Evening star., 1940-01-30
By JOHN c. HENRY.

President Roosevelt today recon-
mended to Congress that it appro-
pirate between s7,500,00O and s10,-
900 900 for an immediate start on
a program of building and equipping
so small hospitals in rural areas
now lacking in medical facilities.
Making his recommendation his
prime birthday message to the coun-
try, the Chief Executive outlined
program which he said would save
the lives and improve health in
those parts of the Nation which need
this most and can afford it least"
At cost estimated at between
$3.50 900 and 100000 each, the pro-
posed institutions would have about
100 beds each. would be operated
and maintained by the community
in which located and would be open
to persons who literally can afford
to contribute little or nothing toward
their treatment
Wants Other Bills Studied.
With vastly more comprehensive
and ambitious health proposals
pending in Congress, the President
wrote in his message today that he
hoped their consideration would 'be
continued actively during the pres
ent session, looking toward con-
structive action at the next" He
urged the hospital program. how
ever, as an immediate beginning.
Il would suggest" he wrote, that
these hospitals be simple, functional
structures utilizing inexpensive ma
terials and construction methods.
The facilities of the Federal Works
Agency should be utilized in the
planning and execution of the hos
pital projects. Title to these instl-
tutions should be held by the Fed
eral Government, but operation
should be a local financial RESPONSE
bility."
The President emphasized to Con-
gress that his plan does not consti-
tute renewal of public works
program through the method OF
grants in aid.
Operating Costs.
"The areas which I had in mind"
he said, ARE areas so poor that they
cannot raise their share of the cost
of building and equipping a hos
pital Yet I believe that many of
such communities have enough pub
lic-spirited citizens with means, and
enough citizens able to pay some
thing for hospital treatment, to
care tor operating costs of a hos
pital provided they do not have to
pay for its original construction and
equipment, or to pay annual inter-
est and amortization on borrowed
money.
"One of the important difficulties
in such areas at the present time is
that young doctors hesitate to prac-
tice general medicine or surgery be-
cause of the utter lack of hospital
or laboratory facilities. One cannot
blame them"
Survey of Needs.
With general supervision of the
program to be vested In the
Public Health Service, the Presi-
dent suggested that approval of
project applications be preceded
by careful survey of existing local
facilities and needs; that standards
for maintenance and operation be
set up, and that competent person.
mel be assured in advance. Special
provisions he said, should be made
for tuberculosis victims and for
cdored patients.
The proposed institutions, he
warned, should not be constructed
in communities where either public
or private hospitals already are
even though existing in
stitutions may not be of highest
quality. For the whole responsibility
Of determining location of the new
units Mr.. Roosevelt suggested that
an advisory council of outstanding
and scientific authorities
should assist the Public Health
Service.