Evening star., 1946-05-07
Service Hospital
UseCitedi
For Newcomer
Tydines Bill Bockers
Point to Care Given
Members Of Congress
By Harold B. Rooers

oeneAo VI VAAe AyuilSS DILL To-Day
pointed to the action of the Army
and Navy in admitting members
OF Congress, cabinet officers and
certain other high-placed Federal
civilians to service hospitals here,
as a further reason why Congress
should enact the measure for a
new hospital center to provide more
adequate disqualification here for the
rank and file of Federal employees.
Top-flight civilians usually nav a
fixed fee for their medical and
hospital care in the service hos
pitaS. But while this is on an
actual cost basis, it is understood
to be at a much lower price than
the average Government clerk
would pay to civilian hospital.
The fact that certain officials and
other employees can get and pay for
treatment at service institutions
is said to imply an assumption of
obligation by the Federal Govern
ment to favor some Federal people.
They get extremely high grade care
at cut-rate prices.
One Explanation Given.
One explanation was that armed
services are prepared to provide
good medical care to cure the patient
and restore him to duty as soon as
possible. Furthermore, the service
medical and hospital care is pre-
pared to follow up" the cases for
post-hospital observation.
The Navy operates it's system
under authority of the Secretary of
the Navy, who has officially approv-
ed such procedure. Many members
OF Congress and cabinet officers and
others are treated at the big new
Naval Medical Center at Bethesda,
Md. At least half of all Congress
members. however. go to private
hospitals here, it was reported.
The Army admits civilian patients
to Walter Reed General Hospital
under authority of a special Army
regulation, No. 40-590. This is a
revision of previous similar regula-
tions. and is dated January 81, 1916,
to take care of up to date situations,
such as the rapid shifts of personnel
all over the world.
Other Civilians.
After naming several kinds of
civilian employees of the War De-
partment, who may be serving over
seas, the order continues to au-
thorize treatment of "other civil
ians." These may be received, it is
pointed out, whether or not they are
in the public service, "only in the
case of extreme necessity, and when
in the opinion of the commanding
officer of the hospital, or his au-
thorized representative, admission is
necessary to save life or prevent
greater suffering. Under these cir
cumstances, the order continues, "a
written report will be submitted i'm
mediately to the post commander"
A far more inclusive authority,
however, Is provided In the regu-
lation which authorizes the ad-
mission to Army hospitals of such
other persons as may be designated
by the Secretary of War"
AAS SooU Va "a CdtAlCllI WHICH CIVIL
ians must pay to service hospitals.
in most cases, varies according to
several factors. These include
geography and the size of the in
stallation. Usually the cost is es-
tablished by the so-called Federal
Board for Interchange of Hospital
Facilities"
Civilian employees of the Govern
ment, for the most part, however.
are unable to get into the service
and therefore must rely
on District hospitals, which were
sorely criticized in the recent Metro
politan Health and Hospital Survey
The inadequacy and general con
ditions" of most of the 18 hospitals
IN this city were scored as "a dis
grace to the Nation" The survey
called for passage of the Tydings
bill for new hospital center and
for improvement of other hospitals
here.
The Tydings bill is to be revised
by the Judiciary Subcommittee of
the House District Committee,
Chairman McGehee has promised
as soon as special report on rec
revisions is received from
the Federal Works Agency. The
report Is expected momentarily.