Great Falls Tribune from Great Falls, Montana • Page 5

Tuesday, April 17, 1984 Great Falls Tribune 5-A Baucus tells town meeting he supports spending freeze the hole at The Senate bill he is backing By TOM KERIN Tribune Business Editor Freezing federal expenditures for a year would "get the show on the road," Sen. Max Baucus, told a town meeting here Monday night, but it would be tough to pass, he said. "I'm pushing for a freeze," he said, because something must be done to control the federal deficit. There must be a starting place, he declared. A Senate freeze proposal almost passed the Budget Committee, the senator told the 16 people attending the meeting, which was called by him to get some grassroot opinions on what's Congress should do for the small businessman.

After the Easter recess "we will go back and boost it (the freeze proposal) as much as possible," he declared. i Baucus said a freeze has a lot of appeal including the fact that it does a lot in the first year trimming the budget by $40 billion. would halt increases in defense spending along with entitlements, plus other government programs. "It's a bit stiff, but it's a way to get control," Baucus said. "Our problem (the budget) is so great we can't afford to wait," he declared.

Because of the coming elections, people are inclined to say, "wait 'till next year," Baucus said, "but no one seems to know what to do next year." High interest rates, which are generally blamed on the budget, continue to be the main problem for the small businessman, the senator was told, but payroll taxes are also hurting the business segment. Employment is down because of payroll taxes, a member of the gathering said. Small businessmen feel frustrated because they can't understand how this country can continue to send money to Lebanon and El Salvador, for example, while they are "going in i) v. a i ill il Meyer runs against Fast plane French aviator Patrick Fourticq talked with local aircraft authorities at Holman Aviation after landing his Piper Malibu single engine six seat airplane for a rest and mechanical check Sunday. He and friends were enroute from France where he had just competed in the New York to Paris air race setting three separate flight time records along the way to California, where the plane is housed.

He also competed in the Trans African Race earlier this year. (Tribune Photo by Steve Velaski) Health forum speakers agree: consumers need to be shrewd i Meyer Judge and his lieutenant governor, Ted Schwinden, were friends when Schwinden challenged Judge in the Democratic primary four years ago. Schwinden went on to become governor. "As far as I'm concerned, I'll still be friends with Whitaker," Meyer added. Meyer said he believes he'll be able to break the Democratic lock on county posts, although he lost a bid for the traditionally Democratic post of state public service commissioner in 1982.

By RICHARD ECKE Tribune Staff Writer Former legislator Darryl Meyer filed Monday for Cascade County commissioner, saying it's time the two-party system returned to county government. "Frankly, I'm concerned about the direction county government has been headed during the past six years," said Meyer, a Republican. He said a budget surplus of more than $400,000 six years ago has evaporated. "In fact, some county departments may be on the verge of going broke," he said. ivijrti, -tu, iwwj nil nvc -J ic- ferred to a recent Tribune editorial saying that "competition keeps government lean and efficient," and noted not a single Republican holds elective office in the county.

ivicjrci aaiu lie 3 a iiiciiu ui UU.UUI- bent commissioner Jack Whitaker, the other person to file for the job. Whitaker and Meyer won't have a showdown until November. Meyer noted former Gov. Thomas ureat Falls' Largest White One One member of the audience said a businessman declared the problem comes down to the question "How can I cheat my way out of it? I have to skim to take a vacation." It's a discouraging attitude, Baucus conceded. The town meeting dwelled briefly on what must be done to implement a flat tax where assessments would be made against either the gross or net income of businesses and individuals.

People at the meeting generally were in accord with the flat tax concept. Baucus focused on one aspect of the problem Congress faces. No matter who is elected president, he said, budget action is likley only in the first six months of the new administration. After that, there will be more congressional elections coming and these will bring more concessions which will only serve to slow the budget process. Whitaker Before that, Meyer served three terms in the House representing a southeastern Great Falls district.

He served as a lobbyist for Cascade County in the 1983, drawing lavish praise from Whitaker. A native of Inverness, Meyer said he has a well-rounded background as, an oil jobber, farm implement dealer and farmer before moving to Great Falls, where he at one time ran Montana Auto College. "You have to be able to work with people," Meyer said. "Just being a bureaucrat all your life doesn't help you at all," he reported, in an apparent jab at Whitaker. Meyer said the county must solve its dilemma of funding the district courts, which have been in the red for the past several years.

