Evening star., 1937-11-19
NEW GROUP HITS
STATE MEDICINE
San Francisco Plan to Re-
strict U. S. Participation
Is Discussed Here.

Government participation in medi-
cine should be restricted, for the most
part, instead of enlarged. according
to recommendations of new move
ment reaching selected list of Wash
ington physicians and surgeons.
Emanating from San Francisco, and
known as the San Francisco plan, the
proposal already has stirred deep in
terest in medical circles here. It was
being interpreted today as an answer
to the controversial so-called rebel"
declaration by 429 doctors, which
would have expanded widely the
participation of Government in medi-
cine and its supervision.
Whether the San Francisco plan will
come up before the Medical Society
here was problematical but it is al
ready being widely discussed privately
among members of the society.
The previous declaration of the 429
doctors, signed by several here, stirred
q Nationwide controversy, and was
recently tabled abruptly by the Mary
Observation-Disclosures of Columbia
Medical Society at the Shoreham
Hotel.
Would Restrict Government,
The San Francisco plan recognizes
medical need for the low-income
groups and even the desirability Of
some Government aid, but sharply re-
stricts the Government participation.
1t was believed to be considered favor
ably by several leaders in the medical
profession here.
The San Francisco plan recognizes
that the health of the people sis a
concern of Government" but pro-
eeeds to limit somewhat severely what
1t thinks the Government should do
1t was interpreted as representing the
viewpoint of private practice of medi-
cine.
The declaration stirred deep interest
IN medical circles here today, espe-
clatly In view of the Medical Society
hight against the Group Health Asso-
citation, Inc, Of the Federal Home Loan
Bank Board and the sharp difference
OF opinion here over the declaration
OF the 429 physicians.
Ihe intervention of Government" ;"
declares the San Francisco plan,
should consist chiefly in promoting
the security of the people in the en-
Ioyment OF health opportunities. should
Involve the minimum complexity and
Size Of Government agencies. and
should preserve the maximum indi-
vidua freedom and private initiative
consistent with this aim"
Would Entail Supervision.
In conformity with this principle,
the San Francisco plan declares that
government agencies for insurinp
the sanitary safety of water, milk and
other supplies, for quarantine, for en-
Forcing honesty in labelling and ad-
vertlslng foods and drugs for medical
hcensure and the like should be main
tanned and in certain cases strength
ened.
Recognizing the need of medical
service distribution for low-income
groups, government should regard
with sympathetic approval and, where
necessary. aid by enabling. legislation
certain programs of insurance for
medical care in sickness now func-
tionlng and others contemplated by
many units of organized medicine in
this country.
Mindful of the medical professions
ageless and fruitful tradition of self
sacrificing service and Of the Ameri-
can peoples stake in personal freedom,
government should refrain from COM
peting in or monopolizing the field of
insurance medicine and from COM
puls1on of physicians in offering or Of
the people in accepting such insur-
ance
Other Aims Held More Urgent.
THE preservation and advance of
standards in medical education, med
1cal practice and medical research are
more important for the future quality
OF medical service than the present
problem OF distribution, however
urgent 1t may appear to be.
In conformity with this principle,
since support by legislative appropria-
tion inevitably favors political con-
troll and diminishes both the incentive
and Through mounting taxation) the
possibilities for private support. gov
ernnent should avoid any general ex-
tension of the policy of subsidizing
medical institutions.