2 - The Michigan Daily - Friday, October 13, 1995

N /WD


Democrats criticize GOP Medicaid plan

Los Angeles Times }
WASHINGTON - Congressional
Democrats warned yesterday that fi-
nancial peril awaits the spouses and
children of nursing home residents if'
Republicans, especially those in the
House, push through their version of
Medicaid reform.
While much of the debate over Re-
publican health care proposals has fo-
cused on Medicare, the government's
primary health-care program for the
elderly, a second wave of anxiety is
arising over a separate GOP blueprint
for overhauling Medicaid.
The Medicaid program provides
health care to the poor, disabled and

pays for most of the elderly Americans
in nursing homes.
As Congress struggles to complete its
plan for balancing the federal budget
over seven years, opposition is growing
to several elements of Medicaid legisla-
tion, especially a provision that could
require elderly Americans virtually to
bankrupt themselves to obtain subsi-
dized nursing home care fortheir spouses.
Other provisions of the Republican
plan would allow states to put liens on
the houses of Medicaid nursing home
patients and make adult children finan-
cially liable for their parents' nursing
home care.
The measures are part of GOP plans

4I

The University of Michigan
School of Music
Sunday, October 15,
Harold Haugh Lecture Recital
Fred Ormand, Professor of Clarinet
With Dana Brown, piano, Richard Hawkins, clarinet,
members of Prof. Ormand's clarinet studio and students
of the School of Music
* Mozart: Adagio, K.411
* Vaughan Williams: Three Studies in English Folk Song
* Messiaen: Abime des oiseaux
" Bartok: Contrasts for Piano, Violin and Clarinet
* Bassi: Grand Duet on motives from La Sonnambula by Bellini
Recital Hall, School of Music, 4 p.m.
Sunday-Wednesday, October 15-18
35th ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON ORGAN MUSIC
Sunday; October 15
Organ Conference: Autumn Festival of Choirs
Sponsored by the American Center of Church Music
Hgill Auditorium, 4 p.m.
Organ Conference: Guest Recital
Almut Rissler, organ
First Congregational Church, 8 p.m.
Monday, October 16
Organ Conference: Guest Recital
Richard Giszczak, carillon
Burton Memorial Tower, 7:30 p.m.
Organ Conference: Faculty Recital
James Kibbie, organ
Hill Auditorium, 8p.m.
Tuesday, October 17
Organ Conference: Guest Recital
Robert Parkins, organ
Blanche Anderson Moore Hall, 11 a.m.
Organ Conference: Guest Recital
Jenny King, carillon
Burton Memorial Tower, 7:30 p.m.
Organ Conference: Guest Recital
Rudolf Innig performs the organ works of Robert Schumann
Hill Auditorium, 8 p.m.
William Grant Still Symposium
School of Music Black Arts Council
with Gail Murchison, Lorna McDaniel, John M. Spencer,
Judith Still, Timothy Cheek and Julie Artzt
Recital Hall, 7p.m.

