A Billion in Health Funds Found Unspent by H.E.W.
HR Commerce Com discloses that during '72 Nixon Adm failed to spend nearly $1.1-billion in funds Cong had intended for major health programs; total withheld was more than 1/5 of roughly $4.759-billion allotted to Health Services and Mental Health Adm and Natl Insts of Health, largest health-related agencies of HEW Dept; discrepancies between funds available for spending and funds spent were found in mass of data sent to Cong by HEW Dept; disclosure led to exch of lrs between com chmn Repr Staggers and dept Sec Weinberger; Staggers asked Weinberger for program-by-program justification for not spending money that was allocated in continuing Cong resolution under which dept's spending was authorized during '73 fiscal yr; Weinberger defended withholding of funds as legal; has not yet replied to request for program analysis; Staggers calls disclosure 'sad failure of our Govt's commitment to serve its people'; com's Health and Environment subcom chmn Repr P G Rogers sees Adm distorting const premise of separation of powers; says it may be necessary to hold hearings on subject and call for resignations of officials
