The Daily News Leader from Staunton, Virginia • 1

Friday August 13, 2004 The Daily News Leader Vol. 114, No. 196 Inside Today Serving Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County 50 www.newsleader.com unds increase for OB care eciica idf Medicaid i 1 m- i L- i i Some doctors leave to practice in other states By Cindy Corellstaff aorellnewsleader.com HARRISONBURG Doctors who deliver babies to low-income moms will receive more money from Medicaid reimbursements after Sept. 1 thanks to an emergency regulation issued by Gov. Mark Warner.

Warner made the announcement Thursday morning at Rockingham Memorial Hospital. "This is one step in confronting another crisis in an issue that has been quietly building for some time," Warner said. doctors began leaving to practice in other states, Warner said. The cost of malpractice insurance rates continue to rise, aggravating the situation. "Physicians are deciding they can't make a living delivering babies," the governor said.

Legislators, health care leaders and patient advocates joined state officials in the administration's Working Group on Rural Obstetrical Care to recommend changes. The groups recommendation was a 44.9 percent increase to match the level set by Medicare. The group's full report is expected Oct. 1. The issue will continue to be confronted when the General Assembly reconvenes in January, Warner said.

Patrick W. Finnerty, director of the state Department of Medical Assistance Services, said the move is not only morally responsible, but also fiscally responsible because pre-natal care is as important as the delivery services. The governor agreed. "We're making sure that you've got the appropriate medical care," he said. The cost of the increase is estimated at $14.4 million, $7.2 million of which will come from the state's general fund.

Warner said 50 percent of all babies delivered in Virginia are through the Medicaid system. In Augusta County, the number of births charged The Associated Press Gov. Mark Warner, center, speaks with Augusta County Delegates Chris Saxman, left, R-20th, and Steve Landes, R-25th, Thursday. ty range remains the same, I think it will alleviate some of the pressure," McMillan said. "That is a very good initial move, but I'd still like to see some changes with malpractice rates." to Medicaid is lower, closer to 30 percent, said Daniel McMillan, an obstetrics physician in Fishersville.

He said the additional funding is good news for doctors. "As long as the eligibili MGTllOul Kids, take the ring Medicaid is a federal program tlVt offers healthcare low-income pregnant women, children, elderly and disabled people. Medicaid reimbursements for obstetrics care will amount to about 80 percent of what doctors would receive from commercial insurance, up from the 60 percent received now. Non-surgical births will be reimbursed $1,502, up from $1,121 currently, and the amount for Caesarian births will increase to $1,702 from $1,502, the governor said. The issue came to the forefront when obstetrics calves County Fair.

All six pee-wees, aged 8 and younger, received blue ribbons even 3-year-old Ryan Larue, who left the ring bawling in his mother's arms halfway through judging. The seniors, who ranged from freshmen in high school to second year in college, were a tougher group to judge. As the group walked around the ring for the third time, this time lead-, ing their competitors' calf, a buzz rose from the Please see SHOW, back page this section I'. '1 A ''V i V-n T- '-v -yM Hi 1 t-A. 1' 1 L.fc.

1 II JF The Associated Press Darren Clarke walks off after finishing the 16th hole during the first round of the PGA Championship. Darren Clarke overcomes obstacles at PGA Details on Page B1 Report examines sexual abuse Details on Page A3 Happening Today Extravaganza STAUNTON The American Red Cross of the Blue Ridge will present its August Extravaganza at 6:30 this evening at Frontier Culture Museum, 1290 Richmond Road. Appetizers, dinner and dessert will be served, there will be music and dancing, and beverages, including beer, wine, soft drinks and water will be available. Tickets may be purchased at the chapter office, 331 N. Central Ave.

Call 886-91 51. Weather 3 Morning showers will give way to intervals of clouds and sunshine today. Partly cloudy tonight. Details, Page A10 Index Abby B7 Classifieds C1-12 Comics Crossword B6 Death Notices A2 Editorial A9 Financial A8 Horoscope B6 Religion, Local A3 Sports B1-5 Our commitment: We correct all errors of fact as soon as we learn of them. Corrections and our policy run daily Copyright 2004 Die Daily News Leader.

