Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 101, Number 32, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 12 January 1978 — Page 4

Nappanee Advance-New* Thursday, January 12, 1978

Page 4

Editorial •% . comment and opinion

Hospital savings cited

The Indiana Hospital Rate Review System saved Hoosier patients more than $278 million during a six-year period from 1968 through 1973, according to a, preliminary report of an independent research firm which conducted a comparative cost study for the U.S. Department of Health Education and Welfare. The Indiana system was begun in 1960 as a cooperative effort between Blue Cross of Indiana and the Indiana Hospital Association. The study, conducted by Spectrum Research, Inc., '“Denver, Colorado, examined cost control methods used in Indiana hospitals and compared them with controls in Michigan, lowa, Illinois and Minnesota. The HEW-funded survey could have important legislative meaning. Many members of Congress have questioned the Carter Administrations Hospital Cost Containment Bill, because it would destroy voluntary rate review systems such as exist in Indiana. Citing the substantial impact' of the Indiana system on hospital costs the report compared average costs per hospital stay, and said t.he voluntary prospective rate review approach used by Hoosier hospitals has resulted in major" savings to patients The preliminary findings of the report were just made known, although they were submitted to HEW officials last February. Although the released data were contained in a preliminary report, Spectrum officials said it is not likely the final version will contain significant changes. 'udv ompared costs during 196. 3 and leported that the average cost for a hospital case in the-four other states rose $62 per case more during these years than it did in Indiana. During this period, there were 4 488.919 hospital admissions in Indiana The saving of $62 per admission resulted in a total of $3 7 8.31 2?978 in lower costs to Indiana hospital patients. In 1973 alone, according to the Spectrum report, the Indiana Hospital Rate Review System

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"Our higher education system plays an influential role in preparing people for ' a* the labor force and for living in a modern society."

■ Fundamental changes in the composition of the American population are beginning to affect society in a number of ways. These trends pose special 'uncertainties as we, try .to plan .the futiireFof some jof our basic.institutions / Education is one of them For a variety of reasons, the birthrate has ebbed. Both society as a whole and the labor force in particular are aging as life spans continue to lengthen Our higher education system plays an influential role in preparing people for the labor force and for living in a modern society Frankly, little, in the experience of government officials or educators has prepared them for the uncertainties and challenges they likely will face in the coming years . We know for example, that enrollment in our institutions will be affected by declines in the size of the traditional college-age population Ten years from now. there will be 15 per cent fewer high school graduates. In Indiana, we are projecting a decline of 21 per cent in total college and university enrollment by 1990. Obviously, this requires rather significant changes in educational

accounted for $65 million in savings for Hoosiers as the per case cost was sß2'more in the other four states than in Indiana. were hospital cases in Indiana during 1973. In summarizing the study results, Spectrum Research, Inc., said, 'The Indiana Program has a substantial impact on cost which escalated during the study period. This impact is transmitted through its . positive effect on labor productivity and its negative influence on average salary. The Indiana Program has a negative (lower cost) impact on all three departmental costs —hotel (roim and board) and administrative cost, ancillary cost, and nursing care cost —but its influence is strongest on the latter.” The Spectrum report analysis parallels figures annually released by the American Hospital Association which show that the cost per patient day in Indiana is considerably less than the national average. In 1976, the average cost per day in an Indiana hospital was $128.83 compared to the national average of $151.79. The prospective" Indiana system determines in advance what hosptials may charge patients through reviews of past and projected financial requirements for efficient operation. Under the rate review method, Indiana hospitals agree to several areas of standardization, icluding uniform accounting procedures and establishment of rates in reasonable relationship to given service costs, as well as participation in health care planning activities in order to justify need for any additional facilities and other capital expenditures. The system provides for a Rate Review Committee, which reports to the Blue Cross Board of Directors. This 20-rpember committee contains a majority of representatives from business and labor who have a consumer stake in achieving quality health ca/e at cost-effective rates. Blue Cross staff members serve only in an advisory capacity, and the committee sets the rates.

