be implemented over our entire country and that it be given the fair trial which it deserves. Even proponents of H.R. 4222 have stated that the Kerr-Mills law will be useful-we feel it may prove even more useful when coupled with private insurance and with more local effort than they dream of. The Pulaski County Medical Society is opposed to the AndersonKing legislation. We have repeatedly, as a society and as individual members, sent letters and telegrams to our congressional delegation in Washington, stating our opposition to any legislation for expansion of social security to cover medical care. (See attached copies of telegrams, letters, and resolutions.) At home we are supported in our approval of the Kerr-Mills law and in our opposition to the Anderson-King legislation by the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, the Little Rock Junior Chamber of Commerce, and by other local organizations and private citizens. Allow me to list some reasons for our opposition to the Anderson-King legislation: (1) We oppose social security expansion in this area. We feel that such expansion will endanger the social security system, which, in its over 25 years of operation, has become a vital factor in the economy of our country and of many of our citizens. Already there would seem to be some stubborn odds against the financial stability of the social security program as it is now set up, what with people living longer and drawing more benefits for more years, with more categories of employment being added regularly, with retirement and disability ages being dropped regularly, and with the reserve dwindling regularly. How much more can be added? How much higher can this tax go? (2) We think the expense of such a program will be tremendons, and has not even yet been totally figured or partially understood by any of us. We feel that that expense will be increased as the number of aged citizens increases in our country. The experience of other countries would indicate that, while the true cost of such legislation is not even estimable, it would surely be so great as to seriously hamper other governmental functions. In the present state of international tension, with our defense and military needs, when billions of dollars of extra appropriation are needed, does it not seem a foolish course to embark on this kind of costly social experiment? (3) We are opposed to the bureaucracy that will be involved in such a program, knowing that an entirely new governmental organization will have to be set up, from Washington down to each community, to deal with individual hospitals, councils, nursing homes, nurses, et cetera. We, from our experience in medicare in governmental armed service duties, and in other governmental contacts, cannot see any good in such a system diluted by myriads of unnecessary controls, and by millions of typed copies of orders, decisions, reevaluations, reports, redtape, et cetera. (4) We feel that such legislation is a definite step toward a complete compulsory Federal medical system for all citizens, regardless of age or of ability or desire to care for themselves. We are not interested in whether it is called socialized or Federal or governmental medicine. We still feel that such a system of so-called free medical care will lead to overuse and abuse of the medical facilities by creating a hypochondriac's holiday each day; will lower the quality of medical, nurs 76123-61-pt. 3—27 ing, and hospital care generally; will make health care a routine governmental procedure instead of the human individual concern it now is; will stifle the incentive and initiative of local individual and group efforts to ease the problems of the aged, of private insurance companies who are now being stimulated to offer more and better "over 65" policies on a free, competitive basis; and finally, and of most importance, will stifle the incentive and initiative of county, local, and State governmental units in this field, carrying us far along the road to the destruction of our Federal Republic system. (5) We sincerely believe that the majority of the physicians in the United States abhor this approach to medical care. At the AMA meeting in July 1961 our representatives approved the statement that the physicians of this country would not be willing partners to such a project as the Anderson-King legislation proposes. We respect fully question the logic and the wisdom of legislation which we feel is not needed, is not most appropriate to the problem, and which is opposed by the majority of those physicians who are the final vendors of medical care in this country. (6) We have many other areas of opposition to this legislation, but in the interest of brevity, this final thought. We feel that the American people when alerted will still prefer their medical care on a private, competitive, free-enterprise basis, with its individual responsibility, its individual freedom and with local concern in matters of their personal health. This is the system which has inspired us to the long training to be practitioners of medicine in our country. This is the system which has brought to our American people the best medical care in the world. For myself and for the Pulaski County Medical Society, may I thank you again for this opportunity to express opposition to H.R. 4222 and to any similar legislation, and also, to express our thanks and our support for the Kerr-Mills law, which your committee showed the wisdom to recommend and which the Congress showed the wisdom to adopt in 1960. (The appendages to the formal statement follow :) APPENDAGE No. 1. PURPOSE OF SOCIETY The purpose of our society, as stated in our constitution, is below: (3) To procure the enactment and enforcement of medical laws. (5) To foster and guard the interest of its members, and to protect them against impositions. (6) To assist in the preservation of public health. (7) To educate and guide public opinion in regard to the problems of medicine and medical care of all citizens. APPENDAGE No. 2. SERVICE OF SOCIETY Pulaski County Medical Society, Arkansas-A listing of services to community, affecting citizens of all ages: (1) Board of censors, which disciplines members of Pulaski County Medical Society