Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1937-05-20
Health Budget
Set Up Outlined
By DR.. EllicOtt
Montgomery County COmpli-
mented For Work By
Eastern Division

The Public Health Lay Council and
others interested in the county's
health work have asked to have a
voice in determining next years
health budget. An opportunity for
this was afforded at meeting held
on May 4th by the Chamber of Com
merce Health Contest Committee.
Representatives of several other or
CARNATIONS were invited.
The following analysis was prepar-
ed by DR.. V. L. Ellicott, County health
officer:
Health Coptest-An analysis of the
county's health work, made by the
American Public Health Association
in connection with the rural health
contest, was reviewed at this meeting
and referred to in discussing the
budget. The Association emphasized
the need for more public health nurses
stating, "After careful study of the
schedule submitted by Montgomery
County, it would appear that the ex-
tension of the Nursing Service, is one
of the principal items in which i'm
provement might be effected. It would
not seem that six nurses can cover
fully the nursing service necessary
for prenatal, infant, preschool and
school groups"
The county was complimented for
it's health work and received an award
for meritorious achievement in the
Eastern Division.
Present Budget-The present health
budget is $33,479 of which $18,580 is
paid by the county commissioners.
The total amount represents 81 cents
per capita.
Health Tax-Based on the county's
property valuation of nearly $780,
100000, the money appropriated by
the County Commissioners cores
ponds to a health tax of 1876 cents
per hundred dollars. If the increases
in health appropriations requested
for next year are granted, the County
Commissioners health appropriation
will be $25,440. This will correspond
to health tax of 2.54 cents. Those
present at the meeting said they die
not consider this an unreasonable in
crease in appropriation for Montgom
cry County.
Nurses Salaries-It was strongly
recommended that the salaries of the
staff nurses be placed on a scale
starting at $500 per year and in
creasing one hundred dollars per veal
to miximum Of $500. The present
salaries are so much lower than those
of the District of Columbia Health
Department that it will be difficult tx
induce qualified personnel enter oul
services. We nearly lost nurse re
Gently because she was offered posi-.
ton in the District of Columbia which
would start at $3.50 per year more
than her present salary and woulc
offer prospect of increases far aheac
Of county salaries.
The salary scale proposed would re-
quire an additional county appropria.
ton of only $500. 1t is assumed thai
the increases for the two nurses who
are now paid partly by the Tubercu
losis Association would be shared by
the association.
Additional Public Health Nurse
An analysis Of last years work shows
that we have three markedly deficient
services, namely, prenatal and ma
ternal hygiene, infant hygiene anc
preschool hygiene. These all depend
on lack of nurses work. We now have
six nurses covering approximately
10000 population each. Each has a
job corresponding to that Of teach
er with 100 pupils.
It is proposed that new position