PAGE SLX
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS
MONDAY, SEPT. 27, 1948
The Editorial Page-
The Murphy Plan
One of the most persistent health problems of Kansas has received considerable attention lately from various state organizations. The problem is the growing shortage of doctors in rural areas.
During the last two decades young doctors just beginning professional life have shown almost no desire to enter the field of general practice in outlying districts in Kansas, especially in the western part of the state. The result has been that 77 per cent of the physicians in rural areas are now over 50 years old. Only 43 per cent of those in the cities are over 50 years old. Half the physicians in 1906 were practicing in communities of 1,500 or less. In-1942 the figure was only 28 per cent. A population increase of 25 per cent in the past 40 years has not brought a corresponding increase of doctors. There are now 30 per cent less doctors in the state than in 1906.
The shortage of physicians is not peculiar to Kansas. It is a national problem which points out the shortcomings of the lack of long range planning by responsible government agencies and by members of the medical profession.
Dean Franklin D. Murphy of the University School of Medicine has come up with a solution to the rural health problem facing Kansas. His plan calls for expansion of educational facilities in the state, intensive postgraduate medical education, and community sponsorship of medical equipment to supply young doctors with the tools of medicine. The cost of this program to the state will be more than 4 million dollars. If it brings about the desired results the money will have been well spent.
The Murphy plan has the support of the board of directors of the Kansas Farm bureau, the state board of health, the Kansas Medical society, and American Medical association. So far no opposition to the plan has developed and it is almost certain to be approved by the 1949 legislature.
In presenting his plan, Dean Murphy emphasized the growing demand for government control of medicine. He has offered his solution as a possible means of correcting the evils which have resulted from the present system of self regulation by the members of the medical profession. Supporters of the plan are hoping this will prove that the medical profession is doing some thinking about the health problems of the nation, and will help to ward off the type of socialized medicine which had been introduced in a number of European countries.
The Murphy plan deals with only part of the health problem facing the nation. Yet to be solved is the question of health insurance which is the main feature of all plans for government regulation of medicine.
If the medical profession does not want to be subjected to national control and planning by the government it will have to come up with a health insurance plan which has the prospects of success which the Murphy plan promises in the field of rural health. If such a plan is not now in the process of formation it might be a good idea for Kansas physicians to start working on the problem. —J.L.R.
University
Daily Hansan
Student Newspaper of the UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
Member of the Kansas Press Assn., Nati-
tional Assn., and the Associated Collegiate
Press. Represented by the National Ad-
mission Press 420 Madison Ave.
New York City.
Editor-in-Chief...James L. Robinson
Managing Editor...Wallace W. Abbey
Asst. Man. Editor...Jon D. Nutter
Asst. Man. Editor...Harold J. Muller
City Editor...John Wheeler
Asst. City Editor...Leonard Snyder
Asst. City Editor...Robert Newman
Telegraph Editor...Bill M. Kramer
Sports Editor...Anne Murphy
Society Editor...Mary Lou Foley
Business Mgr. Paul Warner
Advertising Mgr. Bill Nelligan
Circulation Mgr. Bill Binter
Classified Mgr. Elizabeth Berry
Raymond Speer's Have Son
Mr. and Mrs. Raymond A. Speer announce the birth of a son, Thomas Raymond, born Aug. 10 in Wichita. Mrs. Speer is a senior in the School of Education and Mr. Speer is a senior in mechanical engineering.
---
Expert Watch REPAIR
Electronically Timed Guaranteed Satisfacton
1 week or less service.
WOLFSON'S 743 Mass.
"The best part of every date is dinner or a late snack at the Chateau."
Open Daily 11 a.m.
- Tasty Sandwiches
- Fountain Specials
- Tempting Dinners 5 to 7:30
President Truman resumed his warfare with the Republicans in congress today, telling the people of Austin, Tex., that "this Republican congress is trying to tear up the Bill of Rights."
Mr. Truman said he was waging his campaign of "telling the facts" because "between 80 and 90 percent of the press is against the Democratic administration because they (the press) are for the special interests."
He praised the long succession of national leaders produced by Texas and pointed to some of them standing with him—Mr. Rayburn, the house Democratic leader, and Attorney General Tom Clark.
Campaign Rolls On
Curb Service After 4 p.m.
Meanwhile Gov. Thomas E. Dewey promised today to disclose the G.O.P. program for developing the tremendous power and timber resources of the Pacific Northwest.
Paul E. Lockwood, secretary to the New York governor, said that would be the subject of a speech in Seattle tonight beginning the second week of Mr. Dewey's West Coast campaign swing. Secretary Lockwood said the Seattle speech would "outline a specific program to conserve and expand the use of western resources for the welfare of the nation."
M
Also heading for Texas Henry A. Wallace today challenged President Truman to join him in defying the racial segregation customs of the South.
Mr. Wallace was scheduled to cross campaign trails with Mr. Truman at Dallas later today, and during a three-day stay in Texas, intends to follow his policy of refusing to address meetings if racial segregation is enforced. He issued a statement challenging Mr. Truman to do the same.
Mr. Wallace's statement said he hoped to hear that Mr. Truman "has thrown the weight of his office behind the Progressive party practice of refusing to participate in un-American meetings—in segregated meetings."
Geologists To Hear Talk
M. D. Harbaugh, secretary of the Lake Superior Iron Ore association, will talk on the economics of iron ore production before the geology department Wednesday.
The meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. in 436 Lindley.
Israeli Men In U.S. Under Jewish Draft
Between 250 and 300 Israeli citizens attending U.S. colleges are affected by the order. Women are not included.
Israeli men citizens in the U.S. between the ages of 18 and 40 are subject to new recruiting regulations, the Israeli mission said in a statement issued Sept. 24 in Washington.
The registrar's office lists one student from Israel. He is Benjamin Benjaminov, College freshman, a pre-medical student.
Call K. U. 251 With Your News
Graduate Receives National Award
Miss Nancy Lee Nevin, who received a degree in physical therapy from the University in 1948, is the first woman from the Midwest to receive the national scholarship given by Alpha Chi Omega sorority for the study of spastic children. Miss Nevin is from Lawrence.
She will begin a three months course in spastic therapy Oct. 4 at the Phelps clinic, Baltimore. She has been working at the University of Kansas Medical center in Kansas City.
Ummm----GOOD!
I MEAN THE FOOD at
BILL'S GRILL 1109 Mass.
Across from the Court House
Jayhawk Golf Driving Range
1 Mile East of Haskell on 10
- Clubs and balls provided.
- New well-lighted range-open from 2:00----11:00 Saturday and Sunday 4:00----11:00 Week Days
- You may use dirt, rubber-mat or one of the automatic tees. Select the kind you prefer.
YOU DRIVE 'EM
WE'LL SHAG 'EM
MORGAN MACK
Give It New Life
Stop Excess Oil Burning-Gas Eating Rejuvenate Your Tired Car. Have Our Expert Mechanics Install New Rings And Bearings-Grind And Reface Valves.
WE WILL CLEAN AND ADJUST ALL MOVING PARTS.
SEE US FOR AUTO ACCESSORIES
609 Mass.
SERVICE
Ph.277
F O R D
SALES