Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-02-10
Saturday. February 10. 1923.
THE QUAsI-pUeL,c HOSPITAL

THE UASI-PUBLIc HOSPITAL
The public desires to think straight.
1t is very busy public, busy with
the immediate affairs of it's daily life.
and while it doubtless is somewhat
delinquent. somewhat negligent about
making the necessary effort to inform
itself on public questions, neverthe-
less conditions are often confusing.
This occurs to mind in connection
with the question OF State aid to hos
pitfalls. The Governor has taken the
position that State aid should not be
given to private institutions. Proba-
bly, there are many who think of this
aid as being given outright to the
hospitals to be expended as their di-
rectors shall see fit. They should
have heard what Director Bassett of
the Augusta General Hospital had to
BAY yesterday to the committee He
money is now given for charitable
work, which would either have to he
left undone or cared for in some other
way in event of this aid being with
drawn.
Hc illustrated this by citing the old
form Of resolve, I'm favor of the Au-
gusta General Hospital, for the use
and maintenance thereof" He said
that under that the only time he ever
knew Of the money so obtained being
used for maintenance was when some
of it was used, at the suggestion of
a State official, for installing an ele-
vator, which was greatly needed.
Then he turned to the reading Of
the resolve under which the aid has
been given since 1916. This provides
FOR the care, support and medical or
surgical treatment of dependent per-
sons in or by certain charitable and
benevolent institutions and orga MIA :
tions not owned or controlled by the
State" Under this. such aid as the
State gives is expended for charitable
purposes and the record at the An
susta Hospital shows that where tho
state has paid $3.50 a day the cost
10 the hospital has been at the rate
OF 1880 a day. loss on the part of
the hospital of dollar dav. From
TINS 1t would appear there is no in
ducement to increase those cases be-
yond actual needs.
Then, speaking as a citizen. rather
than as director, he took issue with
the proposition that the state should
put an end to this method Of caring
for those who otherwise would be
likely not to receive that which they
need. BY means Of this State aid
those dependent people are being
cared for. the local institution con-
tributing A part. And, while he did
not say it, one easily might conclude
from conditions that We're this aid
Withdrawn the State ultimately would
take over these cases and care for
them at greater expense than is now
done.
He did not think the situation Is
defined by the terms public" and
private" that the Augusta General
Hospital is quasi public institu-
ton. Once there We're but public
and private corporations. Later it
was found advisable to make use of
another classification, the quasi pub.
lie cooperation. He thought there
should be recognition Of quasi pub
lie institution. the hospital dispensing
State aid to the public.
Isn't there ground here for a prac-
teal effort to make proper use Of a
quasi public hospital in position &c
serve the public within its enviro.
ment, make use of it at less expense
than would otherwise occur, insist
that the deserving cases be properl,
cared for. also on seeing what be
comes of the money voted by the
State? The present method of dis
pcnsng the aid seems satisfactor,
one under which the relief goes &c
II might he amplifled and regulated
further. the amount should he baset
on the need according to n plan tina,
need not he subjected to log rolling
but abandoning it or suhiccting it IL
the referendum. under which it would
practically he impossible to arrive a.
conclusive decision seems unnec.
essary and undesirable.