progress has been made in Maryland during the past several years,
there is much more to be done before we would be justified in saying
that we have done what is possible to create the kind of environment
in which these people can live among us in a measure of security and
happiness to which they are entitled. This is our goal — a goal which
we must pursue unremittingly. I earnestly solicit your advice and
assistance, and the advice and assistance of all Marylanders, in its
attainment.

The role of the nursing home in the total field of medical care is
a development which has taken place within relatively recent years.
Maryland has developed an excellent program for the treatment of
the chronically ill, a program which is concentrated largely in the
older group of our citizens. The State is operating, as you know,
three excellent hospitals for chronic diseases. Nursing homes such
as you operate complement the services of these hospitals and the
general hospitals of the State. By providing long-term care after acute
stages of the disease, and after rehabilitation services have carried
the patient to the point of maximum hospital benefits, the nursing
home has become an important institution for the maximum use of
beds in general and chronic disease hospitals.

The progress we have made here in Maryland can be attributed
to the cooperative effort of the State, nursing home administrators,
this association and others in the health field. Reports I have received
from officials in our Department of Health and from officers of this
organization indicate clearly that there is a full measure of coopera-
tion and mutual respect between the licensed nursing homes and our
licensing agency, the Department of Health. The mutual esteem and
cordiality that exists is, of course, most gratifying to me. Without it
we could not hope to harvest the best fruits of our efforts.

We in Maryland can point with pride to the fact that the regulations
and standards under which our nursing homes operate are among the
highest in the country. As you know, these standards and regulations
were developed jointly by our health officials and representatives of
this Association. The purpose of these rules, of course, is to assure
patients and their families that our nursing homes will provide a
safe and sanitary environment and nursing care and medical super-
vision adequate for the needs of the patients.

I can assure you that the attitude of your State government, includ-
ing all departments and agencies having a relationship with nursing
homes, is one of cooperation and helpfulness. I am fully aware that
from time to time some of you have experienced some problems in

349