OCR Text |
Show April 1985, page 2 In this issue: PIOTINGWS 5... 8-9 Ayatoliah’'s powet.......... 3 Bug CoHlection............5.. 2 Change of address....... 5 Comment Commerts...2 DEDCIC ......25 os ae 4 Founders’ Day................ 4 High eneroy................65. 4 Home hospitality ............ 3 La Dianaeda reunion..1O EyONUCeS............c...20- 9 POFOMEGICS 222i. 1] POPE TIIAG. <snccncar yes ee 10 WSCAA President’s message............ ees 9 RENSCTIONS:. 6-201. 2 Symphony etiquette... 6-7 Young Alumni Day..........9 Reflections Health care values are changing by Dr. Reed M. Stringham, Dean of the School of Allied Sciences Health he theologian, Thomas Aquinas, said, “Man is a valuing animal,” and thus, in this time of major change in health care values we must consider the values we choose with great care. Consistent with the title of this section of COMMENT, I'd like to share with you some of my reflections and the reflections of others concerning (1) some of the forces behind the change; (2) some actions taken as a response to these forces; and finally, (3) some of the possible implications and responses by the School of Allied Health Sciences to this era of new values in health care. The forces causing these changing values seem to be a result of some much larger, general forces affecting our whole nation. John Nesbitt, in his book Megatrends, and others have identified several forces moving our society which have major and direct implica- tions for health care and health care education. In the future, such trends as—the move to a high technology society while still maintaining the human touch—the move away from dependence on institutions to self dependence—the move to more participation by the individuai in determining the laws and rules by which we live—the move to multiple options in everything from health care to mortgage financing, will all impact the way we receive health care. Specific forces affecting health care seem to be a sub-set of these general societal changes. These health care forces include: ©1-The increasing percentage of the population over “65”—they who spend three times as much as the rest of the population for health care and account for 10 percent of the total health care expenditures. ©2-The increasingly loud voice of the consumer in choosing their treatment, their “right” to advanced technology, their right to information about their health, and even their right to die. e3-The promotion of a more Comment Dr. Reed M. Stringham is dean of the School of Allied Health Sciences at WSC. healthful life style—currently 95 percent of the health care dollar is spent covered under the federal on sick care while only five percent is Medicare and Medicaid programs. In addition to this federal initiative spent on prevention. e4-The increasing health to cut health care costs, there were 285 bills passed by state legislatures in care—during the period 1981-83 health care costs rose three times faster than 1983 to curb costs—such actions as setting of hospital rates and family cost the consumer price index, amounting to some 11 percent of the gross na- sharing for nursing among them. cost of tional product. It is this last item, that of increasing health care costs, which prompted a most startling action underscoring the value of cost—the implementation of a system of paying hospitals on the basis of a fixed fee for each category of ilIness rather than the actual costs incur- red. This system affects the 49 million Comments Dear Sirs, In regards to the picture of the Moench Building on 25th street. It was never there. It was where the (four) sisters said—School was across the street from the park and they used to eat their lunches in the park. It was on Jefferson Ave. I was in my last year of college—it was a junior college then, that the Weber Gym (as it was Called then) was opened for use. We didn’t have to pay for the use of gymnasium and the pool. The people here in Ogden could buy memberships to be able to use it. 1 had always wanted to learn to swim and dive and I learned to do both in that pool. We used to reach the gym by walking down a long path to the front of the building (25th Street), and going through a lobby and back into the main part where the gym and pool were. 1 was there the year they dropped off the senior part of the high school. All that some of us needed was geometry and one other subject to finish our high school credential. | remember receiving my high school diploma in 1924. | received my junior college diploma in 1925. The gymnasium was to the right of the: Moench Building. President David O. McKay, in: speaking of the Moench Building, said, “Those hallowed halls.” He went to school there the same time as my mother. He was also a president people there. When he would come to speak to the students, you could have heard a pin drop, everyone was so quiet, and so afraid they would miss a word that he said. Please excuse the various mistakes, etc., | am writing this lying on my back as I am paralyzed from my waist down including my feet. From my waist up I am perfectly normal, including my brain. I threw this picture away twice, then decided I had to write to you. Thank you for your time, and please correct your records because what I have told you is the truth. I know, I was there. Sincerely, Mamie Oborn McLean Editor's note: Mrs. McLean is absolutely correct, the Moench Building was located on Jefferson Avenue and not on 25th Street as was stated in the January 1985 issue of Comment. Although the caption was incorrect, school records do have it right. I apologize for the oversight. T.J. Bond Editor home care were American business has also become involved. For example, Joseph Califano, Chrysler Corporation Board member, described his corporation’s concern in a recent address, “Chrysler's 1984 estimated health care costs will exceed $400 million, making the Blue Cross/Blue Shield plan Chrysler's single largest supplier. Chrysler’s total health bill will be greater than $550 for each car it sells. This year Chrysler must sell about 70,000 vehicles just to pay for its health care bills. Chrysler has taken steps to cut health care costs, such as a screening program for foot surgery, promotion of generic drugs, mandating of second medical opinions for certain types of elective surgery, encouraging outpatient surgery, screening of hospital admissions, limiting length of stay and offering financial incentives for enrollment in HMO’s. These measures have allowed the company to save $10 million in less than two years.” Along with all of these specific initiatives, the American entrepreneur has taken center stage to establish a whole variety of free standing health care activities. American Surgery Centers Inc., predicts the placement of 50 surgicenters within five years (surgery $300-$875). Birthing centers, home care and free standing emergicenters, offering convenience care for 30-40 percent lower cost to the patient are all part of the Please see ‘Changing values in health care” on page 11. ee Weber State College Comment, |