Show marine hospitals i 1 the marine marine hospitals of the united states state public health service are supported ported d by appropriations made by congress for the pay of personnel and m maintenance of hospitals of the united states from 1798 until 1886 they were maintained by a tax of 20 cents per month which was collected by the collector of customs from each sailor on american merchant marine ships from 1886 to 1906 a special tonnage tax provided their maintenance since 1906 the hospitals have been maintained by direct appropriations made by congress |