Abilene Reporter-News from Abilene, Texas • Page 16

2-R HE ABILENE RKPORTER-NEWS Abilene, Texas, Sunday Morning, July 12, 1970 MEDICARE, MEDICAID BLAMED Texas' Country Hospital in Trouble By JIM BRIGANCE Associated Press Writer Medicare and medicaid were envisioned as a bandage to cover the financial ills of the state's elderly sick and the indigent- medicare for those 65 and over and medicaid for those younger but poor. But with the closing and threatened closing of many small hospitals, the bandage has uuv wl come unraveled, exposing a 24 hours a day wound of resentment among doctors, nurses and the patients and The of government regulations but EDITOR'S NOTE The country hospital in Texas has been it's going to cause im- Ihe mainstay for thousands of the stale's rural patients. But problems, now the patients may be forced to (ravel many miles for hos- "Yes, there will probably be pital treatment because some hospital administrators say they overcrowding of the larger hos- can't meet medicare and medicaid demands pitals--more so than there is now. And 1 think there will be stiffer requirements to get into he explained. Granbury now with a doctor on auuul LI1U11 ILUCa.

TTI1C1C WC iWVIV JMUCTIIS mil. UI UMi has a clinic two hospitals we're now going hospitals so that the sicker ones standby call to have one overcrowded one," can get in," he said. The hospital had been in op she said. "We're just enforcing the oration since 1945, and Ballard rules and regulations," said Jim said it has been operating at a Bray, dcputv regional medicare they serve. Hospitals at Commerce Granbury have closed.

Theiflie doctors making up an an- certainly dispute nny the- aismai. Groesbeck hospital has stopped; nual deficit of $40,000 to $50,000. my that medicare feels small ls le roflt SOT lne medicare patients. "I agree that any hospital hospitals are just first-aid cen- Hospitals--less than 10 per, administrators and should have the best and most ters. On the contrary, we have admitting medicare Hospital administrators i loss for lite past four years with representative.

doctors making up an an- certainly dispute nny the- 6 nui-ses say the problem lies with what they call the stern, unbending application of govern modem care available. But it's worked to help keep them in an idealistic approach anrt now business and we've bean lenient leaves our people with no hos ment rules for hospital facilities pital at all," Ballard said, goes by we eventually have to and supervision. "IVe'rn oninp tn if wp ran't (iwisinnK hp sairl he added. and supervision. Government authorities counter by saying the problem is that proper hospital care and equipment has been ignored too long.

The situation appears to be at an impasse. for a long time. But as time going to see if we can't make decisions," he s'aid. create a hospital district here. But, meanwhile, I'd say the people are very upset." At Commerce, a college town, Dr.

Dennis Short chose to close Ihc city's 20-bed hospital. "We patient. We want them to have Rray satd medicare rules are applied with equal force and in- eipretation to al! hospitals. TMr ''Our main concern is for the accessible to the poor weren't forced to--it was an thing. There just wasn't Texas has 170 hospitals which any sense in going on," he said.

would have their medicare programs terminated "if we had strict adherence to standards," I I IU i a I I ajSLCIll 1 says Mrs. Martha McSteen, re- cost $15,000 and they wanted us gional medicare representative, giunai i i a i i a i i nui vyui to discount accusations of too roll now is running about $9,000 much strictness. She said (he Department of Health, Education and Welfare (HEW) has been "extremely tolerant in enforcing strict adherence" to medicare guidelines for small hospitals. "The rules are too says Dr. G.

Ballard, operator of the 22-bed Granbury General Hospital which closed in June. "Medicare is a lot of bureaus and department heads who hare the idea we're just a first-aid center. The people in Hood 1 County are veiy upset." Ballard, who operated the hospital along with Drs. R. N.

Rawls and B. R. Haley, said, "We just can't afford to comply with all their rules." Ballard said medicare officials insisted the small hospital inslall a fire sprinkler system certain standard of care. As 'or the hospital closings--it won't present any problems to us. It will be more of an inconvenience to the patients, I suppose," he said.

