The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1920-10-11
TRANSFER WAR
RISK PATIENTS
To Be Gathered Into Hospitals
Controlled by Govern
ment.

NECESSITY OF CHANGE SHOWN
Part Of General Plan Of Bureau o.
War Risk Insurance to coneentrat,
the Invalid and convaIescent Vet
Grams In Institutions Where The,
May Be Given Better and Nor.
Specialized Treatment
Ex-service men disabled by reason
Of wounds, injuries or disease incurred
In the world war and in need Of hos
pital treatment are to be gathered into
hospitals owned and controlled by the
government within the next year
This transfer of patients from pri.
vate hospitals, and hospitals only par
TALLY controlled by the government
constitutes part of general plan ot
the bureau of war. risk insurance, 80
authorized to act by recent legislation
to concentrate the invalid and con-
valescent veterans In institutions In
which the government will be able to
discharge Its obligation to them Of
better and more specialized treatment.
Director R. G. Cholmeley- Jones Of
the bureau, acting In cooperation with
United States public health service.
has announced that as soon as al
ready existing accommodations have
been taken over, adapted. and suit
ably equipped by the government,
every effort will be made to encourage
such transfer of patients unless the
men are not in a condition to be
moved. The wishes Of the men are to
be consulted. but purely personal rea-
sons will not be allowed to cause q
change in the program, once investiga-
ton proves that they would benefit by
such changed environment.
Necessity Of Change.
These instructions are not intended
to interfere, in localities where gov
eminent owned or operated hospitals
are not available, with the use Of con-
tract hospitals which are used solely
for the purpose of obtaining satis-
factory examination of the patient.
For this purpose patients may be ad-
mitted to civilian hospitals and so
kept until their examination is COM
pleted. In the event that treatment
is necessary, they will later be trans
ferred to some government institution.
The urgent necessity for such change
In the disqualification of disabled world
war veterans is seen by reviewing
of existing conditions.
At the present time there are 1881
ex-service men and women
(war risk patients) being cared for In
more than 1000 hospitals scattered
the United States. OF
this number, S,123 are in hospitals
owned or operated by the government
and 9,858 are in private hospitals, In
Guiding state and county sanitariums.
In New York state, for instance,
here are 1880 war risk patients and
hey are cared for In 14S hospitals.
Similar conditions obtain proportion
,tely in other sections Of the country.
BY the end Of the year, It is esti-
mated that approximately $4,000 ex-
soldiers will be receiving hospital
reatment.
Authorized by Congress.
This whole situation was laid be-
ore congress and a recommendation
made for building program, which
program would naturally take some
line to put into effect after the pass
ng of any act authorizing the con-
'truction of government hospitals. In
rider to relieve Immediately the stu
ltion, congress, at its last session,
authorized the use Of the hospital |
ABILITIES of the army, navy and ma
ional soldiers homes, which authori- !
alton makes available approximately !
ourteen thousand hospital beds.
Furthermore, in making use of the
ABILITIES of the national homes for ,
disabled volunteer soldiers, arrange
nents have been completed with Gen.
leo. H. Wood, president Of the board
# managers Of the national homes for
isabled volunteer soldiers, for the con-
'erting Of two Of the national homes
nto tuberculosis sanatoriums and one
# the homes into a ,sanatorium for the
are and treatment of mental and
lervous patients. This program is
eing put into effect By the close CO.
peration of the National tuberculosis
ssociation and the National Commit
re for Mental Hygiene, and it is the
i'm that these institutions converted
0 government uses shall be made the
est of their kind in the world.
It is important that the government
Ontinue to receive the cooperation of
II those organizations and Of all in
ividuals who are equally interested
nd concerned in making sure that
lese disabled men and women re-
Give the very best care possible In the
ands OF the government and of the