Republication without permission prohibited. We print using at least 25 recycled paper fiber and earth- a friendly soy color inks. Daily A7 Potential impact could devastate The Associated Press TAMPA, Fla. About a million residents and tourists were told to evacuate coastal Florida from Key West to north of Tampa ahead of "scary, scary" Hurricane Charley, which officials said could submerge parts of this city's downtown" and other neighboring areas when it hits today. Charley's center was expected to pass west of the Keys early today before hitting the Tampa Bay area with winds up to 120 mph, heavy rain, sporadic tornadoes and a dangerous storm surge, Hugh Cobb, a meteorologist at the National Hurricane Center in Miami, said Thursday.

With winds that high, it would be a Category 3 hurricane, a major; storm. "It does have the potential of devastating impact. This is a scary, scary thing," Gov. Jeb Bush said. Ryan Larue, 3, struggles to pull up his cow's head before the judging of portion of the livestock show Thursday at the Augusta County Fair.

Pee-wees awarded ribbons at showmanship contest 'i -V "-v The Associated Press Eastbound traffic heading toward Tampa, moves slowly, Thursday as people evacuate. Inside Area forecast, A10 Residents from the Tampa Bay area, where the eye is projected to hit, southward to the Naples area were told to expect a storm surge of 10-13 feet. State meteorologist Ben Nelson said the surge could reach up to 16 feet in the Tampa area if Charley hits at 120 mph. Inside School Board meeting report, A3 tary School missed one of 29 benchmarks in the No Child Left Behind assessment, according to preliminary results. The students may transfer to a school that's meeting all the standards they may choose from the two closest.

Stump or Beverley Manor elementary schools. The school system Please see SCHOOL, back page this section Few Riverheads parents consider switching schools Mark MillerThe News Leader the showmanship of Washington, D.C., that is owned by Gannett, which also owns The News Leader. But WUSA will continue to be available in the Staunton market, Boswell said. Both stations will be broadcast from the same Carter Mountain tower as Harrisonburg's WHSV Channel 3, which is also a Please see STATION, back page this section Mark MillerThe News Leader Katie Stogdale, 6, gets advice from Rosalea Riley during the judging. By Bonnie Naumannstaff bnaumannnewsleader.com FISHERSVILLE Chocolate Drop the calf stood sprawl-legged, his head hung sideways, but he was calm as can be.

Katie Stogdale, 6, made sure of that by scratching the tiny Angus cross' belly with the end of her show stick the whole time the pair stood in the ring. Little Katie, in her jeans and plaid blouse, was calm Thursday afternoon as she and other Augus-: ta County youths competed in the showmanship portion of the Augusta New CBS Station not coming to local cable By Jonathan D. Jonesstaff Jjonesnewsleader.com The first of two new network affiliate television stations broadcasting in Charlottesville is set to go on air today. And while it won't be carried on local cable, some area residents might be able to pick up station hits airwaves today School missed benchmark By Jamie Kennedystaff jkennedynewsleader.com FISHERSVILLE One Riverheads Elementary School student will transfer to another school and the parents of two other students are exploring the option, Augusta County Schools Superintendent Gary McQuain said Thursday. Parents have the option to transfer their children from Riverheads because for the second year in a row, Riverheads Elemen- will not be appearing on local cable in the near future.

"There are no plans for making any of those changes in the Staunton market," said Deidre Boswell, Virginia-area marketing manager for Adelphia Cable, which serves Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County. Adelphia customers in Charlottesville will lose WUSA 9. a CBS affiliate out the signal with antennae. WCAV Channel 19 should begin its broadcast of CBS and local programming today, said Bill Varecha, a consultant for Gray Television, Inc. about the launch of WCAV and its sister station WVAW Channel 16 in Charlottesville.

Both stations eventually will be available on cable east of Afton Mountain. But the low power stations mumm. imujm.jMii.ji ji -im-jn mmiumjmu Huge selection of Dining Room, Living Room, Uji'P For all the things "SS and Home Office pieces in stock, tJOU.