The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1919-01-08
New Mexico Needs an Adequately Financed and Efficiently
Managed State Department of Health" and Should Have 1t.

Il has been rs free from epidemic a. any other state
IN the union. lis death rate j. no higher than that
Of states with highly ehicirnt hcalth systems, or
systems M regarded. " our public health condi-
lions were rs grave as some of the health associa-
tion propaganda might lead the uniformed to be-
lieve, The great insurance companies would not he
writing their millions Of new business annually
IN this state; These companies know health condi.
tons, even when the public remains uniformed.
Largely because Of our climate. New Mexico public
health has averaged mp fairly with that IN other
states. c,cn with our lack Of public health service
and operation.
Donbslcss Il has been necessary 70 put the
rravcsi phases Of onr situation forward IN order
to command public attention. II is certainly 10
be hoped that possible ovcrstatement of The situa-
ton IN this connection will not lead 10 an ex'
cess of legislation or an 0versupply Of official health
equipment in New Mexico a. would be- needed IN a
state with dense population. We certainly do need
IAN adequately financed aud efficiently managed
state department Of health. - The Legislature should
supply the law aud the appropriation necessary for
such an equipment, aud no morc.
Under the heading "Thc Gold Cure in Public
Health the Public Health Association in It's last
news bulletin outlines the officers and appropria.
tons desired. These call for ut least six salnricd
offices in the central state department, and an op-
preparation Of approximately $4,000 a year. These
officers and this money may all be absolutely nee
essary 10 efficient health protco tion and adminisira
iion. II should. however, be the subject Of careful
inquiry by the Legislature. To many who have
gig-r the subject some thought Il has seemed that
a central state council and q health commissioner
~ are proposed, with adequate authority OYER the
county and municipal health officers and boards.
might give New Mexico all the health machinery
and equipment for efficient administration that II
needs, at least until population u much greater
than al present.
Probably we should move slowly and with
care IN this legislation. u will be- difficult enough
10 keep positions Of this kind out Of the political
sphere OF influence, without providing any more
jobs than are absolutely necessary.
We are heartily In favor of the proposal of a
State Health Council, composed Of physicians and
laymen. A small group Of big men. II might be
the wiser course 10 create such a commission, ur
council. give IL power 10 enforce IN orders and
leave IL for two years with sufficient means for
thorough inquiry into the health needs of the
state, before proceeding further. Al the risk Of
being charged with being reactionary, the Herald
believes that we would better move slowly and
know where we are going in setting mp the propos.
ed and very necessary state department 81 health.
than TO erect Immediately an elaborate and costly
machine the necessities for which have not yet been
fully determined