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where this service is provided only by these agencies. The need for additional service is, in fact, apparent everywhere in Alaska, and we should consider expanding rather than closing these facilities.

Because of our great need in Alaska and the tremendous work that is being done by the existing hospitals and clinics, I must protest in the strongest possible terms any proposal to close or curtail this service.

I am looking forward to hearing from you in regard to this problem and appreciate your consideration of my strong feelings on this subject. Sincerely yours,

NICK BEGICH,

Congressman-Elect, Alaska-at-Large.

BALTIMORE CITY COUNCIL

RESOLUTION 1616, INTRODUCED JANUARY 11, 1971

William Donald Schaefer, President

(Read and Adopted)

City Council Resolution requesting the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare not to close the United States Public Health Service hospitals and out-patient clinics

The Nixon Administration has announced that it is considering the closing of the United States Public Health Service thirty out-patient clinics and eight hospitals, including the 238-bed hospital on Wyman Park Drive in Baltimore City. The Public Health Service Hospitals were started in 1798 to provide medical care for merchant seamen. The Baltimore Hospital facility now provides services to active and retired military personel and their families, federal employees injured on the job and other categories of federal patients, merchant seamen, coast guardsmen and their families.

In addition, the hospital has established comprehensive prepaid health program for the Homestead-Montebello area where the availability of private medical services is limited.

The hospital has close, important ties with local medical schools and community colleges in training paramedical personnel and it operates the only school for medical record librarians in the State. There are cancer and hypertension research projects and the health evalution clinic.

The other hospitals operating under the United States Public Health Service offer similar services to the communities in which they are located.

It appears that it would be unwise to close the hospital and out-patient clinic, particularly at this time when there is such a great shortage of medical facilities. Our government should instead look to improving and extending all existing facilities in order to afford adequate medical care to those who are eligible to use these facilities. Such closing would also further aggravate the economic recession in Baltimore as there would be a dismissal of 661 employees with an annual payroll of $7.2 million. Be it, therefore,

Resolved by the City Council of Baltimore, That it urges the United States Public Health Service not to close the hospital facilities in Baltimore nor any of the other hospitals and out-patient clinics in this country as such closing would aggravate the present great shortage of medical facilities available to the public, and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be sent to the President of the United States; the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare; and to the Members of Congress from Maryland.

It is my privilege on behalf of the Baltimore City Council to inform you that Resolution 1616 was adopted by the council on the 11th day of January, 1971. WILLIAM SCHAEFER, President, Baltimore City Council.

CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES,

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D.C., January 12, 1971.

Hon. ELLIOT RICHARDSON,

Secretary, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare,
Washington, D.C.

DEAR MR. SECRETARY: Recently we were advised that you are considering closing most of the remaining eight U.S. Public Health Service hospitals and thirty outpatient clinics.

As you may know, one of the thirty outpatient clinics is located in Memphis, Tennessee. The outpatient clinic in Memphis is a modern facility which covers 15,000 square feet on two floors of a new building in the city's medical center complex. Approximately 25,000 patients were treated in this facility last year, and about 31,000 persons will be treated this year. During the past few weeks we have received a large number of letters from residents of the Memphis and Mid-South area who feel that they have received excellent medical care at the Memphis clinic.

While it may be true that some Public Health Service facilities are outmoded and underutilized, we feel sure that this is not the case with the outpatient clinic in Memphis. We sincerely hope that in your review of the Public Health Service hospital system you will take a close look at the important medical treatment being provided by the Memphis clinic. Sincerely,

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Chairman, House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C.

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Earlier this year, according to newspaper reports, the Office of Management and Budget instructed the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare to review the status of its Public Health Hospitals and Outpatient Clinics and to make recommendations for their future use in time for the Executive budget proposals in mid-January, 1971.

As you know, Public Health Service hospitals, generally, provide health care for members of the United States Coast Guard, for members of the Merchant Marine, for certain retired government personnel, and for other federal beneficiaries. In addition, they undertake medical research, provide internships and residencies, and train allied health personnel.

According to recent reports the Administration is now proposing the closure of at least eight of the United States Public Health Hospitals and a reduction in the number of outpatient clinic facilities. The proposal, as we understand it, would shift the responsibility for inpatient and outpatient care for merchant seamen, coast guardsmen and others to the Veterans Administration in its hospitals and outpatient facilities.

You may recall, Mr. Chairman, that The American Legion, in its statement of April 1, 1965 before your Committee, opposed the Veterans Administration plan to make available its hospital facilities to merchant seamen and to other wards of the Public Health Service. The proposal, we said, was not good for the veterans program of hospital and medical care, because it meant that some eligible veterans would be unable to secure needed hospital and medical services.

