Delaware County Daily Times from Chester, Pennsylvania • Page 32

32 Wednesday, May 19,1976 DELAWARE COUNTY DAILY TIMES Sylvia Porter: Your Money's Worth Prepaid legal Insurance plans run Into problems From zero a mere couple of years ago, prepaid legal insurance plans which bring inexpensive legal service to members of specific groups have climbed into the thousands, already cover an estimated 500,000 individuals and are slated to benefit millions more before 1976 is out. Under your eyes, one of the most profound, meaningful reforms of our system of jurisprudence is taking place. In some plans, par- ticipants pay the costs; in others, employers provide the new fringe benefit as part of a package; in still others, costs are shared. But as might be expected in any breakthrough of this magnitude, problems exist which must be resolved. (1) Cost control.

It is too early to determine whether the very low rates set by the various plans are adequate to cover costs. Vital facts are unavailable because of the plans' newness. mittee on prepaid legal services: "If Congress really wants to help the middle class, this is one way to do it." The almost universal worry is that an adverse IRS ruling could torpedo legislation before millions of potential beneficiaries can take advantage of the benefits. The fear is that an individual would have to pay taxes on money paid into the plan and on benefits realized. The damage could be devastating.

(2) The Internal Revenue Service has not yet ruled on the request of several a i clarification of the plans' tax status whether they are to get the tax deductible status of health and hospital insurance programs. Before Congress is a bill to exempt legal services under union plans, and says Phillip J. Murphy, Santa Barbara- based attorney who is staff director of the American Bar special com- (3) Possible violation of the anti-trust laws because of the fixed fees paid to attorneys under many plans. (4) The opposition of lawyers who see this bold venture as a threat to their livelihood. While the ABA and the National Bar Assn.

i a lawyers) basically approve the programs, there is concern that the "closed panel" concept might be structured so tight as to- limit access to attorneys. Smaller law firms are particularly apprehensive; so are many black lawyers. Closed panels, with limited lawyer selection, do help the programs overcome initial start-up costs by permitting easy surveillance of legal fees. But local bar associations have begun to endorse the more competitive open panel programs, under which prepaid plan members select their own lawyer who then bills the insurance plan. The open panel parallels the popular concept of prepaid health insurance, familiar in most American homes.

You, the subscriber, either through a group plan or individually, would pay a yearly premium. When you a lawyer's services, you would be free to select any attorney you wish. Under a schedule of benefits, reimbursement would be made upon the presentation of bills. Several of these programs are in the blueprint stage. Under a program sponsored by the New York County Lawyers for instance, New York City residents, within certain income-net worth limits, can draw down $1,000 of services for $100 yearly.

A spouse is covered for an additional $25; children can obtain benefits for $10 each. Also under legislation being considered by nearly two dozen states, insurance companies would be permitted to sell prepaid legal policies great, good news for the millions who do not have -access to a union group plan. This legislation would allow coverage of individuals as well as groups. To illustrate, Equitable Life Assurance Society has group plan under which you, an individual par- ticipant, would pay $10 a month for a policy offering a schedule of compensation for such services as drawing a will or litigation in which the policyholder is a plaintiff. If you are a defendant, Equitable would cover 80 per cent of legal costs up to $1,500 for the individual and up to $2,500 for the family of the insured.

Prudential and Insurance company of North America are developing programs, too. These programs may be i may be delayed, certainly may be overhauled as they mature. But the trend is too powerful to kill. As an employe, employer, or just an individual, the time to investigate and set up your own plan is now. Park Up The Entire Go CAMPtNG! SALE mm.

thru John Probst (left), a crew member, and Ambulance Lt. Jon Firlein check out equipment in new vehicle. Will replace worn-out vehicles Milmont adds 2 ambulances The Jefferson 8 FT.xl4FT. TENTS akeshore RIDLEY TOWNSHIP The Milmont Fire Co. has obtained two ambulances, valued at $48,000, to replace older vehicles and provide emergency a service.

The 1976 vehicles meet all requirements of the U.S. Transporation Department. They can transport six persons and offer oxygen, rescusitation and other special features. The two new ambulances have replaced a Modulance vehicle, obtained more than two years ago. and a a a a a nearly seven years old.

John J. Probst, fire a i a i chairman, said the fire company had to replace the older vehicles because of increased use. i i operates the Ridley Ambulance Service. It provides ambulance service for subscribers in Ridley Township, Swarthmore, Rutledge and Morton. In addition, the service provides ambulance service for the township government and handles al; public accidents.

Last year, the ambulance service received 2,369 calls with Andrew Hogan answering the largest number of ambulance calls. Hogan, who is vice president of the Delaware County Amb a a Association, responded on 918. According to Probst, the fire company's ambulance service has been increasing through the years as the service was expanded through a larger territory. "We have more people, a larger area and find that our ambulance service is among the most active in the county," Probst said. i a a crewmen recently completed a 64-hour advanced first aid and emergency treatment training course.

It was conducted at the Vauclain Fire House by the American Red Cross. They also completed a special 9- hour course of instruction in a a rescue techniques with Red Cross instructors. Patrolman Joseph Carollo is the director of the ambulance service. Patrolman Richard Holmes is in charge of vehicle maintenance. Jon Firlein holds the rank of lieutenant in the ambulance service and handles subscriber membership and billing.

The service provides a night duty crew on standby to reduce night use of sirens to summon volunteers. Men are assigned to ambulances for a week at a time between 12 midnight and 6 a.m. The ambulance service is completing its annual subscription drive. Anyone who does not obtain a subscription before June 1 will have a 30-day waiting period in order to get free ambulance service. The $5 fee provides a family with six free ambulance trips per year within a radius of 20 miles.

For long distance ambulance trips, subscribers are charged only one-half of the mileage cost. Non- subscribers pay for local trips and are charged the full cost rate on long distance trips. Township to study taxes, revenues RIDLEY TOWNSHIP- The commissioners will meet in a special session at 7:30 p.m/ May 26 at the municipal building to form a committee to study the tax structure and sources of revenue available to the township. The commissioners are anxious to obtain input from township residents for the study and any resident who wishes to participate should attend the meeting and submit his or her name. The committee will consist of two members each representing civic groups, senior citizens, i and school district.

In addition, there will be three represent a i of the commissioners' finance committee and township controller Daniel Mingls. Student picked for Purdue study CHESTER Christine Blazynski, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Earl E. Blazynski, 329 W.

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