Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-06-16

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demanding Joint political action
A frank. face-to-face talk
health-welfare services is ex-
pected at the newly-formed
Washington Metropolitan Re-
gional Conference steering COM
mittee session at 8 pm. Tues
day. 1t meets in Offices of
Robert E. Mclaughlin, president
of the District Board Of Com
missioners.
Fenwick Lists Problems
State Senator Charles r. Fem
wick. Democrat of Virginia. said
he would hand area executives
at least five health problems
They are:
/. Finding treatment centers
for the mentally i'll. These pa
tients lack follow-up care after
their discharges from institu-
tons, too, he said.
2. Assuring the aged adequate
comforts. either in nursing homes
or through an expanded program
of nursing visits.
3. Guaranteeing private hos
pitfalls pay for treatment of in
digent patients. Governing units
need a better system of REIN
bursement for hospital bills they
pay for these patients, he noted.
4. Pooling techniques of polio
NEGOTIATIONS through the Dis
trict: Maryland counties of
Montgomery and Prince Georges:
Virginia cities of Alexandria and
Falls Church and counties Of
Fairfax and Arlington.
S. Protecting area residents
from tuberculosis. The incidence
of the disease parallels density
region. public health directors
of population in the Metropolitan
advised Sen. Fenwick.
Two Others Outlined
He said he also would forward
two others problems pointed out
to him by area welfare officials.
These are:
/. Aiding children deserted by
their parents. Conflicts arise
among governing units about
responsibility for such young
sterS placed with relatives out.
side the childrens home juris-
diction.
2. Providing relief to nom
residents. Persons eligible for re-
lief otherwise can't qualify in
this area until they have lived
for one year in the place where
they are to- draw payments.
Senator Fenwick heads a task
force" subcommittee set I'D at
the last conference meeting to
sort out health-welfare problems
too broad to be solved by each
separate municipality or county
IN the Metropolitan region.
Other members are Frank J
Lastner Of Prince Georges
Thomas A. O'Halloran Of Falls
Church. Commissioner David B
Karrick Of the District, and a
Montgomery County representa-
tive to be named by Senator Ed
ward S. Northrop. Democrat OF
Maryland.
Other Ideas Expected
"Other ideas are bound to be
added to those we bring I'D al
Tuesdays meeting" Senator
Fenwick said. "Some Of the ones
we've chosen may be discarded.
There's no question about the
value Of this regional approach
We're sure to develop large fields
where service can be improved.
he added.
He said he expected to be able
to present area health and wei.
fare officials views of major
difficulties they face. Also, theii
recommendations for solution.
may be ready. In general, Sena.
tor Fenwick sketched major
problems like this:
MENTAL HEALTH
Federal grants are available Il
both Virginia and Maryland fol-
a study of mental health pro-
grams. Little has been spent. Ir
the District. Health Directol
Daniel L. Finucane has applied
for $250.000 in Federal aid t
study the followup of menta
patients.
A Joint approach to thes,
studies is pressing because of {
critical shortage of mental in.
situations in the area.
In the District, however. bed
are available at st. Elizabeth,
Hospital.
Senator Fenwick said consider
alton could be given to legisla,
ton to open st. Elizabeths ward,
to area patients. now barred i'm,