He questioned Whitaker's idea of a state takeover of the state courts here. "It's still coming out of the taxpayer's pocket," Meyer said. "There's got to be a workable solution to it," he said. Kidney fund hits $38,500 By SHIRLEY HICKS For the Tribune WOLF CREEK Well-wishers have raised nearly $38,500 to help Marilyn Peterson undergo a kidney transplant. The original goal in the "Help Marilyn" fund had been set at $20,000.

Several weeks of fund-raising activities culminated Saturday in an auction and dance at the Country Inn at the Dearborn Exit of Interstate 15 south of Cascade. What began as a Wolf Creek community effort quickly grew into a wide-area event throughout central Montana. An estimated 5,000 people attended the all-day affair Saturday. Participants included Gov. Ted Schwinden, who donated a print to the auction.

Peterson and her husband, Jerry, fought back tears as they thanked the well-wishers who had contributed to the successful fund drive. Jerry Peterson called the community interest "the best medicine" his wife could have received. The couple has lived in the community for about eight years. Mrs. Peterson formerly lived in Great Falls under her maiden name of Cherpeski.

She expects to undergo the kidney transplant at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, this spring. Although she would like to wait until her children are out of school for the summer, the surgery may be sooner. The auction on Saturday brought $14,500 to the fund. About 500 items went on the auction block. Stan Howe was auctioneer.

Everett Hicks and Bill Allen worked the auction arena for more than 10 hours. ters alike will be stretched by recent federal "caps" put on Medicare services, he said. Further problems may come if the state Legislature decides to require hospitals to charge all patients Medicare and private the same fee for the same operation, he said. While the idea has merit and ought to be tried, a rushed approach could be a severe jolt to hospitals, McMahon said. The federal government has recently authorized state governments to put the all-payers fee plan into effect.

For their part, doctors and hospital administrators need to curb some duplicate tests and procedures, he said. "It would certainly be nice if each physician could pretend he was responsible personally for every health care dollar that was being spent" when he ordered services. McMahon is head of the Montana Foundation for Medical Care, which oversees the quality of medical care in the state. Asked later how doctors can reduce duplicative procedures without fear of malpractice suits, McMahon said he thinks a physician who consciously practices good medicine could stay clear of suits and still reduce some procedures such as tests. new nursing homes have been made, he said.

These come at a time when patient levels are dropping in hospitals and nursing home populations are static. "It's time to turn on the yellow light, a time for caution" in handling the requests, he said. Concern over the plight of the poor and elderly especially in light of recent caps and cuts on federally-subsidized health care service was emphasized by Dr. John McMahon, a Helena doctor. McMahon drew many questions from the audience after a blunt summary of Montana health care that found much to criticize in federal Medicare and Medicaid management.

McMahon said he feels health care is already "rationed" in the United States because of funding cuts in Medicare and Medicaid payments for services with rising costs. While the United States can't afford a "blanket medical program" and should require payments by patients who can afford it, the present 11 percent of its national budget that health care costs the government may not be high enough, McMahon said. McMahon said a number of Montana hospitals may be in "severe financial trouble" in coming years: small rural hospitals and larger cen Water Video and Sfide Show by ROB LESSER of the notion's TOP KAYAKERS Tuesday, April 17,7 P.M. Refreshments Door Prizes By GWINN DYRLAND Tribune Staff Writer The man on the street, the government and private companies have to become shrewd consumers in a health-care system too many are taking for granted, a series of speakers told a Great Falls audience Monday. Guests at a conference on "Controlling Health Care Costs" appeared to agree the United States is at a "crossroads," facing increasingly unaffordable health care or a loss of quality if it doesn't curb costs.

The conference was co-sponsored by the Montana Chamber of Commerce and Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont. "What consumers and purchasers need to know is how they can spend less on hospital fees, doctors' care and drugs without lowering the quality," Barbara Warden, of the National Consumers League, told the audience of about 150. Warden said that in 1982 dollars, health costs that averaged $503 per-person in 1950 jumped to $776 in 1965 and $1,365 in 1983. In brief remarks to the conference, Gov.

