Evening star., 1938-03-17
CUSTER OF c. H.A.
DOCTOR IS VOTED
Medical Society Members
Vote Opens Way for
Court Action.

Battle lines between the Medical
Society anG Group Health Association,
Inc. were clearly drawn today, with
prospects of further engagements in
the near future
Action Of the Medical Society in
ousting from its membership DR.. Mario
Scandinio, G. H. A. doctor, by a vote
Of l48 to last night. was believed
to make way for the threatened court
action by G. H. A. against the Medical
Society. DR.. Scandifio's defense be-
fore the society was further explained
today by G. H. A. In making public
his brief
DR.. Scandiffio was at his post this
morning in the Group Health Clinic,
1926 I street, continuing his activities
as usual. Oficials of G. H. A. said his
expulsion by the Medical Society had
strengthened the determination of G.
H. A. to back him to the limit.
Hospitals Of the city also became
involved in collateral issue, as some
Community Chest contributors began
canceling their subscriptions because
the hospitals have refused to permit
G. H. A. doctors to operate on G..
H. A. members, who are Chest con-
tributors.
Chest Is in Middle.
Civil war" among the various
agencies of the Chest, is one of the
things which the Chest is earnestly
hoping to avoid, according to Herbert
L. Willett, Chest director, today. Fol-
lowing up his recent address to a
Community Chest forum of govern
mental employees. including memers of
g. H. A., Mr.. Willett attempted to take
q middle ground in the controversy.
The Chest. he indicated, is ''in the
middle" 1t buys service from the hos
pitfalls. but on account of the shortage
OF Chest funds last year was unable to
pay for $4,000 worth Of service rem
dered to Chest patients sent to the
hospitals. He expressed hope that the
controversy between the Medical So
ciety and G. H. A. would be settled
amicably, but admitted complaints
were coming to Chest headquarters
from G. H. A. contributors.
DR. Scandiffio was ousted at a meet
Ing OF the Medical Society last night
as climax to long drawn out hear
Ing, and recommendations from a
special committee. Action Of the ses-
sion was announced ofIicially by DR..
Thomas E. Neill, president of the
Medical Society. The resolution to
oust the G. H. A. doctor was presented
from the floor by DR.. William Mercer
Sprigg, chairman Of the society's
Executive Committee. A proposal by
another member of the society that
DR.. Scandifdo should be suspended
was not adopted. After the custer
vote, DR.. Neill made public an Official
announcement Of the matter. 1t reads
as follows:
Several months ago. after due pre-
liminary investigation, the Compensa-
ton. Contract and Industrial Medicine
Committee of the Medical Society
presented to the Executive Committee
formal charges against DR.. Mario
Scandifho, a member of the society.
Accused Given Hearing.
"These charges accused DR.. Scan
d. dino Of violating the constitution and
. by-laws Of the Medical Society. The
Executive Committee studied these
charges for some weeks, then, in &C.
cordance with the constitution of the
society it granted DR.. Scandiffio a
rd foir !, inn OF y, ;oI,
he was represented by counsel. In
these hearings he was granted the op-
portunity to thoroughly defend him.
self. These hearings lasted over a
period OF five weeks. After complete
hearing Of all facts and arguments
the Executive Committee weighed the
evidence and reached the decision that
DR.. Scandifio was guilty Of violating
the constitution and bylaws of the
Medical Society. It recommended to
the Medical Society as a whole that
DR.. Scandifiio be expelled from men,
bership. This recommendation was
formally laid before the body of tho
Medical Society at its regular sched-
uled business meeting OF March 2, as
provided in the society's constitution.
In accordance with the constitution
the matter was then laid over to be
acted upon after due notice at the
next regular meeting of the Medical
Society, in order that every member of
the society might be informed Of the
matter, and might have adequate op-
portunity to arrive at 4 considered
opinion.
Vote Taken BY Members.
"The matter was duly presented at
the meeting tonight at which time
the membership of the society voted
by an overwhelming majority to expel
DR.. Scandiffio. The sole issue involved
was whether DR.. Scandiffic had vio-
lated certain rules of the society that
had been in effect for many years con-
corning the eligibility Of physicians
for membership. These rules of eligi-
bility were set up to protect the public
from unethical, illegal, and incom-
petent practitioners. Obviously such
eligibility requirements are necessary
in any organization of the nature Of
the Medical Society,""
In the l9-page brief submitted on
behalf Of DR.. Scandiffio before the
hearing Of the Medical Society, it was
contended that G. H. A. Is similar to
many medical clinics operating
throughout the country.
In conclusion the brief stated:
"Dr. Scandifio, in rendering medical
service to the members of the Group
Health Association, Inc, is in no
sense subject to censure. His activ-
tiles are, indeed. beyond reproach.
DR.. Scandifao has in no manner vio-
lated the principles Of ethics Of the
medical profession. The association,
the members Of whom he serves, is in
no aspect Illegally engaged in the prac-
tice Of medicine, nor is that group in
any phase Of its activity illegally
engaged In an insurance business. DR..
Scandifdo, in aiding the members of