Evening star., 1938-08-12
Group Health
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place on the regular equity calendar.
already 10 months behind schedule.
George p. Hoover of counsel Tor the
physicians said today he plans to
leave shortly for a vacation, to return
in September, which will obviate an
arguing of the issue earlier. William
E. Leahy is associated with him.
First announcement of the suit was
made through the District Medical
Society.
In its prepared announcement OF
the suit it was declared that the
solicitor general had decided the
United States attorney here would not
appeal from the decree entered by
Justice Bailey and therefore "the
members of the medical profession
felt that it was necessary that this
suit be filed SO that all questions as
to the legality or illegality of the
activities of Group Health Association
may be decided by the highest court
Of the District of Columbia"
No reference was made in the state
ment to the fact that Corporation,
Counsel Elwood H. Seal, on behalf of
j. Balch Moor, superintendent of in
surance, who also was defendant in
the previous G. H. A. suit, already
has appealed from the decision of
Justice Bailey. The Bailey decision
was in a case brought by G. H. A.
itself under the Declaratory Judgment
Act.
Not Opposed to Theory.
The three physicians declared they
wished to make it clear that their
action (today) is not to be construed
to mean that they are opposed to the
introduction of properly safeguard
ed methods for the distribution of
medical care within the means Of in
dividuals in the low-income groups.
They recognize that the delivery of
such medical care presents a prob
lem which should receive serious
thought of the medical profession and
all other interested groups"
The Medical Society, it was re-
Gently disclosed, is making a serious
and careful study of the possibility
Of "a limited indemnity type of health
insurance"
This study is being made by a new
committee on medical economics, u
headed by DR.. Arch I. Riddick. It is
understood to be pursuing further q
preliminary study announced months
ago from other medical sources here,
into the so-called panel system" of
physicians, whereby group of physi-
clans who care to cooperate may con-
stitute a panel from which patients
may select their doctor.
Payment would be made by patients
on the installment plan to q general
fund, and turned over to the physician
Of the patients choice. There would
be certain limits both to the income
groups admitted to such privileges and
to the service available for the fixed
charges. No details of this program,
however, have been decided on by the
medical society, according to the most
reliable indication today.
The Medical Society issued q state
ment in connection with today's suit,
the first comment from that body
since Justice Bailey's decision.
If a situation arises, such Is it
has with the Group Health Associa-
ton, where the Medical Society feels
that the best interests of the public
are not being served, it should enjoy
the same privilege granted any other
group of citizens to oppose it." the
statement said.
Apparently referring to the move
ment of the Roosevelt administration
to bring more adequate medical care
to the whole population, heading up
in the recent spirited National Health
Conference at the Maynower Hotel,
the statement declared:
THE Medical Society recognizes the
need for the extension of preventive
services as proposed by the United
States Public Health Service. It
pledges its whole-hearted aid in the
development of the proposed program.
The Medical Society, however, does
not believe that Government control
of medical practice, whether 1t be by
Federal, State or local government, is
in the best interests of the people OF
this country. -" More adequate care
for the INDECENT in many communities
is needed There is evidence that his
is true in the District of Columbia, and
the Medical Society stands ready to
consider with public ofiicials ways and
means by which this can best be
accomplished"
More Conciliatory Tenor.
This language is more temperate and
of q more conciliatory and cooperative
tenor than that used by the American
Medical Association leaders, in regard
to the Federal Governments latest
moves. The A. M. A., however, accord
ing to DR.. Morris Fishbein, in = letter
to The Star today, states that the
question Is discussed, including the
Justice Department attack on the
medical profession, in the forthcoming
issue of the ofiicial Journal Of the
A. M. A., out next Saturday.
Perry r. Taylor, new administrator
of Group Health Association, will set
up his ofnces tomorrow at 1927 I street
in a building separate from the G. H
A. clinic at 1928 I street.
He explained that the clinic was 50
busy taking care of its 5000 patients
that he Is setting up offices elsewhere
SO as to leave the clinic for medical
care only. G. H. A. is considering ex-
pansion of its services.
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