Dr. Hugh Thompson indicated that on page 15 of the report there is a summary which embodies everything, and thought that probably what the Council of Social Agencies is interested in is an endorsement of this report by the Medical Society. He asked if there was any question of any part of it, or any suggested changes. (Summary read by Dr. Hugh Thompson).
Dr. Harry Thompson remarked that he thought the estimate of six dollars a day for hospitalization must be inaccurate, since the cost at County Hospital runs about twelve dollars per day, and from there on up. He also pointed out that the County Hospital is now in a stage of expansion, and that approval for federal funds depends a great deal on the TB expansion, with addition of about 150 beds. He stated that he would hate to have this plan interfered with, and thought the report in question should be more comprehensive and should take into consideration how many beds will be added.
Dr. Rudolph asked whether the County Hospital did not farm out some of its cases for three dollars per day.
Dr. Harry Thompson replied that this was so, but that drugs are not included, and run up the cost.
Mr. Stalnaker stated that there are no funds available to provide transportation to their homes for those whose legal residence is in another state; that sometimes a private organization will help this problem, but there is no organized plan.
Dr. Ward stated that the legislature had been asked for funds to be used in investigating interstate reports on individuals, his idea being to send someone to visit each of the cases and ask why they came here. Very often, if these people are contacted before they have spent all their savings, they can be persuaded to return. This appropriation was not made. The important thing, both Dr. Ward and Mr. Stalnaker felt, was to have a record of the cases and contacts.
Dr. Harry Thompson inquired if any proposals had been made as to handling of these patients.
Dr. Altshuler replied that it had been recommended that a unit be built here on grounds adjacent to the Pima County Hospital, figuring to save money by mutual use of the X-ray facilities, and the amount of money provided by the State would make it possible to care for more patients.
Dr. Harry Thompson question who would administer the care of these patients.
Dr. Ward replied that it would be administered just like the unit at Tempe, that if the State built something it was his thought they would have to run it.
Dr. Harry Thompson remarked that this might mean eventually that all TB indigents would be under this system and would no longer be a county responsibility.
Mr. Stalnaker stated that Dr. Ward's first proposal was to go out for a one hundred [-bed ?] branch hospital to serve all of southern Arizona, but that a suggestion had been made that no hospital be built at all, but that it be proposed that the State cooperated with the counties, the state matching money with the counties for the care of TB patients, which would stimulate the counties to do more about hospitalizing such cases. The counties could then either build more beds and expect that the operating costs would be borne fifty percent by the state and fifty percent by the county, or it could purchase service from private voluntary or commercial rest homes, leaving county hospital beds free for active treatment cases.
Dr. Hugh Thompson remarked that this plan would work nicely in Tucson and Phoenix, but no perhaps in the outlying counties.
Dr. Ward replied that supposing the cost of hospitalization to be $6.00 per day, and an arrangement be made between counties, Apache County could pay Maricopa County for the care of its patient, and the State pay one half and the county in question the other half.