where indicated. (2) Liaison with Arkansas State Hospital, located in Pulaski County, with a heavy aged population. (3) Liaison with the University of Arkansas Medical Center, located in Pulaski County, supporting and aiding their efforts toward medical care of the indigent and near-indigent, including the aged, and participating in the medical education program of the institution. Many hours of service are donated here by society members. (4) A program of medical education to our citizens, through ready availability to local press, radio, and television industries and to local citizen groups, as lesired, to give clarification of news relating to medicine and health matters, and to furnish them additional information, exhibits, speakers, etc., to make their understanding more accurate and complete. (5) An active grievance committee, publicized, to consider complaints and misunderstandings between patients and society members. (6) A public health committee, which includes the health officers of Little Rock, North Little Rock, and Pulaski County, allowing liaison with and giving eadership to these agencies as they deal with matters of public health in our county, and giving society member assistance to these agencies in clinics, etc. (7) An active legislative committee which maintains regular contact with Pulaski County legislators, and gives aid, suggestion, and information to our legislators on matters of medical interest; this committee, with the similar committee of the Arkansas Medical Society, was instrumental in getting the Kerr-Mills program, Public Law 86-778, considered by our Arkansas Legislature, with the result that such legislation to implement this law in Arkansas has been enacted, and will go into effect as soon as a pending special meeting of our State legislature is called, probably later in this year, 1961. (8) The insurance committee has worked with local insurance carriers, consulting in certain questions concerning claim settlements, etc., encouraging more comprehensive insurance in this field to all ages, and trying to promote an educational program to our citizens concerning the need, the desirability, the availability, and an explanation of health and accident insurance. (9) Disaster and civil defense committee efforts resulted in a start toward inclusive civil defense and disaster plans for our community. The chairman served as chief of the health services in the civil defense organizational setup for Little Rock; the committee planned a course for advanced first aid to be given to local paramedical groups; two mobile disaster teams of four physicians each were formed, available as needed; a hospital disaster plan was worked out with the two larger local general hospitals, and this plan was tested and proved quite effective in a citywide drill this spring. (10) The medical allies committee keeps liaison with the many paramedical groups in our county, giving counsel and leadership and participation in their activities as requested; one of the most active liaisons has been with our local Visiting Nurses Association, which does a tremendous practice among the senior citizens of our community. (11) The medical economics committee has among its activities a liaison with our local private doctors exchange, supported by society members, and providing 24-hour medical care to all who need it. (12) Blood bank committee efforts have included working with the local American Red Cross chapter concerning the establishment of a Red Cross blood bank in our county, for the benefit of all, regardless of age or financial status; this project has been approved by the county society, and will receive our support; the committee also supports and gives liaison to a local private community blood bank organization. (13) The school health committee arranged and conducted preschool examinations and pre-junior-high-school examinations of children throughout our county; furnished society members for programs of teachers and schools; carried out a program of several panel presentations to the assembled science teachers in our schools on advances in medical science, the topics selected by the teachers; with the auxiliary of Pulaski County Medical Society, conducted a medical careers night program at the University of Arkansas Medical Center, attended by about 750 children and parents from our city and county schools. (14) Maintains a speakers bureau for local use by clubs, organizations, etc. (15) The committee on sports injuries conducted panel programs before the assembled coaches, teachers, and physical education instructors of our schools— this was done twice in 1960. (16) The committee on tuberculosis set up additional weekly tuberculosis chest conferences, using society members, in an effort to ease the backlog of patients awaiting admission to our overcrowded McRae State Sanatorium for Negroes. (17) The committee on diabetes detection conducted a very successful diabetes detection program, free to the public. (18) The committee on aging made liaison with the local groups concerned with the problems of our senior citizens, and arranged talks, panels, etc., before the local senior citizens group and before local civic clubs, seeking to arouse concern and interest, and to offer information. The county society is also represented on the Pulaski County Health and Welfare Council, a function of our local United Fund, and is currently participating in a committee study of the costs of medical care in our community, with that organization. (19) A representative from the Pulaski County Medical Society was on our State commission on the aged, and attended the White House Conference on Aging. (20) Several of our society members serve on a local committee trying now to organize a home for the aged for a local church group. (21) The county society has now before it for consideration a successful plan instituted last year by the St. Louis County Medical Society, Missouri, whereby a patient, regardless of age, who feels unable to meet the full cost of medical care, can apply, without charge, for a financial investigation which results in the issuance of a medical credit card, entitling the patient to a percentage reduction in fees from participating society