Bulletin of the Inter-society Committee for Radiology: Points of Interest

Abstract

It is the purpose of the Inter-Society Committee for Radiology to promote the benefits to be derived from organized activity. Among other things the Committee encourages the formation of local, regional, and state societies of radiologists. Not only should these carry on the usual scientific programs, but they should take active and constant interest in the economic and social problems of radiology in their locality. Unethical practices by hospitals and their own members are questions deserving the attention of these local groups. The prevention of illegal practice by laymen, below-standard practice in eleemosynary institutions, exploitation and competition by hospitals and other corporations, the ethical promotion of early diagnosis and preventive medicine—all these are proper subjects for local action. Wherever possible, organized effort on the part of radiological groups should be carried on under the aegis and through the machinery of the county and state medical societies. Among the news items in this month's Bulletin, the Inter-Society Committee calls attention to a few of the interesting developments and desirable projects by local and state radiological societies in various sections of the country. * * * Alert members of the Pacific Roentgen Club continue a winning battle to protect radiology against domination by corporate agencies and third parties in new economic experiments for medical care. The Medical Service Plan, adopted by the California Medical Association on Dec. 18, 1938, provides for pre-payment under an insurance plan to be supervised by the medical profession. Complete medical and hospital care is provided. Radiological bills are paid along with other medical bills and hospital care is defined as consisting of those non-medical services which a hospital is legally qualified to give, viz., bed, nursing, drugs, physiotherapy, and material appliances. Efforts are being made to correct the recently inaugurated San Francisco Municipal Employees Health Service System which now includes an allowance for diagnostic medical procedures in its per diem payment to hospitals for hospitalized illnesses. Vigilance has not been relaxed in regard to the several hospital care insurance plans which, due to the efforts of the Club's officers, have agreed to confine their benefits to hospital services alone. New rates for malpractice insurance imposed by the Insurance Commissioner of California will more than double the premium now paid by California members of the Radiological Society of North America and the American Roentgen Ray Society under their blanket agreement with Lloyds of London. These members are still endeavoring to secure an agreement that will permit them to retain their preferred rating. The twenty-fourth issue of the Bulletin of the Pacific Roentgen Club, now a semi-annual publication, was issued last month.