Who's Been Sleeping in Our Bed?

Abstract

<h3>To the Editor:—</h3> Apropos the excellent communication, "Role of Insurance Abuse in Hospital-Bed Utilization," by Dr. William R. Hunt (<i>JAMA</i><b>187</b>:934 [March 21] 1964) certain questions remain unanswered. Every physician and citizen should heed Dr. Hunt's words. Indeed there is some abuse involved, but the degree is as yet not susceptible to meaningful analysis. The problem should be studied thoughtfully by the insuring agencies, and the insured, so that realistic and practical measures are taken. Dr. Hunt notes the relatively greater rise in hospital rates as compared with other costs. It is not difficult to recall the days (not so long ago) when hospital employees were universally paid salaries well below subsistence. There has been a necessary and proper amelioration of this injustice, which alone would account for the comparatively greater increase in rates. The major premise, that "patients with a high degree of coverage" had a greater admission