members. (22) The Pulaski County Medical Society has publicly stated (see attached copy of "Letters to the Editor,” Arkansas Gazette, July 1961) that the society and its members guarantee medical care to all in our county, regardless of financial, race, or other status. (23) The members of the Pulaski County Medical Society give many hours of free medical care in our county through such activities as tumor clinics, the Children's Hospital, health clinics, medical center clinics, the Rehabilitation Center for the Blind, the Florence Crittenton Homes, various pre-summer-camp physicals, etc. A recent survey showed that 146 private physicians in Pulaski County gave 1,780 free hours of medical care per week. APPENDAGE No. 3. IDENTIFICATION OF WITNESS Dr. Joseph A. Norton, representing Pulaski County Medical Society in Arkansas--a partial listing of personal service to community, to church, and to profession, to indicate interest and concern and involvement in Pulaski County, Ark.: Community service (1) Active member, Little Rock Chamber of Commerce (Cultural Affairs Committee, Education Committee, Public Health Committee, Governmental Affairs Committee). (2) Board of Directors of Arts Council of Greater Little Rock. (3) Board of Directors of Little Rock Philharmonic, Inc., and past president of Little Rock Philharmonic, Inc. (4) Board of Directors of Arkansas Opera Company. (5) Board of Directors of Arkansas Choral Society. (6) Board of Directors of Greater Little Rock Chapter of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartette Singing in America, Inc., and charter member of the local chapter. (7) President of Pulaski County Audubon Society. (8) Board of Directors, Advisory, Urban League of Little Rock. Church service (1) Deacon and elder, Westover Hills Presbyterian Church, Little Rock. (2) Past president, Men of Washburn Presbytery, Arkansas. (3) Past moderator, Washburn Presbytery, Arkansas. (4) Past president, Men of Synod, Presbyterian Church, U.S., Arkansas. (5) Past chairman, Synod Council, Presbyterian Church, U.S., Arkansas. (6) Member, Board of Christian Education, Presbyterian Church, U.S., Assembly. (7) Moderator, Synod of Arkansas, Presbyterian Church, U.S., Arkansas. Professional (1) Past president, Pulaski County Medical Society. (2) Past vice president, Arkansas Medical Society. (3) President, Arkansas Radiological Society. (4) Various committee work, Arkansas Medical Society and Pulaski County Medical Society (American Medical Education Foundation Fund, civil defense, public relations, program, Senior Medical Day). (5) Past president, and current acting president, Medical Alumni of University of Arkansas. (6) Associate professor of radiology, University of Arkansas School of Medicine, located in Pulaski County. APPENDAGE No. 4. LETTER TO ARKANSAS GAZETTE To the EDITOR OF THE GAZETTE: LITTLE ROCK, ARK., July 16, 1961. A recent letter to the editor of the Arkansas Gazette concerning local medical care and costs in this area deserves comment. Apparently the author of the letter has experienced personally, or in his close circle of family or friends, some unfortunate episodes of illness--with considerable physician, hospital, and drug expense. This is unfortunate, but most of us, sooner or later, fall victim to some illness or disability. We should take care in our good health to prepare ourselves mentally, physically, spiritually, and economically for such adversity. The medical profession believes that the American way to meet such emergencies is primarily through private enterprise, such as private health and accident insurance, and through reduced or charity services of local hospitals, private physicians, and health agencies. Where these needs cannot be met locally, State and Federal facilities and programs may be needed. We take issue with the statement in the letter that free medical care is not available in our area. A recent survey of the private practitioners of Pulaski County shows they gave 1,780 free hours of medical care per week through private offices, hospitals, and clinics. The Pulaski County Medical Society is ready at all times to arrange for medical care for anyone in need, regardless of ability to pay for such services. All who are unable to meet full medical costs will find available local physicians and hospitals for partial or full charity services. The rising cost of medical care in our country has not kept equal pace with the increase of costs of goods and services. Inflation, unles controlled will increase the cost of food, clothing, shelter, cosmetics and all other elements of our standard of living. It has been repeatedly shown by Federal statistics that the increase in the cost of physician care is much less than the increase in cost of other common services and goods, even though the quality of medical care has consistently improved to the level that, generally, American medical care is now the envy and goal of all the world. We appreciate this opportunity to comment on this recent letter to the editor. We want to help those in need of medical care, regardless of their social, economic, or racial status. We urge the use of private health and accident insurance. We urge each family to arrange immediately for a private family physician, We urge each individual to talk over medical costs and economic status at the first visit to his physician, that proper and suitable arrangements might be made and misunderstandings about finance not occur. The medical profession locally has always and will continue to cooperate with all agencies whether county, State, or Federal welfare to provide medical care for all age groups, regardless of ability to pay. Further, we welcome questions and constructive criticisms about the local medical care. Where we are found deficient, we would like an opportunity to make correction. Where we are found correct, we would like an opportunity for explanation. Where there is need, we would like an opportunity to help. The phone number of the Pulaski County Medical Society office is Franklin 5-6695. Thanks so much for this opportunity of reply and explanation. PULASKI COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY, President. Dr. JOSEPH A. NORTON, Immediate Past President. |