SENATOR
WILLIAMS N.J.

HA SOUTH FLORIDA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION, N16. 25 cdŝas way MMI, FLORIDA 33131 PHONE 305/379-0617

Speaking on behalf of the Board of Directors of this Association and the hospitals comprising our membership, I request that the following statement regarding H.R.11357 be included in the record of your committee hearings regarding the aforementioned legislation.

This Association strongly opposes any legislation which would remove from the National Labor Relations Act the currnet exemption for nonprofit hospitals. This opposition is primarily based on the fact that hospitals are serviceoriented institutions and exist to provide health and healthrelated services to the community which they serve. The removal of the current exemption would create a very serious, potential interruption in the hospital's ability to meet its responsibility on a full-time, on-going basis. The ability to provide health care must be ever present and cannot be jeopardized by picketing, work stoppage, strikes, or secondary boycotts.

For the reasons stated above as well as many others, we respectfully request your committee to reject H.R.11357 or any other similar legislation which may be introduced for the purpose of changing the provisions of the current statute.

Respectfully,

Don Janch

Ivan O. Harrah

Executive Director

mp

cc Mr. Joseph F. McAloon, President
Leo J. Gehrig, M.D., Acting Director
Washington Service Bureau

American Hospital Association

As the Administrator of a 500 bed community non-profit hospital I am concerned about HR-11357 which proposes to remove the current exemption of non-profit hospitals from the National Labor Relations Act. My concern basically involves two areas; the collective bargaining process, and the financial impact.

The potential interference of strikes and picketing in the community hospital as it delivers patient care to the sick and injured by means of coordinated efforts of many employees would be intolerable. In other words the smooth teamwork necessary for efficient quality care would be destroyed by the fragmentation of the various bargaining units within a hospital, as they would compete for their most favorable working conditions. In like manner, the process would appreciably add to the cost of the hospital care. We are keenly aware of the public concern for high hospital costs and we are attempting in all ways to control rising costs which are becoming a severe problem to many patients.

Therefore I urge your committee to reject this bill in the interest of the American public served by our non-profit hospitals.

It would be appreciated if you would include this letter in the record of the Committee's Hearings on the bill.

Very truly yours

Krm Vanderwort

L. M. Vandervort
Administrator

LMV:mr

cc: Senator William Proxmire Senator Gaylord Nelson

Leo J. Gehrig, M. D.

The caduceus represents the medical profession. The sphere represents the world-wide scope of medical practice, and the winged calf with the balo is the accepted ecclesiastical symbol of the sacri ficial nature of St. Luke, the Apostle Physician. Thus, the mobile personifies St. Luke's Hospital.

86-073 O 72 - 22

It is my understanding that your committee will be holding further hearings on the Taft-Hartley Act coverage for hospital employees.

Since our hospital is in an area of very low income I feel
it important to enter strong objections to the removal of the
present exemption at this time. I am sure you will recall
our hospital because we treated the greatest percentage of
migrant agricultural workers in the State of New Jersey, even
though we were a small hospital of 128 beds. Up until the
time you initiated legislation to help pay for the cost of
their care, there was no payment to our hospital. Even up
to this writing, we are not receiving our full cost. Because
of the low average family income in the area which we serve,
we have a large number of our patients unable to pay in whole
or in part.

All indications point to the fact that we will have some
form of National Health Insurance which, first and foremost,
will provide coverage for those least able to pay; therefore,
solving the financial problems of a hospital such as ours.

I think that at that time the question of Taft-Hartley exemption might better be decided for all concerned, particularly our patients.

I am hoping that you will consider my request and that my statement will be entered in the record at your hearings.

REV/gmp

Respectfully yours,

BRIDGETON HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION

forpher Canongg

Ralph E. Vannozzi
Administrator

Federation of
American
Hospitals

Please Reply To: 1101 SEVENTEENTH STREET N.W. • SUITE 810 · WASHINGTON, DC. 2013

September 5, 1972

Senator Harrison A. Williams
Chairman

Subcommittee on Labor

237 New Senate Office Building
Washington, D. C. 20010

Dear Senator Williams:

The Private Clinics and Hospitals Association of Texas is an affiliate of the Federation of American Hospitals. Attached is a copy of the Private Clinics and Hospitals Association of Texas resolution concerning the National Labor Relations Act.

We would appreciate your making the resolution part of the
record of hearings on H. R. 11357.

"Quality Health Care Through the Efficiency of Private Enterprise"