MR. AND MRS. MERTZ
AND FAMILY

and

rich by enabling the more up-
market health funds (Mac-
cabi with 13 percent of
Israelis, Leumi 7 percent and
Meuhedet 6 percent), which
charge a higher fee but
reputedly provide better ser-
vice, to prosper.
A clause in the new bill will
enable people to switch free-
ly from health fund to health
fund, something they are
unable to do at the moment.
Thus the present system of
four health funds, which
causes duplication and ineffi-
ciency will be transformed in-
to one of free market competi-
tion, offering the consumer a
genuine choice.
Professor Penchas observes
that the rich in Israel have
always received health care
privately. "And it is not un-
common for Israelis to go
abroad for special treatment,
like organ transplants," he
adds.
Indeed the Netanyahu
Commission noted that in
1988 the expenditure for
private health care in Israel
amounted to 23 percent of
total national health care ex-
penditure. And it also record-
ed a distinct trend in which
wealthier, healthier Israelis
were joining the more
privatized health funds, leav-
ing the Histadrut fund with
the unfair burden of more
sick and elderly clients.
The bill proposes a new
government establishing
health authority to regulate
that competition, and to sub-
sidise services for the elderly
and chronically sick. "Kupat
Holim Clalit has the most to
gain from such compensation
because it has the highest
proportion of elderly
members," Mr. Ramon points
out.
Such compensation, Mr.
Ramon continues, would put
an end to the current situa-
tion where Kaput Holim
Clalit keeps turning to the
government for ad hoc
transfers to pay off its debts.
In December alone, the
government gave Kupat
Holom Clalit $126 million,
and the health fund's total
debts are estimated at $750
million.
The Treasury also has
reservations about Mr.
Ramon's bill because of in-
creased costs to the govern-
ment. But Mr. Ramon
responds that $300 million
will be saved each year on col-
lection dues through one,
rather than four,
organizations.

Professor Penchas advised
Mr. Ramon to compromise
with his opponents so that
the bill can be passed. "The

PRESCRIPTION page R26

The staff of
CMI-Health & ithnis Club
wish all our friends
a Happy and healthy
New Year

CAN

CMI-HEALTH & TENNIS CLUB, INC.

30333 Southfield Road, Southfield

646-8990

Our Entire Staff
Wishes You
Health and Happiness
In T he
New Year

o-

MR. AND MRS. WEISS
AND FAMILY

Wish All Our
Customers & Friends
Sincere Best Wishes
For A Happy, Healthy & Peaceful
NEW YEAR
and
Give Many Thanks
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For Their Wonderful Patronage

SHOP

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25258 GREENFIELD RD.
967-3905

'CHALA' is taken from everything that is baked — Under the
supervisionof the COUNCIL OF ORTHODOX RABBIS OF GREATER
ETROIT by the Mashgiach RABBI AVRUM GARDIN and strictly
supervised by Mr. Weiss and Mr. Mertz (owners)

HAPPIEST OF HOLIDAYS
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(313) 442-2440

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BARBER SHOP
ON THE BOARDWALK

Wish Their
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Our Staff Wishes
You A
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New Year!

6891 Orchard Lake Road steven franklin optics
South of Maple, on The Boardwalk
(313) 855-5810

Wishing All Our
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A Very
Happy and Healthy
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and
Staff