Page 8
University Daily Kansan, February 17, 1982
Medical program cuts costs
By TOMHUTTON Staff Reporter
The budget cutting axes in Washington have cut medical developmental programs everywhere. But because of the foresight of two University of Iowa colleges, the ministrators, the health Maintenance Program at the Med Center seems secure.
The program, in the making since 1979, was saved from the chopping block when David Waxman, president of the Center, and Charles Hartman, vice chancellor for clinical affairs, hurriedly finished the final drafts for the program enabling them to beat 72 other applicants to gain a $25,000 bonus.
"There were 82 programs competing for 10 spots and we were the last ones to submit a plan," Thomson said.
Thompson and Hartman submitted their plan in June 1981.
In March, the Public Health Service announced there would be no more funding for Health Maintenance programs called HMOs.
Late last September, the two men found out that their efforts were successful when the Med Center was told it had received a $25,000 grant.
The money was used to establish Kansas City Health Care Inc., a program designed to cut medical costs, improve care and shorten hospital stays through prepayment plans to members.
THIS NON-PROFIT program is now the only Health Maintenance Organization affiliated with a public university, Thompson said.
Only about 5 percent of all hospital care is covered under some type of prepayment plan, said Thompson.
This figure will change, he said, as the cost for traditional health care plans continue to skyrocket.
Thompson said the cost of Blue Cross and Blue Shield, one of the nation's largest health insurance companies, had risen between 20 to 40 percent last year. HMO costs up only about 8 percent, he said.
The reason an HMO can provide lower costs is the basic theory behind the program, Thompson said.
In a traditional system, Thompson said, unnecessary services are often performed. Hospital stays are often used, he said, because insurance will not cover the same operation performed as an outpatient.
Thompson said laboratory tests and X-rays needlessly performed were other examples of waste in the present system. The advantage of an Thompson said was the removal of both waste and financial burdens.
A MONTHLY FEE guarantees that members of an HMO will receive care without worry over expense.
"Normally there are no additional out-of-pocket expenses," Thompson said. "All of the dollar pressures are removed because the people know they are going to get the care they need without it costing them anything."
When the HMO actually begins soliciting members in January, the rates will probably be lower than additional insurance. Thompson said.
A benefit package that includes all hospital ambulatory and primary care, prescription drugs, lab fees and X-rays will cost an individual about $53 a month. Thompson said, "I fairly plan will be about $140 a month."
"There will be no deductable,"
Preventive medicine is an important part of any HMO, Thompson said. This is another area that helps to save money, he said.
Thompson said. "You don't pay a penny extra."
A FREE PHYSICAL, immunizations, and encouragement to see the doctor even if the symptoms minor, are the basis of the group.
Last year, said Thompson, for every 1,000 members of private insurance companies there were about 850 days spent in hospitals. The HMO organizations had a figure of 407, Thompson said.
The savings of an HMO over traditional insurance methods have attracted many industries to the programs. Currently, Southwestern Bell, Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp. and Armco Steel have begun using HMOs for employees throughout the country.
"Ford spends more on health care for its employees than it does on steel," Thompson said.
CRITICS OF HMOs have argued that the idea is socialistic and is similar to national health coverage.
"Calling an HMO socialized medicine is bull." Thompson said.
The entire idea of an HMO, Thompson said, is to lower health costs through competition.
Health care is not worse in an HMO, according to a report released by the John Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health. This study found that of 27 separate studies made, 19 found HMO care better than that provided by doctors working primarily for fees. The care was comparable or evidence inconclusive in the eight other studies.
Although still showing an increase in his sales, the KU concessions department has shown a decrease in its net profit for the first time in several years.
By JIM LEHNER Staff Reporter
Staff Reporter
Warner Ferguson, associate director of the Kansas Union, said yesterday that the number of items sold this year was comparable to the number sold last year. However, net profit was below that of last year because price increases have not kept up with the rate of inflation.
"The total figures for sales are up slightly over last year," Ferguson said. "However, those figures don't give an accurate assessment of actual net profit, which is down $23,000 from last year."