Van Rush, another medicare spokesman, said it "comes down whether you're going to have every four weeks and we just good medical care. We have a an't make it," he said. responsibility to administer the "They (medicare) wanted us add a lot of expensive equipment. A sprinkler system would lave to do--they're just cnforc ng the laws. They've been very iml to us but that won't keep he hospital open.

I've had this hospital since 196L and it was a irivate hospital for many years ttfore (that). The building is old and it wouldn't be sound to )ut a lot of expensive modifica- ions in an old building like this. Right now it's for sale and I'm ready for a buyer," Short said. He said patients who would standby power plant, could have and done, except that to have more nurses. Our pay- If there are any concluded, because of stinginess "Medicare is doing what they changes they'll have to come by the stales in setting eligibili- this and it's bad for the elderly people especially.

If an elderly person has to drive many miles to visit his wife or husband, stay in a hotel and so forth, it's going to work a real hardship," she said. "There are two registered nurses living in Groesbeck," "Our liftlc hospilal here was Cox said, "and one just retired and a "which we would have next January we were going to be required to have 24-hour registered nursing services and so far that's been an impossibility. "We could have stayed open another six months but it just wouldn't be worth it. We'd just have to close in January anyway," he said. Ballard said the acute short age of registered nurses is the difficulty.

wal 'B me pay is ine-staflaaros are It nearly impossible to get good but it's just hard to get too high and that HEW wanted enough nurses in a small com- nurses to a small town. We have him to implement "non-essen- niunity like this. Most are mar- a ried with small children and it' as good as any you'd find in a small hard to attract them to a small istered nurses on the staff. I been a little more practical 'he hospital. It may mean tak- about their rales.

Where we had ing the sick patients out of the "I do support strict appliea of the rules and I don't hink they should be lenient. Doctors must police doctors," ed, inefficient through revision of the laws." But at Groesbeck, Dr. Stanley ox, owner of the town's 23-bed mspital, charges that medicare standards are "unreasonable and unbending toward lospitals." "They (hospital inspectors) are setting out to shut down many small hospitals in Texas," he said. Cox said inspectors were 'harassing" and threatening to lave entered the Commerce report him to the HEW unless General Hospital will be forced he certain equipment. use the city's other 30-bed "I just got sick and tired of lhe facility.

it all. I knew there was a big "I don't know how they'll do inspection coming and I just it," said Mrs. Theona Cantrell, wanted to get out of the medi a registered nurse. care business," he said. "These medicare rules caused Medicare requires that there a registered nurse on every eight-hour shift and that autopsies be performed on 20 per cent of all who die in the hos pital.

"Ths problem Is the failure of the legislature to vote enough 'or matching funds," he said. i fa lure medicaid across na mn has been dismal. le roflt SOT lne Yets Slate Convention Veterans of World War I will hold their Texas convention for the. third time in a decade in Abilene on July 22-26 at the Windsor Hotel. Department i chairman Ernest B.

Miller, 1266 Peach, said 1,000 members of the 53-year-old organization are expected to attend. Miller said the World War 1 Veterans held conventions here in 1965 and! COTTON EUJS conducts seminar Commodity Seminar Thursday program for Latin American 'teachers was started in 1960. The Monaa y's registration hours when 21 were record for banquet attendance of are 1 1 1 the catn study. A banquet 506 persons, he said. p.m.

Classes will begin Tuesday honor year Ross Qualkinbush of McAllenJ and I 66 0 August 11. Texas publicity chairman, said conducled durmg t)le week Tne visitin teachers take that about 80,000 veterans are I Highlighting the second 1970 three classes, two in Spanish, still alive in Texas out of su mmer session will be two Dr. Treat teaches constitutional 223,000 who were in uniform 0 31 programs-tlie ninth history and Dr. Miller teaches from 1917-19. Latin American Studies the American i The list of Veterans' officials Program and the annual system--both in Spanish.

