Evening star., 1938-03-28
SCOTT INTRODUCES
|PLEA FOR INQUIRY
|OF FR0W0vERG.H.A.
Resolution Would Direct
Committee to Probe
Medical Group.
SAYS SOCIETIES ACTIVE
AGAINST HEALTH PLAN
Seeks to Ascertain Workings Of
Organizations and Whether
Charters Are Violated.

Representative Scott, Democrat, Of
California again today appealed to the
House to investigate the controversy
between the District Medical Society
and Group Health Association, Inc,
and at the same time introduced a
resolution authorizing the inquiry by
a select committee of five members.
The resolution, however. is far reach
ing in scope and would direct the
Investigating Committee to probe the
activities of the American Medical As
sociation and all its affiliated organi-
cations against members of the medical
profession, the G. H. A. and other CO.
operative or contractual groups using
the services of hospitals and physicians
The purpose of the investigation. ac-
cording to the resolution, would be:
l. ITO determine whether the
American Medical Association. its af-
filiates, the Medical Society of the Dis
trict of Columbia, or any of them, are
engaged in activities prejudicial and
detrimental to the health, life, WELL
being and general welfare Of the pub
lie throughout the United States and
the District of Columbia"
Would Report TO House.
2. TO ascertain whether the activi-
ties of such organizations against
Group Health Association, Inc. or
other groups having similar objectives
and physicians employed in behalf CT
such groups, are in violation Of Law.
in contravention of their charters or
contrary to medical ethics and sound
public policy
The resolution authorizes the in
vestigating committee to continue the
inquiry while Congress is not in ses-
sion and further directs it to report
10 the House the results of the inquiry.
together with such recommendation
as it deems advisable.
Mr.. Scott set forth in the resolution
that the American Medical Association.
various State and county medical So
cieties and the District Medical So
ciety have been actively opposing the
plan in operation of G. H. A. and other
similar organizations. He also charged
that members, officers and employees
of the American Medical Association
and its affiliated groups have misrep-
resented the activities, contractual re-
lations and policies of G. H. A. with
regard to its members; their physicians
| and the public, in a seemingly de-
liberate attempt to injure and destroy
this association"
Petition Given Speaker.
Petition for appointment of such q
committee as that proposed by Mr..
Scott was laid before Speaker
Bankhead by the newly reorganized
Washington Committee for Co-opera-
tive Medical Service, which attacked
| the Medical Society. The committee.
in seven-page letter to the Speaker
made public today indicated its opin-
ion that the probe should also include
| the American Medical Association.
This association was charged by the
| committee with attempting to stamp
out cooperative group health organi-
| cations and practices in other cities
| throughout the United States through
the same general tactics it and the
| Medical Society of the District of
Columbia have employed in attempt
ing to stifle the Group Health Asso-
ciation."
Two Other Moves Under Way.
Two other moves we're under way on
Capitol Hill regarding the controversy.
Senator Capper, Republican, of KAN
sas, has called on hospitals of the city
| for their bylaws, and "other informa-
| tion." in order to look into charges by
| g. H. A. that G. H. A. patients can
not be treated by G. H. A. doctors in
| the hospitals. Senator Capper also
wants to know whether the hospitals
are living up to their public trust"
On the other hand, how6ser, Repre-
sentative Shafer, Republican, of Mich
| igan, praising the fine ideals" of the
| doctors, intends to insist that the in
vestigation be made by the Subcom-
mittee on Hospitals and Charities OF
the House District Committee, instead
of the select committee as proposed
by Mr.. Scott.
The Washington Committee for Co
operative Medical Service. which now
includes the public in its membership,
as well as many Government depart
ments and establishments, petitioned
the Speaker of the House for in
vestigation of the Medical Society. be-
fore receiving an offer of cooperation
from the Medical Society. The society
| proffered its services Saturday in
working with the committee to set up
a medical care program for persons Of
low income, but specifically stipulated
that any such plan must be legal,
ethical and economically sound"
Edwards Not Impressed.
A. c.. Edwards, secretary Of the
committee, said he was mot much
impressed" with the society's letter.
because many efforts had been made
by lay groups before to obtain CO.
operation with the Medical Society.
| without result. He said his committee
had an open mind on the question,
however, and would leave the door
open to further negotiations if pos
sible. The committee Is close ally
OF the Group Health Association, all
though not officially connected with it.
In its petition to the Speaker, the
committee charged that 1.-The present
officers of the Medical Society and the
medical stats of the hospitals, to-
gether with the directors Of the hos
pitals, have conspired and combined to
prevent the performance by Group
Health Association. Inc, of its obliga-
tions to its members by refusing or
obstructing the admission to the hos
pitals of members of Group Health As
sociation members and otherwise"
The committee promised that in the
proposed investigation "the names Of
! the patients will be supplied.