Howard J. Brown
Anthony Preisendorf of the _New York Post_ and reporters from college newspapers ask Dr. Howard J. Brown, NYC Health Services Administrator, questions about charges by Senator [Seymour R. Thaler] and City Comptroller Mario A. Procaccino against misuses in city hospitals; and about experimenting on patients.
Dr. Brown, while admitting that there are problems and that his visits to all city hospitals often left him "heart sick," claims that Sen. Thaler's charges are exaggerated. He also speaks about finding new city hospital directors, part of a reorganization aimed at appointing more hospital administrators, rather than medical men, to be directors.
Dr. Brown acknowledges that there is a shortage of nurses and equipment in hospitals, as well as overcrowding in emergency rooms. As far as experimenting on patients, particularly in Harlem, it is city policy that all patients must consent; but it is useful to remember that research is a benefit to the patient's care, and to public health in general.
The issue of Dr. Morris Eisenstein's firing by Columbia University and the alleged "code of silence" among hospital physicians is brought up. Dr. Brown firmly believes that Dr. Eisenstein should have attempted to correct issues internally, via his supervisors, first.
Due to the various issues that have been brought up, there is evidence that suggests patients feel less confident about city hospital care.
Dr. Brown is in favor of greater public accountability of all hospitals, both city, and volunteer --perhaps through a community board.
Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection
WNYC archives id: 151669
Municipal archives id: T2593