The tn Bible Teachers Workshop. Latin America tearliprs sn A commodily seminar will be special Nixon task Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at June that the nation's'the Starlite Inn conducted by iealth care system is antiquat- largely in- The blue-ribbon committee uggested the administration should junk the $fi-billion-a-ycar medicaid program in favor of a 100 per cent federally financed health insurance for up to 40 million of the nation's poor. The annual cost for such a program, the team said, would ran from $10 billion to $18 bil- 'ion. Medieaid has failed, the group ty requirements.

"Only about one-third of the 30 to 40 million of indigent and medically indigent who could potentially be covered will in fact services," the report small receive said. One HEW official in Dallas said, "If the people are upset then they should make themselves heard. Through legislation these regulation, and requirements can be changed. We are just enforcing the laws on 'ie books." Last year, Texas Commissioner Burton Hackney 1 hailed medicaid in Texas as a 'proud success." commodity specialist Cotton Ellis, formerly of Abilene. There will be only one session of the seminar and all persons are invited, especially those who have not traded before anil would like to know about successful trading techniques as a i commodities according to Richard Taylor, manager of the Clayton Brokerage Co.

of Fort Worth, sponsor of the seminar. Kills, who will conduct the seminar, was an Abilene High School football letterman in octKioi looLDau leuerman in "cvenue iw-x-ive 1959, 1960 and 1961 as fullback on wiu be llsecl lne The seminar will feature a Jj discussion of fundamental and technical analysis and cover trading. A question and answer period will follow. Summer Session At ACC to Open Registration will begin at 9Haven Miller, a i a a.m. Monday for the second 1970 professor.

at Abilene! 1 JlG SCoSlOri' will end FrkJay, August 14, with summer corn- summer session Christian College. Kirk said about 30 teachers Jlie list of Veterans' officials riugiam aim ium timuuu expected to attend include Texas Bible Teachers Workshop. Latin Commander M.C. Munlin of Coordinator of the Latin take a class in conversational Bloomington, the next nationnl American Studies Program is English. an 1 KMdraivl IlTll'L" DAY Safety Seal Drive to Kick Off The 23rd annual Safety Seal or that of your neighbor's.

If you dean "nt Drive' will be kicked off Monday haven't thought about safety or avi( Ljp; com College by members of Taylor County practiced it ivi.v mi. Chapter SC, Disabled American'start now?" other places. A special trip to Houston aiul visit with Mayor Welch also is scheduled. The Bible Teachers Workshop, scheduled July 20-23, features main speeches and classes for 'Bible school teachers. Featured speaker each night in Moody Coliseum-Auditorium will be Veterans, with the delivery collection of Garland D.

ana Safety Seals.l Jonas, chapter commander, announced. Revenue received in the drive the Eagle team. He received his sabl bachelor and master degrees with such items as 'hospital from Texas Tech and now is a beds, wheel chairs, ambulance registered representative of (lie service, bus fares to Veterans Fort Worth office of Brokerage Co. By the Numbers LOS ANGELES (AP) To spare the judge's sensitive ears, four-letter words involved in a court case Have to Clayton Administration i a medical needs and emergency medical needs and emergency "wvetne TM mionai, some- sdleduled 27-Augtm 14 is loans. The funds' also will aid t'mes called middle-class, antip- Teaching Arithmetic in the ree 'y vetera Taylor Counly officer (also expressions relating to sex, to such subjects as capilal rA JJChapter welfare rcquircments, market jargon, margin and leverage and margn an everage an opportunities and risks ot to buy food lodging, bus fare, medicine and other necessities.

Only personnel approved bj DAV officials of the local from our staff." town- and better than "We didn't lose money on it There is a shortage of (medicare)," he explained, "but nurses and I suppose the main it's just the harassment of reason is that most are wives knowing you can't come up to and mothers and their husbands certain standards they set for work in big cities: Tb pay is the- standards are but it's just hard to get too high and that HEW wanted ws to a small town. We have him to implement "non-essen- licensed vocational nurse tials and stuff we won't ever around the clock and four reg- need here." Dr. Walter Walthall, president a ur. waiter waitnan presidenl town. Besides there are hardly think it's bad we have to close of the Texas Medical Associa- enough to go around in the big and think medicare could have tion, supports strict application THE TEXAS POLL Texans Not Sympathetic With Student Protests To four by Or.

