
a program before it gained headway.
The Group Health Association, Inc,
with more than 1000 members among
employees of the Home Owners Loan
Corp. and other agencies afflliaJed
with the Federal Home Loan Bank
Board, began operations Monday in
Offices at 1928 street NV. Members
pay S220 a month individually or
$3.50 per month per family for full
medical services. The association
maintains staff of Is doctors and
technicians
Health Center Urged.
The medical society last night also
adopted resolution urging that con-
struction of the proposed District
health center at First and Pierce
streets be expedited.
Pointing out that Congress has ap-
propriated s165.000 for construction
of the health center. DR.. Thomas E.
Neill, president of the society, said
ways and means should be found to
begin building the center without
untoward delay"
The Health Department explained
today that plans for the building had
been drawn. but that construction was
being held up because the site is oc-
cupied at present by the Jones School,
| and school officials have encountered
delay in arranging to care for the
pupils elsewhere.
The projected health center would
provide medical and nursing care fof
INDECENT residents of the area in which
it is to be built. Similar projects are
contemplated for other sections of the
city as funds become available.