Capitol Commentary Governor Otis R. Bowen

planning and management, since most of our prior experience has dealt with continually growing enrollments and ever-broadening functions However, these trends in population and in the composition of the labor force also require fresh thinking with regard to the Overall focus of educational efforts. Studies conducted for the Joint Economic Committee of Congress relate'that 80 per cent of the people now entering the labor market are taking jobs previously held by persons with substantially less educational background. In other words, college graduates fresh from the campus are being compelled to trade down" by the realities of a tight labor market The report also projects a surplus of nearly 700.000 college graduates a year by the mid 1980s If this means that American education is preparing students for lobs that don’t exist, it is time for a wholesale re-evaluation of educational goals and policies We must try to assure that our educational system is in tune with the realities of the American labor market and the American life style

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by U.S. Senator Birch Bayh

The year 1977 was one of anticipation and hope, triumph and, at times, frustration. Congress has tackled many of the complex problems facing our nation that have, in the past, defied solution. Yet, as we look ahead to the coming months, I am reminded that much remains to be done. ' When Congress returns in January, it will cpnsider the final portions of the comprehensive energy legislation. This is one of the most crucial and complicated issues undertaken during the first session of the 95th Congress, and is one that will affect each of us, both on the farm and in the city. It is essential that an adequate supply of natural gas and petroleum products be maintained at prices we can afford. Earlier this year, the Senate grappled with this problem extensively. Asa result of these efforts, anew Department of Energy has been created to. con solidate and coordinate our national energy policy. Also, upon my urging and that of many colleagues. President Carter gave his approval to the trans-Canadian route for a natural gas pipeline. The Alcan pipeline is expected to provide 800 million cubic feet of natural gas per year to the energy short areas of the Midwest and East by the winter of 1979-1980, and as much as 2.4 billion cubic feet per year by 1983. Even though great strides have" been made towards assuring our

The Salt Shaker

The metric system is a system of measurement based exclusively on tens. It is used all over the civilized world except for certain English speaking nations, like the U.S. and Great Britain. By not adopting the metric system, we waste our time for we gain nothing, not one thing. The loss in time (which is expensive) is balanced by not one thing I can imagine. (To be sure it is expensive to convert existing instruments and fools but it should've been done a century ago, when it would've been much cheaper.) In a minuteway I understand the problem, I have an excellent socket wrench set which now fits absolutely nothing, except my big toe. (Bikes have long been metric, so have foreign cars, and American automobiles are being converted slowly.) As you can guess, my big toe has not gone metric, and probably won t since I was born in America. I've noticed letters to editors of newspapers decrying this dangerously foreign and radial "Jacobin’’ system. Some have equated the metric system with communism, and argued that God is for the old all-American way of measuring things. They'd rather fight a war than switch. All I want is a socket wrench that fits everything. " , But let's peep at history. In 1786, thirteen years before the dirty French revolutionaries designed the wicked and vile metric system, Thomas Jefferson (a notorious Jacobin ' according to Federalists) suggested the adoption of a decimal currency. & The infant U.S. had been using

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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4„ : Signature needed The Advance-News received a letter this week, which the writer wanted published in this week's issue. However, the writer apparently forgot that a signature is needed, for Advance-News records. Letters must be signed (handwritten), however the name will be withheld upon request. County monies To the Advance-News: During the year of 1977,1 invested all available County monies that were not needed for day to day operations and the County made $523,802.65 in interest. By Indiana Statute, the Law gives the County Treasurer authority to invest County monies with your local banks within your county of residence. I purchased certificate of deposits from our local banks for a designated number of days as I had money available. So by investing our excess monies, the County earned this interest of $523,802.65. It goes into our County

