Milford chronicle., 1955-02-18
CHRONIC ILLNESS PROBLEM IS
SERIOUS

SERIOUS
The problem of chronic illness is a tragic
and serious one. Nearly 100000 people
suffer from it and require long-term care. in
cludlng those with hardening of the arteries.
betesrarthritis, paralysis, and protracted
Illnesses resulting from injury.
over period of years the Commission
on Chronic IlnesS=Which was founded
through joint action of the American Hospi
Jal association, American Medical Associa-
ton, American Public Health Association.
and American Public Welfare AssOciatiOn-
mas been studying the problem and framing
conclusions and recommendations based on
the experience and knowledge of many peo-
pie
The Commissions complete report has
not yet been published. A short time ago
however, it issued partial report dealing
with the planning Of facilities to care for
ehronically i'll people. This is particularly
timely now, because of recent amendments to
the Halliburton Act, providing for Federal
aid for construction of hospitals and related
Institutions
Here, in brief, are some of the Commits
siOns findings
Care and prevention are inseparable.
InOSe assuming care of the long term patient
nave the obligation to apply early diagnosis
ana prompt treatment in order to prevent ag-
gravation of the disability
AAAS NOoG VI programs SHOULD DG measured
fifst IN terms of human values, of effective
ness, and OF productivity. The most econon1-
lcal care Is that which most quickly and as
tutty as possible returns the patient to health
Adequate institutional facilities for these
patients are necessary and areas which do
not have them should provide them. AT the
same time, the Commission feels that major
emphasis should be placed on care in and
around the home
RnhahilifoAin,, go,.,,;o,s -, o..4,. -
portant, and programs, institutions and per-
sonnels must be aggressively rehabilitation
minded
The personal relationship between long
term patient and physician should be streng-
thened. The agency should not be REGARDED
as q substitute for the personal physician.
NO pattern for organizing services fits
al communities. Planning should be based
on local regional facts as to needs. pOpuIa-
ton, financial capacity, etc.
Planning must be directed to the needs of
all long-term patients, and not limited by
faclal, economic, cultural or other such CON
slderatlOns. 1t also should take into account
the services now available to special groups.
such as veterans and members of fratefnai
orders
Personnel shortages constitute a major
0lock TO improvement of care of the chron-
lcally I'll. The solution lies in better recruit
higher salaries, and other inducements.
The Commission also suggests that nedi-
cai ana health insurance and prepayment
plans should extend coverage to allow bene-
ilts IN chronic illness, and that more tax
funds snoouid be allotted to institutions for
the care OF these patients
Ihe problem is difficult. But concrete
steps, based on q wealth of factual informa-
ton as well as qualified opinion, are being
taken to solve III
N1oGs
PRESERVING LOCAL. RESPONSIBILITY
Education, like many other activities in
these days Of expanding governmental an.
tnorlty, faces the danger Of federal domina-
tlon. It VIII be q sad day for the cause Of
human freedom If the American educational
system should fall under the control Of cen
tIal government. Education has always been
the responsibility of local communities and
private citizens 1t must continue to be so
10 an ever increasing extent institutions OF
higher learning are looking to industry fol-
financial aid, and industry is responding IN
many ways.
The magnitude Of higher education's
coming problems were recently discussed by
Df. Robert p. Wilson, chairman of the Stan.
dard Oil Co. Of Indiana, before a grOup Of
business leaders in Chicago. He pointed fo J
prospective 10 per cent growth in enroll
ments In the next fifteen years in the nations
colleges, and appealed for higher percent
age of unrestricted gifts by corporations tc
Institutions
Another speaker, Irving S. Olds, former
head of a major steel corporation said. "It
is unthinkable that because of apathy or in
action on the part Of American industry, ed.
ucation in this land of freedom falls under
the complete domination Of the state, as has
happened in many parts of the world"
We can be thankful that men of this cal.
lDer and foresight are taking an active in.
terest IN preserving the tradition of lOca
rosNonsib'l'tv II orr schools