Ted Schwinden said that state agencies were seeing a "ballooning" of requests for state certificates of need that permit construction of new medical facilities. About $30 million in requests for approval of medical facilities and six Stokes files Businesswoman Diane Stokes filed Monday as a Libertarian candidate in House District 36 in northcen-tral Great Falls. She will face two well-known Great Falls politicians in the general election, veteran Democratic Rep. Paul Pistoria and former city and county commissioner John St. Jer-main, a Republican.

Stokes, 42, 1823 2nd Ave. employees two persons in her small business, Good Help House Cleaning Service. Born and reared in Valier, she lived in California before moving back to Great Falls three years ago. Travis files as Libertarian for House ZOOM. COLOR.

VALUE. Now Canon gives you a multiple choke. Outdoor Specialty Store" VALUE! 1 For the first time an economy copier gives you a continuous range of reductions and enlarge ments -from 65 to 142 Stokes said she is running for the Legislature for the same reason she joined the Libertarian Party: "to cut down on bureaucracy, so people can enjoy the ideas that are country was founded on: peace, propserity and freedom." One of her main issues will be a pledge to vote against any new form of taxes, Stokes said. She said she views the Democratic and Republicans as "virtually the same" and offering voters no choice. Both major parties advocate government waste through unnecessary programs, she ZOOM! For the first time in the economy copier class, you can copy in black, brown and blue.

COLOR! And for the first time, you can get 15 copies a minute up to 11" and great optional features, all at a great price. for area House seat COMMUMCATEM COLOR. CanonsyPERiOR PLAIN PAPER COPIER HI ISl IV F.SS IIM EQUIPMENT 1001 Central Avenue Phone 727-7462 '4 fT-- Geraldine CAiih. Travis Former Rep. Geraldine Travis has filed for election as a Democrat in House District 33, expanded this year to include not only Malmstrom Air Force Base but rural and suburban areas to the east and south of town.

Travis is one of three Democratic candidates vying for the chance to defeat Republican incumbent John Phillips, who is unopposed. Also running are Democrats Orville "Bill" Chigbrow and David Brewer. Travis, 52, 5413 6th Ave. represented the base district in the 1975 legislative session, but was defeated for the seat while running as a Democrat in 1976 and 1980 and as an independent in 1982. She said she's running to provide fair, effective and balanced represen said.

Stokes said she will register voters door-to-door in her campaign, and ask voters what issues they think is important. The Libertarian Party fielded its first legislative candidate in Great Falls two years ago. Duncan Scott received 345 votes in the Senate race, well behind Democrat Dick Manning, with 2,442 votes, and Jesse O'Hara, with 1,904. However, he spent little time in Great Falls campaigning. Instead he campaigned statewide for an initiative.

tation for the newly expanded district. "I consider this an entirely new ballgame (with) different field and ground rules." she said, since candidates weren't allowed to campaign when the district was made up solely of the base. In fact, she said she ran as independent in 1982 because so many of the base residents were apolitical. A housewife, Travis has been a member of the Montana Advisory Committee to the U.S. Civil Rights Commission since 1973.

She also served on the governor's Board of Crime Control from 1975 to 1979. Travis said she got three bills passed in the 1975 session to help Malmstrom personnel and retired military. IMPRESSIONS WITH COLOR FREE MAKE UP ANALYSIS with your color analysis. Have you been color analyzed? Do it now before you buy for spring summer, it lasts a lifetime. Give your Image self esteem a boost for spring.

Most thorough professional individual analysis available! Call Bettle Struck, 452-6430. BELIEVE IT IT'S TRUE But only at Montana Mattress jTVALUES TO 600 MEETINGS PUBLIC NOTICES POSTING BOARD Record heat in Great Falls Monday's 82 degrees was the warmest April 16 on record in Great Falls, with records going back to 1892. The previous record for April 16 was 81 degrees, set in 1926. The record was tied before 2 p.m. Monday and, at 2:45 p.m., the new mark went into the books.

Helena also chalked up a new temperature record, while an existing record was tied in Missoula. Helena recorded a 79 to erase the 78-de-gree mark set in 1926, while Missoula tied the 81-degree mark set in 1936. According to forecasters at the National Weather Service's State Forecast Center here, today will be warm but not a record-breaker. It will have to beat the 82-degree mark of April 17, 1936, to get into the history books. This morning's low is expected to be 48, with a high of 78.

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