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Section 9—The Management of Sanitariums
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to God’s commands we shall be in perfect safety and will receive
distinguished marks of His favor.—
Letter 325, 1904
.
Moderation in Rates
In our sanitariums provision must be made for all classes. The
Lord does not call upon our people to establish institutions where all
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who come can receive food and lodging free, and where the peculiar
points of our faith must not be introduced. The Lord has not laid
this work upon any Seventh-day Adventist. To do this would be a
misuse of time and means.
The accommodation and treatment must be such that patients of
the higher class will be attracted. Rooms must be fitted up for the use
of those who are willing to pay a liberal price. But physicians are not
to place too high an estimate on wealthy patients who can afford to
pay high prices; neither is there to be an extravagant outlay of means
with a view to gaining patronage. The charges for treatment and
accommodations must not be so high that there will be a reluctance
to keep to the simple, wholesome food that is essential to health.
Ask a reasonable price for the treatment given. This course will
recommend itself to all reasonable minds.
To set your price above what is true and honest may be in accor-
dance with the custom of worldly physicians, but it will not redound
to the glory of God. It is not His plan, and will not gain His approval.
It will have an unfavorable influence upon the world. The charging
of such high prices will bring a rebound, and will have an influence
altogether different from what is expected. Exorbitant prices should
never be charged.
A Change Called For
I am commissioned to speak to all who are engaged as physicians
in our institutions. A reformation is required in regard to the man-
agement of these institutions. They are not to be conducted as the
world would conduct them. While many who cannot afford to pay
are treated free, others are charged exorbitant prices for operations
which take but little time. The charges of worldly physicians are not
to rule in our institutions....