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Show Relief Society Asks Aid Of Southern Utah Medical Association Since so many of the mothers of this county have signed petitions peti-tions to the Southern Utah Medical Medi-cal association asking that they establish the same type of health work in this county that is being carried on in others, we take this opportunity of acquainting them and the public in general with the present status of the case. As is generally known, on Sept. 26, six of the twenty-two doctors, who then composed the Southern Utah Medical association met at Cedar City and adopted a resolution resolu-tion to the effect that no clinics will be held in towns where there is a resident physician, and that in other towns only the children of the indigent should receive this service. We believe that in our towns, people live on the same level and that the line between those on relief and those not on relief is often finely drawn. We think, also, that children of those on the near-relief level suffer more for medical aid than do those who receive help from the government. govern-ment. Therefore some twelve petitions peti-tions signed by some two hundred mothers were sent in asking that this action be rescinded. We have just received an answer to these petitions. Explains Stand Space wll not permit us here to print all the answers, but we will attempt to give the gist of it fairly and to present our views on the matter. They wish us to bear in mind the fact that "As physicians physi-cians in the Society we stand on record as being willing, as we have always been, to at any time (Continued on page six) Relief Society Asks Aid of Southern Utah Medical Association In Care of Children (Continued from first page) examine and medically treat, to the best of our ability and indigent child brought or sent to our offices", of-fices", but under their definition a child must be certified by both the County Welfare department and the family physician, and the numerous forms and complications in the way of red tape almost eliminate any one from this service. ser-vice. They have agreed to hold immunization im-munization clinics at the schools ''with supplies furnished and at an hourly rate of pay as decided upon by the state Board of Health." But the well-baby clinics they will not hold, except for children of the indigent. 'We think that no apologies are due", they tell us. "We have since met and discussed : these matters and see no reason J to depart from the stand taken." Do Charity Work One of the reasons they give for refusing to hold these clinics is that as a group they already do so much charity work. No group is more conscious of their services in this respect or more appreciative of them than are the Relief Society workers, but in asking for the clinics we do not feel that we are asking them to give anything. We understand that they are to be paid at the rate of S5.00 for the first hour and S2.50 for each succeeding one, with a mileage of 10c a mile where there is travel and all materials furnished. To us. this seems adequate ade-quate for this type of service, and that their argument that they are being asked to give anything is hardly sound. While it will not equal their hourly rate while " operating, it is probably more than "they will collect in an equal ' amount of time spent in con-"sulation. con-"sulation. . They suggest that the work is : not remunerated in proportion to ithat done in other , lines of medi-: medi-: cine. We can only answer that the 'rate is uniform throughout the state, and that doctors in other sections seem to find it satisfac-; tory. I As to possibility that taxes will; I be raised, we understand that this is a Federal appropriation and as i such cannot affect either state, j count, or local taxes. For nearly ! three years now Washington County's portion has reverted to ! the government because it was not used. Not A New Program This program is not new. It has been in operation in some states for a number of years, and in I parts of Utah where it has been i accepted for three years. Where it is practiced both the people and i the physicians seem pleased with it and anxious to continue it. At a recent conference in Logan, the 1 representatives of every county ; voted in favor of it. It has resulted re-sulted in closer cooperation be-I be-I tween doctors and their patients. 1 in improved health education, and in greater consciousness of the need of medical aid and preventative preventa-tive measures. We cannot see wny conditions in this county are essentially different dif-ferent front those in others. We cannot understand why children of Carbon, or San Juan, or Sevier, or any other county where the program is carried out should enjoy en-joy sendees denied to ours. This action of the Southern Utah Medical Medi-cal association is the only thing in the way, as the State Board of Health " has assured us that there are ample funds and that they are anxious to cooperate. We think that those doctors who do not care to give their sendees for the stipulated rate of pay should not assume a dog-in j the-manager attitude and prevent j those who are willing to conduct these clinics from doing so. We hope this will explain our stand as Relief Society officers, j We shall continue our efforts to ! get the clinics established and will appreciate the cooperation of the J mothers. j Signed: i Mrs. Juanita Brooks, : Mrs. Eletha Cox, ! Mrs. Zora Janis, St. George Stake Relief Society Presidency. |