As a retired old-time even crotchety internist-cardiologist physician for 40 years in Olympia, WA, I appreciate occasional thoughts printed which use freedom and strictly limited government as basic premises from which further reasoning proceeds for cure of societal problems. When, in 1965, the leaders of the American Medical Association announced, “Well boys, we said the if Medicare became the law of the land, it would prove to be enormously expensive, would be abused by both patients and doctors, and would lead to deterioration of private, personal medical care — “It is now law, so let’s get our shoulders to the wheel and try to make it work.” Without me, I said.

I joined the national Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, the philosophical antithesis of the AMA. It was founded in 1943, the year I entered Northwestern Medical School, and next to Gary, Indiana, where I grew up. Thus for six decades, I have seen step by step since then, the socialized devolution by governmental fiat of “Medicine, that most estimable of professions.” (Voltaire) Also, I agree with one statement of Karl Marx: “Socialize medicine first. Then, all other activities of a nation will follow as night the day.” And they do.

As a present-day anachronism, I dealt only with the thousands of my patients and never with any third party, private or governmental. I mailed a simple statement to the patient of about 12 different fees of services abbreviated in initials and not any of the thousands of five digit code numbers incomprehensible to the modern sidelined patient. Some of these abbreviations were HC (hospital call), OC (office call), CPX (complete exam), HV (home visit), and NC (no charge.). If requested, I mailed my standard form for the patient to submit for reimbursement, if available. It was the patient by handshake understanding who owed me.

In the cherished old days, I observed the gratuitous professional courtesy to colleagues, their families, and theologian ministers. For allied professionals in the healing arts, I reduced my fees by 20 percent to nurses, dentists, and veterinarians.

So much for ventilation !!! I’d be happy to welcome others to my thought that the political incremental cause of sickness should not be used as cure.

Stu Pritchard, M.D. (PO Box 238, Philipsburg, MT 859 – 3811)