Ferguson said that the net profit was the true indicator of whether a business was doing well.
KU concession profits shrink
Students probably bought less this year because of the economic crunch,
"More and more students are bringing sack lunches to school," Ferguson said. "They just don't have the purchasing value they had in years past. This also seems to be the trend nationwide."
KU concessions encompasses a variety of services including the vehi- ming machines, the Wesco Terrace Cafeteria, the information counter at the Union, the athletic concessions at games and the fine arts snack bar.
"The KU concessions department tries to be slightly under the market in the local area for its pricing or advice. So Scaffold can't do that, but on most times we deal."
Ferguson said another important reason why concessions was having difficult earning a profit was the fact that he sold the 85 cent price tug or soda non items.
"Coke prices remaining fixed at 35
cents is a big reason why the vending machines haven't shown an impressive profit," Ferguson said. "The department has decided to keep the price fixed at 35 cents for the rest of the year and set economic for the student. How often, more than price will undoubtedly have to be raised."
Ferguson said that beverage sales were an intricate part of the concession system. He said that such items as cigarettes could be stored for a long time, but that soda pop must be sold immediately or be thrown away.
He said the concessions department was better able to absorb a loss with over-the-counter items than with vending machines.
At over-the-counter services we can slightly increase the products by
pennies, which don't affect the consumer's purchasing power too much." Ferguson said. "However, with venom in your eyes, you can't be taken by an item by either a nickel or a dime."
monthly booking bell for
work. At 10:30 AM.
- and your membership on the Student ID # 72. You can
also sign up as well as apply for enrolment. No, the
student will not receive a bell.
But our modelling that you
have done is so beautiful.
monthly building ball for
each month. In 10,500 Hrs.
He has made a lot of progress.
In 20,500 Hrs. He has
made a lot of progress.
KANSAS PUBLIC SERVICE 847-762-4111
"If this trend continues over the next couple of years, then changes will have to be brought about," he said.
The sales of certain vending items may depend on the weather, he said. For example, on hot days during the football season Coke sales could skyrocket, and on cold days they could nose-dive. The attendance figures at games also play an important role in total sales.
TONIGHT
too sales.
Ferguson said that the current figures might be an indication of things to come.
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Mon. Sat. 6 a.m., 9 p.m.
Sunday 6 a.m., 8 p.m.
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All Sandwiches come with Refresh & Fresh Cut Onions
Additional Toppings
CHEESE
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CHIPS
small .25e
medium .35e
large .45e
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Rootbeer or Orange
SOFT-SERVICE CREAM
Chocolate, Butterscotch Hot Fudge
14¢
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Happy Hour
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$1.00 Well Drinks and 50' draws During Happy Hour
free Mexican Hors D'oeuvres
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MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE
Ramada Inn 2222 W. 6th St. 842-7030 Ext. 136
CITY OF LAWRENCE REGULATIONS RNING COLLECTION OF REFUSE
The collection of refuse and the operation of mechanized collection equipment is physically very demanding and exposes workers to unusual equipment daily. These hazards arise from the nature of the equipment used, the requirement to work in adverse weather and under treacherous conditions, and the nature of the material collected. In the interest of safety, it is important to use equipment that obligations most directly related to worker safety are listed along with some information of more general application.
a Refuse containers be constructed of metal, plastic, or other materials approved by the City. shall have a capacity of not more than thirty two gallons, shall be provided with handles on the outside, and shall be maintained in a state of good repair. Residents are cautioned that many inexactly constructed containers become very fragile when exposed to liquid tracer.
b. Disposable plastic bags of sufficient thickness to avoid rupture and tearing and having a capacity of not more than 200g.
Disposable paper bags which are manufactured specifically for relocate disposal (such as those used in home kits) are also available.
1. Cardboard boxes, paper boxes, pasteboard or fiber-
board borels, wicker baskets, and all drums are not approved
reusable containers. Such containers will not be returned
for reuse.
e. Trash in ordinary paper bags such as grocery bags, shopping bags, or similar containers will not be collected there.
d. Disposable bags must be secured tightly and leave sufficient material for arosing
g. Loose refuse will not be emptied from wheelbarrows,
wagons, washers or similar containers.
h. Unless authorized by the City to collect and dispose of refuse, it is允助 for any person to:
(3) remove refuge from another persons container;
(2) damage, upset, turn over, remove or carry away
k Collectors are instructed not to empty containers have sharp or injured items stuck out of the container.
(1) not a coach or a referee than that person own or which has been provided for that person use.
(2)
1. Supervisors are authorized to confilicate any non-approved container or any container which is hazardous to the crew if any discrepancy is not corrected after one warning tag is issued.
1. Collectors are prohibited from reaching into containers to dig out compacted trash.
m. Broken glass should be placed in a durable package and placed within the trash container for collection. It placed in a separate disposable box, it should be labeled so that the risk of injury can be recognized. Broken glass placed loose in plastic or paper bags is a leading cause of hand, arm, and leg cuts.
1. The weight of container and trash combined shall not exceed 65 pounds.
n. Dangerous materials such as hot sashes, radio-activ-
materials, acids, coustics, diseased materials, infected
materials, highly volatile materials, and explosives shall not be collected.
p. Yard, shrub, and tree trimmings can be collected only if they are:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CALL 841-1215
1) contained in an approuved container so that they do not extend more than two inches above the top of the container and are not so tightly packed that they must be pulled from the container by hand, or.
(2) bundled in bundles not more than eighteen inches in diameter, nor more than five feet in length. The weight of the bundle or weight, bundles must be tied with cord, twine, or wire strong enough to permit pick-up by use of a tool.
q. Newspapers and magazines put placed in containers must be tied securely in bundles more than twelve inches in thickness. Empty cardboard boxes which have been col- lored may be bundled in the same manner as newspapers.
r. It is unlawful for any person to permit or allow any refuse or waste materials to be scattered about in that persons yard or upon the premises occupied by that person, to permit such material to be blown from the premises, or to throw any material upon another matter upon the premises of any other person or upon any of the streets, alleys, or other public places in the city.
s. The Sanitation Department will provide special pickup of bulky items such as sofas, mattresses, carpet, and major appliances at no charge. Call the dispatcher at 841-1911 to arrange for this service.
1. Sanitation Department superviseurs can be reached at 841-273-6500 to discuss complaints or special service requirements.
---
COMMONWEALTH THEATRES
GRANADA
COLUMBIA PHONE 862-710-1088
VARSITY
COUNTY BORN
1121 PHONE 843-1085
HILLCREST 1
9TH AND IOWA
TELEPHONE 847-8400
Entralling...
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TELEPHONE 826-9400
JAMES * SALES * Allure
Earnings at 7.15 & 8.15
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Adults $3.90
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NEWMAN FIELD
ABSENCE OF
MALICE PC
Pharmacy Footnotes
by O.Newton King R.Ph
A good rule of thumb is to avoid drugs during pregnancy if at all possible. Even the ubiquitous aspirin can be potentially harmful if it is poorly solved in the mother's stomach and having reached her bloodstream, it can pass quickly into the circulatory system of the unborn child; it could then possibly affect the baby's ability of the baby when delivered. As such, although a couple of aspirin for headache during pregnancy will not be a threat, frequent use may be an unneeded risk. Always consult your physician before ingesting any drugs during pregnancy.
AT KING PHARMACY, we are concerned about your health. We have a library on health information and disseminate health information for you to your health agencies. We can take care of your health needs, from prescriptions and home health services to supplies or therapeic supports, pressure kits and other monitoring devices, and hospital beds for home use. We're in the Lawrence 6th St. Fm-Fri-8 5:40 Bk 6:44 M
We Honor Student Insurance Claims
HANDY HINT:
FIRST HINT:
The first few months of pregnancy are the most crucial in terms of fetal exposure.
PHARMACY
Laurencio Méjuelo Plaza
11'2W 8th
Mon.-Fri. 9-6
Sat. 9-4