Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-08-29
Legion Group
Attacks ANA
Veterans Stand
Forwards Resolution
For Vote Wednesdu,
On Convention Floor
By John McKeIwoy

A standing committee Of the
American Legion last night
handed down a harsh indictment
Of the American Medical Asso-
citation, charging it with IAN
undeserved attack upon the sick
and disabled veterans Of Amer
ica."
The indictment came in the
form Of resolution reported by
the Legion's Rehabilitation Com
mission. To be taken as Legion
policy, however, the resolution
must be adopted by the Conven-
ton. It probably will reach the
convention floor Wednesday, o
Legion official said.
While expressing esteem for
the American physician" the
resolution adds, however, that
those who purport to speak for
the American physician through
>. !. the ANA" have apparently
sacrificed their high principle
in the interest of monetary con-
sideration."
"Unwarranted and Improved"
This was evidenced, the reso-
luton said. "by the unwarranted
and improved assertions" of the
ANA in respect to sick and dis
abled veterans.
The current disagreement be-
tween the Legion and the ANA
started when the ANA at It's
last meeting reiterated its stand
against hospitalizing INDECENT
veterans with non-service-con-
nected disabilities-unless they
were suffering from tuberculosis
or psychiatric disorders.
On a new front, the ANA also
opposed another segment Of the
veterans care program. This
phase provides disqualification
for veterans with certain diseases
presumed" to have been picked
up in service.
The resolution, as it stood last
night, said the AMA's stand on
the veterans program had been
inspired by certain CASH
conscious members of its direct
ing clique"
Devotion to Dollars" CHARGED.
It added that if full credence
be given its spokesman, the medi-
cal profession has forsaken its
love for humanity and its care
for human suffering to substitute
a devotion to dollars"
Further, the resolution said
the AMA's position on hospital
care for non-Service-connected
cases was mot indicative of the
real sentiment existing in the
minds Of Americas doctors. :"
The resolution described ANA
policy as stemming from a self
ish minority who should be
ashamed of themselves"
The resolution also charged
the ANA with:
/. Indicting veterans as a class.
2. Seeking to shift a "respon-
sibility Of the Federal Govern
ment (hospital care of the vet
eran) to States and communities
with all the attendant inequa-
lities Of medical services
3. Attempting to remove vet
Grams from a "hard-earned spe-
cial classification"
The resolution asked doctors
throughout the country individ-
ually to speak their approval or
disapproval Of their associations
stand on the question.
Protection for ANA Critics.
Earlier. Robert Nice urdy, chair
man Of the commission, sug-
gested a resolution be written
which, he said, would protect
doctors from what Mr.. McCurdy
described as punishment" by
the ANA. The resolution is
pending.
He said he knew of doctors
who wanted to speak out against
the ANA, but they had to re-
main silent for fear of losing
their status on the stats of hos
pitfalls - the so-called punish
ment."
Mr.. McCurdy said these doc
tors could be protected" if
Legionnaires In all States sought
laws through their State legis-
latures to guarantee that doctors
critical of ANA could not be
forced from stats of hospitals
which receive Federal grants.