ethical, but he wondered if the Society should not listen to what Dr. Lieberman has to say.
Dr. Harry Thompson replied that if it were a normal individual the situation might be different, but that in this instance this would go on month after month.
Dr. Beaton said that he would not like to see the Society be arbitrary, that the right of appeal is granted in law courts in this country.
Dr. Harry Thompson stated that Dr. Lieberman could appeal to the AMA and he thought we should advise him to do so.
Dr. Beaton thought it would not hurt the Board of Directors to have Dr. Lieberman appear before them and hear what he has to say.
Dr. Kohl thought that Dr. Beaton had considerable food for thought, but that he, Dr. Kohl, did not feel that the Board of Directors should do this. He thought the letter should be answered to the effect that this body has taken its action and will continue to hold to this action unless overruled by a higher body, and the next highest body is the Grievance Committee of the Arizona Medical Association.
Dr. Harry Thompson withdrew his motion.
Dr. Kohl said that members cannot be indefinitely suspended, and that at the end of a period of suspension the member automatically reverts to membership; that after expulsion an individual must reapply in the usual manner, and that then further items of complaint may be presented. Dr. Kohl moved that Dr. Lieberman's letter be acknowledged to the effect that the Board of Directors recognizes his right of appeal; that we, as a body, the Pima County Medical Society, do not feel that our decision should be reversed under any circumstances, nor should be made to the Grievance Committee of the Arizona Medical Association, and that we should abide by their decision. Motion seconded by Dr. Beaton and carried.
A letter from Mrs. Floyd C. Thompson setting forth her feeling concerning the size of her bills at Barfield's for her daughter, Karen Lee's, illness during 1951, and concerning being pressed for payment of bills at St. Mary's Hospital, was read by the President. Dr. Harry Thompson did not believe this should be a problem for the Society to take up. Dr. Kohl suggested that the only thing that could be done is to call attention of the Society members to the fact that Barfield's may not be out of line. Dr. Harry Thompson did not feel that the Society ought to start investigating hospital charges, that if the fault lies with the hospital, individuals should go to the hospital; that the easiest way to handle would be to talk with Mrs. Thompson about it and tell her that if there are expensive charges it will be looked into. Dr. Hewitt remarked that this is so intimately concerned with doctors that the Society can't not do something about it. Dr. Manning moved that Mrs. Thompson's letter be answered telling her that the Society has no legal stand nor any jurisdiction over such complaints and suggesting that she place the matter in the hands of a lawyer. He suggested that she might obtain free legal aid. Dr. Hewitt seconded the motion. Upon being put to vote, 3 were for it and 6 opposed. Dr. Lesemann stated that this would not be handling public relations properly; that moral influence can be exerted in such a situation and the Society would be foolish to ignore it.
Dr. Lewis moved that a letter be written Mrs. Thompson along the lines suggested in Dr. Manning's motion, leaving out the suggestion about obtaining legal aid.
Motion seconded by Dr. Harry Thompson. Motion withdrawn.
It was moved by Dr. Farness that this matter be turned over to the Board of Censors and that they talk with Mrs. Thompson and explain our limitations in handling it. Motion seconded Dr. Hewitt and carried.
A letter of thanks from the American College of Surgeons for the offer of assistance from the Society was read by the President. Motion was made that this letter be accepted. Motion seconded and carried.
A letter from Mr. Wayne Sanders, President of the Tucson Sunshine Climate Club,
