Hospital Speaks Out On Malpractice Crisis (Editor's Note: First in a series of two articles concerning local ramifications . of the malpractice insurance crisis). The malpractice insurance crisis has reached the county- and with it will come higher health care costs. The problem doctors are having in being forced to pay much higher premiums for protection against malpractice charges has been publicized extensively. That cost will be passed on to patients, or doc tors would reduce services they perform for the public if they choose not to pay the extremely high increase in malpractice insurance rates. Now, Memorial Hospital for McHenry County is faced with a similar extreme increase, and Bert Hanson, executive director, has admitted he and the board were "flab bergasted" by the 269 percent increase demanded for the new year's protection compared with a year-ago cost. Memorial Hospital for McHenry County has this type insurance coverage for all its employees, volunteer workers and members of the board of directors. Hanson said the board has worked with con- siderable success to keep costs VFW Groups To Send Convention Delegates The State of Illinois Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and the Ladies auxiliary annual convention will be held in Springfield, beginning Friday, June 20, and will continue through June 22. Some highlights of the con vention will be the Memorial services, to be held Thursday evening, the convention parade, Friday and a banquet honoring State Commander Bob McMahon and State President Catherine Whalen. Saturday. This will be followed by the Pageant of Drums. Sunday, the convention will be concluded with election of officers and installation. Delegates from V.F.W. Post 4600 and its Ladies auxiliary include Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Garifi, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Kuemmel, Mr. and Mrs. Wlater Kuck, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Amore, Mrs. Renee Jende, Mrs. Janet Walters and Mrs. Ila Hogan. McHenry Teacher Participates In Summer Project Ronald Glawe, teacher at McHenry high school, will be one of the forty-seven school chemistry teachers par ticipating in an eight-week Summer Implementation Project on the campus of Hope college, Holland, Mich., beginning June 23. Participants in the program represent twenty-two states, as well as American schools in Germany and the Netherlands, according to Dr. Eugene C. Jekel, project director. The purpose of the eight- week project, which is spon sored through a grant from the National Science foundation, is to assist teachers in im- plementaing the Advanced Placement chemistry course in their high schools. The course will provide subject matter background and specific classroom and laboratory materials for the teaching of the Advance Placement course. Eleven Fire Departments In Training On June 8, the McHenry county Firemen's association held its annual fire training school at Huntley fire station. Instructors from the University of Illinois gave two-hour classroom instructions on ventilation and proper use of self contained breathing equipment. Later the program moved to an old abandoned farm house on Rt. 47. The building was set on fire and extinguished several times. Men were given instructions under actual fire conditions. Portable canvas folding tanks and tank trucks were used to supply water to pumping engines. Seventy-two men from eleven fire departments attended this year's training session. Open Door Society Will Present Program The Open Door society an nounces "The Foster Care Experience", presented by David Klasing, director of Court Services for McHenry county. The presentation will be held at the Prince of Peace church, 1190 N. Hicks road in Palatine. The evening will begin at 7:30 p.m. on June 27. Mr. Klasing will speak on Legal Notice IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 19TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, McHENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS PROBATE DIVISION ESTATE OF STANLEY JAMES GEIER, aka James Stanley Geier Deceased, FILE NO. 74-P-418 Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 194 of the Probate Act, of the death of the above named decedent and that letters of Administration With Will Annexed were issued on June 5, 1975, to Walter C. Franke, 5501 Northwest Hwy., Crystal Lake, Illinois, whose attorney of record is Donald W. Truckenbrod, 4108 W. Crystal Lake Rd., McHenry, Illinois. Claims may be filed within 6 months from the date of issuance of Letters and that any claim not filed within that period is barred as to the estate which is inventoried within that period. Claims against said estate should be filed in the Probate office of the Clerk of said Court, County Court House, Wood stock, Illinois, and copies thereof mailed or delivered to said legal representative and to said attorney. MARGARET O'NEIL Clerk of the Court (Pub. June 11,18,25,1975) Offer Spanish Conversation Lunch Hour Rosemary Kurtz, Spanish teacher at McHenry County college, has arranged for a "Spanish Conversation Lunch Hour" to be held every Wed nesday in June and July. The lunch hour will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., on campus. Participants should meet in Room A-310 and bring a sack lunch. Anyone who speaks Spanish or who has studied Spanish for one or two years is welcome. This hour of conversation will help students retain what