B-128031, JUN. 8, 1956

B-128031, JUN. 8, 1956

TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:

THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE HAS REPORTED TO THIS OFFICE FOR APPROPRIATE COLLECTION ACTION THE CLAIM OF THE UNITED STATES AGAINST WILLIAM C. JONES, 4400 GAULT PLACE, N.E. WASHINGTON 19, D.C., IN THE REMAINING AMOUNT OF $10,530.48 FOR COST OF CARE FURNISHED HIM AT ST. ELIZABETHS HOSPITAL DURING THE PERIOD APRIL 1, 1947, TO AUGUST 31, 1954 (LESS DAYS ON VISIT). MR. JONES WAS COMMITTED ON APRIL 1, 1947, AND DISCHARGED ON DECEMBER 29, 1954, WHILE ON VISIT. TO THE ORIGINAL INDEBTEDNESS OF $11,357.94 THERE WAS APPLIED THE SUM OF $827.46 IN FUNDS DEPOSITED TO THE PATIENT'S ACCOUNT, LEAVING A BALANCE DUE THE GOVERNMENT OF $10,530.48.

ON APRIL 11, 1956, THE DEBTOR'S SON, DR. WILLIARD F. JONES, 4400 GAULT PLACE, N.E., WASHINGTON 19, D.C., ADVISED, IN PERSON, THAT THE ONLY INCOME HIS FATHER HAS IS THE SUM OF $52 A MONTH RENTAL FROM A HOUSE HE OWNS, FREE OF ENCUMBRANCES, AT 1212 KIRBY STREET, N.W. DR. JONES STATED HE WOULD HAVE THE HOUSE APPRAISED FOR A LOAN AND PROBABLY SUBMIT AN OFFER IN COMPROMISE FOR THE AMOUNT OF THE LOAN.

BY LETTER DATED MAY 5, 1956, DR. JONES STATED HIS FATHER'S HOUSE HAD BEEN APPRAISED AND THAT A LOAN ON THIS PROPERTY HAD BEEN PROMISED PROVIDED HE AND HIS WIFE ENDORSED THE LOAN. THE APPRAISED VALUE OF THE PROPERTY IS $4,750 AND A LOAN HAS BEEN APPROVED IN THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF $2,000. DR. JONES AND HIS WIFE ARE WILLING TO ENDORSE THE LOAN IF THE GOVERNMENT WILL REGARD THE MAXIMUM LOAN VALUE ON THIS PROPERTY AS PAYMENT IN FULL OF THE FATHER'S INDEBTEDNESS.

THERE ARE ENCLOSED TWO COPIES OF EACH OF THE FOLLOWING: (1) LETTER OF MAY 5, 1956, FROM DR. WILLARD F. JONES, SON OF THE DEBTOR; (2) LETTER OF APPRAISAL, WITH ENCLOSURE, FROM GEORGE I. BORGER, INC., REALTORS, UNDER DATE OF APRIL 25, 1956; AND (3) LETTER OF MAY 2, 1956, FROM ENTERPRISE FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION, APPROVING A LOAN IN THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF $2,000.

IT IS THE OPINION OF THE MEDICAL STAFF OF ST. ELIZABETHS HOSPITAL THAT PRESSING THE COLLECTION OF THIS INDEBTEDNESS DIRECTLY WITH THE FORMER PATIENT MIGHT VERY WELL BRING ABOUT A RECURRENCE OF HIS MENTAL ILLNESS AND NECESSITATE HIS RETURN TO THE HOSPITAL. FOR THIS REASON, ALL COMMUNICATIONS RELATIVE TO THE INDEBTEDNESS HAVE BEEN DIRECTED TO THE DEBTOR'S SON.

CREDIT REPORT SHOWS THAT THE DEBTOR IS AN ELDERLY WIDOWER WHOSE ONLY INCOME APPEARS TO BE THE RENTAL FROM THE PROPERTY AT 1212 KIRBY STREET, N.W. WHILE THE AMOUNT OFFERED IS CONSIDERABLY LESS THAN THE INDEBTEDNESS, THE FINANCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND MENTAL HEALTH OF THE DEBTOR ARE SUCH THAT ACCEPTANCE OF THE OFFER APPEARS TO BE IN THE INTERESTS OF THE UNITED STATES.

UPON RECEIPT OF APPROVAL BY YOUR DEPARTMENT OF THE COMPROMISE OFFER, THIS OFFICE WILL UNDERTAKE TO COLLECT THE AMOUNT THEREOF FROM THE DEBTOR'S SON.