Evening star., 1946-08-11

dolph Health bill
DR.. Cronin. will result in
marked Improvements in the health
and welfare of Government en-
ployes and also will result in more
efficient Government operation. be-
cause of healthier and happier en-
ployes.
Appointed by Surgeon General
Thomas Parran to administer the
program, DR.. Cronin already Is en-
gagged in drafting plans for the
project designed to apply to every
federal department and agency in
the government.
Clinics Authorized.
The Randolph Act authorizes the
establishment of health clinics in
individual departments and agencies
for emergency treatment The
health units also will conduct pre-
employment and periodic examina-
tions OF Federal employees. Another
function of the health units will be
the preparation of preventive health
programs for Government employees
Federal officials last night ex-
pressed the belief that nearly all
Government departments and agen-
cies will ask the Public Health
Service to take charge of the1
health programs, even though the
agencies have the option of setting
up their own health units under
PHS supervision. The vast resources
of the PHS will be of invaluable aid
to Federal agencies. which would
have to struggle along without this
aid II they pursue an independent
course, it was said. 1t was stressed
however, that even if an agency
spurned PHS control of it's program.
1t still comes under the PHS SUPER
vision and must get the PHS ap-
proVal before it can get funds for
the program. The smaller agencies
are expected to pool their resources
with one another and set up CO.
operative clinics.
The few existing Federal agencies
that now have some sort of medical
facilities will be given an interim
period to conform to PHS standards
and eventually will come under PHS
jurisdiction, 1t was said
Old Methods to End.
Dr.. Cronin emphasized that the
new program will mean the end of
two aspirins for every -head adache
type of treatment. The individual
health units, which will be well
stated by competent physicians and
nurses, will seek to diagnose the
cause of an employees discomfort
and recommend the treatment to
alleviate or cure the ailment.
DR.. Cronin emphasized that the
program is not meant to compete
with private physicians After dag
nosing an employees condition. the
health officer of the individual
agency will recommend that the
employe see his personal physician
for treatment.
1t was stressed that the essential
purpose of the new Federal health
program is along preventive lines.
BY diagnosing symptoms in time
and recommending treatment. val
liable aid will be given to both the
employe and to the agency for which
he works, 1t was stressed.
Annual Tests Planned.
Each year it is planned that an
nual health examinations will be
given to Federal employees to deter
mine their fitness for the Jobs thev
occupy. If, for example. it is found
that the employees condition makes
1t dangerous for him to continue tc
do the type of work he is doing. the
agency health unit can recommend
that he be transferred to a less
strenuous job and one more suitable
to him.
Also, employees who are excused
from work because of illness will moi
be permitted to return to the jot
until the individual health office,
is satisfied that they have recovered
For example, an employe who ha.
sore throat or fever will be advised
to visit his private physician. Il
the employe doesn't have a privat.
physician, the health officer will
submit the names of three doctor.
approved by the local medical societ,
and recommend that the employt
visit one of them. If the employ,
hasn't the money to visit a physi.
clan, the PHS could utilize its knoWl.
edge OF existing free community ia.
cilities and certify the individual t.
one of these places.
Protection Planned.
Until the employees symptom,
have vanished, they will not be per
mitted to return to work. This will
be for the protection of their fellow
employees who might be infected b,
them. Diphtheria, colds and othe
contagious Affections can be spreat
easily in places where people con
gregate and this precaution will pro
tect other Government workers, i
was stressed.
Federal employees seeking adyic,
on medical problems will be able t.
get 1t from their individual clinics
Here again, DR.. Cronin stressed tina
the Government does not intenc
to go into competition with privat.
physicians. An example cited i.
the employe who complains o.
violent headaches. Instead of Civ.
ing the usual aspirin treatment, tn,
individual will be sent down to tn,
clinic and carefully examined. II il
is found that eyestrain is causin,
the condition, glasses will be rec.
commended and the employe will mo-
be permitted to pursue his regular
work until the glasses are obtained
If, on the other hand. it is foune
that high blood pressure is causin,
the headaches. the person will b,