to transform the $160 billion Medicaid
health-care program by ending the fed-
eral guarantee that all eligible Ameri-
cans get care and giving states lump-
sum grants along with the authority to
design their own programs and deter-
mine eligibility.
Republicans argue that lifting the re-
strictions is necessary to their drive to
shift power from the federal government
to the states. Democrats contend that the
federal restrictions are needed to keep
states from pushing the relatives ofnurs-
ing home residents into poverty.
"Most people did not really believe
these kinds of Draconian cuts were re-
ally going to come," Sen. Patty Murray
(D-Wash.) said in a news conference
yesterday. She said her office is being
swamped with calls from worried con-
stituents. "The public is beginning to
understand this does not affect just a few
people, but every American family."
Seventy percent of the more than 2
million elderly Americans living in nurs-
inghomesrely on Medicaid to cover their
costs, which average $38,000 a year.
Perhaps the most contentious provi-
sion is a House Republican plan to
eliminate a law that shelters the last
$15,000 of savings and $1,230 of in-
come monthly of spouses whose hus-
bands or wives require nursing home
care. Until a couple draws down to that
level, they generally are not eligible for
Medicaid and must pay the costs of the
nursing home care.
Rel igjous
Services
AVAVAVAVA
ST. ANDREW'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
306 N. Division 663-0518
(2 blocks north and 1 block west of
intersection of Huron and State)
SUNDAY: Eucharists - 8a.m. and 10p.m.
Adult education - 9a.m.
Call for weekend service times,
to get on mailing list, or if you
have questions.
UNIVERSITY LUTHERAN CHAPEL, LCMS
1511 Washtenaw, near Hill
Saturday: Worship 6:30p.m.
Sunday: Worship 10:30 a.m.
Pastor Ed Krauss 6635560
UNIVERSITY REFORMED CHURCH
1001 E. Huron at Fletcher, 662-3153
SUNDAY: 9:00 a.m. Campus Life/Faith Study
and 9:30 a.m. Campus Prayer Gathering
in Church House, 928 E. Ann 10:30 a.m.
Participatory Worship 12:00noon
Free Student Luncheon
For More Information Call
Barb O'Day-Campus Ministry Coordinator
MONDAY: 7:30pm Faith Sharing Group at
208 W. Ann

That provision, known as "spousal
protection," was added to Medicaid in
1987. Until then, states set their own
income provisions. Under state laws at
the time, spouses were allowed to keep
an average ofjust $2,700 in savings and
had to contribute all but $340 of their
monthly income.
On the Senate side, the Finance Com-
mittee has voted to retain the spousal
protections. But House Speaker Newt
Gingrich has declared his determina-
tion to continue working to drop the
protection.
The House and Senate Medicaid re-
form plans alike include provisions
that would allow states to hold adult
children responsible for the costs of'
keeping theirparents in nursing homes.
Adult children have not been required
to contribute to the long-term care of
their Medicaid-eligible parents since
the program began 30 years ago.
President Clinton repeatedly has spo-
ken out against the Medicaid changes,
including a provision in the House pro-
posal to allow states to put liens on
houses of nursing home residents, even
if their spouses or dependent children
were living in them. The Senate has
dropped that element of its proposal.
"Who wants a Medicaid police with
vast power to seize your assets and put
you out of your home," Clinton said
during a radio address 12 days ago.
Inside: State legislators react to proposed
Medicaid changes. Page 7.

Naval officer accused
of sexual harassment
WASHINGTON-The officer who
headed the Navy office responsible for
handling sexual harassment complaints
is on trial on charges that he sexually
harassed two female subordinates.
Capt. Everett Greene, 47, is accused
of having an "unduly familiar personal
relationship with a junior subordinate"
and of"creating ahostile work environ-
ment." He also is charged with conduct
unbecoming an officer.
In the second day of testimony at his
court-martial, former Navy Lt. Pamela
Castrucci told the eight-officer jury
yesterday that she became angry and
frustrated at her inability to stop
Greene's alleged overtures.
"There was nothing offensive about
them,"Castrucci said, referring to a series
of greeting cards sent to her by Greene in
1993. "It was just that they kept coming.
It was like he always knew where I was."
The Navy has been stung by allega-
tions of sexual harassment of women
since the Tailhook incident, in which
several dozen women were sexually
harassed or assaulted during a conven-

tion of the Tailhook Association in'a
Vegas in September 1991.
Though he declined to comment spe
cifically on the Greene case, Adm. Mik
Boorda, the chiefof naval operations, sai
yesterday that the Navy is "trying to b
judicious and proper and fair in the wa
we're dealing with such things, andIhop
that will cause this not to be a trend."
FBI broadens search
for train saboteur
HYDER, Ariz. - The FBI broad
ened its search yesterday for the sabc
teur who derailed an Amtrak trait
checking tire tracks in the desert ses
eral miles away, knocking on doors an
interviewing railroad employees.
About 40 of the 90 agents who hay
been working near the site of Monday'
crash interviewed residents and other
said FBI agent Robert Walsh.
About 20 other agents were sent bac
to their home offices from the cras
scene 55 miles southwest of Phoenii
where Amtrak's Sunset Limited de
railed on a sabotaged stretch of trac
and tumbled into a gulch. One crea
member waskilledandatleast 78peopl
were injured.

