Evening star., 1948-09-30
Group Health
Reports S13,440
Fund Surplus
Worne Tells Meeting
Way Is Now Open for
Expansion Program

Group Health Association, Inc, i
operating without a deficit for the
first time in four years.
This was revealed last night II
the first financial report of the 15..
000-member medical cooperative
since it raised its dues last May l.
From May to August, the associa'
ton not only avoided deficit, but
accumulated a surplus of $l3 40
first appreciable financial gain since
before the war.
William E. Warne, association
president, told q semianual mem.
bership meeting last night that this
accomplishment clears the way fol
long planned expansion, including
addition of dental services and erec.
ton of the associations own health
center.
Dental Clinic to Open.
The new dental clinic is expected
to 60 into operation on or about
January /, Mr.. Warne announced.
To prepare for the new building, he
said, the association soon will under
take a $4,000 fund drive to cover
costs of plans, with view toward
actual construction within II to ID
months.
The association also is continuing
TO attract new members, last night S
meeting was told.
Melvin L. Dollar, executive direc-
tor. said 3,2l2 new members have
ioined since last January l. While
1897 have left the association-most
of them, Mr.. Dollar said, because
they moved out of the area-the net
gain of l,205 has brought the Or
ganization's rolls to record 15.075.
This is nearly half of its lorg range
goal of $4,000 members.
Lose Few in Dues Raise.
Few members have dropped out
because of last springs increase in
dues-'feWer than expected" Mr.
Dollar declared. The increase ap-
parently has not discouraged new
applicants, he added.
The increase, adopted by a s.
to-l referendum vote after several
months of controversy, was lnstl-
tuted to meet rising costs. which
threatened to bring curtailment OF
the associations services. Fifty
cents was added to the SO monthly
dues for adults and Is cents to the
81 dues for children.
Despite the $l3,440 surplus since
May. which Mr.. Dollar ascribed di-
rectly to the raise in dues, the
association still has deficit OF
more than S16.500 remaining from
the last four years, it was pointed
out.
One of the chief reasons the as
socia ton hopes to expedite its build
ing plans, Mr. Dollar told the meet
ing, Is the rent which it now must
pay to house its facilities in three
separate buildings. Beginning in
November. this will rise to $4,000
monthly, he said.
Site Already Owned.
Another reason is that present
facilities can accommodate only 49,
900 to 10000 persons, it was pointed
out.
The proposed new medical center
Is to be built on site already
owned by the ASSOCIATE at Twenty
seventh and K streets NV.
Chief problem in connection with
the opening of the new dental clinic
is the difficulty of obtaining the
dental staff, Miss Edith lockwood,
Dental Committee chairman, told
last nights meeting.
The association is seeking den
tai director, at starting salary OF
S8500 q year, and three dentists at
$500, as well as dental hygienist.
The staff later is to be Increased
to IL, according to present plans.
Pending completion of the new
building, the clinic will be located
in the Arlington Building, 1925 Ver-
mont avenue NV.
Additional charges for dental
service have not yet been set, Miss
lockwood said, but she warned
they will not be inexpensive"
I'VE are starting in high-price
period" she declared. But We
hope the service will not be overly
expensive
1000 Expected to Apply.
The association expects the new
service to grow rapidly, MI, Warne
said. About 1000 members are ex-
pected to apply for it, he said, on
the basis of poll taken last year.
Discussing the associations men,
bership drive, Mr. Dollar reported
that Government agencies are show
ing increasing cooperation in per-
mitting distribution of literature. In
the last 10 weeks, 100000 folders
have been issued to Federal workers,
he said.
Cost Of this campaign. Mr.. Dollar
said. during July and August was
about $1,000 a month, but he de-
clared the expenditure is necessary
In order to keep the membership
expanding.
Mr.. Dollar announced appoint
ment of Mervin Williams. Group
Health staff member, as treasurer
and manager of the fiscal depart
ment, succeeding Delbert Messner
who is leaving the city.
DR.. Henry Lichtenberg, medical
director, discussed the technique OF
cancer detection. The association
met in the Archives Building audi
forum.
Air School and Others
Eore Suit for S25 600