Legislative Implications of Adequate Tuberculosis Control

Abstract

SUMMARY 1)The essentials and a pattern of tuberculosis control has been discussed. 2)Legislation for the correction of division of authority and conflicts that may arise is advised. 3)The present-day cost of construction and maintenance of 4,000 additional beds has been estimated. 4)The question as to wether the State and counties shall share, and share alike, is open for future decision, but that the State share half of the per-diem cost per patient is definitely advised where acceptable county and city tuberculosis hospitals exist, and until such time as District State Hospitals are built. 5)In carrying out one of the essentials of adequate tuberculosis control, to wit: X-raying of the entire population; employment of personnel, such as part-time or full time tuberculosis specialists and field nurses; and the establishment of tuberculosis pneumothorax and diagnostic clinics, well over $500,000 should be appropriated annually to the State Department of Health, earmarked for the Division of Tuberculosis—this is necessary. 6)Legislation for large appropriations of money is indicated and can be justified from an economic standpoint by the data and figures submitted. 7)An educational program for the purpose of better tuberculosis control is advocated and the appointment of a Commission composed of an architect and three medical experts in tuberculosis control to study and report their findings, is recommended.