Evening star., 1949-06-08
ANA House Rejects
Veterans Care Plan;
Resiudy Expected
ey George sevendss

ATLANTIC CITY. June e-The
American Medical Association
probably vii reconsider this week
a program urging strongly that
low income veterans be treated at
Government expense in private
hospitals instead Of IN Veterans
Administration institutions.
The policy-naking House OF
Delegates defeated this proposal
by O standing vote Of si-5s yes
terday, in the most divided issue
to come thus far before the AMA'sI
esth annual convention. Ofacials
Of q special committee. which
reported the proposal with o
strong plea for its adoption. said
Iit probably viii be brought before
the members tomorrow. with the
argument that its provisions were
not understood.
Aimed directly at cutting into
the VAS vast-and controversial
hospital construction program.
the move also would give a strong
impetus to voluntary hospital and
medical care prepayment plans.
Eligible for Treatment.
II would allow Veterans Admin
istrator Gray to give veterans be-
low q certain income hospital and
medical care contracts for illness
which has no connection with
their military service. Such vet
erans now are eligible for treat
ment In VA hospitals. II beds are
available.
The cost Of medical service.
under the plan. could be paid for
either on the basis OF fee sched-
ules now set up for treatment Of
veterans with service-connected
ailments, or through voluntary
plans judged feasible" by the VA
chief. Veterans with service-con- |
nected. chronic or mental diseases
would be excluded. and eligibility |
for others would be determined by
net income.
The proposal would form a spe-
cial committee Of seven ANA fell
lows to work for the program.
In another important action.
the House dashed out at certain
county societies in some major
States which have voted to re-
pudiate the program Of the ANA"
by refusing to pay the SIS assess
ment on doctors which Is financ-
ing the groups education" cam
paign against President Truman's
compulsory health insurance plan.
Asked to Use Influence.
The members asked State groups
to "use their influence on these |
county societies whereby a united
front can be used against the foes
Of a free democratic government
who would socialize not only
medicine. but will foist upon our
citizens the evils Of government
by bureaucracy"
An indication Of reaction to the
AMA's Board of Trustees move TO
cut the ground from under DR..
Morris Fishbein. longtime editor
of the Journal Of the American
Medical Association, came when
the house voted unanimously It's
full confidence" in the board.
While the Fishbein incident was
not mentioned. observers viewed
the reaction as a clear indication
Of approval. The board announced
earlier that DR.. Fishbein. long o
controversial figure. will hence
forth make no public appearances
on behalf of ANA and will retire
as editor Of the Journal and other
publications.
DR.. z. L. Henderson. chairman
OF the board. said the announce
ment may be discussed when it is
reported TO the house by q ref
erence committee. probably to-
morrow. but made clear that the
board has full authority" over
It's employees and that any house |
action would be Of an advisory
nature.
Levy Move Rejected.
In answer to queries, high ON
cials stressed the action against
DR.. Fishbein will have no effect
on the AMA's feelings about COM
pulsory health insurance or other
stands the organization has taken.
The house rejected a move to
| MORTGAGE
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