Under the present Veterans Administration staffing levels and budget ceilings, it is obvious to us that either veterans or merchant seamen, who are in need of

hospital care, will be subject to long waiting periods, or be forced to seek private hospitalization, or to forgo hospital treatment.

The primary concern of your Committee is hospital care for merchant seamen and coast guardsmen; ours is for war veterans in need of such service.

If closure of these Public Health Service Hospitals and other facilities are, in fact, contemplated, we urge you and your Committee to oppose this action until an opportunity has been given all interested organizations and Federal agencies to present their views and until such time as you are satisfied that the veterans of this Nation will not be adversely affected.

Our current position on restriction of the use of VA hospitals to war veterans is set forth in the attached Resolution No. 570 of the 1970 National Convention. Please make this letter and attached resolution a part of the record of your 'Committee hearings. If further hearings are held The American Legion is prepared to present its views in more detail if you schedule public witnesses. Sincerely yours,

HERALD E. STRINGER,

Director, National Legislative Commission.

FIFTY-SECOND ANNUAL NATIONAL CONVENTION, THE AMERICAN LEGION,
PORTLAND, OREG., SEPTEMBER 1, 2, 3, 1970

Resolution: No. 570 (Virginia).

Committee: Rehabilitation.

Subject: Oppose hospitalization of nonveterans in VA hospitals.

Whereas it has been a long established policy of The American Legion to oppose the hospitalization of non-veterans in VA hospitals; and

Whereas during the past year, approximately 65,000 Vietnam veterans were admitted to VA hospitals-nearly 40 times the number admitted in 1965; and Whereas due to budgetary limitations, the Veterans Administration's ability to provide quality care to veterans has been impaired; and

Whereas the admission of non-veterans, including certain dependents of veterans, would expand the problems now existing: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, by The American Legion in National Convention assembled in Portland, Oreg., September 1, 2, 3, 1970, that The American Legion be directed to oppose both legislative and administrative efforts to authorize the hospitalization of non-veterans in VA hospitals.

Hon. EDWARD GARMATZ,

CITY OF GALVESTON, TEX., December 24, 1970.

Chairman, Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee, House Office Building, Washington, D.C.

DEAR CONGRESSMAN GARMATZ: Attached is copy of a Resolution adopted by the City Council of the City of Galveston opposing the proposed closing of the U.S. Public Health Service Hospital in Galveston, Texas, and urging the Department of Health, Education and Welfare not only not to close this facility but that this service be enlarged and replaced because of the greater need for service than the present facility can provide.

Your assistance in this very important matter will be appreciated.
With all best wishes,

Very truly yours,

RESOLUTION

PATSY M. POLE.
City Secretary.

Whereas there are reports of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare proposal to close eight (8) U.S. Public Health Service Hospitals throughout the United States; and

Whereas the U.S.P.H.S. Hospital in Galveston, Texas, is one of those proposed to be closed; and

Whereas the City of Galveston and its citizens, the Chamber of Commerce, Medical, Marine and Union organizations, and numerous others, vigorously oppose the closing of this facility in Galveston; and

Whereas the U.S.P.H.S. Hospital in Galveston, encompasses, under its authority for treatemnt, the 5-State area of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico and Colorado, admitting an average of 2,550 in-patients per year and serving approxi

mately 47,000 out-patients per year, with both loads increasing each year; and Whereas the hospital in Galveston provides medical facilities to American merchant seamen, servicemen and their dependents, public employees and segments of the fishing industry and off-shore industry, and with the growth of oceanography in the Gulf Coast area, the hospital would grow in importance and need; and Whereas the closing of this hospital in Galveston would be a devastating blow to the tens of thousands of people who not only need, but use, this facility; and, Whereas in 1967 the Department of Health, Education and Welfare officially approved plans to replace the present facility with a new 200-bed facility on a block of land adjacent to the University of Texas Medical Branch and the John Sealy Hospital; and

Whereas a new and larger facility is more urgently needed now than ever: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Council of the City of Galveston, That the City Council of the City of Galveston officially opposes the closing of the U.S. Public Health Service Hospital in Galveston, and not only urges the Department of Health, Education and Welfare not to close this facility, but that this service be enlarged and replaced because of the greater need for service than the present facility can provide; and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be furnished President Richard Nixon, Vice President Spiro T. Agnew, the Honorable Elliot Richardson, Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, Senator John Tower, Senator Ralph Yarborough, Senator-Elect Lloyd M. Bentsen, Representative Edward Garmatz, Representative Jack Brooks, Representative Bob Casey, Representative Bob Eckhardt, the Honorable George Bush and the Honorable John B. Connally.

