The Senate Committee on Education and Labor, after what has obviously been extended and thoughtful consideration, has reported with approval a revised measure (S. 191) for federal aid in the construction of hospitals and related facilities. Several important amendments are suggested by the committee.
The reported bill provides for a five year program and authorizes annual appropriations of $75,000,000 for each of the five fiscal years, plus unappropriated and unexpended balances, as compared with $100,000,000 in the original bill for the first year and an unlimited authorization thereafter. In the original bill an appropriation of $5,000,000 was authorized for state administrative expenses. The committee has eliminated this authorization, taking the position that the states should be able to handle this feature without federal aid. Federal funds to be made available by this legislation will be allotted according to a new formula devised by the committee which eliminates administrative discretion in