they have learned in formal courses last semester and it will provide an enjoyable break in the day. Mrs. Kurtz com mented that she hopes many will attend whose native language is Spanish as this is an excellent way to learn from each other. There is no registration or fee. such topics as why children require foster, care and what it means to be a foster family. Refreshments will be served. Those planning to attend should call 815-455-0003. The evening promises to be interesting and fun for everyone. The public is invited. For Your Information Dear Friends, These United States are still physieaHy beau tiful, and we should be glad of the opportunity to travel through them on vacation trips. Let us plan to travel moderate distances per day at a moderate pace to protect life and limb, and to truly savor this beautiful country ours. Respectfully, PETER MJUSTEN & SON FUNERAL HOME and Senate to support legislation intended to provide a legislative solution to the malpractice crisis. "This action is needed before the General Assembly con cludes its present session June 30," asserted Hanson. Bills in the House and Senate have the support of the Illinois State Medical Society and Illinois Hospital association. Hanson said the Memorial Hospital board fears it has no alternative but to meet the 269 percent increase in its m a l p r a c t i c e i n s u r a n c e premium than to raise room rates "That's the most equitable way to spread the cost. We have held the line on any increases until now even though our cost of fuel, food, labor, equipment- a l m o s t e v e r y t h i n g -- h a s climbed The board is proud of the way our staff has teamed up to contain costs, but along down in the faltering economy and was amazed by the in creased demands of the in surance company. The premium paid for the last year's coverage was $16,000. For the next twelve months, the company wants $59,000 for the same protection. Legislative action is needed urgently, and local hospital officials and several board members have written members of the Illinois House IHIHUIUH.HIIIHII.HHI.HU> comes this notice for increased malpractice insurance costs and our efforts seem to have 'gone out the window.' " Hanson explained the board feels the hospital cannot absorb this newest cost increase and so he is figuring now how this will affect the daily room rate. Starting July 1, Memorial h o s p i t a l p l a n s t o p u t i t s utilization review program into effect. "The law requires we do this for Medicare and Medicaid PAGE 9 - PLAINDEALER patients, but in an effort to contain costs, we will do this for all patients. This is an example of our" determination to keep patient costs under control." "Another area where we are succeeding is through the use of a u t o m a t i o n . W e h a v e automated some systems and are looking at other procedures that might benefit in this way. This includes the X-ray and laboratory departments . and the business office." WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 1975 Another way costs are being contained is through con struction of laundry facilities in cooperation with several area hospitals. These hospitals contributed to the financing of this facility constructed south of Rockford, and it opened earlier this year. Following the shakedown period, Hanson says its efficiency is saving money and providing Memorial Hospital with improved laundry service. !n Order To Gain Additional Room For Our Fast Growing Curtain - Ready-Made and Custom Made Drapery - Bedspreads - Panels Dept. We Must Clear The Following At DRASTIC REDUCTIONS •jjf ' * ASSORTED READY MADE DRAPES Single • Double Widths 63" - 84" 1 and 2 of a kind. Vi Price FURNITURE THROW COVERS Size 70" * 60" Only Originally *6 to *9 NOW I 1 PAIR CUSTOM MADE DRAPES Modern Design Gold Background 72" Wide_42" Long Custom made pnee *69.95 NOW moo ( Have To See To Believe) t LOT CAFE CURTAINS WINDOW CURTAINS PANELS Vi Price PLEASE UNDERSTAND THERE ARE NO 1 ASSORTED 0R0UP SHOWER CURTAINS & BATHROOM CURTAINS Vi Price QUILTED BEDSPREADS Reg. *17.95 - *21.95 3 Twin Size NOW £ 7 Full Size 7.50 EA IETURNS - EXCHANGES - ADJUSTMENTS 4 OtOV tW x ll!4' ROOM SIZE RU6S * Reg. '39.95 20.00 Rug Runner '2.99 NOW 381, I CLOSE-OUT CANNON AMRICAN FAMILY SHEETS - CASES Asst Floral Design Twin-Full-Queen Limited Qty. Vi Price YOUR FRIENDLY FASHION STORE BENOFRANKUM m r i t o \i »» f « • .Sunday 10:00-12:30 -s3 Si To £ YOU" t 1250 N. GREEN STREET McHENRY, ILLINOIS «£» mm* imuiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiwiHiiiMiiiiiMuiiHiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimmiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimimiiHiiiiiiiiiMmiiiimiimiiiiim GREEN STREET MAIL TTT McHenry, Illinois 385-0' WINES AND LIQUORS Sale Prices Effective June 18th thru June 24 MERCHANTS GET LOTTERY TICKETS AT ELL'S " w i cm ^1 Blended Whiskey Philadelphia RONKICO W Lite or Dark Regular or Diet '^10 KUAN 6-32 Oz Bottles Popular Brand Jkikdelphifl i2 Gallon Regular or Diet 6-12 Oz. Cans FROM OUR WINE CELLAR U Mont Yago Sangria Fifth Champagne Franzia •169 Fifth n Gallon 50 Oz. Magnum REMODELING SALE Closeouts At Unreal Prices BELL'S BEST BEER BUYS PICNIC SUPPLY CENTER Old Style 6-12 Oz. NR Bottles I29 Storz Triumph Jf Beer if 12-12 Oz. Cans I Burgiemeister 2412 Oz . * 229 Bottles Plus Deposit • Ice • Charcoal • Cooler Chests • Plastic Ware • Party Snacks SHOP McHEIMRY - SHOP BELL 4610 W. Rte. 120 McHenry, III. 815 385-3200