I, Patsy M. Poole, City Secretary of the City of Galveston, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was adopted by the Council of the City of Galveston at its regularly scheduled meeting held December 23, 1970, which appears in records of this office.

In Witness Thereof, I subscribe my name hereto officially under the corporate seal of said City this 24th day of December, 1970.

Hon. EDWARD A. GARMATZ,

PATSY M. POOLE,

City Secretary.

RETIRED OFFICERS ASSOCIATION,
Washington, D.C., December 30, 1970.

Chairman, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries,
House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Retired Officers Association strongly opposes the proposed closing of the remaining U.S. Public Health Service hospitals and outpatient clinics which are now providing necessary care for, among others, retired military personnel and their dependents.

The apparent plan to destroy the Public Health Service facilities, as evidenced by a campaign of attrition over the past several years, is both shocking and inconsistent. As we all know, in this great country today there is a shortage of medical facilities. Rather than diminish and liquidate them, we need to increase the number available.

Closing of the remaining Public Health Service hospitals and clinics would be just one more example of the eroding away of the entitlements and benefits assured to military personnel for long-term service to their country.

The proposal also evidences an absolute lack of the compassion and feeling that is fundamental to any successful program of medical care and treatment for American citizens.

In what sounds like the old shell game, proponents of the plan say that savings will accrue therefrom. Upon close examination it is obvious that this statement is purely hypothetical, and refers to savings from what would have been costs to operate the facilities that will be shut down. These so-called savings would be offset, more likely washed out, by the costs of sending patients to private hospitals for which the Federal Government would pay the bills.

It is my sincere hope that your committee will not only take action to forestall the closing of our Public Health Service hospitals and clinics but see fit to provide for an expansion of such facilities.

Sincerely,

GEORGE F. MEYER, Jr.,

Legislative Counsel.

Hon. EDWARD A. GARMATZ,

AFL-CIO MARITIME COMMITTEE,

Washington, D.C., December 30, 1970.

Chairman, Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee,

House of Representatives,

Washington, D.C.

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The AFL-CIO Maritime Committee registers shock over and protests the plans to close any of the existing Public Health Service Hospitals or Clinics.

The AFL-CIO Maritime Committee represents the great bulk of American maritime workers through the affiliation of the AFL-CIO Maritime Unions as follows: National Maritime Union; National Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association; International Longshoremen's Association; International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots; American Radio Association; Great Lakes Seamen, Local 5000, United Steelworkers of America.

The Public Health Service Hospital System was established in 1798 as the means to provide medical care for merchant seamen. This system not only provided medical care for seamen but it protected our nation against disease catastrophes. Further, it introduced and maintained a public service concept that benefited the medical profession, our nation, as well as the seamen and other recipients of such hospital and medical care.

The highest number of PHS Hospitals was thirty (30) which were scattered throughout our nation's seaports and inland waterways. These hospitals were decreased in number until today we have eight as follows:

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Also, there are 30 PHS Clinics located in Mobile, Alabama; San Diego and San Pedro, California; Jacksonville, Miami and Tampa, Florida; Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia; Honolulu, Hawaii; Chicago, Illinois; Portland, Maine; Detroit, Michigan; St. Louis, Missouri; Buffalo and New York, New York State; Cincinnati and Cleveland, Ohio; Portland, Oregon; Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Charleston, South Carolina; Memphis, Tennessee; Houston and Port Arthur, Texas; Washington, D.C.; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

As you know, the Public Health Service Hospitals provide care not only to merchant seamen but to Coast Guardsmen and their dependents as well as to active and retired military personnel and their families.

Last year the PHS hospital in Baltimore alone admitted 4,200 patients and provided outpatient service for 108,000 visits. Congressman Paul G. Rogers (DFla.) has observed that the total inpatient and outpatient care of the 8 hospitals and all of the above outpatient clinics was over 1.7 million cases last year.

The AFL-CIO Maritime Committee listened intently to President Nixon's December 10 press conference. We heard the President point out that he was preparing the start of his Administration's attempt to solve the twin problems of health care in America which are:

1. The escalating costs for doctors, drugs, and hospital care that now cost Americans some $70 billion a year. This staggering cost, last year, increased 16 percent which is far sharper than our general inflationary trend in the United States.

2. The poor state of the nation's health which exists despite our heavy and sharp cost increases. Thus, among industrialized nations, America today ranks 13th in infant mortality, 18th in life expectancy for men and 11th for women. It was emphasized that Americans today are less healthy than they were 20 years ago.

The Administration is now preparing its national health policy message to be presented to the 92nd Congress.

We urge that all efforts be exerted toward building instead of destroying the Public Health Service Hospital System. These great institutions must be modernized and made even more important in the medical and hospital mechanisms required by our great nation.

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