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Show THE SALT LAKE TIMES FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 1976 Page Two States Have Greater Voice THE SALT LAKE TIMES UTAHS Combined with The Salt Lake Mining & Legal News FEARLESS at Salt Lake City, Utah Class Postage Iaid at Salt Lake City, Utah Published Every Friday Second INDEPENDENT 711 South NEWSPAPER In-Titl- . West Temple Telephone Salt Lake City, Utah 84101 GLENN BJORNN, Publisher 364-846- 4 Number 38 -- All Must Act to Solve Utahs Medical Insurance Problem (continued from page 1) companies offering coverage in Utah have found it necessary to raise the cost of that insurance in the past year. There is ho one single cause for the problem. A new awareness of consumers' rights combined with a new eagerness to sue on th part of the public is one cause. Many believe that the new lawsuits are being encouraged by some lawyers who may collect up to 50 percent of the award in a malpractice case under their contingency fee arrangement, which means they are paid not depending on how much time they put in on the case, but by how large an award they get for their client. The medical profession acknowledges that there are some cases of negligence, of medical malpractice. "Mistakes are made," Dr. Howard G. McQuarrie, president of the Utah State Medical Association, said. "Our objective is to work with the other segments of Utah society involved, which is everyone, to develop a that both the doctors and hospitals have professional liability insurance available at a reasonable rate, and that victims of medical malpractice system providing e, income-relate- d fee-schedu- le October 1, 1975, Federal support of social services began On operating under provisions of Title XX of the Social Security Act, which was enacted in January of this year. Under the new program, states make many major decisions on social services that in the past were made at the Federal level. Another major change is that services now may be furnished to people with incomes up to 80 of a ' states median (adjusted for family of median size), and up to 115 income in special circumstances. Broadening the scope of the services program was done in order to provide help to the working poor. Surveys have indicated that many working people receive lower incomes than some people supported by public welfare, The Foundation noted. Five basic aims are set forth in Title XX and must be followed by the states in plans supported by Title XX funds. These aims are: 1) to help people become and remain 2) to help people to take care of themselves physically; 3) to protect both children and adults who cannot protect themselves from abuse and exploitation; 4) to prevent and reduce unnecessary institutional care by providing home and community services; and 5) to arrange for appropriate institutional care when it is genuinely needed. . , so-call- ed . fees to states for services, leaving the the applicadecide some details in tion of the program. Utah charges no fees to service recipients who are supported by public welfare or whose gross annual income is below $6,000 for a family of four with adjustment for family size. From the $6,000 (adjusted) level to the level of 80 of median income ($10,272 for a family of four at the present time) sliding-scal- e fees are charged. Between the $10,272 level and the upper limit of 115 of median income ($14,772 for a family of four) services in Utah are furnished only in cases involving developmental disability" mental andor physical handicaps. There are not fees or eligibility requirements for two services, the information ahd referral service to help people find needed assistance, and protective services to preserve children and adults from abuse. Utah will prepare a new Title XX . plan each year, as will other states, and welfare officials expect to effect many improvements on the basis of operating experience. Congress has appropriated $2.5 billion annually for the Title XX program, and money is apportioned among the states primarily on the basis of population. Federal funds of the costs for all provide 75 services except family planning, which is 90 Federally funded. are funds Matching put up by the local with states, participation and some contributions from private organizations. Utah's allocation for the first year under Title XX is $13.75 million, but the state's first operational plan is for only nine months, from October 1, 1975 when the program went into effect, until June 30, 1976. The Federal Government is shifting to an fiscal accounting period next year, while Utah will continue y fiscal year. on a No Federal agency will many any sliding-scal- self-supportin- g, S the XX Social Services Utah has substantially more control over its Federally-supporte- d program of social services than in the past, and the program has been broadened in an avowed aim to help more people become and remain it is noted in a research report released this week by Utah Foundation, the private, nonprofit public service agency. "This publication is not owned or controlled by any party, cbm, clique, faction or corporation. Volume 55 e self-supportin- g; are fairly compensated," he said. The doctors, then, must take more time to talk with their patients. We have a responsibility to create an Each state must provide at least awareness in our patients that doctors are not miracle one service specifically directed at men and that we cannot cure everything all the time as each of these goals, and must at we see on television." Dr. McQuarrie said. "The doctors provide least three services for people receiving public welfare, judgement of state have the responsibility to more fully inform patients of both Federally (for adults) and Federal but inspection teams plans, the nature of their illnesses and injuries, of alternative state- - (for children) administered. will study