An Offering for the Sick Poor by L. A. Hansen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 23, 1916

An Offering for the Sick Poor

By L. A. Hansen

THE offering to be taken in connection with the program for the first Sabbath in April, which has been appointed Health and Temperance Day, is one that should appeal to all. It is for the sick poor among us.

Probably no harder question comes to our sanitarium managers than the one of how to answer the many calls that come for special consideration in the matter of rates. The protection of the institution's interests demands the exercise of caution in the matter of granting discounts. At the same time the appeal of the suffering poor is so strong that one must have a heart of stone not to be moved. If left to individual decision, most managers would probably throw caution to the winds, and open the doors wide to the many applicants.

Those in charge of our institutions cannot deal with this question on the basis of impulse. As a denomination we have long known that the burden of caring for the sick poor cannot be thrown on our institutions, if we expect them to continue in existence. Their income must be assured. Their rate schedule is their material dependence, and must be protected.

It is not generally recognized that the expense of caring for the sick in our sanitariums is necessarily large. There is a general, or overhead, expense that cannot be materially reduced, and that is considerable, regardless of the number of patients cared for. An itemized statement of such expense might be too long to give here.

The manner of caring for our patients and guests, and the outlay required in treatments by our methods, make the expense per patient a heavy one. Of course we also feel the effect of the increasing cost of living. The cost of institutional care of the sick cannot be measured by what it would cost one to be cared for at home.

Not long ago I visited one of the largest hospitals in this country. Most of the patients are kept in large wards. The number of patients mounts up into hundreds of thousands a year, and the institution is full all the time, with two thousand patients or more. Most of the patients are bedfast; a number are babies and children. The care is largely charitable. One of its responsible business men told me that it costs the institution over two dollars a day for each patient. This is with a well-developed plan of economical and efficient management, and does not include interest on investment.

It may not surprise some to learn that in some of our sanitariums the cost of care per patient averages more than twenty-five dollars a week. This, of course, includes overhead expense, such as interest on investment, taxes, and insurance. This cost is not affected by the religious belief of the patient; it is the same for one of our own people as for one of another faith, or for a nonbeliever, as far as that is concerned.

Our sanitariums offer rates based on the class of accommodations given, usually as to the rooms occupied. The individual of average means can generally afford to pay the regular prices. There are those, however, who cannot meet even the lowest rates. Special arrangements are made whereby the institution does a large share to meet the needs of such. It falls to others to make up the remainder.

The offering to be taken on the first Sabbath in April is to be a fund for helping the sick poor among us to secure suitable care. This fund is to be in the care of conference officials. No more worthy cause could be offered us whereby we may help with our means. Come to this meeting prepared to give.

L. A. HANSEN.