Evening star., 1946-02-05
Bills Seek toLift
Virginia Health
Funds I Million
100 Per Cent Check
Of School Children
Is Key Objective
BY ALEX r. PRESTON,
Star Staff Correspondent.

Star Staff Correspondent.
RICHMOND, Va, Feb. S. - In
creases totaling $2,180,000 over
amounts already set up for health
services In the proposed State
budget for the next biennium are to
be recommended to the General As
sembly by the Virginia Health and
Medical Care Council, it was an
nounced today by Charles r. Fen
wick, Arlington, legislative chairman
Of the group.
A comprehensive program for ex-
tension of health facilities was
agreed to at meeting of the Coun-
ellis executive committee yesterday
in the Medical College of Virginia
Responsibility for steering needed
legislation through the current ses-
sion of the Assembly has been
placed in the hands Of Mr.. Fen
wick's committee.
Largest single increase sought is
an item of $1,200,O00 for 100 per
cent health coverage and inspection
and examination of school children,
Mr.. Fenwick said. Legislation par
TALLY meeting this objective already
has been introduced by Delegates j.
w. Witten, Tazewell; j. Maynard
Magruder, Arlington, and j. j. Will
Iams, Henrico.
Another increase sought, Mr.. Fen
wick said, is 100000 for personnel
and other added expenses incident
to expansion Of beds already pro-
vided for in tuberculosis sanitariums.
An item of $188, 900 is recommend
ed to finance the establishment of a
cancer control unit in the Depart
ment of Health, with provision for
travelling clinics and care for indi-
gent patients.
Bill Favors Building Fund.
Another bill would establish a
revolving fund of not less than
So, ,000, 900 nor more than 5000 900
from which localities might draw
loans when their projects are certi-
fled by the Department of Health.
Loans would bear interest at a rate
not to exceed per cent annually,
and the amount of the loans would
not exceed so per cent of the total
cost.
The amount of the revolving fund
does not require an increase in the
budget bill. he explained, because it
would be set up out of one of the
States accruing funds, such as that
for retirement, where interest is
earned. Delegate George Damn,
Arlington, is expected to sponsor
this legislation, Mr.. Fenwick said.
A new item of $4,000 is recon-
mended for the establishment of six
health centers. The committee
served by these projects would be
expected to advance Is per cent
Of the cost. The proposed centers
would be equipped with from nine
to fifteen beds for maternity care
and other emergency cases in areas
not now served by hospitals. The
centers would be available to local
physicians and health departments
and would contain certain labora-
tory facilities.
Favors Medical Scholarships.
Another program designed to in
crease medical care in rural areas
would be an extension of a plan
proposed by Mr.. Fenwick, when a
member of the House of Delegates
and adopted by the General Assem-
bly, in 1912. 1t would increase the
number of medical scholarships at
the University of Virginia and the
Medical College of Virginia from
four at each institution each year
to Is or 80, requiring an appropria-
ton of 100000 for the biennium.
Provisions are retained that students
availing themselves of the plan
would agree to serve in any rural
area designated by the Department
OF Health one year for each year of
his scholarship.
The sum of $500, 900 will be re-
quired 10 finance a final feature of
the program which already has been
introduced by Senators Neff, L. c.
Bird, Richmond, and w. M. Minter
Matthews, providing for hospitali-
zation of the INDECENT. The locali-
ties and the State each would pay
half.
Strike Blacklist" Urged.
The House General Laws Com
mlttee has scheduled for this after
noon a hearing on a bill to black
list" any employe of the State or
any Of it's political subdivisions who
engages in strikes against his public
employer. Sponsored by Delegates
Frank P. Moncure, Prince William
and Stafford, and B. G. Locher
Rockbridge, the bill goes great
deal further than a Senate Joint
resolution which yesterday was re-
ported out of the General Laws
Committee.
The resolution of Senators Robert
%. Norris, Lively, and w. S. Moffett
Staunton, declares it to be against
the public policy for employees of the
State or its political subdivisions to
unionize or for public officials to rec.
ogn1ze such unions.
The measure was reported in modi.
fled form, however, after the com.
mittee adopted an amendment by
Senator Neff which provides moth
ing In this resolution shall be con-
strued to prevent employees Of the
State, its political subdivisions or OF
any Government agency of any OF
them, from forming organizations
not afliliated with any unions for the
purpose of discussing with the en-
ploying agency the conditions OF
their employment, but not claiming
collectively the right to cease work
or threaten to do so as one element
lof such discussions"
S. Fee Bill introduced.
Delegate j. E. Gardner, Richmond
introduced bill yesterday to es-
tablish fiat S. license fee for all
private passenger cars and to re-
peal the existing weight schedule
lof charges.
A bill by Senator Clarke to give
jurisdiction to the juvenile and do
mestic relations court of Alexandris
yesterday became the first piece oi
legislation sponsored by Northern