Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-12-27
Hoover Reports Plan
For Hospital Unity
Draws Opposition

several quarters was evident today
to the Hoover Commission task
force" proposal that nearly all Fed
eral hospitals be put under a single
control to eliminate what it called
multi-million dollar waste and dup
LEGATION.
While most organizations delayed
comment until a more careful study
of the report could be made. first
reaction showed:
l. A strong warning from Capitol
Hill against economies at the ex-
pense Of veterans.
2. Criticism of many Of its pro-
posals from the Veterans Of Foreign
Wars.
3. Support for most of the pro-
posals by the American Hospital As
ISOLATION, which represents the Ma
tons private hospitals.
AHA Praises Report.
AHA officials said the report ap-
peared to be exactly what we have
wanted"
The powerful hospital association
pointed out that its committees two
years ago pointed out 1.-The same
wastes and Implications within Fed
eral systems and competition be-
tween Federal and private systems. "
While findings were essentially the
same as those reported by the AHA,
the Hoover Commission report "un-
covered many more" spokesman
said.
One point on which the Hoover
Commission went further, they
added, was on inclusion of all Vet
ems Administration hospitals IN a
proposed new National Bureau OF
Health.
VA officials said they would have
no comment on the proposals be-
cause Veterans Administrator Gray
feels they are matters of national
policy which he will carry out or
not carry out, as Congress decides
DR.. Paul B. Magnuson. VA med
ical director, could not be reached
for comment. He often has ex-
pressed favor of one recommended
tion-that Congress more carefully
spell out veterans eligibility for
care at Government expense. espe-
cially for those with disabilities or
illness that has no connection with
their military service.
The report said there is author
ization to hospitalize these yeter-
ans with non-service connected all
ments only If beds are available,
but that VA has authorized or built
100, 900 hospital beds which service
no other purpose except deliberately
to make beds available for non !serv-
Ice connected cases"
F.. Doctors Reaction Uncertain.
OF major importance, meanwhile,
VA officials feel, will be reaction
to the proposals from the many
private doctors and universities
which are participating in the vast
VA medical program.
George Ijams, rehabilitation di-
rector of the VFW, said he will write
to former President Hoover. asking
for an interview to express his views.
He added that he didn't feel Mr..
Hoover has all the facts"
The report saw no letup in spend
ing next year, noting that the Vet
Grams Administration alone will
spend as much in 1919 for medical
services as all Federal agencies
spent for that purpose In 1913.
THE Federal Government Is as
Stunning uncalculated obligations
without any understanding of their
ultimate cost, the lack Of the nee
essary professional manpower to
carry them out, or their adverse
effect upon the hospital system OF
the country" the report said.
1t cited cases of new hospitals
being built by one agency In the
neighborhood of existing and un-
filled hospitals operated by another
agency. Dozens Of Federal hos
pitfalls could be closed and the pa
tients transferred to other quarters,
the committee added.
The committee said Congress
should clearly define" the bene-
ficiaries of Federal aid and added,
TOO large q part Of the medical
resources Of the armed forces are
devoted to the care Of civilians,
veterans and dependents of mill
tary personnel"
In a statement accompanying the
report, Mr.. Hoover emphasized that
the task force findings do not
necessarily" represent the commits
sion's final conclusions. The group
that made the report was headed by
Assistant Secretary Of the Army
Tracy s. voorhees,.
Representative Thomas, Demo-
crat, Of Texas, who may head the
House Appropriations Subcommit-
tee handling veterans funds in the
next Congress, was among those
who cautioned against economizing
at the possible expense Of ex-
service men.
1.-THE report of the committee de-
serves and will receive thorough
consideration" Mr.. Thomas told q
reporter.
1T may well be that there is