RT Journal T1 Emic (emergency maternity and infant care): A study of administrative experience. JF American Journal of Diseases of Children JO American Journal of Diseases of Children YR 1949 FD February 1 VO 77 IS 2 SP 273 OP 273 DO 10.1001/archpedi.1949.02030040282015 UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.1949.02030040282015 AB The Emergency Maternity and Infant Care plan was the first national health plan which could be analyzed in detail. It offered an important field for the accumulation of information regarding governmental health programs. Full cooperation was available from the Children's Bureau of the United States Department of Labor.The report covers the history of the EMIC program, from its inception, through the many changes made, to its final form. The major problems considered are those of organization and administration.The authors regard several points as obvious. First, insufficient attention was paid to the details of administration. Even in the relatively restricted services offered under EMIC, this was shown repeatedly. Neither the Children's Bureau nor any other federal agency was prepared for an adequate administration. The same situation prevailed among state agencies.A second lesson is that adequate time is required to prepare for a widespread distribution of health services. Two