European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - February 21, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 10 letters the stars and stripes Friday february 21,1986 basis for civilian medical charges explained does the . Government care More about the pets of service members than the health of Dod civilians that was the feeling 1 got after Reading two recent articles in the stars and stripes. The articles stated that the government raised the Cost for civilian employees for a doctor s visit from $53 to $55 while at the same time lowering the veterinary fee from sioto$2. According to the article the fee for civil ians represents the average Cost per outpatient visit at . Military facilities around the  it would be interesting to Sec a listing of these facilities and their charges Why Aren t they the same worldwide. I know this fee covers everything needed during a visit examination tests medi Cines. Etc. But Why not set up a sliding scale according to what is done during an outpatient visit for example when i take my daughter to the dentist for a checkup i must pay $55 for her Teeth to be looked at and then i m told to bring her Back for another visit because she has a cavity another $55. In All i must pay $110 to have one cavity filled. Pretty expensive. Also Why Are the rate increases which seem to come regularly every year announced two or three weeks after they go into effect most civilians have asked to come overseas but they Are providing a service the same As military members. W Are we penalized Margaret Faires Birndorf Germany editor s note we received two replica to this letter. The first is from mister sol. Herman a. Laphart Coic patient administration division 7th med ical come army regulation 40-330, which covers by rates codes and general policies for army medical department activities implements reimbursement rates set each fiscal year by the assistant Secretary of defense comptroller and provides for the distribution of collected amounts to the Correct appropriation reimbursement accounts. The Reader is Correct in her observation that increases come regularly every year Vilh the exception of this year when the Ina lint rate decreased. Each year the Rales increase and the same questions Are asked and answered. Rales Are set for All uniformed services medical trial men facilities and sent to the Field by the assistant Secretary of defense comptroller. Questions concern ing How rates Are determined and set should by addressed Lohoda Alan disc rep Washington . 20310. The second reply is from Brig. Gen. Robert k. Jorgensen director resources and information management office of the surgeon general the army greatly appreciates the contributions of All civilian employees especially those serving overseas. The Issue of rates charged in army health care facilities is a sensitive area and one in which Many misunderstandings occur due Lomis conceptions Aslo How these rates Are established. The primary Mission of the army med ical department is to provide health care to the Soldier Retiree and their dependents. Most other categories of patients Are provided care on a full pay basis. The Congress based on general accounting office findings has directed that the Rales for pay patients closely approximate the actual Cost of providing care. The Rales charged for care in army medical treatment facilities mtg Are not controlled by the army. Rat. Determinations Are made by the department of de sense based on statute congressional in tent and the actual Dod wide costs of providing health services As stated in the Teller the Rales charged in us. Mtg Are established for the most part by Dod based on the average actual Cost of providing health care throughout the . Army Navy and air Force health care system. These Rales Are revised and published annually often subsequent to the begin Ning of the fiscal year. Generally these rates Are effective upon receipt by the mtg and should be applied consistently throughout the Dod health care system. The suggestion to establish a sliding rate scale system according to diagnosis is the subject of an on going study. If such a system is adopted significant Lime will be required to program and install the automation required to operate such a system. Regarding the dental exam and follow up visit it might be advisable to consider participating in the Community meetings with the Hospital and dental commanders to discuss the unique pay patient problem for civilians. Possibly patient scheduling might be altered allowing More treatment Lime in order to avoid the follow up visit. The initiative to maintain the veterinary fee at $2 plus charges for medications is not related to the health care rates for pay patients. One of the missions of the army Veteri nary service is to control the spread of zoo Nollac diseases. In order to accomplish this Mission an aggressive animal immunization program must be conducted. Congress enacted the $10 user fee for treating Pels without considering these vere Impact this change would have on a very effective preventive Medicine immunization program or the Cost of providing the program. A Gao study determined that the $10 fee was excessive. The fiscal year 1986 Dod authorization act reduced the fee from $10 per pet treated to $2 per transaction in a military veterinary clinic. The initiative to reduce the s10 user fee was justified on the basis that the $2 transaction fee would not Dis courage the Pel owner especially the lower ranking Soldier residing on Post from immunizing their Pels. God s displeasure ? re the recent Story aids a sign of god s displeasure for  i would like to write of my displeasure with the comment of the Rev. Charles Stan Ley president of the 14.3 million Southern baptists. Does he honestly believe that god s Dis pleasure also Means infecting a few Hun dred children at the same time what kind. Of god is that not the one i worship. He then goes on to remark about his own Dis May at the response to the death of actor. Rock Hudson from aids saying it s Al most As if he