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• • \ Hospitals propose price-saving competition SECTION t - PAGE 9 - PLAINDEALER WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1184 Illinois hospitals have proposed creating a new system of health care delivery in the state to stem rising costs and allow hospitals to compete as businesses do for their patients. The new Illinois Health Finance and Fiscal Equity Act was presented recently before the Illinois Senate Select Committee on Hospital Cost Containment at a public hearing Urge safe snow blower use The snow blower has assumed its role as a valuable time, labor and heart saver. Unfortunately, statistics indicate that about 3,000 people suffer disabling injuries each year because of ^ snow blower accidents, all of which can be prevented, says the National Safety Council. It suggests the following for safe snow blower use* ...Always shut off the engine if you have to clear debris from the chute or the auger (the part of the blower which bites into the . snow). Most injuries occur to hands and fingers because people try to clean parts or remove foreign objects while the engine is running. ...The operator or anyone near the blower should stapd away from the path of the dWharged snow. Ice, stones and other hard objects can be picked up and thrown at high speeds often striking nearby persons. Remember to keep children far away. ...Keep the area to be plowed free of sticks, stones, toys and other obstacles which can be harmful if discharged. ...If your blower is electrically powered, make sure the unit is effectively and continuously grounded or double insulated and that the power and ex­ tension cords are in good con­ dition. ...Before starting the engine, be sure to disengage all clutches and to check and see that all rotors, augers and impellers are able to rotate freely. ...Assume a firm stance and keep your feet at a safe distance from the auger. ...Never leave a running engine unattended. ...Don't loan your snow blower to anyone who is unfamiliar with its operation or safety procedures. ...Adjust the snow blower's height one inch above gravel and crushed rock surfaces. ...Open doors and windows to provide sufficient ventilation if you operate the engine in a garage or other enclosed areas. ...Learn how to stop the engine quickly in case of emergency. ThuTS .-Sat. , a n - 2 t > ' 2 2n m . and3f -P m 1 Children's Portrait Package 14 95 • I • «/ $2 deposit required This package includes one 8x 10 portrait, two 5x7 gift portraits and twelve deluxe wallets. You select your favorite style for your pack­ age at time of sitting. This pack­ age for group of two or less. Add $2.00 when two children are photo­ graphed together. Children 12 years or younger only. Limit one package per subject, two pack­ ages per family. NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED Photography by Hi-Style Studio era C/ujhfiYj Instal led Carpet Sale. Sale 15.73 sq. yd. installed*. Reg. 23.74. Luxurious Ultron* nylon plush is Scotchgard* treated for easy-care. And it comes in lots of colors. #7630 Many other carpet styles, also on sale. Reg 24.74 to 40.74. Sale 10.73 to 27.73 sq. yd.* •Includes carpeting, measuring, cutting, seaming, layingefnew carpet and #^35 padding. There is an extra charge ffor steps, removing oldfarpet, moving furniture and special custom work Percentage off represents savings on original prices. Sale prices effective thru Saturday, January 28th. Call for a free In-home appointment with a JCPenney Decorator Consultant No obligation, of course. JCPenney Custom Decorating Illinois Lahehurst473-1811 Spring Hill Mall.. .428-6970 Brickyard 622-2778 Lincoln Mall 481-2030 WoodflaW •. 88£8888 Ford City 581-5821 No. Riverside 447-8010 YoriUown... . .. 820-4882 Fok VaHey Center851 -8810 Norwood. Mall 2?lJ3SJrfTSi.7381 rtrjf Mill 2B9-1042 Peoria 885-8111 MafQutnaMM... #7r rs#' jpHatMall 815/438-1442 OriandSquara. . 480-1552 Southleke Mall. 738-2357 in Chicago. The three-year plan caps hospital costs by setting limits in advance on the average amount hospitals can charge. The proposal also encourages' employers and health insurers to negotiate group discounts with hospitals for their workers and beneficiaries. "The system is predictable, administratively simple and, for the first time, gives hospitals incentives to compete for patients by providing the best possible service at the best price," said Illinois Hospital Association (IHA) Chairman John G. King, president, Evangelical Health Systems in Oak Brook. The proposal also will stop increases in hospital cost; shifting, King said, where the unpaid fcosts of government purchase^ health care fpr the poor and elderly are passed on to private paying or insured patients. Specifically, the hospital industry proposal creates the Illinois Health Finance and Fiscal Equity Commission to study the most effective ways of stabilizing health care costs in this state. Based on its findings, the commission will make recommendations to the Illinois General Assembly by Dec. 31, 1986. In the meantime, hospitals would 4|e paid according to predetermined average charges for each inpatient. The charge cap would be adjusted yearly to ensure that the rate of increase in hospital costs only reflects the rate of inflation in the costs of goods and services hospitals buy. Hospitals whose charges exceed the cap would lose the excess revenue by facing a lower cap in the next year. Hospitals would be phased into the new system six months after the end of their most recent fiscal year, beginning Oct. 1, 1984. The system would not include elderly patients treated under the federal governmen t ' s Med ica re program and would give a discounted rate to public aid patiepts under the state's Medicaid program. "This plan is based on positive incentives," said IHA President Kenneth C. Robbins. "incentives .which motivate hospitals, physicians, insurers, govern­ ment and consumers to become more cost-conscious "Precisely because those incentives are positive rather than punitive, this plan also would ensure that the current quality of health care services in Illinois is not jeopardized. Rather than forcing hospitals to cut services or layoff em­ ployees, this system encourages ho.spitals to find the most cost- efficient ways of treating the most patients." fre Open 333 Qf\CWa tftA "6^ r\ f°rd M\eV s5V6^6 W^a"?V9Q9-0246.A Sa*e P Satu" *-aKe ln - nneV e,«a c«"9 , pnces jCPe S\s/\03 Tne Free* Custom Sale. Custom draperies and top treatments. Selected fabric, lining, labor and Installation. JCPenney custom draperies bring a new look to your rooms. Our Decorator Consultant will show you pictures and swatches. Then we'll expertly tailor and install your choice to your specifications. At savings. 25% off custom bed ensembles; fabric and labor included. 40% off Horizon 1 aluminum or 1" and 2" wood blinds. 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