The report on hospital conditions showed that Faribault, one of the largest state hospitals, was more than 60 percent over capacity. The Cambridge facility was grappling with a similar problem, housing twice as many residents as allowed.
By 1954, the waiting list – which had alarmed Governor Hubbard in 1883 when it had 59 children on it – had exploded to include 884 children. Projections indicated that another 400 would be added over the next three years.
Some facilities routinely operated
at 60% over capacity.