Evening star., 1938-08-01

and operates q clinic. The Associa-
ton has encountered opposition from
the Medical Society of the District
Of Columbia and from the American
Medican Association since its forma-
ton. The Medical Society's methods
have already been outlined In the In
troductory portion Of this statement.
TYPICAL examples Of what has o.
CURED may be given here.
Even before Group Health Associa-
ton had begun operation Of its clinic
the local medical society. and the
American Medical Association made
public attacks upon the ethics Of the
association and upon its legality and
its financial soundness. At the same
time the medical society began ex-
pulsion proceedings against the asso-
cations doctors. These proceedings
were based upon charge Of "unethical''
conduct. although the doctors only
onense had been their willingness to
serve the association. Expulsion Of
the associations doctors was sought
not only from the Medical Society of
the District Of Columbia, but also
from other medical societies afnliated
with the American Medical Associa
ton In other parts OF the Nation.
Doctor II Expelled.
The proceedings against one of the
associations doctors were carried to q
conclusion and the doctor WAS ex-
PEELED. Proceedings against another
doctor are still pending. An effort
was also made to secure the expulsion
OF = Washington specialist who had
disregarded the society's edict by en-
saging In professional relations with
Group Health Association doctor.
A striking example Of the restric-
tions placed upon Group Health As
sociation's doctors in securing con-
sultations with other Washington
physicians occurred in the case ol
patient suffering from se.
rious heart ailment. The consult.
Ing specialist was instructed by an
of1cer OF the Medical Society that he
could not consult with the attending
association physician. 1t was, there
fore, necessary for, the patient to see
the specialist alone and for the spe.
cialst to communicate his conclu-
sions to the Group Health Associa-
ton doctor by correspondence. In
other instances Group Health ASsocia.
ton checks have been rejected BY
Washington consultants because oi
fear OF the Medical Society's attitude
Hespitah Closed 10 G. H. A. Doctors
The close relationship existing be.
tween the Medical Society and tn,
principal hospitals In Washington ha.
resulted In denial 70 Group Health As.
sociation physicians Of access to hos
pital facilities in the District Of Co
lumbia. Not even in emergency case.
are these doctors allowed TO attene
their patients.
For example, an association mem
Der earning 81, ,440 year recently tele
phoned the associations surgeon y
midnight and reported that her hus
band had been taken to 4 Washington
hospital with acute appendicitis, an,
requested that the surgeon come II
the hospital Immediately to TAX
charge Of the case. The hospital de
clined to permit the associa tiol
surgeon to operate. notwithstandin
the fact that the member had desire,
this surgeons services and had PAL,
for them through her membership II
the association. The member, there
fore, was compelled to incur heav,
surgical and hospital expenses that sh'
would not have needed to contrac
for II the A&sociati ton had been per