Board of Directors Meeting, March 4, 1954 6
Dr. Hayden--What Dr. Melick is worried about is that each year there will be a deficit and they will have to keep raising the dues $10.00 each year.
Dr. Bernstein--If the State needs more money to pay our lawyers, we had better raise it, but this is a different problem altogether.
Dr. Engle stated that the Blue Shield has invited the chiefs of the medical services of the two general hospitals, and the chief of general practice at St. Mary's Hospital, to Phoenix on Tuesday of next week to discuss putting some medical fees under Blue Shield coverage. He said that he thought it might be rather ridiculous of him to make that trip with only his own idea as to what should be done, and that this meeting was the only place he could bring it before a representative group and get a little thought on it before the meeting on Tuesday. It was his thought, he said, that if some, but not all, medical fees were going to be included in Blue Shield, the best way to do it, rather than to classify eligibility on the basis of disease, would be simply to make it on a $50.00 deductible basis, something like that, so that it would not be covering the smaller illnesses.
Discussion:
Dr. Thompson--Have they proposed that?
Dr. Engle--No, it was my own thought.
Dr. Hayden--Blue Shield was designed to cover hardship illnesses, catastrophes, and if you have a patient who runs a $300.00 or $400.00 doctor bill he cannot afford to pay, where he could afford to pay a $10.00 or $20.00 one. I would like to wipe anesthesia off Blue Cross and assign it to Blue Shield, toward further improving the medical situation.
Dr. Thompson--At Wickenburg they gave medical coverage for a year, so they have had spot checks, and they almost wrecked their economy. I believe they will sincerely consider a deductible item. They should stay in the income group. I think it is obvious to everyone that you cannot cover all medical illnesses at a premium that anyone could afford, but if it is a deductible item it will go over. I personally would like to see them covered on the deductible plan.
Dr. Carreras--I think the plan is excellent.
Dr. Engle--Dr. Butcher is Chief of Medicine at the other Hospital. Dr. Gregg is G.P. representative.
Dr. Bernstein--I wish you would give us some kind of report on this--the House of Delegates functions as a body of government for the Blue Cross and we would like to be prepared.
Dr. Neubauer--I move we investigate this idea.
Dr. Manning--There is only one thing they do not say anything about--hauling to a hospital where serum is available.
Motion was seconded by Dr. Steen, and carried.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
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President