s become More heroic dying of aids with All the publicity he s got  no doubt other celebrities have died of aids Rock Hudson was the first one to courageously admit it. Rock Hudson was fully aware and understood the implications involved in allowing the exposure of his personal and private life so that aids could be brought to the attention of the Public. It has certainly made me More aware of warning my own daughter of the Dangen of casual sex. Anybody could be infected with aids even the Rev. Charles Stan icy. Linda Ashton Maidstone England there Are people who really care readers say in recent weeks i be read several letters in the stars and stripes from people who have experienced financial hardships each stating their distaste for the assistance they received from their unit Chain of command Community services Etc. I recently experienced serious financial difficulties. Calling upon my Chain of command about my situation i wis overwhelmed by their concern and help. Guys in my Battery even took up a collection to help me out not Only was my unit helpful but at the same time several wives brought groceries and also gave support to my wife. I visited Are and there too they were More than Happy to help me work things out. I got Quick and immediate help. So Many people criticize the army system. Yes sometimes it does t work and we always hear about it. However this time for me it worked 1 would like to express my gratitude to everyone who helped make a bad situation better when things gel bad Don t give up on the army or your unit too soon there arc Many Many people in the army who do care and will find a Way to help. In Hub 3/67 air defense arty there Are Many who cared enough to help out their fellow Soldier me and my family. Words cannot express How thankful we Are. My wife and i Are proud to be in the army and a part of Hub. I Hope some Day my wife and i can lend a helping hand to a fellow Soldier in need. Thanks sol. Kevin and Lana Barnes a Atzingen Germany i have read the stars and stripes for years and i believe that the sad or negative aspects of human life far outnumber the positive ones. I would like to join the minority by commending Good work. I receive administrative and logistical support from the nato support activity in Brussels. While i have Only been Here about six months i must comment that the people assigned there do a Superb Job. Let me provide some examples. Mrs. Weaver in household goods personally took time to help me with a problem during her lunch break. Senior airman Peters at the Apo always has a warm smile and a How can i help you attitude. No matter How Long the line is at the cashier s win Dow and the constant concern Over Exchange Rales or. Gauger always gives each customer Superior serv ice. The ladies in the snack bar the Exchange manager and his assistants and the Man who runs the weekend movies All Are people oriented. Even the local Security guards and maps always give you a warm greeting. The nato support activity reflects everything that is Good about our armed forces and the people providing service to its members. Yes i could have written a letter to the commander but i would much rather see this published so that they can see their names for All the world to see As first rate caring people. A. Anthony Mcclure Brussels Belgium to writer urges you to keep big picture in mind As a working Mother. Leave my two air Force. I have a  in my , Orr a. I e a. 1 Leav y month old daughter with someone i feel is a responsible caring adult. I do not expect this lady to diagnose any discomforts or illness my daughter experiences while she is caring for her because i did not hire a professional nurse or doctor. I hired a baby Sitter. I do however require that i be informed of any symptoms of discomfort or illness to include any change in vital signs she May have experienced while 1 a responsibility to y duly Section co workers superiors and the air Force to assure that my dependents Are Well taken care of so As not to distract my attention or Energy away from Mission accomplishment. This specific task is a need to get the Job done. My Only real efforts Are to insure the proper officials Are Noti fied of any matters concerning my dependents which May adversely affect my duty which affects the family affects my Hus band and that which affects my husband affects his military career. As his wife i cannot afford to attempt to play doctor or nurse with our daughter. Her sound being is essential for peace of mind and promotes our own state of readiness toward the Mission. Us inc Nav Wii i cent a win t was at work. This information is not requested performance military bearing or behaviour  and or military image. I must also comply tar s problem but to inform the professional with any actions or advice deemed acc medical authority to assist in a speedy diag no Essary by the supporting Agency. Re Avery and my re urn duty productive  a a noncommissioned officer state find. In .5ree Nave a a to e to my. ,. Family and my husband s military career. As an aircraft electrical technician in the these two go hand in hand because that _ -.,_ _  u us  us Illuv racy Freedom and history. We have come a Long Way and the key word is  together we have unlimited strength and capabilities but we must work together. It is imperative that we interrelate our skills knowledge and experiences for maximum productivity. It is essential that we gear ourselves toward the objective of National Security to Sec the big picture and visualize How our actions and contributions fit la. Remembering All for one and one for All. Together we in conclusion whatever role you May have be it wife Mother enlisted or officer be All you can be perform your duties with the big picture in mind and you la never walk alone. Take the monetary value out of the old phrase overworked and underpaid and youll find we Are one of the richest people on the face of the Earth. But most important our children can inherit it All if we Only do our part and work together now. Dolores f. Mills Torrejon a Spain