Evening star., 1938-04-02
A. N. A. OFFICIAL
ANDSCOTTCONFER
ON c. H. A. DISPUTE
Dr.. Woodward Arrives and
Takes Hand in Group
Health Issue.
Or. VIRGINIUS DABNEY
TAKES OVER NEW POST
Statement of United Federal
Workers Backing Chest Is
Welcomed by Director.

The American Medical Association
again entered the District Medical
Society Group Health Association
controversy today following the ar
rival here of Dr. William c. Wood
ward, legislative representative of the
A. NJ A. and an avowed enemy of
the G. H. A.
Dr.. Woodward conferred yesterday
with Representative Scott, Democrat,
OF California, champion of G. H. A.,
who has included in his pending reso-
luton a proposal to inquire into ac-
tlvities of the American Medical As
sociation. His resolution is before
the House Rules Committee.
Although the American Medical
Association has not recently showed
its hand openly. it is firmly on record
in opposition to Group Health Asso-
citation, This position IS outlined in
a comprehensive statement from the
Bureau of Legal Medicine and Legis-
latlon, Of which Dr. Woodward is the
director. 1t first was printed in the
October Journal of the Medical
Association, and later was reprinted
and given wide distribution, in the
form of 23-page pamphlet.
The Medical Association recently
vas charged by Senator Capper, Re-
publican, of Kansas with influence
in Nationwide movement against
voluntary group health associations.
Shafer Opposes Scott Plan.
Representative SCOTS move to in
clude the A. NJ. A. in the investiga-
ton has been opposed by Repre-
sentative Shafer, Republican, of Illi-
nois, who has praised the doctors
for their fine ideals" and attempted
to have the investigation made in
stead by the Subcommittee on Hos
pitfalls and Welfare of the House
District Committee, of which he is
chairman.
Meantime, DR.. Virginius Dabney,
one of the chief surgeons at Episcopal
Hospital. has taken over his new post
as head of the Group Health Associa-
tion's ear, nose and throat depart
ment of its clinic at 1928 I street.
Herbert L. Willett, jr, director of
the Community Chest, this morning
welcomed a statement by the United
Federal Workers of America support
ing the Chest generally, despite at
tempts of some G. H. A. members
to cancel their subscriptions.
Mr.. Willett, who has insisted all
along that the Chest takes no sides
in the controversy, indicated the re-
quests of some G. H. A. members
for cancellation of their Chest con-
tribution will be taken before the
Executive Committee. No action can
be taken by that committee, he said,
until the return to the city of Coleman
Jennings, president of the Chest.
U. F. A. Statement.
The U. F. A., in its new statement
concerning the situation, said:
While the United Federal Work.
ers of America regrets very much that |
the Community Chest has not seen
fit to dlsavow the anti-social prac-
tices of the hospitals that are benefi- !
ciaries of the Chest and who are act
ing in concert with the management |
of the District Medical Society to
oeny hospital privileges to thousands
OF washington citizens, we do not feel
the Chest as whole should be pen
allied because of the sins of one group
of its benefciaries.
"All members of the United Federal
Workers of America who are SUBJ
scrlbers to the Community Chest are
urged to pay their subscriptions
promptly in the full amount pledged.
If any subscriber specified that his
funds were to go to a hospital, and he
now wishes to change that, he can do
that without cutting off his subscrip-
tion to the Chest
I'VE have today, for the second
time, asked the Community Chest to
take specific action in disavowal of
the action of hospitals denying hos
pital facilities to 5000 Washington
residents. The United Federal Work.
ers OF America has also asked the
carefully to consider the serious prob
lem being created by this denial of
hospital privileges"
Sees Congress Members.
Or. woodward who could not be
reached today, was reported in re-
liable circles to. have interviewed sew.
eral members of Congress yesterday,
The exact position taken by him now,
representing the A. M A., has not been
disclosed.
The Bureau of Legal Medicine and
Legislation, however. in its official
statement attacking the Group Health
association, was unequivocal in its
strong opposition to the movement. 1t
attacked the principle of corporate
practlce OF medicine and the quality
OF medical service such an organiza-
ton could render