Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-20
HOSPITAL EXPENSE
HELD PROH|B|T|VE
Worthy Citizens Being De-
prived of Treatment,
Survey Reveals.

The cost of capitalization in Wash
ington Is depriving worthy patients Of
needed treatment, according to re-
port on various phases of hospital
operation In the District as obtained
through q partial survey just con-
eluded by the public health committee
of the Washington Board OF Trade OF
which DR.. D. Percy Hickling, District
alienist, is chairman.
A report on a questionnaire sent to
heads Of local hospitals, compiled by
James r. Arnold, committee secretary.
showed that four out OF eight hospitals
answering the query, Are worthy citl-
zens without treatment on account of
cost?" replied In the Affirmative.
Those institutions reporting were
GEORGETOWN University. George Wash
ington University, the Episcopal Eye,
Ear and Throat and st. Elizabeth Hos
pitfalls.
Columbia, Garfield. Emergency and
Casualty Hospitals reported that
patients were not without treatment
because of cost, according to a sum-
mary OF the survey given by Mr.. Arnold
at a meeting of the committee last
night At the Y. w. c. A.
SOCIAL TDstttuh 1AtttGuAh'
II was indicated that for the most
mart those who are deprived OF treat
ment are the saiaried middle class
whose positions in society prevent them
from accepting outright charity. while
the cost Of treatment is regarded as
too expensive.
Another light ION the situation was
given in the repoSt of B. g., Sandige,
SUPERINTENDENT of Emergency Hospital,
who told the committee that while pa
tients brought there were not without
treatment because of the cost many
want more treatment than they need
and can pay for.
Virtually all hospital superintendent
favored public discussion OF this ques-
ton Of disqualification and other rec
concentrations included study OF the
questions of endowments for hospitals.
raising of public funds, provision OF
insurance, cooperation with the Amer
lean Medical Association, general
study Of all hospital charges and other
matters.
Georgetown Hospital reported the
need OF more free beds for INDECENT
patients and the need for more social
service. George Washington reported no
recommendations for extension or serv-
ice until funds for construction become
available; Sibley announced plans for
the enlargement of Its building; Co
lln1hia recommended extension OF its
'iout'' patient prenatal facilities; Gar
field reported 1t would expand as funds
become available while extension OF
services at Emergency was called city
government problem.
Survey Is Proposed.
Among proposals for cooperation be-
tween institutions were suggestions for
working with the Community Chest
recommendation for greater public CO.
operation and q proposal for survey
by an expert.
The survey revealed the following
amounts of charity work now being
conducted at the hospitals studied:
Georgetown, so per cent: George
washington, about 10 per cent; Episco-
pal Eye, Ear and Throat, lin patients.
Is per cent, and "out" patients, 30 per
cent; Columbia, "a per cent; GARFIELD,
80 per cent, Emergency, 90 pei, cen.
FreedEnen's, 7Rsper cent. Reports were
net available from other local hospitals,
pr. D. Percy Hickling, told members
of the committeeman Gallinger. and st.
Eliz6heth's Hospitals were working on
the principle that all patients receive
the S same treatment regardless of
whethey they were able to. pay He
pointed TO this as the objective OF ell
hospital authorities, but said IL could
not be achieved because wealthy patients
may demand and receive attentions
which charity or serni-charity patients
were unable to claim.
The consensus of members OF the
committee was that added facilities for
the care of tuhereular children should
be provided rs soon as possible.
;. Finances Discussed.
During o discussion of the finances Of
the local hospitals the following facts
were brought out, as revealed in the
answers to the questionnalfe:
Georgetown-That $4,000 Of the
yearly revenue comes from the District
government and the remainder from
pay patients; that the paying patient
does not pay more than the actual cost
Of his attention, including overhead,
and that while the patient has the OPP
portunity of getting the lowest doctors
and other fees. hospital stan service is
availahle without charge,
George Washington-That income Is
derived from patients and an endow-
ment, 90 per cent being paid by pa
tients; that the patient does not pay
more than his actual service costs, ana
est doctors fees.
eihley-Revenue derived from pa
tents and gifts; that e5 per cent OF the
income Is paid by patients.
Episcopal Eye, Ear and Throat
Revenue from patients endowments
and Community Chest, 10 per cent be-
ing from patients payments; that the
patient pays no more and sometimes
less than the actual service cost, ard
that the patient has the option in Sc
lecting physicians.
Columbia from patients and
a small" Federal appropriation; that
80 per cent of the revenue comes from
patients; that patients pay no more
than service costs and can get lowest
doctors fees, etc, as approved by the
hospital.
Garneld-Revenue from patients and
contributions, 90 per cent being derived
from patients; that patients may pas
no more than actual service costs ane
have the option Of getting lowest physi-
clans fees. 1890 -
Emefgeney-Revenue' from patients
and gifts; that IS per. cent OF the reve'
nue. comes from patients, some paying
less and some more than actual servic'
costs; option given as TO selecting loves
ported as from official funds only.
Revenue from st. EIizabeths, Freed
mems and Mount Alto Hospitals re
ported as from sffieiai funds only.
The survey just concluded is a pre-
lininary study in a two-year consid
Grafton Of the entire disqualification
problem here, which is to be continued
in connection with the American Medi
cal Assncia tim and en1h0died no recon-