Jewish Hospitals in U.S. Treated 550,000 Patients During Year

Hospitals under Jewish auspices provided almost 6,000,000 days of patient care at a cost of nearly $170,000,000 during 1957, it was reported in the “1958 Yearbook of Jewish Social Services, “issued this week-end by the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds. More than one-quarter of this service was given free in the 74 reporting institutions located throughout the United States and Canada.

Of the funds expended by these hospitals, more than $36,000,000 came from philanthropic sources, including Jewish federations and welfare funds and Community Chest. The remainder came from payments for service, public funds and investments. Operating on a non-sectarian admission basis, the hospitals treated some 550,000 patients. This figure represents a two and one-half percent increase in service over the preceding year.

Philanthropic contributions from Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds, and Community Chests amounting to 15 percent of all Jewish hospital income, played an important role in helping meet hospital deficits where other sources of income were lacing, according to the survey.

The Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds is the national association of 213 local central Jewish community organizations representing more than 800 Jewish communities in the United States and Canada. Through their united community campaigns, these member agencies annually raise the bulk of Jewish philanthropic funds which are allocated to agencies providing health and welfare services in America, Europe, North Africa and Israel. The Council provides central services for its member agencies and represents them in matters of Jewish concern on national and international levels.