PRAGUE

Social Insurance Lectures  The Committee on Social Medicine of the Young Generation of Czechoslovak Physicians held lectures on social insurance last month. As in most countries, the Czechoslovak medical profession and the insurance authorities have not always been in accord. The two parties differed on the aim which insurance societies are to fulfil.Prof. F. Prochazka, in his introductory lecture to the series, described this conflict. The insured were less interested in the medical than in the cash benefit. Political parties, especially the social democrats, early used the officials of the insurance societies as political agents. As a result, very little of the funds remained for disbursement for medical services. The insurance system has reduced private practice to a minimum, but the income of the medical profession as a whole has been increased. At present, the medical profession is fighting for free organized choice of physicians instead of the present