(40)
XIII.
Utilization of United States Public Health Service Alternativ
It was requested that costs be developed for having an
United States Public Health Service implement and provide com
health care for the Marshall Islands.
It would be presumptio
that costs could accurately be defined for a USPHS program.
ing a cost difference, it was assumed that the basic program,
ency such as
ehensive
to assume
developquipment,
supply levels, and facilities would be the same as considered in developing the other budgets.
The area where major cost differenc
was felt to be in Personnel Cost.
would occur
Again, it is not known spe ifically
how USPHS would staff the program but, the estimate for cost
crease with
a USPHS administered program for the first year is approximat Ty $225,000
increasing to $466,560 in the fifth year.
This would be true
f both the
comprehensive program and the four atoll program.
In addition to the higher cost is the consideration of
ability to the Marshall Islands.
ogram accept-
Without exception, each are of investi-
gation concluded that U. S. skill levels were desired but the
Islands did not want a "U. S. administered program".
arshall
While t is attitude
cannot be quantified, it certainly would have an affect on th
utilization
of the program with a resulting effect on the benefit for the
ollars in-
vested.
cceptability
Because of higher costs and, more importantly, the u
of this alternative, it is recommended that it not be given s rious consideration.