STANFORD UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
STANFORD MEDICAL CENTER
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA 94304

DEPARTMENT OF GENETICS April 6, 1967 Area Code 415

321-1200

To the Editor
New York Times
New York, N.Y.

Dear Sir:

"Shoot first--ask questions later" may be part of the folk art of Western
America, but it has little place as a prescription for government. The
political popularity of Governor Reagon suggests that his policies in Calif-
ornia have a potential national significance that warrant giving them more
public exposure than they have so far received outside that state.

I refer especially now to the budget cuts of $17,000,000 in California's mental
hygiene program that have been invoked in the name of economy. Governor Reagan
certainly did not conceal his conservative outlook on the financial responsi-
bilities of State government during his very successful election campaign, and
he could argue that he has had the most powerful electoral mandate to economize
in government. However, the most pessimistic of his opponents might be surprised
at the precipitous way in which these economies are being implemented. There
has been ample testimony that the staff reductions now proposed will result in
tangible inhumanities to a whole range of patients in State institutions, from
mentally retarded children to alcoholics and senile psychotics. Particularly
puzzling is the priority given to lopping the outpatient care facilities started
in several communities, which have already saved hundreds of patients from being
committed to institutions. 3

Governor Reagan has justified the cuts on the grounds that new drugs might
reduce the patient load in the institutions. There has not, however, been any
comprehensive study of the way in which new techniques could be used to make
possible, for the first time, a program of mental health that meets minimum
standards of human concern within an achievable budget. The Governor has
promised to relent, after the fact, if a deterioration of standards is provable.
This is exactly the "shoot first" policy, which is unworthy of the governor of

a great state. It will be a sad reflection indeed if it proves to be a quali-
fication for high office of an aspirant for the presidency of the United States.

   

Joshua Lederberg WI
Professor of Genetics

Director, Kennedy Laboratories

LT. J. P. KENNEDY, JR. LABORATORIES FOR MOLECULAR MEDICINE, DEDICATED TO RESEARCH IN MENTAL RETARDATION
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY HEREDITY NEUROBIOLOGY DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE