University Daily Kansan
Thursday, October 19, 1978
1
State to vote on health proposal
BISMARK, N.D. (AP) — An initiative on North Dakota's Nov. 7 (ab) would put state controls on how much doctors could charge their patients, and the measure's architect says it is the beginning of a nationwide revolt against health care costs.
"Either way, win or lose, it's just a matter of time before every state will have similar state regulations," North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Byron Knutson says.
The state's medical profession feels otherwise. With cries of "socialized medicine," it has bankrolled an intensive campaign against the measure, which would put controls on all health care costs—for doctors in hospitals, homes, pharmacies and doctors' offices.
"Vote on Anti-Health Care Measure 4," say billboards that greet drivers on the state's roadways. Similar messages appear daily and weekly newspapers and on television.
IN ONE TV ad, public relations consultant Robert Schuller—who is working full time for the medical profession at Citizens Health Network—wants to prefer doctors or bureaucrats administering the state's health program. A graduate of the University of Maryland, he brings the "anti-health care" measure.
Actually the initiative is on the ballot as "Measure 4, health care," and Knelson says the opposition has conducted one of the most deceitful campaigns in state history.
Knutson, a 48-year-old Democrat who is a maverick in his own party, said the measure resulted from numerous complaints about his behavior. "I don't yet to spend a penny on promoting the
measure and predicted the opposition would spend nearly $400,000.
NINETEEN SPONSORS, including Knutson, began a blitzkrieg petition campaign to get the measure on the ballot. In less than three weeks before the Aug. 9 deadline, they gathered 13,300 valid signatures—3,300 more than required.
Knutson predicts an overwhelming victory, but most observers accept a close vote. If the measure passes, the medical profession says it will take it to court.
The initiative would make the state health officer responsible for holding public hearings to set maximum rates for all medical services in the state.
Knutson calls the measure a moderate proposal for public control of health care costs, but opponents say it will make the case that it is the car of a staggering medical bureaucracy.
ONE OF the proposal's most vocal critics is the man who would administer it.
"I waste most of my time on this trivial legislation, only it's not trivial if it passes." State Health Officer Jonathan Weibsch throws a copy of the measure on his desk.
Weisbuch estimates Knutson's measure would require an additional 20 health department employees to process medical rates for a million services covering the entire range of health care, plus 40 persons to receive them, at a cost of $60 million a year.
But Knotson thinks his proposal can be implemented simply, although no specific technical details are provided.
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WEISBUCH, CONDEMING the measure as a simple solution to a complex problem, questions the constitutionality of having the state medical officer set fees for the state's 700 physicians, 400 dentists, 300 pharmacists, 55 hospitals and 53 nursing staffs.
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Under the proposal, the health officer's $50,000 salary would be cut to the same as the governor's, about $72,000. The health officer also would not have to be a physician.
Opponents predict an exodus of doctors from the state if the measure passes. Weisbuch thinks the proposal would give University of North Dakota medical graduates less incentive to practice in rural areas.
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Weisbuch, a surgeon and environmental engineer, said the low pay and the requirement that the applicant be a North Carolina would not attract high-quality candidates.
Democratic Gov. Arthur Link, who has been neutral on the measure, appointed a special prosecutor to help implement it. If the proposal fails, the task force will recommend alternative methods.
Knutson was not appointed to the task force and called it unnecessary.
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