Evening star., 1939-01-29
joseph H. Hines Realizes Ideal
With Group disqualification
Head of Concern
Renders Civic Service
Without Pay
By JESSIE FAINT EVANS.

That miracles can still be wrought
by the alchemy Of unselflsh vision
and service for others, methodically
carried out in wise planning and
careful execution, has been success
fully demonstrated in Washington in
the last four and a half years.
For less than the price of a daily
newspaper, Group Republication,
Inc, of this city, is making 1t possible
for member of an employed group
and his dependent family so to
budget his pay roll that in case Of
illness his hospital bills are no worry.
The man whose remarkable lead
ership has done more than that OF
any other person to make the Dis
trict group disqualification con-
scious" is Joseph H. Hines.
First and only president of Group
disqualification, Inc, local nom
profit-making organization, he has
been at the forefront of civic ideal
come true, which is serving as q
model for other groups in various
cities of the United States.
Neither Mr.. Hines, his fellow off,
GERS, nor the Board of Trustees who
have served with him since Group
disqualification, Inc, was organized,
have received one penny of compen-
sation for their efforts in its behalf.
Nor is their contribution one which
can be measured in dollars and cents
The only reward they have sought
has been richly theirs from the be-
ginning-the freedom of subscribers
from worry as to hospital bills
when their need arises.
Doctors Favor Plan.
Since the election of its first offi-
GERS on February /, 1894, when they
proceeded to take positive steps to-
ward putting their plan into opera
ton, Group disqualification, Inc, has
had the unanimous and unqualified
support of the Medical Society of
the District. Prominent physicians
have not only been heartily in IA
vor of it, but have shown their ap-
proval of its aims and objectives by
giving their services as enthusiastic
members of its governing body.
Every hospital in this community
is in accord with Group Hospital
ization's objectives and welcomes its
subscribers as patients.
Group disqualification, Inc, as its
name indicates, provides hospital
care only. 1t has no concern with
the subscribers choice of a physi-
clan or his charges. Subscribers and
their physicians make the choice of
hospital.
In the four and half years
Group Hospitalization's membership
has increased beyond $4,000. 1t has
disbursed in excess of $750,000 to
District hospitals for subscriber serv-
ice in behalf of some 10000 patients.
Among the benefits available to
participants in Group Hospitaliza-
tion's privileges are: Three weeks
disqualification, the hospitals rou-
tine laboratory examination, the use
of its operating room and such
medication as may be necessary,
except sera and blood transfusions.
Began in Back Room.
Group Hospitalization's first Office
was located in the third-floor back
room of a one-time residence at
1913 Vermont avenue. For these
meager quarters, its sponsors and
incorporators paid the monthly sum
of $3.50. Its Office furniture con-
sisted of two secondhand desks and
four straight-back chairs of similar
background.
There were presently GA employed
persons who were willing to go along
with this seemingly Utopian scheme