Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-06-18

BOSTON, June l8.-While the
District Medical Society is on the
verge OF taking action on a new
prepayment plan to help the
average citizen of Washington
pay his surgeon for an operation
an organization already is doing
almost exactly the same thing
probably more COMPREHENSIVE
here in the Bay State.
The plan here. known popularity
as Blue Shield" flor surgeons
bills) Is separate from Blue Cross
tfor hospital bills. But the two
are administered Jointly to save
expense.
In Washington the movement to
help the public pay more easily
for medical care of all kinds has
been subject of some controversy
for years. But 1t will reach an
important turning point tomorrow
night, when the District Medical
Society meets to take action on a
long pending proposal.
For this reason, the success of
both Blue Cross and Blue Shield
in Massachusetts, are of timely in
terest to the National Capital COM
munity. The Bay State plans have
attracted Nationwide attention.
The Boston plan and other volun-
tary systems for medical and hos
pital care. sponsored by the organ
lied medical profession itself, are
being pointed to by champions of
private practice, including the Amer
lean Medical Association, as the
logical answer to demand from
other quarters for compulsory ma
tional health insurance. The issues
are being debated in congressional
hearings on the pending Wagner
Murray-Dingell bill to amend the
Social Security Act.
A vote is to be taken tomorrow
night in Washington on adoption
of limited prepayment medical
service plan, developed and recon-
mended by the District Medical So
ciety's Committee on Medical Care,
headed by DR.. Frank D. Costenbader
1t is the result of about two years
study and extensive hearings. 1t is
designed to set up plan for monthly
inStallment payments to defray the
cost of certain surgical and OBJ
stetrical services. supplemented by
laboratory, X-ray and anesthesia
fees, in the hospitals only Details
have not been disclosed
The proposal has been named
Medical Service of the District of
Columbia. If approved, it Is ex-
pected to be supplemented by a new
corporation and probably would be
administered by Group Hospitaliza-
ton. Inc, a nonprofit hospital serv-
ice plan which has more than
100000 participants already under
protection for hospital bills.
The Blue Shield here, known Off
ciaily as Massachusetts, Medical
Service. Is sponsored by the Mass
achusetts Medical Society, and al
ready has more than 100000 sub
scribers. 1t is growing swiftly, at
! the rate of about 10000 a month,
officials told this correspondent.
! How does Blue Shield work?
At present. according to r. F.
Cahalane, executive director, it is
a 'nonprofit, loW-cost surgical care
PLAN sponsored by doctors to, pro-
provide protection for all the fam
lily" 1t may be expanded soon. 1t
receives monthly payments from
subscribers, who iiT return get GER
tain specified obstetrical and sur
gical care, X-rays and other bene
fits rendered by participating physi-
clans. These physicians include -four
out of every five doctors in Mass
achusetts, Mr.. Cahalane said.
do I have free choice of physi-
cians?" is one question often asked
by the public, and printed for the
public's benefit in one of Blue
! Shields brochures.
i Choice of Participants.
You have a free choice of a par
ticipating physician" is the answer
What is a participating physi-
clan?"
! He is one who has entered into
a contract with the Blue Shield to
furnish surgical and certain other
services at Blue Shield members
A list of Blue Shield physicians is
available on request"
Blue Cross and Blue Shield have
increased so rapidly and success
fully throughout this State that
they have outgrown their present
joint headquarters and have had to
buy a building of their own to get
sufficient room for employees The
staff has been increased to 800
people.
/ So practical has the surgical pro-
gram of Blue Shield become that
based on sound actual experience
it is expanding to offer more service
Mr.. Cahalane said, including medi-
cal care.
People subscribing to Blue Cross
under the Massachusetts plan have
the free choice of any of the Isl
member hospitals in the State, "ol
any general hospital in the world.
/ individuals or Groups.
/ Blue Cross members who also
join Blue Shield have the choice
of 1900 participating physicians
out of the $500 registered in tn.
entire State.
Blue Gross accepts subscribers ir
groups, and during special cam
paigns, accepts individuals. Blu.
Shield also accepts subscribers only
in groups, except during campaigns
What does it cost?
Blue Cross disqualification cost!
an individual IS cents a month fol
semiprivate accommodations and 81
cents month for service in a ward
For a husband and wife, semi
private service is $165 month, ant
ward, 81. For a family, includin,
husband, wife and all unmarrie,
: children under 10 1t is ~ for semi