The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-10-19
Grave Hospital Crisis Calls for
Best Community Thought
Great Opportunity for Men and Women of Wealth to do
Profoundly Helpful Human Service

HAT the hospital situation in Washington grave
not only adverse financial circumstances OF some
hospitals but the inability Of saaried classes to meet
charges hospital treatment when ILL now brought stragnt
home to Washington people.
Columbia Hospital institution most vital to our COM
unity life is on the verge Of bankruptcy and have to
close its unless campaign for funds started or
wealthy people give helpful contributions.
The generous impulses of Washington people will be.
aroused by this confirmation of editorials in this
newspaper the graves problem before this city that
Of enlargng capitalization opportunities and the placing
Of hospital service before people of moderate not able
to pay cash in advance entering hospitals.
Despite high hospital service-a cost virtually
prOhibive to thousands Of afflicted peopsnO public hos
pital in Washington is making money Certainly Of
them privately operated institutions proeering
ct the expense of the sick.
All hospitals confronted with the same serious
problem facing all citizens except the wealthy weodo
There increasing cost in all dections-n hospital supplies
salaries paid to nurses attendants. laborers etc.
The few hospitals having endowments back Of them not
making money They may be breaking about even.
The situation Columbia about the same as with several
other public institutions That hospital compelled because
of certain relations accept charity patients Board
Of Public Welfare at 50 per day. all that Congress will
appropriate for these patients Specializing does and
giving hghcass service the Columbia Of these
patients about $3.50 per day loss Of $3.50 per person
About 40 per cent of patients Columbia charity
class With patients there percentage Of due to
unpaid bills
Columbia institution for genealogical and obsteca
It godsend to of Washington It's record
In maternity deaths said to be the lowest in the United
States That because of exceptional service and equipment
Cheaper service and equipment would deaths Of
mothers.
1t Is inconceiDabe that Washington people uUH let
this fine institution continue financial difficulties
1t Is Likewise inconceiUabIe that phiI0nttropc0LIy
disposed men and ready and uOillins to siOe
large when the welfare of humanity stake,
lOIl fail to into this whole hospital situation
Washington, TO act 0fterW0Td.
Study of facts obtdinabIe anywhere uUH bring the
reflection that there has been a time in this
city Iohen unused LOe0lth be better employed
than ToU.
Columbia needs help Other hospitals without endowments
or liberal annual contributions unable to expand
ALI public hospitals generally crowded There often
no for the sick who able pay There seldom
any room for those who haven't cash responsible hackers
Charity patients cared for, but ho.O about the
thousands of afflicted Who do BE cInssed
ntendcGnts and tOho could and WOuld pay hospital
bills IF gi0en time?
The greatest benefaction the history of this city
UDoud be a hospital operated a credit basis open
to wOrthy and honest people WhO meet their obliga-
tiOns to business houses.