Board of Directors Meeting, February 4, 1954 4
Dr. James F. Strauss, who was declared an Affiliate member in 1951 because of his residency, and who is now engaged in active practice in California, has requested inactive membership in the Pima County Medical Society. This matter was discussed, and it was decided that since Dr. Strauss is not now residing in Arizona, and is engaged in the active practice of medicine in California, he is not eligible to membership in this Society
A letter from Dr. D.W. Neubauer relative to an insurance program carried by the Southern Pacific Railroad Company on employee dependents, and the fee schedule imposed therein on local physicians, was received and read by the Secretary.
Dr. Harry Thompson moved that this be referred to the Board of Censors.
The Motion was seconded by Dr. Lindsay E. Beaton.
Dr. Royal Rudolph felt that this should be referred to the Insurance and Industrial Relations Committee, that this was not a problem for the Grievance Committee.
Dr. Thompson stated that this involves Doctor-Doctor relationships, is a problem which may interfere between doctors, even if not between patient and doctor.
Dr. Rudolph felt that this is not a misunderstanding between Dr. Neubauer and Dr. Finn, but a problem of an understanding between the Society and the Southern Pacific Railroad.
Dr. Thompson thought that, so that the Society will know where it is going, and before the matter gets out of the society, the Society should handle it.
Dr. Rudolph remarked that a similar thing had come up previously with the University of Arizona. He said that he would be happy to take it up with the Board of Censors, but did not believe it to be their job.
Discussion:
Dr. Bernstein--When I first received this letter, my feeling was that it was a matter for the Industrial Relations Committee, as a matter of policy entirely. This because Dr. Neubauer is not bringing any charge at all.
Dr. Neubauer--I agree with Dr. Rudolph. Dr. Manning was rather chagrined at discovering that my patient was referred to him, but the point is that he, Dr. Frits and a few other fellows were quoted as accepting the case at such and such a fee, and they have not agreed to do that.
Dr. Rudolph--I happen to be one of the "consultants" at Southern Pacific Hospital, and Dr. Finn is not going to be able to tell me I have to do a case for so and so much.
Dr. Thompson--I think this is the time to nip this in the bud. It does not sound good to me, and while Dr. Neubauer has not made any charge, the evidence is there. Why not get Dr. Finn in now? If this happens once, the next time it may be much worse.
Dr. Rudolph--It is much the same thing that happened at Hughes. I was on that committee and we ironed it out.
Dr. Thompson--Is Dr. Finn not one of our members? He has made a mistake--not a happy one.
Dr. Rudolph--Dr. Finn says this is a wonderful program. It covers not the employees, but the dependents, on a group policy.
Dr. Beaton--Doctors are not supposed to be hired by any group writing insurance. According to this, they are going to take care of dependents on a social basis.
Dr. Rudolph--those people have an absolutely free choice of physician.
Dr. Beaton--But they do not have.
Dr. Kuhlman--What would the doctor have done, had the patient come directly to him? Would he have done it on the fee schedule?
Dr. Neubauer--I think Dr. Manning was caught in the middle. It was put to him as a hardship case.
