Evening star., 1950-05-28
Funds Asked 10 Sci Up
Operated Clinics
For Indigent Here
Continued From First Page.)


tract arrangement.
Four of them-Episcopal, Gar
field. Georgetown and George
Washington-exceeded their quota
during the first nine months Of
the year, it was reported. The
other three-Casualty. Children's
and Providence-have exceeded
their allotments since then, off,
cials said.
The proposal also falls in line
with sharp congressional criticism
Of the present INDECENT care pro-
gram, raised when the House cut
the funds for the private hospitals
last week.
Representative Bates. Democrat,
of Kentucky, said the Health De-
partment should impose "firmer
controls" over the program. in or
der to send more patients to Gal
linger. He also proposed that the
Commissioners give serious con-
sideration" to the possibility of
cutting of contracts with some of
the hospitals.
Sees Substantial Savings.
There is no question but that
Tightening would result in
substantial savings to the Dis
trict," he declared.
Until two years ago, the city
had contracts with only three
hospitals - Emergency. Casualty
and Children's. At that time,
Congress approved contracts with
others. when they pointed out they
were absorbing substantial losses
for treating patients eligible for
care at District expense.
Health Department officials
stressed the need for continued
contracts with some of the hos
pitals however. because of the lack
Of special facilities at Gallinger,
and for treatment of emergency
cases who need bed care.
But, DR.. Seckinger said, the
mounting expense" in the pro-
gram has been in clinic care.
Mr.. Bates estimated the health
officials expansion proposal would
allow the District to take over
about $4,000 clinic visits now
handled by private hospitals, at a
cost to the city of 81 each.
Funds for Investigators.
In addition to formation of the
Gallinger clinic, the expansion
proposal includes these two
points:
l. Expansion of clinics at the
new Gales Medical Center to al
low about 10000 more clinic visits
a year
2. Funds to send Health De-
partment investigators to each of
the contract hospitals to check
on whether patients are eligible
for care at District expense.
Investigators now check bed pa
tients before they are certified for
payment, DR.. Seckinger said, but
the department relies on records
sent from the contract hospitals
about eligibility Of clinic patients
treated. e..
DR.. Seckinger said the proposed
Gallinger clinic in the old rapid
treatment center would be a
"stop-gap" measure until the hos
pital is able to get a new out
patient clinic building. Plans for
such building. he said, have a
high priority" on the construc-
ton list.
Would Answer Criticism.
An adequate Gallinger clinic
would permit diagnosis and treat
ment of some types of chronic pa
tients who now are hospitalized
at cost Of more than $11 a day,
DR.. Seckinger said.
In addition, he said. 1t would
help answer the congressional
criticism by caring for more pa
tients at Gallinger.
1t is important. he explained,
that the same doctors be able to
treat patients from the start to
the finish of their illnesses. This
continuity of care" factor, he
said, has been a main reason why
some contract hospitals have been
reluctant to transfer patients to
Gallinger after once beginning to
treat them.
The health officer indicated he
plans to seek help of the District
Medical Society and the United
Community Services - which re-
Gently launched a study of chronic
illness-in his survey of medical
problems of the INDECENT here. Ef-
fectS of the niStrict'S Y,ew h0roo