operate under a single board of trustees, of Morgan State College and
of St. Mary's College.

Before we depart from the subject of education, I have these ob-
servations to make. The first is with regard to the institution of a
program of educational television. It is most essential that we move
ahead without further delay with the development of a state-wide
educational television network to serve the educational and cultural
needs of the people of our State. And then, because of an increase
of nearly $1 million in Federal funds, under 1965 amendments to
the Federal Vocational Rehabilitation Act, the State will be able to
step up its rehabilitation services to the mentally ill and retarded, to
disabled children in schools and to disabled persons in correctional
institutions.

HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE

The good health of the people is of major concern of government
at all levels, and our State Department of Health will continue next
year, as it has in the years of the past, to broaden and keep up to
date the numerous functions it performs. To finance adequately the
department's program for the protection of the public health, I am
recommending that the appropriations for the department next year
be boosted by approximately $11. 5 million.

Time does not permit a recitation of all the activities in public
health, but I should like to bring to your attention the fact that
provision has been made in the program for fiscal 1967 to implement
fully the Federal Medicare program which offers extensive medical
care for older people and indigent persons whose income and re-
sources are inadequate to meet the cost of medical services. To meet
Federal requirements for participation in this program, I am recom-
mending certain changes in our State medical care program, most of
the cost of which will be borne by the Federal government.

I have observed with deep gratification over the years since I have
been Governor the steady progress that we have been making in
Maryland to provide better care and better treatment of the mentally
ill and mentally retarded of our State. Although we may rejoice that
progress has been made, there is no justification for complacency on
our part so long as there remains any hope or any prospect for the
betterment of the lot of this unfortunate segment of our population.
And so, to assure the continued advancement of our program of
mental health, I am recommending substantial increases in both
operational and capital funds for our Department of Mental Hygiene.

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