Evening star., 1942-06-24
Wider Medical
Care for j. ).
Clerks Studied
White House Gets
Two Proposals to
Expand Service

With the Public Health Service
reporting that Government en-
ployes lose more than 1000 900 days
annually due to illness, and that the
trend is upward, the White House
Is studying plans for the expansion
Of medical facilities in the depart
mental service.
One program, formulated by the
Council of Personnel Administration
and the Public Health Service,
would necessitate an expenditure
estimated at S. per employe an
nually, or something more than
81 250,000 on the basis of the present
size of the executive force; the other
plan has come from a private source
and the details have not been dis
closed.
The program formulated by the
Council of Personnel Administra-
ton would entail the creation OF
medical divisions by the depart
ments and independent agencies,
along the lines Of those already
maintained by the Public Health
Service, Government Printing Office,
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
and Panama Canal. The Public
Health Service would assist with
the problem of stating the divisions
and co-ordinating their work.
Services Differ.
Medical facilities now available
except for those agencies in which
the special provision has been made
include about IS emergency rooms,
employing l55 nurses and expending
some $500 900 annually. DR.. Thomas
Parran, surgeon general of the Pub
lie Health Service, estimates that
approximately $4,000 persons are
employed in the Establishments
which offer this limited service.
Eight physicians, some on a part
time basis, constitute the mecl;cal
staff.
employees are receiving widely
different types Of services in diff
ferent departments" DR.. Parran re-
ported after a survey. Some give
strictly first aid, while otheres will
treat a patient intensively for minor
illnesses. Some agencies appear to
feel that one of the principal duties
of the nurse is to act as a truant
officer in the detection of malinger-
ing"
The basic program suggested
would start with thorough pre-
placement examination supplement-
ing that now required for all per-
sons appointed through civil service.
Treatment of minor medical emer-
gencies, provision for referring more
serious cases to private physician,
and consultation service in case of
minor emotional disturbances are
the next steps. DR.. Parran also be-
lleves consideration should be given
to supplying dental service in the
larger agencies, particularly in the
outlying districts
Other Problems.
Nutrition and elimination of en-.
vironmental hazards are other prob
lens proposed to be dealt with.
Follow up service is a requisite,
the Public Health Service says. to
deal with those cases where serious
physical or mental conditions are
indicated. Mere hospital facilities
and individual provision for hospi-
taliza ton, and nursing and medical
attention are also desirable. it was
added. The Public Health Service, it
was said. is undertaking a study OF
the feasibility of prepayment in
surance plan for Federal workers
in cooperation with the District of
Columbia Medical Society, to make
medical care available.
In advocating this program. the
Council of Personnel Administra-
ton points out that it is similar to
those widely carried out in private
industry.