Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-10-08
Admiral McIniiiiie see,
Medical Crisis IN
Nation in Five Years
n HAROLD .. ROCERg.

Facing reported "criStS" In mcdi-l
cal care In this country within 1lve
years, spokesmen for both Govern
|ment and private medical practice
yesterday held out hope that more
adequate" hospital and health
services Will be available TO the
public after the war.
The crisis was predicted by Vice
Admiral Ross T. McIntire, surgeon
general Of the Navy and President
Roosevelt's personal physician.
speaking before the 10Th annual
scientific assembly Of the District
Medical Society at the Mayfower
Hotel.
Within i've years. he estimated,
the shortage Of doctors will be felt
most, and returning servicemen will
he needing more hospital and medi-
col care than before they donned
uniforms.
The shortage. also was predicted
by DR.. John H. Fitzgibbon OF Port
land, Greg, chairman Of the new
Council on Medical Service and
Public Relations OF the American
Medical Association. He pointed to
depletion in ranks Of doctors due
to the war and to the oyerwork 'of
eldrely doctors who now are trying
to take care Of the civilian popu-
lation.
Hopeful Of Solution.
Both speakers expressed hope that
some way could be worked out
through cooperation OF Federal
agencies and private practitioners,
to provide adequate" medical care
without disturbing the private prac-
tice of medicine.
DR.. Fitzgibbon said, however, the
ANA was in no mood to use ZAP
peasement" in solving medical and
social problems. He extended the
hand Of cooperation in attempts to
solve such problems, but gave no
indication Of approving the contro-
versial health features Of the MUIR
ray Wagner-Dingell bill. pending In
Congress.
Surely no thinking person will
oppose constructive social legisla-
tion," he told the assembly, "and
least Of all the medical profession.
Many times, however, 1t is difficult
to determine where constructive
legislation ends and destructive
paternalism begins, especially when
administered by an impersonal and
entrenched bureaucracy"
Urges Health Department.
He reiterated q plea for the ANA
health program, which includes a
recommendation for q Federal
Health Department, with a cabinet
ofiicer In charge.
Admiral McIntire charged that
for 1.-The past year we have talked
and talked, but actually have done
nothing" toward solving the prob
lens OF postwar medical care for
the public.
1T is up to the DOCTORS" he said,
ito make sound plans and carry
them through. If we do this we
will not have to worry about So
cialized medicine.
Il don't believe for one minute
the Government should take over
the Nations hospitals, but the Gov
eminent does have q responsibility
to exercise over medical care as
distinguished from hospital care.
There Is some way which can be
found to do this without destroying
or disturbing the private practice
of medicine"
One suggestion along this lire,
he said, might be health centers to
be established by the Government
to include laboratories and clinics
where private physicians could avail
themselves OF modern facilities.
Navy 'Refresher" Courses.
He said the Navy was planning
to give Its own reserve medical
officers refresher courses preparing
them to return to private practice.
He commended the interest shown
by both doctors and laymen In plan
ming broader medical care system
for Washington. He is a member
Of the newly organized "co-ordinat-
ing council" set up by the health
division of the Council of Social
Agencies, to survey Washington's
health and hospital situation, and
make postwar plans. The Medical
Society is planning a new system
Of medical care for Washington.
DR.. Thomas Parran, surgeon gen.
eral Of the United States Public
Health Service, outlined the ma
tional health program, which he had
explained to congressional commit
tees earlier this year.
Other speakers yesterday were
DR.. Harvey Bartle of Philadelphia
chief medical examiner for the
Pennsylvania Railroad, and Col.
Leonard G. Rowntree OF national
Selective Service headquarters, who
suggested that Washington set up
model program to promote physi-
cal fitness, which would be an ex-
ample for the Nation as to what an
alert community could do. !.
DR.. William Mather Lewis, for
mer president OF George Washing
ton University, now president Of
Lafayette College, told the G. w. u.
Medical Soicety luncheon yesterday
that to help meet the deficit In
education" the Government should
return to civilian life as soon as
possible from the armed forces
teatchers who were prepared from
war experience to understand the
problems Of the returning service
man who will continue his educa-
ton under the "GI Bill Of Rights
| The assembly closed last night
with q program Of entertainment
and reports from overseas CORE
spondents, for medical officers and
their friends.
E:~n. E..> Af:.l..