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PAGE 18 - PLAINDEALER-WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1973 Letter from Washington by Senator Charles H. Percy Nearly every adult Ameri­ can must be aware that com­ prehensive health care is be­ coming more expensive every day. We face this growing ex­ pense even in routine medical matters. While most Ameri­ cans can still afford these or­ dinary health expenses, a major illness or serious acci­ dent can have disastrous re­ sults for an individual or family. Millions of Americans face financial ruin if struck with a major illness or injury. Those who experience chronic disease often see their savings gradually disappear. Some are forced to sell their possessions to cover medical costs. Medicare and Medicaid have eased this threat considerably for the elderly and medically indigent. But the fact remains that a person's health is often directly linked to one's abil­ ity to pay for health care. Figures show that the health of most Americans has improved over the last decade. But higher income persons have shown the greatest im­ provement. The health of Americans earning less than $7,000 a year has deteriorated. This indicates a disturbing trend. Those who can afford health care are healthy. Those who cannot afford it may suf­ fer sickness and even death. Our nation's bill for health care has been increasing at an alarming rate. In 1972, health care cost a total of $83.4 billion in America. That represents 7.6 percent of the country's gross national prod­ uct. The total spent on health care in America has doubled in the last eight years. Because I believe that ade­ quate health care is a right and not a privilege, I have re-introduced a bill with Sen­ ate Minority Leader Hugh Scott that would provide pro­ tection for all Americans against the inaflfordable costs of injury and illness. At the same time, the bill preserves our free economic system and assures a public-private part­ nership in meeting health care costs. Appropriately title«l the Health Rights Act of 1973, the bill calls for a unified health care delivery system for all Americans regardless of age or income. Compre­ hensive health care would be available to everyone on an ability-to-pay basis. No one would go without adequate health care. But everyone would pay his fair share. The bill also provides pro­ tection against the cost of catastrophic illness by placing a ceiling on amounts a family would be asked to pay for health care. This guarantees that no family would face financial ruin because of long- term illness. I originally introduced this bill in 1971. Since then there has been extended discussion on various forms of national health insurance. But recent­ ly we have reached an im­ passe in Congress over how we can best provide national health insurance. Hopefully my bill will break the im­ passe by stimulating discus­ sion. Any national health insur­ ance plan would be expensive. Government officials estimate that the annual cost of im­ plementing my plan would be $20 billion. But I have been careful to state that I will insist that any plan adopted be fully financed with new- federal revenues or cuts in other items in the federal budget. Healthy people are Ameri­ ca's greatest natural resources. We must preserve this asset and provide adequate health care for all Americans by adopting a sensible national health insurance program. Today's Health Neuvs Published by the American Medical Association Have you heard the joke about the Chicago auto mechanic who last winter missed three weeks of work because he had chapped hands. Don't laugh. Dry, itchy skin can afflict anyone during the win... months -- even those who stay indoors away from winter's brisk, cold winds. A heated house or apartment can dry out the skin just as easily as nature's own fresh air. The indoor air absorbs the water that the skin needs to keep its top layer (called the stratum corneum) moist, explains one dermatologist. Marvin Chernosky, M.D., dit%e tor of the program in dermatol ogy at the University of Texas Medical School, in Houston, sug gests the following seven steps to solve this indoor environmental problem. • Turn down the heat in your house or apartment (trying to keep it below 72"F.). • Feed moisture into the air so the humidity will protect your skin. If your home has a central heating system, you probably can have a humidifying unit attached to the furnace. If you've got steam heat, put pi either on top of or radiators, or buy an room humidifier. "It becomes 'super-hydrated' -- and when it comes in contact with the dry air, it is 'super-dehydrat­ ed.' " • Take it easy with the bath soap. It helps wash away the body's own protective oil. • Apply a moisturizer to the skin immediately after bathing. • Take extra care with baby's skin -- the little body doesn't have well-developed oil or sweat glands yet. Bubble bath can irri­ tate baby's tender skin. • Use rubber gloves for indoor cleaning, including dish washing. After you've finished a job, rinse your hands thoroughly and apply a layer of cream. WANT MORE INFORMATION? Wrif# To day's Hoalth Magaxint CF, 535 North - Dearborn St ft Chicago, lllinoit 60610 Bonds are -for giving at Christmas. of water eath the xpepsive • Substitute a quick shower, or at least a short warm bath, for a long hot soak in the tub. "Soaking in hot water forces the skin to absorb too much mois­ ture," explains Dr. Chernosky DIAL DOWN Conserve Heating Fuel HOLIDAY DISCOUNT! HI-QUALITY - LO-PRICES 4512 W. RTE. 120 McHENRY U. S. Savings Bonds fit > everybody on your Christmas list. And they come in sizes to fit your budget, too. 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