Evening star., 1940-01-07
Dr.. Parran Demands
Merit Basis for
Health Jobs
Would Stop Aid for
Mont Compliance; Lowest
Death Rate in 1888
By HAROLD B, ROGERS

BY HAROLD B. ROGERS.
Reiterating his hope that Congress
will consider development of com
prehensive program for national
health" DR.. Thomas Parran, Sur
geon General of the United States
Public Health Service, last night
condemned political control of
health activities as it exists in some
States today"
In his annual report, in which
he said the United States death rate
for 1888 was the Lowest ever record
ed." 106 per 1000, DR.. Parran pointed
out way in which he thought
States might be induced to reduce
political obstacles" by appointment
of personnel of their health organ
ization on merit basis"
DR.. Parran's suggestion included
proposal to withhold Federal
grants-in-aid from those States
which failed to use the merit basis
for such appointments.
His recommendation, with it's
sharp criticism Of politics" in
health work, came in the midst of
the Roosevelt administration drive
for big national health program.
Organized medicine has raised OBJ
lection to some phases of the Fed
eral program.
Committee to Meet.
Meantime the administration
planned to 60 forward with its con-
sideration of new health program
OF the Presidents Interdepartmental
Committee for Coordination of
Health and Welfare Activities of
the Government at meeting Tues
day at the Department of Labor.
The latest proposal, to establish
Federal health centers throughout
the country where most needed and
to be operated by local control
is understood to be slated for dis
cussion. President Roosevelt him
self recently disclosed the project
at a press conference at the White
House. DR.. Parran is a member OF
the Interdepartmental Committee
of which Miss Josephine Roche is
chairman.
DR.. Parran's report took up the
subject of politics" in health ad-
ministration which has been one of
the fears of the medical profession,
danger" it has consistently fought
with the slogan THE physician must
be master in the house of medicine"
One obstacle to efficient admins
tration in the States" Dr.. Parran
declared. lies in the rapid turnover
of personnel due to partisan political
considerations. During the fiscal
year, one-Gxth of the State health
officers were replaced. Such replace
ments are too often accompanied by
the disruption of State and local
health organizations.
"The disastrous effects on morale
and on programs Of service, when
appointments are not made on a
merit basis, are such that appoint
ment to all responsible professional
positions in the State and local
health organizations should be made
under a merit system in each State.
THE establishment of such a
merit system should be made legal
prerequisite to the receipt OF Federal
funds for health work."
National Program Outlined.
DR.. Parran outlined a national
health program based on studies Of
the Interdepartmental Committee,
and the principle of Federal grants
in-aid to the States. But this out
line was very similar to that pre-
viously presented by the committee
and apparently was not entirely the
new point of view recently developed
by the Interdepartmental Commit
tee for new health centers. which
had been explained by President
Roosevelt.
The President had pointed out OBJ
Jections found in the principle of
grants-in-aid. which had failed. he
said, when the poorer States and
counties where the need was great
est, were Invariably unable to put up
thelr portion of the cost to match
that Of the Federal Government.
This position of the President met
with praise from the American
Medical Association. In a recent
issue Of its official journal. the
A. M. A. declared. Thus the Presi-
c-1t has recognized some of the OBJ
fsn7es of the platform of the Amer
lean Medical Association. He has
recognized the primary objection
inherent in the principle of grants
in-aid."
The A. M. A." the journal con-
tinued, has approved the develop
ment Of medical facilities where
need can be shown, with provision
for local administration and con-
troll 1t has opposed the grandiose
plans OF the Wagner bill The Board
OF Trustees and the officers of the
American Medical Association have
repeatedly offered their facilities
and help and advice to the Gov
eminent in working out any sound
plan for meeting Immediately any
needs which may be demonstrated. VI
President Roosevelt has intimated
that the new proposal for Federal