SNATIONAL REPORT
Critics call GOPs tax proposal unfair
WASHINGTON - A popular tax break for the working poor has taken cente
stage in the budget debate raging in Congress, with a Republican cost-saving
proposal fueling new charges that GOP leaders are favoring the rich while seeking
undue sacrifice from the needy.
What is remarkable about the Republican push to restrict the Earned Incomi
Tax Credit, Democratic critics say, is that it would burden a group that seem:
to embody the cherished conservative ideals of self-sufficiency and frei
enterprise.
Moreover, it is moving ahead at a time when Republicans propose easing taxe
for the affluent, such as expanding a tax credit that benefits estate heirs, along witi
a cut in capital gains and certain corporate taxes.
"This Republican attack on the EITC is unconscionable," Labor Secretar
Robert B. Reich argued in an interview, saying the proposals "run the risk o
offending Americans' basic sense of fairness, fair play and equal sacrifice."
The tax credit, which until recently enjoyed broad, bipartisan support, wa
launched 20 years ago as a way to help struggling wage-earners stay above thi
poverty line. Those who qualify - mostly workers at the bottom of the pay scalt
but some at higher levels -get a special reduction on their tax bills or even a chece
in the mail, sometimes in excess of $3,000.

"...A birthday party in honor of
President Dwight D. Eisenhower,
sponsored by the Young Republi-
cans, will begin at 8 p.m. tonight in
the Union ballroom.
"The President will be 64 years
old tomorrow.
"Sen. Charles Potter, who will
discuss 'The Importance of Elect-
ing a Republican Congress,' will be
among the guests...."


iop, AROUND THE WORLD -

% Y
"

Know of news?
Call the Daily at
76-DA I LY.


Strong aftershock
hits Mexico town
where 50 had died
MANZANILLO, Mexico-A strong
aftershock rattled this Pacific resort
town yesterday just as rescue workers
clearing the rubble of a flattened hotel
neared a lobby where 20 earthquake
victims are believed buried.
Yesterday's quake lasted for more
than five seconds, causing panic but no
reports of serious injuries or deaths.
At least 55 are known to have died in
a strongerquake Monday, and thatnum-
ber is expected to rise as rescue workers
pry through the wreckage to reach the
lobby of the fallen hotel.
Workers recovered two more bodies,
yesterday, including that of a boy, age
undetermined, from what had been the
third floor. They said the boy had been
dead only a few hours because rigor
mortis had not set in.
Mexico's National Seismological
Institute reported that yesterday's quake
measured 6.1. The U.S. Geological
Survey in Golden, Colo., gave it a pre-
liminary reading of 5.5.
"Since Monday, the ground hasn't
stopped shaking," said housewife Maria
Morelos, one of hundreds of people
camping out in dozens of makeshift
shelters after their homes were dam-
agedor destroyed in the Monday quake.

At least 26 aftershocks have rattle
this town of 60,000 since the 7.6-mae
nitude earthquake struck along som
200 miles ofthe western Mexican coast
line Monday morning.
Equador's vice
president resign
QUITO, Ecuador - Days after sui
viving an impeachment attempt on coi
ruption charges, the vice president c
Ecuador resigned Wednesday when
judge ordered his detention.
Vice President Albert Dahika, tl
economist considered the chiefarchite
ofthegovernment's free-marketreform
announced his resignation in ahandwri
ten letter delivered to Congress.
Dahika has denied the corruption a
legations. His whereabouts Wednes
day night were unknown.
In an order announced earlie
Wednesday, Supreme Court Presidei
Carlos Solorzano ordered authorities t
put Dahika under protective custody i
a Quitojail after finding "indications(
guilt" against him.
"Protective custody"generally meat
suspects are held under house arrest 1
prevent them from fleeing.
There was no immediate reaction froi
the government. Congress is responsibl
for naming anew vice president to sen
out the rest of President Sixto Durat
Ballen's term, which ends in August.
- From Daily wire service