C.Thoitwon, M.D. (chapter will deliver Safety Seals and collect for them, Jonas said. iKach representative will be provided with a letter of authorization signed by chapter officials for identification. 1 Headquarters for the Safety Seal drive will be at the chapter house at 2555 Grape. Informa- Myelitis Can Result From Many Causes on the drive may be obtained 'ice Commander hen-ill, Adjutant ones or Executive Committee member James Ceilings.

The slogan for the campaign "Accidents Don't Just Happen is Accidents uon'i just Happen Dear I)r. Thosleson: Would that the male sperm can live for rhe Are Caused," Jonas you write about myelitis? Is it a llp lo lwo weBks in tne said. "If that slogan were disease or an ailment? Can it be body' Mv doctor told mp this ad )te 3 by all of us and really trotted between persons? 'V an a lie(I rtrmri sur local treatment is prescribed? before ollce department could help i are the consequences lo spared the task of KXted? F.E.M. av( rHpfi up after ghastly! NEW DEL! transmitted between persons? Whal What expected? F.E.M. Myelitis is an inflammation of he spinal cord.

There is no ingle cause of it. Commonest is i(TOlrallll A a virus polio, rabies, herpes, cneek snowed a blood By JOE nii-ector, The T.esas Toll Scant sympathy with student anti-war protests is reflected among the general public in this stale in a survey completed by the Texas Poll following the worst incidents yet on American campuses, the killing ot several students at Kent Slate University and Jackson Slate College. Large majorities of Texans believe: 1. That the student movement to end the war will neither shorten nor lengthen the fighting. 2.

That the National Guard should be called by college authorities when they think it is necessary. 3. That the police or thc Guard should carry loaded guns when dealing with student unrest. So, despite the great division in public opinion that the Cambodian operation allegedly created, and despite (lie shock waves that swept the nation following the National Guard's shooting down of students, when heads are actually counted, most people agree on stem action lo control student unrest. These conclusions are based on a sampling of 956 adults interviewed across the state a few weeks ago.

The first question asked was, "Do you believe the current student protests against the war in Vietnam will help shorten the war, lengthen it, or will it make any difference?" sixty per cent believe it will make no difference, 26 per cent say it will shorten the war, and 8 per cent say it will lengthen It. Six per cent were undecided. Interviewers then asked, "When student demonstrations get out of hand, do you think colleges should limit themselves to using (he local police, or should they call the National Guard when Ihoy think it is necessary? An overwhelming 79 per cent are for calling the Guard, while only 13 per cent would limit the action to the local police. Three per cent are opposed lo using force, and 5 per cent expressed no opinion. Lastly, people were asked, "Do you think the police or national guard should or should not carry loaded guns when dealing with student demonstrations?" Seventy-one per cent approved of loaded guns, 22 per cent do not, and 7 per cent are undecided.

Young Texas adults under 25, while more sympathetic with the student movement than older people, lean in tne same direction and with almost the same weight iis the general public on these issues. Among people under 25,14 per cent say the student protests will shorten the war, 20 per cent would call only the local police, and 35 per cent would not permit loaded guns. But Ihis breakdown shows how close majority opinion is among all age groups. Per cent who say protests will make no difference: Under 25 59 25 to 34 61 35 to 53 50 to 64 58 65 or older 62 Per cent who would call the National Guard: Under 25 78 25 to 34 75 35 to 49 83 51) to 64 78 65 or older 79 Per cent who would allow loaded guns: Under 25 go 25 to 34 73 35 1049 50 lo 64 73 85 nr older 74 Analysis of the results by many other groups turns up only one that fails to register a majority along the lines shown by the age breakdowns above: among the black population 47 per cent approve of loaded guns, svhile 45 per cent disapprove, and 8 per cent are undecided. This Texas Poll was conducted between May 29 and June 1970, by personally interviewing 956 adults in rural areas and cities of all sizes across the slate.

