Atlanta Daily World

AMA Head Asks Medics To Seek Medicare End

By FRED MOHN

CHICAGO (UPI)-The president of the American Medical Association (AMA) Monday called on doctors to plunge into politics to defeat the administration's medical care for the aged plan and ensure the "preservation of medicine."

Dr. Leonard W. Larson, outgoing AMA president, pleaded for political activity by physicians, as delegations from 15 states urged the policy-making House of Delegates to condemn the administration-backed bill for medi-care financed through Social Security.

The strongest resolution, introduced by the Louisiana delegation to the AMA's 111th annual meeting, proposed that AMA members refuse to participate in any programs like that set forth in the King-Anderson bill backed by President Kennedy and his aides.

Talk on the opening day of House of Delegates sessions centered on organized medicine's battle with the administration over medicare. But there were no signs that a floor fight would develop.

NONE IN FAVOR

Not a single resolution favoring the administration proposal, still in committee in Congress, was introduced.

Resolutions opposed to the administration's brand of medicare were introduced by Louisiana, Florida, Illinois, Colorado, Nevada, Oklahoma, Michigan, Montana, Kentucky, Idaho, Texas, California, Mississippi, Washington and Minnesota.

The Louisiana resolution proposed that "we as individuals pledge to give our help to others in their fight against socialism."

The Louisiana, while asking delegates to pledge not to participate in a Social Security-financed program, added that this would in no way imply "that the members of the AMA will at any time refuse to treat the aged-to the contrary they will be treated regardless of financial return." Eleven resolutions opposing Social Security coverage for physicians were thrown into the hopper. Two state delegations--New York and Pennsylvania -submitted resolutions favoring such coverage.

FAVOR INCLUSION

The Pennsylvania resolution said a recent opinion poll showed that "a small majority" of doctors in that state favor inclusion of physicians under compulsory Social Security.

Colorado, Illinois, Nevada, Oklahoma, Idaho, Texas, Mississippi, Florida, Minnesota, Montana and Michigan went on record against such coverage for doctors.

Larson told the opening session of the House of Delegates that the AMA in its battle to defeat the King-Anderson measure, is "close to achieving victory against heavy odds."

He said the AMA has steadfastly refused to compromise on basic principles, and warned. "If we begin now to bargain away that...
AMA Head Asks (Continued from Page One)

principle, we will sap our strength, splinter our forces and create a pattern for surrender."

He warned that even if the King- Anderson bill is defeated, the idea behind it is still there. 'The cut- come of the elections in November and in the future is "the key to the presentatior of medicare." he said.

"Physicians and their families must become active in politics as they never have been before," he said.