last few years, has had to pay for millions of vitamin pills, since Blue Cross pays for any medication subscribed in the hospital, if it is listed in the pharmacopoeia. It seems that in every cooperative scheme which has come about in this country there are always a few who will take advantage, possibly thoughtlessly. It is certainly incumbent on the medical profession at this time to look into their own records and stop admitting patients for diagnostic purposes while giving the patient a diagnosis which Blue Cross approves. It is time to discharge patients when they are well instead of allowing them to stay three or four days longer. All of us have probably had instances where the insurance company has taken a beating because of our own thoughtlessness. But if Blue Cross is to survive in this and in other states, we are going to have to cut down on hospital patient expense if possible. Blue Cross does not want the patient to suffer for want of anything, but unless we do this it is going to be impossible to continue Blue Cross. We are faced with another rise in premiums. When this happens another sizeable number of subscribers will be lost, and Blue Cross will have reached a point where there is no market for it, and then we are an open field for government medicine.
The President explained that the proposed cocktail party mentioned in the Minutes was suggested by the Auxiliary because it was felt that there are an appreciable number of physicians and their wives who are relatively new in the community and who do not know the other physicians or their wives, and inasmuch as we have no functions in the year when all can get together, it would be nice to have one party a year to which all could come and bring their wives. It has been agreed to make this party as inexpensive as possible, the ladies themselves having said they will contribute a large amount of refreshments and handle the serving. A point is made to be made of introducing new members of both organizations. The Board of Directors discussed this and felt that the society might be asked to contribute one hundred or one hundred and fifty dollars toward that party. The President asked the pleasure of the meeting and Dr. Leo Kent moved that the Society and the Auxiliary have a joint cocktail party before Thanksgiving with the purpose of introducing new members. Motion was seconded by Dr. Palmer and carried.
The President stated that so far the draft boards have not requested help.
It was moved by Dr. Kent that the nurses be invited to the November 14th meeting, when atomic medicine will be the subject for discussion. Dr. McFayden seconded the motion, and it was carried.
The President announced that there were new city maps available for those men who contribute to the emergency service.
Dr. Farness announced the coming Saturday meeting of the Arizona Chapter of the American College of Physicians, starting with an 11:30 Luncheon, and an evening Dinner. Dr. Roy [ LeRoy ] Sloan of Chicago is to be present.
The President announced that Dr. Hoffman would speak on Coccidioidomycosis at Veterans Hospital on Wednesday, October 11th, and that the Basic Science Seminars will start at Tucson Medical Center on October 23rd.
Dr. Hastings called attention to the Southwest Meeting in Phoenix to be held on October 26th, stating that very few reservations from Pima County were in.
Dr. Palmer stated that he would like to put a motion before the Society that the Secretary be instructed to give each member of the Pima County Medical Society a number, the members belonging already being designated a number and new members to be given a number. He stated that when doctors are paged by number instead of by name at public gatherings it is less confusing and time consuming.