The Poll Is conducted by Beldcn Assoclales and supported by the newspapers that publish Its results. I ir others. Infection of some other type can be responsible; abcesses, for example. Or such nfeetinn.5 as syphilis or uberculosis can be responsible. some instances, no specific can be determined.

In- ury can be responsible. It the infection is of a type liat can be transmitted (as polio), it is possible to pass i long to others. But that does ot automatically mean that the myelitis also i be ransmitted. With many causes, there must je many treatments, and if the underlying infection is one for rbich we have effective drugs, prime ibviously combatting nfection becomes the basis of treatment. It a virus which we can do itlle or nothing to combat is at the root of the trouble or if tie cause cannot be determined, he only course is to treat the symptoms (pain, etc.) until the body's defenses mobilize itippress the cause.

Myelitis is not a simple condition. About 40 per cent of cases may show some residual leurological damage, such as impairment of memory muscle weakness. Dear fit. Thosleson: I have some hysterectomy questions When the uterus has been removed but not the ovaries where does an ovum go, since ii can't go to the uterus? After a hysterectomy, Is lo douch intercourse? V.I,. Remember that an ovum Ls through the peritoneal lining.

Second question: (a) no; (b optional but not necessary. Tlie average life of the sperm 72 hours (three days) and that if the ovum 48 hours. Dear Dr. Thosleson: A recent sugar evel or 122. My doctor said 80 to 20 was normal and suggestec liat I reduce my sugar anc intake.

In your column you indicated hat alcohol lowers the blood sugar level. Since I consume around four bottles of beer laily, would this increase or decrease my blood-sugar J.M. Excessive intake of alcohol nay lower blood a i vels--alcoholics sometimes experience episodes of low blood sugar, but that is after considerable drinking a isually in conjunction with pooi nutrition. I wouldn't try to evaluate your )lood sugar reading without knowing when the lest was akcn in relation lo eating, but it obvious that your doctor is concerned over whether yoi may he tending toward diabetes He says to reduce your sugar and carbohydrate intake, so do so. You will be wise lo ciirlai the beer, which otherwise wil play its part in increasing your sugar.

blood sugar--a puzzler jntil correctly identified--i: headaches, visual and emotions disturbances. To loam how i can be Identified and brought under control, write to Dr Thosteson in care of you newspaper for a copy of hi It Hypoglycemia," enclosing necessary lo douche (a) for self-addressed, stamnet a i (b) aflei envelope and 25 cents in coin cost of printing an cover handling. Dr. Thosleson welcomes al very liny particle, microscopic reader mail but' regrets that in size. merely drops into the due lo Ihc Ircmendous 'volumi abdomen and is absorbed received daily, he is unable answer Individual Readers' questions are Incor porated Inlo his column when Dtu Dr.

TbosteMfl: Is It (rue Field numbers. 'I have the traditional, some- no 'j Director for the annual event is Dr. Carl Bredieen, ACC associate professor of Bible. Students select courses from more than 200 subjects for study (luring the July 14 session. In addition, the Department oE Education is, offering several three-week courses.

Scheduled July 13-July' 31 are Production of Instructional Media, I of Teaching (Elementary) and cib-Econoniic Information. athy to the use of Anglo-Saxon officer), in assisting stranded menl," Superior Court Judge Education veteraas who do not have funds TM- Robert H. Patton explained director. Elementary Gradss. Dr.

Orval Filbeck, professor and head of lhe Department of Is summer session here as he undertook to de cide if the Ixis Angeles Community College District was justified in firing Deena Metzger for reading allegedly obscene poem to her English class. The judge had each word numbered in the 330-word, poem, "Jehovah's Child," and had attorneys refer by number to any word that might bring a blush. Mrs. Metzger, 31, was fired from Valley College last year by district trustees, who called her "inappropriate, offensive 1 irreligious." ACC enrolled 1,108 for the first 1970 summer session. Judge Denies Claim Mai-shall Mrs lzger said poem was intended to show how MIAMI (AP) Industrial Claims Charles T.