BAYH - lines From Washington

energy supplies, we must search for additional resources. The Alcohol Fuel Incentive Act, which I introduced in the Senate last fall, is a major step toward opening up vast new markets for farm products, as well as providing a renewable fuel spurce. A mixture of gasoline and alebhol called "gasohol" works exceedingly ♦ well as fuel for automobiles, farm equipment and other vehicles. Alcohol can be distilled from grains, forestry products and solid waste materials, as well as from corn stalks and other agricultural residue. The Secretary of Agriculture has announced that four pilot plants will be constructed for the production of alcohol fuels, and I am doing everything in my power to see that one of those facilities is located in Indiana. In addition, I am committed to working during the next session of Congress to provide appropriate tax incentives and vehicles for government purchases of alcohol fuels that will assure the new markets required for the growth of farm produced energy. Equally important is the responsibility" of providing our nation's senior citizens with a decent income. It is a terrible tragedy that a person, who has worked hard for his or her entire life, should be forced to survive on an inadequate living One of the most serious problems in our present Social

British currency, and that was a fearsome thing. To show how preposterous the British system is, allow me to say that the British are endowed witfr'*''rwbnumental patience, capable of enduring most anything, provided its traditional. Now the British are sick and tired, absolutely fed up, with their currency and are converting to the decimal system. They still have a Queen but I won’t get into all that can of squirms. If it hadn't been for that smart Virginian (Jefferson) we might be stuck with four farthings make one penny;. 12 pennies make one shilling; and 20 shillings make one pound, and a bunch of half-crowns, florins, and guineas, and heaven knows what al IT* But thanks to Jefferson the U.S. money system went; 10 mills make one cent; 10 cents make one dime; 10 dimes make one dollar; 10 dollars make one eagle - modern Americans stick only to dollars and cents. That's all people see anyway. What a pity, that in 1799, when the metric system came into being, our original anti-British, pro-French feelings were switched. If we'd held those positions a little longer, as we should have, we'd already be on the metric system. Your kid would be running 100 meters rather than 100 yards, as they do in the Olympics. We'd be driving kilometers instead of miles whereas now we're having accidents trying to convert. And no one would think of making it theological by dragging God into the problem, as if conversions might confuse Him. When He's been in the conversion business since Adam's apple.

general fund and itemized accounts. The interest earned helps all of us, it will help our local tax rate. Library shouldn't have closed TO THE ADVANCE-NEWS: We have a complaint to make about our public library. We usually don't complain, but Monday afternoon when it was blowing so bad, they closed early (4:00 p.m.). we can understand the way they may have felt about the weather conditions, but when we arrived, there were several people making use of the library. We had a lot of work to do, and came to the library hoping to get it done. We think as long as people were using the library, they should have stayed open. After all, what is it there for? We were not the only ones there either, and we knew a couple of employees that lived in town and could have kept it open. We feel the library should think about the public, and what its purpose is.. ' Signed, Disgusted (Names withheld by request)

By Al Shifflett

"Even though great strides have been made ■m towards assuring our energy supplies, we must search for additional resources."

Security system is the earnings limitation. ■ Under current law, persons between 65 and 72 years of age who continue working, and who earn more than $3,000 annually are penalized by the Social Security system through a reduction of $1 in benefits for every $2 earned. The Social Security Refinancing bill, recently passed by Congress, raises the earnings limitation in increments over the next several years to $5,000 by 1980. It completely removes the limitations for persons over 70 in 1982. A fair and adequate retirement system for our nation's senior citizens is essential, and the legislation passed by Congress represents an important step towards that end. In these times of inflation, it is indeed unfortunate that many of our citizens who are able and willing to work, are unable to find employment. This is a very real tragedy that can have devastating effects on individuals and their families. Thus, I have introduced legislation designed to protect the jobs of steelworkers in Indiana and throughout the nation. Two bills wlfeh I sponsored, the Buy American Act Amendments and the Trade Procedures Improvements Act will prevent unfair competition from foreign producers of steel and other products. In doing so, the jobs of