and evaluate state plans these requirements, states treatments available, of the probable results of the Beyone have broad latitude in the services in actual operation. It is expected it will be two or three years various treatments, of the possibilities of success and they provide, in order to meet local that before such a study is made in and needs. failure, and of the possible result of no treatment at conditions Utah. Utahs program has been in States may the service October-to-Octob- er July-to-Jul- on-pape- all." And the doctors have the responsibility to better police themselves and make certain that continuing education is a part of every doctors life. We want to rid the medical profession of those few bad apples and do everything possible to minimize the actual instances of malpractice," he said. "The lawyers have the responsibility to make an objective appraisal of their role in the medical malpractice insurance problem and to work with us to find a way to protect their clients' rights that does not, at the same time, aggravate a dangerous and harmful situation," Dr. McQuarrie said. In large measure, the answers to the Utah medical insurance problem are going to be determined by the Utah State Legislature. The medical association is preparing a series of bills for submission to the Legislature's Budget Session next January dealing with the various aspects of the problem. The Utah Legislatures Joint Committee on Social Services has appointed a Medical Malpractice Subcommittee which has already held hearings on the problem. The legislative process is well under way. Governor Rampton has also appointed a citizens advisory committee on the all-import- ant problem. Legislation that the medical association will propose allows for better of the profession, limits lawyers contingency fees, limits the amount of awards to be paid from one source, thus allowing the doctors to carry lower coverage, sets up a professional panel to preliminarily screen complaints of alleged malpractice to determine if there is a case before the expense of going self-polici- ng vary offerings in different geographical areas where needs may vary. Title XX permits the charging of r" operation too short a time for any qualitative judgment to be attempted, the Foundation pointed out. ISASSD GRAPEVINE Sandy Citys first planner has been fired after two months on the job for what city officials call a hard line approach toward devel- landopers. Herbert Scheiter a scape architect formers of Seattle ' Wash, was terminated Dec 19 during his probationary period. Sandy City Administrator James Ash cited several reasons for the dismissal including Schreiters re- quiring developers to improve sites beyond demands of existing city ordinances. Ash said the city was threatened with lawsuits by several developers during his employment. Mayor Elect Ted Wilson said this week that his plan to put a proposal form of governfor a mayor-counc- il in ment on the ballot November has other hit its first major obstacle-th- e commissioners.The opposition dty took shap as three of the commissioners took stands against such a proposal at least without through study which they said will prohibit getting the issue on next years ballot. Commissioner Jennings Phillips said there is no way a complete study of governmental alternatives can be completed by November and he does not want the city to jump into something without through study. A bill to eliminate sales tax on prescription drugs was prefiled this week in the Utah House of Representatives. Under provisions of the measure all sales of prescription drugs sold by a licensed apothecary and all sales of prosthetic devices would be exempt from the tax. The measure was prefiled by Rep. Dale Mitchell of Salt Lake. Also prefiled this week was a bill allowimg time limits to be set on water rights. Rep Edison Stephens is sponsor of this legislation which significantly changes historic rules governing appropriation of water in Utah. to court is incurred, modifies the rules oF "informed consent" and the statute of limitations, and prohibits the asking of an award of millions of dollars when the Salt Lake City Mayor Conrad B Harrison will leave office this next week as he entered office as an appointee. Mayor Harrison became a Salt Lake City Commissioner in know the that involved is amount recoverable persons 1960. On Jan 5, Harrison will be much less. replaced by Mayor Elect Ted And finally the public must become informed Wilson in formal swearing in ceremonies. Ted Wilson defeated concerning the problem, how it affects them and the cost Mayor Harrison in the general of their medical care. "Frankly, the public must lower election Nov4. Mayor Harrison was its expectations concerning medical care. Not all illnesses appointed Mayor to the mayors when Jake Garn became a or all injuries can be completely cured or repaired. When post senator. In the interim period of a doctor sayd the result of a treatment may be time Mayor Harrison has been city to winning something, he is not saying it will be," according to Dr. commission that post just before being appointMcQuarrie. Patients pay for the doctor's best efforts, ed mayor. not for a cure. An attorney general's dial Where thousands of listeners enjoy concert music and news every day! opinion has been requested to determine if the State Board of Examiners has control of salaries and promotions of legislative aides. State Personnel Director Edward Himstreet was directed to obtain the opinion last week after he wrote a letter to the examiners concerning the problem. Himstreet said salary actions submitted by the Legislatures various offices do not conform with waiting periods outlined in the State Classification and Compensation Administration Act. He also said promotional policies dont coincide with those approved by the examiners for classified employes in state service. |