Evening star., 1948-11-23
New UCSUnit
Plans D. T.. Area
Health Program
Findings in Survey
To Be Used in Part
In Community Move
By George Beveridae

A widely representative group Of
District organizations Is being asked
to suggest key points in a large
scale attack on community health
problems, being planned by the new
Health and Hospital Section Of
United Community Services.
UCs is the successor of the WASH
ington Community Chest and Coun-
Gil OF Social Agencies. The new
health section takes over many ac-
tivities Of the old Washington
Metropolitan Health Council. Of
f1cials also are discussing the posi-
bility of forming a Federation Of
Health Councils, which would CO.
ordinate efforts Of health programs
in counties near the city.
Oficials at a luncheon meeting
yesterday at the Sheraton Hotel
stressed that plans Of the new sec
ton still ere in the organizationaI
stage.
Education in Needs,
DR.. Winfred Overholser, superin-
Itendent Of st. Elizabeths Hospital
and chairman of the sections execu-
tive committee, said one OF the pro-
grams main functions will be to
educate the community in health
needs.
Arthur Kruse, UCS executive di-
rector, called for a "broadened bass
Of citizen participation" in the pro-
gram. I'VE have no interests, as
such, except in total needs Of the
community" he declared, pledging
support to agencies interested in
health needs, whether they are vol
untary, unsupported or Chest-sup-
ported.
Part Of the program, officials said,
viii ne based On results and sn-
q siyses OF the 2-yesr-o1d NIeIropoli-
.an health and hospital Survey. 4
QUESTIONABLE sent to section mem-
bers, asking for suggestions, also
listed as needs for study "a total
health education program and cr-
ganized dental care for the INDECENT
and semi-indigent.
DR.. Overholser was named chair.
man Of the committee at a July
meeting. Other officers include Ed
ward K Funkhouser, executive sec.
retary Of the District tuberculosis
Association, vice chairman; District
Health Officer George c. Ruhland,
ex-offlcio, and DR.. Daniel L. Seek
niger, assistant health officer, his
alternate.
The group also approved associate
memberships in the section for the
Public Health Service and medical
departments Of the Veterans Ad-
ministration, Army, Navy and Air
Force.
Mr.. Funkhouser, in a talk, out
lined results of the recent chest
X-ray survey and called for an
intensive public education drive to-
reach persons not covered in the
drive. He pointed to the need for
increased facilities here to treat
tuberculosis victims.
GorreH Touches on HSA.
The controversial question OF con-
tinued existence of the Hospital
Service Agency was brought up
briefly by j. S. Gorrell of the
Chest Federation Budget Commit
tee. Leaders of voluntary hospitals
here have said they want to take
over many functions Of HGA, which
certifies admissions to hospitals pa
tients who receive Chest aid, and
pays hospitals for treating them.
"Al I ask" Mr.. Gorrell said "is
don't on overheard m tho f,a,hlicitv
you're seeing in the papers. There
are always two sides to every ques-
tion." Mr.. Gorrell said he did not
want to enlarge on his statement
for publication.
DR.. Overholser said he was "sure
the UCS won't be stampeded" into
anything, and pointed to the i'm
portance OF UCS in deciding tEe
future of the agency.