HEALTH AND WELFARE

The years of Governor Tawes' second term saw increased
emphasis placed on the twin problems of public health and
welfare. A highlight of this period was the signing of a State-
federal agreement for implementing Medicare—the program
of government assistance in financing medical care of the
elderly through the Social Security System. The Governor
added a personal touch by publicly enrolling himself and Mrs.
Tawes in Medicare, an event that drew attention to the new
program throughout the State and the nation.

During his two terms, Governor Tawes was instrumental in
obtaining an increase of some 50 per cent in the State's ex-
penditures for mental health programs. At his instigation, a
State Board of Health and Mental Hygiene was created to
oversee the activities of the departments of Health and Mental
Hygiene. One immediate result was the consolidation of com-
munity health services of the two departments. Responsibility
for the treatment of alcoholics was placed in the Department
of Mental Hygiene, a recognition that alcoholism was a disease
and not a crime or untreatable character defect.

In the field of welfare, steps were taken to reorganize the
State Department of Public Welfare with the goal of im-
proving its efficiency. A new Office of Economic Opportunity
was created to carry out the State's responsibilities under
Federal anti-poverty legislation. The Governor's interest in
the problems of the aging were reflected in increased State aid
to nursing homes and in the elimination of age as a barrier
to State employment in most agencies.

REMARKS, DEDICATION OF "HOUSE IN THE PINES"
NURSING HOME

EASTON

February 10, 1963

I was most delighted when Delegate Thomas Hunter Lowe extended
to me your kind invitation to be here today at the dedication of the
House in the Pines. As many of you perhaps already know, I have
long been interested in the problems involved in providing adequate

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