MEDICAL MONOPOLY

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24302, 17 June 1942, Page 4

MEDICAL MONOPOLY

ANTI-TRUST LAWS HINDERING HEALTH GROUPS * WASHINGTON, June 15 The Court of Appeals unanimously upheld the conviction of the American Medical Association on a charge of violating the anti-trust laws when the association interfered with the operations of the Group Health Association, members of which make monthly payments and receive necessary medical treatment without further fees. The Court said that profound changes in social and economic conditions forced members of all professional groups to make readjustments. The fact that these changes may result in depriving professional people of the opportunity that was formerly open to them did not justify or excuse the use of criminal methods to prevent changes or destroy new institutions. The better educated laity to-day questions the adequacy of present-day medicine. Their challenge finds support from substantial portions of the medical profession itself. People gave the privilege of professional monopoly and people may take it away. The American Medical Association an nounced that a writ of certiorari would be applied for immediately.

The charge originally laid against the American Medical Association was that it tried to use its power to prevent doctors from joining group health cooperatives, to prevent other doctors from consulting group physicians and to bar group physicians from Washington hospitals. The district Court of New York found the association guilty of violation of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. but 18 individual defendants were acquitted. Heavy fines were imposed on the association and also on the affiliated District of Columbia Medical Societv.

SHIPOWNERS COMPLAIN LONDON, Juno 15 Merchant shipowners are not getting a square deal from the British Government, according to Lord Milford and his co-directors of the Court Line. They claim that when their ships were requisitioned the hire rates were intended to provide 5 per cent for depreciation plus 5 per cent interest on capital. Actual profits last year were only 5| per cent of the ships' basic value. Earnings at £82,000 were down £71.000 compared with the previous year. Cash on hand, plus securities, was nearly doubled at £1,400,000. This reflected losses of ships due to the war. The directors claim that these resources are insufficient to replace all the ships which have been lost at the present prices.

SWEDEN AND THE WAR LONDON, June 15 The Bishop of Chichester, the Rt. Rev. G. K. A. Bell, who recently visited Sweden to establish contact between the British Churches and the Church of Sweden, related some of his experiences and impressions in London today, Bays the British official wireless. Dr. Bell said he was struck by the deep sympathy the Swedes felt for the Norwegians under the German ride. There was also a strong feeling of kingship with the Finns. The general attitude of the ordinary Swede to the prospects of the war was expressed in a summary of Hitler's speeches when he said in 1940: "We have won the war," in 1941 "We shall win the war" and in 1942 "We must win the war."

THEFT FROM ART GALLERY SYDNEY. June 11 The theft of an oil painting from the New South Wales National Art Gallery has been announced by the director, Mr. Will Ashton. It was removed from its frame, which was left hanging on the wall. The painting is "Study for a Woman Dozing" by the Sydney artist William Dobell.

WAR AND DRESS FASHIONS LOS ANGELES, May 3 Amerioa's first step toward "austerity" hits the modern miss. Skirts, says the War Production Board, are to be stabilised. So that no woman shall he "out of fashion," the board has decreed that there must be no radical changes from the present fashions and has laid down measurements for each garment. Skirts must be neither full and long nor short and tight; cuffs, balloon sleeves and patch pockets are to go.