Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1949-12-02
Union And Industry Foster
Health Of 100000 Miners
Welfare Fund Has 1000 Physieions. 500
Hospitals. 5000 Druggists in coaI Fields

The Ne,o extremely timely and think Of
interest article Driten By
10 A. Rush. MD. = Editor
~ Describing many mining
communities depoabe medical social welfare planners
900 coal miners and their dependents
As evidence of this need that the death rate
for miners above higher than that of the general
that the at death of miners for whom
death benefits have been paid $50 compared with
642 for the WHOLE life
for miners 277 cent higher than for workers non
the past usually answered by
which the conditions described but did
being by miners themselves the mining industry
proved medical care, disqualification and health
Basic Laid For Expansion
past meeting of the American Public
hpal Workers of America Welfare
and Retirement Fund described for the first time by Warren
F. Draper, MD, its executive medical officer
first step program provide hospaza
ton medical for members and their dependents receiving
fits Expernce thus gained is now providing the basis for expa
sion of services of hospital and medical care within the hosp
all working miners and their dependents
Plans also way cooperation with existing
agencies develop program of public health and
communities
How he Operates
professional of the program from Medical
Advisory Board OF ten recognized authorities IN the os OF
medicine and public health headed by DR. R. R. sayers as
chairman.
How simply plan operates the following
instructions given to union members in need OF medical care
who receiving grants from the fund:
the list available at local union
the doctor select present identified
t-.~f
3 Medicine prescribed by may obtained from
any drug listed your local union.
you hospital care will give note
your which will disqualification slip
your and the slip from your
local hospitals local union
plan of does not utilize fixed fee
schedule OF payment to physicians and hospitals eang union
filling their prescriptions The ten
medical administrators with individual physicians
hospitals and druggists within their areas to provide 10
beneare of the fund presentation of accepted dentc
ton forms.
union members reasonable
Knowing that payment will be prompt that paper WORK @
De a rh % raSe e that without the fund many patients
able nothing only small part OF the
usual fee. .,-..
are participating in the program Sept of this
year. received $4,000 days of hospital care and
Cooperation with the medical profession both as to quality OF
services rendered and reasonable costs has oeen
bills received that appear excessive the physician asked
TO modify his charges ..., , .no
appear to be d1sproporonate the funo pays ne o ' @
his from its list But attempt made to force
below those usually charged within community for the
Al the Fund insists its beneciare should have choice
of physician shall have the right to-
physicians whose charges excessive
standing The principle of free enterprise ana free com
y6aiton s carefully observed |,
starting comprehensive medical and health service
the Fund Immediately establishment undertook locate
provide medical and rehabilitation for VINO
were in desperate need of attention.
Among parayzed from spinal injuries and
broken They whatever available
at the time injuries then been forgotten
Utilizing available facility the nation which could
specialized rehabilitation for these patients tne fuho
has provided for 496 of this type
Their rasiton from helpless, bedrdden literally rotng
of the dramatic stories in medical history
DR. Draper said Wednesday.
Ironically while Draper speaking the new medical
disqualification health for Americas coal miners
strike It is be hoped resumed
the future for these is now for the first tune
care health of Americas coal miners ia