Evening star., 1952-01-23
Hospitals Seek
More Funds 10
Care for Poor
Appeal to D. c. Heads
Seen Before Budget
Is Sent to Congress
By WoIIoce {. cloyton

By WoIIoce {. Clayton
An appeal to- the Commissioners
for an amendment" to their
recommended health budget prob
ably will be made by officials Of
private hospitals under contract to
care for Government-certified in
Idigent patients. it was learned
today.
Indications were that increased
|indigent-care payments would be
asked before Congress tackles the
budget, as hospital officials ex-
pressed disappointment" over the
Commissioners refusal to recon-
mend an increase In the present
I$9-per-day payment into the 1858
budget.
The Commissioners action was
termed particularly Disappointing
this year. since most hospital Of
lflcials felt the city heads had been
sympathetic to their request dur
ing budget hearings.
Increase Recommended.
Health Ohhcer Daniel L. Seek
niger recommended the payment
be increased to $i2.50 a day, which
is roughly what the District
figures it costs to maintain q
patient at Gallinger Municipal
Hospital.
James H. Lemon, president of
lChildren's Hospital, said he felt
1.-THE Commissioners were still the
I''key" to the problem.
We'll have to get the Commis-
|sioners to change their minds and
amend that part Of their recon-.
lmendations," he said. I'VE have
gone before congressional COM
mittees every year in an effort
to get the payments increased, but
Icommittee members are reluctant
ito increase any budget recommen.
dation.'
| Mr.. Lemon said that no plans
for an appeal to the Commis-
sioners had been made, since the
budget was just released Nom
day. But he added:
Il think such a call would be
the proper step. would hope to
make such a call"
Willing to Back Appeal.
/ A spokesman for the board Of
Episcopal Hospital. who asked not
Ito be identified. said he would be
willing to join in such an appeal.
Il regret there is not a better
understanding Of the relationship
! between voluntary hospitals and
1.-THE medical standards Of the
! District" he said.
\ Walter Tobriner, president Of
1.-THE Hospital Council of the Ma
tional Capital Area, said we're
going after the raise again.
IF the increase is not granted,
Il dread to think what might hap.
. pen," he added.
j Although officials were unani-
|. NOUS in pointing to the additional
financial strain which the sea.
,Iday rate would impose on private
Hospitals, none would predict
what the next step might be If the
,lrequested increase is finally
refused.
Il Charles 8. Dewey, president Of
Garfield Hospital, said:
Naturally, If we get to the point
where there is a big gap between
Iour costs and income, the only
things which can happen is to find
some way to increase our income,
lclose the hospitals, or let the Gov
Iernment take over.
| Foresees Protests.
! "But you can't soak the paying
person for every dollar" he added.
"The people would naturally
scream If they found they were
carrying almost the full burden
of the INDECENT patients"
Mr.. Dewey said it has been nee
Iessary for Garfield Hospital to sell
some revenue-producing property
to meet hospital deficits.
/ Mr.. Lemon estimated Children's
Hospital loses 100000 a year in
INDECENT patient care. He said It
cost the hospital about SIS q day
Ito care for q bed patient. The
Ieost at Episcopal Is estimated at
iabout $18 day.
i Meanwhile, the Hospital Coun-
cil still is pressing for payment
Iof some $4,000 owing to the
EIGHT contract hospitals and the
Home for Incurables for care Of
lmdigent patients in fiscal 1850 and
fiscal 1851.
i This money Is for INDECENT pa.
ttients certified to the hospital by
the Bureau Of Medical Assistance
lwho were treated after authorized
funds had run out.
1 A deficit usually occurs every
Iyear, and previously has been al.
lowed after a hearing by q Sem
late deficiency appropriation sub.
COMMITTEE. However. the debt for
1.-THE last two fiscal years has not
lyet been taken up by the Com.
lmissioners.
Carroll C;roup Gives 81. 900