Evening star., 1937-08-26

Deal would seek %;&:$ "a
to introduce ~
'socialised medi-
cine" but a4sur- ~,
ances to the con-
time from high quarters. The impor-
tance Of the new experiment will be
minimized in ofilcial quarters 50 as to
discourage opposition and the plan will
be compared to various group health
plans in private industry. But the new
organization nevertheless is so directly
In line with what has been urged by
persons inside the administration who
see the Job possibilities and patronage
potential1ties Of medical bureaucracy
in the Government. The latest step,
Therefore, may be taken to mean that
the campaign for "sociali1ed medicine"
has begun.
The objections to this form OF
medical care are numerous and the
best testimony is that which comes
from experts who have studied the
health insuranl, systems abroad.
Thus Sir E. Farquhar Buxzard,
president Of the British Medical Asso-
citation, said recently in a public
address:
THE chief flaw in a badly organized
service, such as that which has evolved
in this country during the last century,
is lack OF time, and both the general
practitioner and the consultant, in
order to earn a living wage, are
frequently obliged to undertake far
more work than they can deal With
efficiently In the hours at their dis.
posal."
Compulsory Insurance.
Regarding Germany. DR.. Paul g.
Frank, another authority, says: For
almost 80 years have worked as a
German panel doctor under the con-
ditions Of compulsory health insur-
ance, and for many years 1 was a
member Of the Physicians Committee.
During this period l. witnessed a
deterioration Of the medical profession.
1t came about by the removal OF the
sanctions of preferment by skill and
the substitution Of preferment to con-
venience"
The same line Of reasoning Is ex.
pressed BY Dr.. william J. Mayo Of
the Mayo Brothers Clinic In Min
nesota, who wrote recently:
I'VE OF the medical profession are
determined that We will not be subject
to political interference. We will not
sacrifice the spiritual values Of our
profession for the small material gain
held out to US by political and social
exper1menters who are attempting
now to control the practice Of med
tcine. We refuse to be dictated to BY
men who are not physicians, who do
not understand the sacred Obligation
Of physicians and their patients"
The way ''sociah1ed medicine" would
develop would be to discourage younger
men from going into the medical pro-
fession and take away from those who
have built up a practice many Of the
patients who ordinarily come to them.
1t is true . large number OF doctors
would have to be employed by the
Government in any national scheme
Of "socialized medicine" but the selec-
ton Of these doctors by a political
spoils system would only be 4 worse
step than the application for Govern
ment jobs OF doctors not good enough
to build for themselves a firm reputa-
ton and adequate practice in their
own communities. II, for instance, all
Government employees in WASHINGTON
were to be cared for medically under
some sort of group plan run by the
Government, why should any GOOD
doctors stay here? Why should any
new ones come here from the best
medical schools to replace those who
are retiring. Immediately there would
be . destruction Of incentive and a
breakdown in the quality of medical
care available to the people of this
whole community.
Monthly Payments.
The new plan to be put into effect
next month by THE Group Health
Association" among the Home Owners'
Loan Corp. employees calls for pay
ments OF $3.50 4 month for men with
families and 42.20 4 month for single
persons.
THE aervice," 1t is promised by one
OF the od'cials in charge, will include
medical and surgical examinations, in
GLIDING examination In special depart
ments, such as eye examinations.
laboratory tests and X-ray examina-
tions. In each case, complete medical
and surgical care will be given.
disqualification u to be given In 4
semi-private room for 4 period Of
three weeks during = single illness,
without additional charge"
The stan Of the new clinic Is to be
headed by DR.. Henry r. Brown Of the
tuberculosis division of the Vetsrans'
Administration and 1t Is planned to
hire staff Of about six or seven
physiciaps. .-.-.- ....
The charter Of the new organisa-
ton Is not restricted to the employees
Of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board
and Home Owners Loan Corp. who
are to participate in the group health
schsme, but, If successful, the project
can be extended to all Government
employees inside and outside Of the
National Capital. The dues do not
include cost Of medicines. drugs,
surgical appliances, nor Is the expense
Of dental work, oxygen tanks. radium
and deep X-ray treatments, blood
transfusions or special nursing serv-
Ice. It u not planned to treat cer-
tain types Of surgical or nervous dis
order cases or to furnish treatment
after the medical director recon-
mends confinement In An institution
In mental, tubercular, drug or alco-
hol addiction cases.
The whole experiment, however, BE-
ginning now on small scale, dovetails
With reports current last November
that the Social Security Board vas