Bran- liam Jr. has denied a request for workman's compensation by George Smyers, a 32- year-old lifeguard, who was shot last August near the concessions stand on the beach. Branham said Smyers' rela- meanings depend on their context and said that students werei allowed to leave the room if they chose. The trustees asked Jtionship with the pretty blonde jr P'ife of his assailant, Charles the court to determine if the dis missal was justified. began when Smyers treat- Mi's.

Carr for a sting from a Portuguese man of war. Hut the relationship "rapidly developed "We up ask that into a personal friendship, which' was closer and more personal than the nor- jmal relationship between a life arize Judo DELHI (AP) Mem-'guard and a battler," Branham bers of Parliament are to bc! sa everyone given lessons in judo-- wiin lhe! Branham said the shooting his local iwlice and the blessing of Prime Minister Indi-jwas a result ot a jealous rage, I American Veterans in ra Gandhi, according to G.sjand not motivated by, nor relat- Abilene and Taylor Swell, speaker of the lower cd to, Smyers' employment a safer place for its house. In a letter lo Swell, Mrs.i Assl. Dado County Ally. Tim said she hopes the intcr-jAbhott said the decision would Be sure to watch for little est by parliamentarians will keep the county from having to Lykes on bikes.

The life you save help to popularize judo all over pay "several thousand dollars" be that of your own child India. in workman's compensation LETTER TO SERVICEMEN Even News Vacufi In West Texos Dear Johnny: Ho hum! It is the hot summertime in West Texas, that part of the year designed for swimming, fishing, loafing and doing as little in the way of work as possible. After a busy July 4th week end, even the news was on a mini-vacation. Taylor Countians did find the energy, on a day the mercury soared to the century mark, to break ground on the new county courthouse. Members of the commissioners court manned spades tor the ceremonial dirt-lurning at the soulhside site, across the street from the courthouse that has served the county since 1914.

And city councilmen, whether or not they had the energy in all this heat, had to put their minds to work on the new city budget The spending proposals for 1970-71, total of $10.5 million, were described as "tight." Councilmen were still going over them at the end of the week to decide for themselves the proper uses for local (ax dollars. Bank deposits in Taylor County's eight banks were off a half-million dollars from the totals a year ago, according lo condition reports given by the financial Institutions Ihis week in response to "calls for such data from national and stale fiscal agencies Thc deposils were up about $4 million from the totals at (he last call, at the end of April, but were down about million from the levels at mid-year Current deposits in all eight banks come to $187 on Loans stand at $U6 million, up a million- plus from the tirsl quarter and up two million-plus from a year ago. Insurance costs are going up again. Abilene homeowners will pay about 20 per cent higher premiums on their homes as policies expire after July according to figures released this week by the Texas Insurance Commission. The hike is in extended coverage rates.

On thc local business front there Was this news in recent days-a second Mitchell's- Leonard's store wHI soon be constructed here. One of tlie facililics, department store auto center, is under construction in the Mppwood Shopping Center on Mockingbird. The second will built in Brookhollow Shopping Center And the Bank of Commerce announced Ihis week appointment of Charlie E. Orrcn vice presidenl of the Union Bank of Fort HOC hC Vice resiticnt of Golf tournaments, tied to the July 4th ho iday, and a tennis tournament, one on the Highway SO" schedule, have been under way. hoc, some of us have energy to play games in hot July.

But mostly we have stirred awav from air conditioning only when duty demanded. rTM Wt is lwo enterprising Cooper High studcnls, David Cullom and r' 80 TM" 1 Tllcsc lwo woro responsible foi the funniest stoiy of the week. They took a revolutionary pelition" about town Irving get signalurcs. They asked 56 persons'mA found only one, .1, c. McCurley, who WOK sign the piece.

None of the olhcrs seemed to recognize Hie document Hie bovs were fT? ew lays pilst 4t II tne U.S. Declaration of Independence And that is the way things have been Keep cool 11 PO a WiUl yoj.