Evening star., 1948-03-03
Dancers of Political Medicine

To the Editor OF The Star:
True liberals will regret that Federal Secur-
ity Administrator Oscar w. Ewing sees fit to
use Gallinger Municipal Hospital as hustings
court. Reference Is made to report the deans
of our two white medical schools must make to
Mr.. Ewing's political satisfaction March 15
This report concerns certain highly controver-
sial demands relative to opening Gallinger Hos
pital to Negro doctors internes and medical
students. There is sensible approval and pub
lic-Spirited agreement that such participation
is fair and desirable. The area Of dispute Is
how best to make this needed innovation with
the least mischief from racial friction and frus-
tration. Such honest purpose has not been
helped by Mr.. Ewing's proposal to have Negro
doctors impartially treat both white and col
ored INDECENT patients. He would assign in
digent patients by rotation and the strict
order of admission to the hospital.
Compromising his psychological ineptitude,
Mr.. Ewing adds threats of political compulsion
which this voteless community well UNDER
stands At the onset of the conference he
stated that his position on Gallinger "has the
full backing Of the President of the United
States" Later, he limited that Outstanding
differences may have to be settled on higher
level" If he is not satisfied with the deans
report March is.
Surely, it is grave disservice to the urgent
and legitimate needs OF Negro doctors to in
trude political coercion where only goodwill can
provide a satisfying solution. This tactless ap-
proach to an explosive racial problem in this
quasi-Southern community only provides
deadly ammunition for demagogues
Mr.. Ewing implies that If 1t is right and just
for white doctors to treat colored indigents in
hospital under Federal control then turn
about is fair play. Such sophistry applied to
ancient prejudices and taboos Is no credit to
any ones political sagacity.
The intelligent realist must know that the
deans of our white medical schools only may
speak for the doctors on their respective facul-
ties They have already agreed to do every
thing in their power to help the Negro doctors
solve their pressing problems. But If this still
is a free country, our deans have no authority
or power to speak for or to bind prospective
patients. This is true even If they are indigents
in Federally controlled hospital situated in an
unfranchised community like. ours. For in
stance, our deans may not promise Mr. Ewing
that white patients will be treated by COL
ored doctors. Perhaps some Of the truly lib
eral-minded may accept the proposal without
racial prejudice. But those who are native to
this community sincerely believe there will be
more indignant rebellion than cooperation and
approval. Furthermore, it is doubtful If the
considerable prestige Of the White House can
alter the reality by executive fiat.
All doctors, white and colored, should thank
Mr.. Ewing for this candid preview of COM
pulsory state medicine. When and If the elec-
torate is duped into approving compulsory ma
tional health insurance advocates of BUREAU
cratic paternalism like Mr. Ewing will be its
dictatorial administrators. In his theological
ultimatum to the deans of our white medical
schools we learn precisely what this admins
tration means by free choice" of doctors. 1t
means any expedient choice, no matter how re-
pugnant to the individual, that will win votes.
If Mr.. Ewing has proved anything in his pro-
posals to our deans, he has proved this: The In
telligent Negro leaders better had think twice
before they yield to the political plea to place
their trust in the benehcent compulsion Of the
paternalistic state. Once you create the all
encompassing state paternalism in matters OF
health the Gallinger episode will be the pat
tern of personal freedom. The helpless pa
tients will take what the benefcent state die
tates and like it. The Negro doctors are prom
ised white patients; the white patients are told
they must accept Negro doctors even If the
idea Is repugnant. Just leave the problem OF
providing medical care to the compulsion Of
the state, and Mr.. Ewing promises everybody
will be happy. 1t Is "free choice's but the
politician makes it.
THOMAS E. MATTINGLY, M. D.