6
Friday, March 4, 1988 / University Daily Kansan
Bill would end 'wellness' charge State employees who smoke criticize health insurance surcharge
By Elaine Woodford
Kansan staff writer
University of Kansas employees who smoke might no longer have to pay $120 a year for a "wellness program" if a bill presented to the House committee on pensions, investments and benefits is passed.
Sgt. J卵 Brothers, president of Classified Senate, said the senate strongly supported the bill.
"One of the things that concerns us is that restrictions might not be placed just on smokers, but on others too, such as those who are overweight," he said.
state employees who smoke must pay a $10-a-
month surcharge under a health insurance con-
trol.
tract with Blue Cross and Blue Shield. The surcharge went into effect Jan. 1.
surcharge goes into the bank. The bill is general and would keep the state from imposing surcharges on some state employees and not others.
But Administration Secretary Edward Flentje told the committee Tuesday that the bill would encourage state employees to smoke and that if the penalty were revoked, it could result in higher premiums for those who could least afford it.
If former disables,
"it could happen, but it is more likely that the oracle would happen," he said.
Brothers said that Flintje traditionally had not been supportive of state employees and had
described a previous request by classified employees for a 4 percent cost-of-living increase as ludicrous.
Unarles Dodson, executive director of the Kansas Association of Public Employees, told the committee Tuesday that the penalty had created emotional and psychological havoc.
Brothers said that the health care program for state employees was an important benefit for employees who traditionally were undercompensated for their jobs.
David Lewin, KU director of personnel services, said legislation that restricted smoking in public buildings had drawn more negative reaction than had the surcharge.
Lower turnout at KU blood drive could be a problem for Red Cross
Kansan staff writer
Blood donations during the three-day University of Kansas blood drive fell about 200 pints short of its goal, American Red Cross organizers said yesterday.
Dodie Faulconer, a Red Cross nurse from Wichita who organized the drive, said the volunteers were hoping that KU would provide 750 pints of blood during the drive, which began Tuesday.
Instead, only about 550 pints were donated.
Faulconer said KU's goal was based on the amount of blood donated in the past.
She said the Red Cross would have to be satisfied with the amount donated, although the low number of units could cause problems for the Red Cross.
"It's not that I'm disappointed," she said. "This blood was needed. It's just that we have three mobile units up here that aren't out someplace else collecting blood."
Faulconer said donations at Kansas State University, which usually donates about twice as much blood as KU, were down too. That blood drive also ties up the mobile blood collecting units.
That's why the drop in donations at both universities will affect the Red Cross, she said.
"It's counted on, and it will be noticed." she said.
Faulconer didn't know why donations were down but said she didn't think it was because students were afraid of contracting AIDS from the process.
Students had different theories for the drop in donations.
By James Buckman
Sarah Terrell, Wichita junior and a donor, said the drop in numbers didn't have as much to do with an AIDS scare as it did with people's fear of the process of donating blood.
"I think people are mainly scared of their own reaction," she said. "I think it is their own personal needle thing."
Sean Westhoff, St. Louis' junior, agreed that the fear of AIDS probably did not deter many students. He said he thought students didn't donate as much because they weren't aware of the drive.
Tom Gooden, St. Louis junior and a volunteer at the blood drive, said the drop in numbers could pally be attributed to the drive's taking place during mid-terms.
Reports say 31 have swallowed toothbrushes
The Associated Press
CHICAGO — Many have brushed, but only a few have swallowed.
So say researchers who scrutinized medical literature and found exactly 31 cases in all recorded history of people somehow managing to swallow their toothbrushes.
Four of those incidents occurred in Durham, N.C., in recent years, Dr. Allan D. Kirk of Duke University Medical Center and colleagues reported in the March issue of the Archives of Surgery.
Two of the North Carolina swallowers apparently had drunk a large quantity of alcohol, and a third was a 60-year-old woman who had a seizure while brushing her teeth.
If you need abortion or birth control services, we can help. Confidential pregnancy testing • Safe, affordable abortion Trial location • Gun exams
Confidential pregnancy testin-
services • Birth control • Tuba
Testing and treatment for
sexually transmitted diseases.
Providing quality health care
to women since 1974.
insurance, VISA &
MasterCard accepted.
information and appl
Comprehensive
Health for women
4401 West 108th (1435 & Row)
Overland Park, Kansas
ments (913) 345-1400
200-227-1918
Toll Free (except KS) 1-800-227-1918
"Best Play of 1978!" American Theatre Critics Association
GETTING OUT By Marsha Norman
...because we think you should see this play, we're offering
FREE TICKETS to the final two performances
Presented by The University of Kansas Theatre 8:00 p.m. Friday & Saturday, March 4-5, 1988
You are invited to sit in any open seat
Crafton-Preyer Theatre/Murphy Hall
*Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
*No tickets needed
"A Blockbuster!"
Clive Barnes, "The New York Post"
"...It richly deserves to be seen by anyone desirous of a stirring theatrical experience!" Charles Ryweck. The Hollywood Reporter
Laciece "A La Carte" Brunch
EGGS & SIDES $5.00 waffles
fruit pancakes
STEAK & SIDES $6.00 crepes
hash browns
plus croissants, fresh fruit, tea or coffee, and desserts
745 New Hampshire Sunday
(in the Marketplace) 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
We offer a tremendous selection of wine, liquor, and beer
for hard to find items
- Special order service
  for hard to find items
- Advice on party planning
- Advice on selecting wine
- Case discounts every day
- Super Saver specials every weekend
Part-Time Positions Available $6-$8 per Hour We Offer:
- Paid Training
- Advancement Opportunities
- Guaranteed hourly wage plus incentives
- Pleasant working conditions
- Flexible Hours
NEED MONEY?
Here's the Solution!
Paid Training
Call for an appointment or apply in person today.
841-1200
Partially funded by the KU Student Activity Fee A University Arts Festival event
E. O.E. m/f/h
Box Office All seats reserved For reservations call 913-864-3982 Special discounts for students and senior citizens
Presented by the University of Kansas Theatre
Tickets on sale in the Murphy Hall Box Office
ENTERTEL
8:00 p.m.
February 26-27 and
March 4-5, 1988
7:30 p.m.
March 3, 1988
Crafton-Preyer Theatre
Sounds unbelievable doesn't it? But it's TRUE! UNIVERSITY AUDIO will INSTALL a KENWOOD KRC-2000A in-dash CASSETTE RECEIVER, a pair of CO-AXIAL SPEAKERS appropriate to your car for ONLY $299!
A QUALITY CAR STEREO FOR ONLY $299 INSTALLED?
If Detroit (or Munich) dropped an anemic slip in your dash instead of a REAL STEREO, or if you want to upgrade your present custom system, this offer is for you! A high quality Kenwood in-dash unit, speakers, installation...all for only $2991
- AVM QUARTERPLATE SYNTHESIZED TUNER WITH 12 CHANNEL MEMORY PRESETS
* SEKE KMODE TUNING
* AUTO RESCUE CASESTEP WITH BAS SELECTION FOR METAL TAPE
* SEKE MAXIMUM POWER, LESS THAN 1% TIDDY
- 2 CO-AXIAL KENWOOD SPEAKERS -
DESIGNED TO FIT YOUR CAR (6x9, 4", 6 1/2", etc.)
* COMPLETE CUSTOM INSTALLATION
UP TO KENWOOD $473 RETAIL