Wednesday, October 18,
Organ Conference: Guest Recital
Dietrich Wagler, organ
First Congregational Church, 10:45a.m.
Organ Conference: Student Recital
Organ majors at the UM School of Music
St. Francis Church, 2250 E. Stadium, 3:45 p.m.
Organ Conference: Faculty Recital
Margo Halsted, carillon
Burton Memorial Tower, 7:30 p.m.
Organ Conference: Guest Recital
Timothy Byrum-Wigfield, organ

y

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E-mail letters to the editor to daily.lettersumich.edu

Thursday, October 19
Guest Recital: Peter Takacs, piano
Recital Hall, School of Music, 8 p.m.
Thursday-Sunday,October 19-22
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Theatre and Drama Production
Adapted by Michael Napier Brown
Directed by John Neville-Andrews
Power Center for the Performing Arts
Thu.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2p.m.
Tickets: $16, $12, $6 (764-0450)
Friday, October 20
Chamber Choir & University Choir
Jerry Blackstone, Theodore Morrison, conductors,
Works by Fissinger, Maslanda, Badings, Brahms, Parrera, Still
Hill Auditorium, 8 p.m.
Guest Recital
Julie Spencer, marimba and vibraphone
Gernot Blume, piano


NEWS Nate Hurley, Managing Edita
EDITORS: Jonathan Berndt,.Lisa Dines. Andrew Taylor.Scot Woods.
STAFF: Stu Berlow, Cathy Boguslaske. Kirsh Cheudhri, Jodi Cohen. Sam T. Dudek, Jeff Eldridge. Lenny Feller. Jennifer Fried.
Ronnie Geassb"g,. Jennifer Harvey. Amy Klein Stephanie Jo Klein, Laurie Mayk, Witl MCahill. Heather Miller. Gail
Mongkolradt . Tim O'Connell, Lisa Poris Zachary M. Raimi, Megan Schimpf. Maureen Sirhal. Matthew Smart. Michelle Lee
Thompson. Josh White.
CALENDAR: Josh White.
EDITORIAL Jule Decker, James Nash, Editor
ASSOCIATE EDITORS: Adrienne Janney, Joel F. Knutson.
STAFF: Bobby Angel. Patience Atkin, Zsch Gelber. Eph im R. Gerstein, Karen Kay Hahn, Judith Kafka. Chris Kaye, Jeff
Keating" Jim Lasser Ann Markey. Erin Marsh, Brent McIntosh. Scott Pence, David Schultz. Ron Steiger, Jean Twenge, Matt .
Wimsatt. Adam Yale.
SPORTS Antoine Pitts, Managing Edite
EDITORS: Darren Everson. Brent McIntosh. Barry Sollentberger. Ryan White.
STAFF: Paul Barger. Scott Burton. Dorothy Chambers, Nicholas J. Cotsonika, Susan Dann, Sarah DeMar. Alan Goldenbach,
James Goldstein, Chaim Hyman. Julie Keating, John Leroi. Marc Lightdale, Chris Murphy, Monica Polakov, Jed Rosenthal,
Danielle Rumore. Brian Skiar. Tim Smith, Dan Stiliman. Doug Stevens.

r

IS

ri

ARTS Heather Phares, Alexandra Twin, Edthos
EDITORS: Melissa Rose Bernardo (Theater), Emily Lambert (Fine Arts). Brian Gnat) (Music), Joshua Rich (Film). Jennifer
Buckley (Weekend), Kari Jones (Weekend).
STAFF: Dean Bakopoulos, Matt Benz, Eugene Bowen. Mark Carlson, David Cook. Thomas Crowley, Ella de Leon, Use Harwin,
Josh Herrington Scott Plagenhoef, Matthew Steinhauser, Prashant Tamaskar. Ted Watts, Michael Zilberman.
PHOTO Jonathan Lurie, E to
ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Mark Friedman.
-VA C. Tac-ar n-i-r ,.. ark riedan... I. NomKihnanthe. StenniGrace Lim, Elizabeth Lippmran, Judith

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