Boston Mayor Endorses Harvard Plan for BCH

Boston Mayor John F. Collins presented a bill to the Massachusetts Legislature yesterday that would merge the Boston City Hospital with the Boston Health Department to form a single Department of Health and Hospitals. Collins was acting on a report submitted to him by three faculty members of the School of Public Health.

The BCH presently faces a loss of accreditation because of its substandard physical plant and inadequate administrative staff. The Joint Commission of Hospitals (JCAH), a national association, put the BCH on probation two years ago. The probation period ends Jan. 1, 1966 and the hospital is up for review this September.

Dr. Robert H. Hamlin, professor of Public Health and an author of the report, commented yesterday, "By establishing a high level decision-making apparatus under a new Commissioner of Health and Hospitals, we could start to remedy BCH's unfortunate legacy, compiled through lack of planning in the 1940's and 1950's."

John, H. Knowles '47, lecturer in Medicine at the Medical School and director of the Massachusetts General Hospital, said yesterday that he did not think the new plans alone would solve BCH's problems.

Although he called the merger "abundantly sound," Knowles said he doubted that the legislature would appropriate the needed money "unless all with an interest in BCH--especially the medical schools (Harvard, Tufts, B.U.) with teaching facilities there-take off their coats and jump into the fight." organizational charts you draw, you still

He added that "no matter how many have to get money to finance your plans."

Collins Explains Bill

Collins said yesterday afternoon in explanation of his bill that "it will establish an integrated pattern of health care for Boston, linking neighborhood health centers, public health services, and the medical teaching wards of the BCH."

The mayor requested the support and co-operation of area medical schools, hospitals, and universities for the passage of his bill.

Hamlin was assisted in preparing the report by H. Jack Geiger, assistant professor of Public Health, and Arnold L. KIsch, instractor in Public Health.