all members must be extremely cautious about criticizing someone else's actions. He moved that the Board of Directors go on record as requesting the President to make announcement at the next Society meeting cautioning the membership against injudicious remarks about other members of the medical profession and reminding the membership that we as individuals are ourselves at all times liable to suit which may be precipitated by such injudicious remarks from other members. Motion seconded by Dr. Hewitt and carried.
Dr. Rudolph inquired as to the policy of the Arizona Medical Society now on Medical Defense. Dr. Hastings replied that the House of Delegates at its meeting a year ago last May voted to impound the money which had been collected and earmarked as the Medical Defense Fund, that there is still a Medical Defense Fund, but since now each member as individual carried mal-practice insurance, the Medical Defense Committee has that money accumulated, which may eventually be used as a nucleus for a building fund, but that such use has not been voted upon; that there is still a Medical Defense Committee which is willing to give assistance and advice, but the State Society has felt that since defense is furnished by individual insurance companies their place in the program has ceased, and there is no longer any need for medical defense. This fund cannot be expended without a change in the By-Laws, to be used for anything else. When this Defense Fund was set up, insurance was not written, and this Fund has now outgrown its usefulness; it is only for counsel and advice.
Dr. Hayden reported that Dr. Littlefield had contacted him in regard to employees of Southern Pacific Company obtaining Blue Cross and Blue Shield insurance for their dependents; the workers themselves are covered by medical insurance. Dr. Littlefield suggested that Dr. Hayden pass this matter on to the Board of Directors so that they might authorize a letter to be written Blue Cross and Blue Shield asking them to investigate the possibility of insurance for Southern Pacific employees or comparable organizations in the State of Arizona. Southern Pacific Employees have met with resistance from management, which refuses to make payroll deductions. Dr. Hayden stated that percentage of wages on S.P. are less than $300 per month, highest usage for gynecology and obstetrics, next T&A [ tonsil and adenoids ], and 80% was suggested. Dr. Harry Thompson remarked that this is opening an entirely new field, and thought the Board of Directors ought to be hesitant until the situation could be studied. Dr. Hayden suggested that the Union might appoint some individual responsible for making payroll deduction. Dr. Harry Thompson moved that Board of Directors recommend that such a letter be written by Dr. Hayden, asking Blue Cross and Blue Shield to investigate this possibility. Motion was seconded by Dr. Hewitt and motion was carried. Dr. Hayden stated that he would be glad to write, under the direction of the Board of Directors, a letter to outline method of procedure and to investigate further possibilities of insuring S.P. dependents and other like organizations.
Dr. Farness stated that he had been approached by the Planned Parenthood Committee, who want clarification in the matter of a Committee from the Pima County Medical Society, which it has decided not to appoint this year. He stated that certain members of Planned Parenthood are angry because they feel the Society has withdrawn its support, and that the profession is not getting good will. The Secretary read the letter to the Planned Parenthood organization which was mailed last month, and Minutes of the previous meeting covering same. Dr. Hastings stated that, as a
Minutes of the Pima County Medical Society 1904-1954