Know the Law

Brand your valuables

A century ago, when a family had something of value they wanted to identify as belonging to them, they would apply some type of mark or brand. The rancher and farmer would brand their livestock with a mark that was registered in their names. It usually was designed so that it would be impossible for a thief to change the brand with a running iron. (p If a highwayman or cattle thief was caught committing a crime, he often was dealt with on the spot, mainly because a magistrate would not be back in the area for three or four months. Also, the culprit was obviously guilty, so it was reasoned that he deserved whatever punishment was meted out. To be sure, penalties for criminal conduct have changed drastically during the last century. But one thing remains unchanged; it is still a good idea to mark your property for identification purposes. Homeowners should mark or inscribe their driver's license number on such items as CB radios, stereos, lawnmowers, chainsaws, and a variety of other valuable items. Such identification serves two distinct purposes; First; most thieves would have second thoughts about stealing property that they are sure is marked with the owner's driver's license number. After all, what more convincing evidence could be found in the possession of a thief than property that is immediately traceable to owner? / Second; many times a thief will abandon marked property because he can't fence, or/ sell it. To file off the number (also arouses suspicion in the mind of law-enforcement officers. Why not just rely on the manufacturer's serial number? Most manufacturers do not know who bought a particular i/em or, for that matter, in what state it was sold. With a driver's license number, the investigating officer has only to check records maintained at the state capital to

NAPPANEE ADVANCE NEWS 111 W. Market St., Nappanoo, IN.SS3O Hi. 773-1117 Published Thursday— Entarad at the Past Office at Nappanee, Indiana, as Sacand Class Matter under the Act of March 3, 1077. Dale A. Tobias M.SS per year—lndiana General Manager It.Ot per year-Outside Indiana Pictures far publication are welcome. but we picture ertll be returned Sy wtaH Isv I IV.C unless a self addressed stamped envelope Is sent with It. Ne charge ter puhl tenths pictures, news stories er announcements. I CTTCDC Letters to the Bailor are always appreciated. Letters must be signed LC I I Ll\ J —(handwritten) and dated. Letters may be mailed to: Advance News, US West Market St., Nappanee, Indiana SUSS rsr a r\i IK) CC Classified advertising deadlines are Priday at naan. * DCnUUNCO Tea Latee are due an Monday at five o'clock. Display advert!sinf deadlines are Priday at noon.

over 71,000 Hoosiers employed in carbon and specialty steel manufacturing facilities will be protected. One of the most rewarding aspects of serving in the U.S. Senate is being able to help Hoosiers from all over the state in dealing with the federal bureaucracy. No American should be forced to endure mountains of red tape in order to secure the essential government services to which they are entitled. President Carter, with advice from many members of Congress, has embarked on a complete reorganization of the executive branch of government which will result in a great reduction of meaningless regulations and waste. I plan to continue to offer my suggestions to the President on how best to accomplish this enormous task, and with the assistance of the many Hoosiers who contact me every day, we will be able to bring a better quality of life to everyone. The end of the holiday celebrations signal the beginning of anew session of Congress. I look forward with great anticipation to a very productive year, one in which by working together, we can successfully tackle the problems with which we are faced, and ultimately find the solutions that are often so very elusive.

SGT. DON MILLER Crime Prevention £ Public Information Officer Nappanee Police Department

determine ownership. Whether it is livestock or electronics, if it's of value, you're smart to (Brand) it.

Lugar urges development of solar energy U. S. Senator Dick Lugar (R-Ind.) today spoke out on the need for greater interest in solar development. Lugar made his remarks in announcing his cosponsorship of a resolution requesting the President to designate May 3, 1978 as "Sun Day," and to encourage citizens to observe the day with activities which call attention to solar energy. ' The development of renewable energy resources solar and geothermal energy, and winds and tides is crucial to the future of our nation's economy and environment. Solar energy in particular is not only an indindispensable element of our long-run energy policy, but also has great potential for reducing pollution of our environment;" The resolution Lugar is cosponsoring points out that solar energy is environmentally advantageous and that it will become more economically competitive with further development. "The only way to promote solar energy development is to quit rigging energy prices against it," Lugar said. "Solar energy use, and other steps to conserve fossil fuels, would be practical right now if energy prices were at their real levels. As long as politicians persist in regulating prices for petroleum and natural gas at artificially low levels, government policy will discourage development of new energy resources. A sound energy and environmental policy cannot be founded on cheap' gas and oil. (