6.
A
resistência às reformas propostas pela médica sem-cara-de-médica Josephine Baker vinha dos médicos gente-fina
daqueles “bons tempos”:
In the late 1910s, Baker and other reformers
drafted a bill to create a nationwide network of home-visiting programs and
maternal and child health clinics modeled on the programs in New York. But the
American Medical Association (AMA)—backed by powerful Republicans averse to spending
money on social welfare—claimed the program was tantamount to Bolshevism. Baker
was in Washington the day a young New England doctor explained the AMA’s
position to a congressional committee:
“We oppose this bill because, if
you are going to save the lives of all these women and children at public
expense, what inducement will there be for young men to study medicine?”
Senator Sheppard, the chairman, stiffened and leaned forward: “Perhaps I didn’t
understand you correctly,” he said: “You surely don’t mean that you want women
and children to die unnecessarily or live in constant danger of sickness so
there will be something for young doctors to do?” “Why not?” said the New
England doctor, who did at least have the courage to admit the issue: “That’s
the will of God, isn’t it?”
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