House Votes to Cut Catastrophic Care Uconn Investigates Unofficial
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The Daily Campus Serving the Stores Community Since 1896 Vol. XCIII No. 21 The University of Connecticut Thursday, October 5, 1989 House votes to cut catastrophic care WASHINGTON (AP) — The House bowed to an avalanche of protest Wednesday by voting to repeal the catastrophic health in- surance program enacted just a year ago as the first major expan- sion of Medicare. The 360-66 vote was a virtual mirror image of the 328-72 vote by which the measure passed last year en route to signature into law by then-President Reagan. After the repeal vote, the House immediately turned to consideration of a plan that would restore a small part of the pro- gram. However, even that modest attempt by architects of the original plan was defeated, 269-156. Although the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act was enriched as it rolled through Congress under a bipartisan head of steam last year, the initial push came from Reagan, who asked for a way to shield elderly and disabled Medicare bencficaries from the financial ruin of major illness. Notwithstanding the wide support it enjoyed last year, the mea- sure carried an historic self-financing mechanism that turned out to be a time bomb that exploded in protest from well-to-do elderly \mericans upset with being forced to pay for the increased benefits. About 6 percent of the 33 million people eligible for Medicare —UPI photo PANAMA CITY— U.S. troops prepare to patrol an area around the Miraflores would have to pay a surtax of up to $800 this year to pay for the Locks of the Panama Canal. Security was tight the day after the failed coup program and many of the complaints came from that group. against Gen. Noriega. More than half of those covered — perhaps 60 percent of the 33 million — would not be subject to the controversial surtax at all, but rather a $48 tab deducted in $4-per-month chunks from their Troops still on alert in Panama Social Security checks. WASHINGTON (AP) — As required, U.S. officials leads to the area where both the For the other millions covered by the program, the additional always notify the Panamanian U.S. troops in Panama were Panamanian Defense Forces 1989 charge for the government insurance program that would al- Defense Forces about the ordered to restrict their move- and the U.S. Southern Com- low them to consider dropping their private supplemental policies ments for a second day movements, the official said. mand are located. would range between $48 and $800 — scaled to taxable income. Wednesday although streets Reconstructing events of The command's headquarters While there was no question that almost all of the heat felt by were calm following a failed Tuesday, U.S. officials con- at Quarry Heights is about one- House members was generated by irate senior citizens demanding attempt to oust Panamanian firmed that the U.S. Southern half mile from the main PDF repeal, some of the backers of the program warned that the last leader Manuel Antonio Nor- Command had moved "forces barracks, the scene of gunfire word had not been heard and that the political benefit ultimately iega. in a position to secure" a and mortar attacks during would accrue to those who stood by the program. Maj. Kathy Wood, a Pen- causeway and a bridge on the Tuesday's coup attempt Among them was Rep. Dan Rostenkowski, the robust chairman Pan American Highway, which tagon spokeswoman, said the 9 of the Ways and Means Committee who was chased down a street order requiring American troops Noriega was in rebels grasp in his home district in Chicago by senior citizens angry with his to stay on U.S. facilities re- See page 5 mained in effect as a precau- WASHINGTON (AP) — Panamanian forces who rebelled tionary measure. against Gen. Manuel Antonio Noriega had him in their custody for The 12,000 troops are several hours Tuesday, say U.S. officials mystified about the ap- UConn investigates "going about their normal parent decision to let him go. business" to the extent possi- "Noriega was in their clutches," said one U.S. official Wednes- day. unofficial aerobics ble under the restrictions, put By Jennifer Hartmann "I had a concern that aerobic in place Tuesday when rebel But that account was disputed by one of Noriega's Miami-based lawyers, Raymond Takiff, who said the general was away from the Daily Campus Staff dance/fitness classes were being forces within the Panamanian Aerobic classes available in run in many places on cam- Defense Forces tried Defense Forces headquarters when the rebels seized control Tuesday morning. some residence halls are not pus," said Camaione, who said unsuccessfully to depose Gen. sponsored by the University of he is worried that the instruc- Noriega. Takiff said he spoke with Defense Forces spokesman Edgardo Connecticut and may not be tors may not be qualified, and Meanwhile, Pentagon offi- Lopez while Noriega was at Lopez's side. According to accounts from Panama, Noriega emerged from the taught by certified instructors, their classes could create cials said the routine military potential medical or legal is- exercises have been conducted headquarters at dusk Tuesday a few hours after pro-Noriega troops said David N. Camaione, pro- had put down the insurrection. fessor of exercise science and sues for the university. all week on thoroughfares in director of the Center for Camaione said that the Cen- Panama. "We're exercising our Jose Blandon, a Panamanian defector who was once close to Noriega, said in Washington he had been told by a coup leader over Health Fitness. The classes ter for Health Fitness is work- troops," said one official, ask- ing with the Department of ing to remain anonymous. The the telephone during the uprising that the general had been wounded may lead to legal or medical while in the custody of the rebels. When Noriega appeared before complications if situations Residential Life to solve the exercises include convoys and problem, which first came to troop workouts. the cameras late Tuesday, there was no sign of an injury. such as student injuries occur, he said. his attention about three years ago. At that time UConn offi- cials viewed the classes as a UConn uncertain about filling positions potential problem, but did not By Jason Kauppi hopes to submit all necessary paperwork The loss of workers will force the Office follow up on it, he said. Daily Campus Staff as soon as possible and receive a decision of Facilities to reduce services, said "The first thing we are trying Two hundred and twenty-four University by next week. William Spinelli, acting assistant vice to do is get a handle on how of Connecticut employees retired under the All of the university's vice presidents president of facilities. much of it is going on," said "Golden Handshake" retirement plan of- are currently compiling the necessary Facilities has 410 employees including Carmen L. Vance, director of fered by the state, according to the De- information on vacancies within their of- administrators, engineers and other profes- the Department of Residential partment of Personnel. fices for the personnel department to for- sionals including staff on the service level, Life. The deadline for retiring under the plan ward to OPM, Tolles said. Spinelli said. The number of service Classes are currently offered was Oct. 1. The "Golden Handshake" is a state re- workers has been reduced the most, he in Belden, Shippee, and Hol- The state's Office of Policy and Man- tirement plan that was offered to certain said. comb halls at a lower rate than agement has not determined what percent- state workers in an effort to save money Service workers will focus efforts on Fit for Life classes which are age of the vacancies at UConn will be for the financially burdened state. maintaining utilities and responding to offered for $40 a semester in filled, said John Tolles, director of the Of those eligible at UConn, 35.2 per- emergencies such as broken water pipes association with the Center for Department of Personnel. The statewide cent took advantage of the plan which is and ruptured steam lines, Spinelli said. Health Fitness and the Office average for replacement is 25 percent of 5.3 percent of all university employees, Landscaping, painting, carpentry and repair of Extended and Continuing those positions vacated, said Tolles. according to figures released by the per- services will be reduced because of the lack Education, Camaione said. However, UConn's percentage could be sonnel office. Before the retirement pro- of staff, he said. Fall and winter are con- Vance said that she will talk above or below 25, he said. Tolles said he gram went into effect, there were 4,262 sidered the stress seasons on electricity, with Paul Shapiro, UConn's did not know the formula used by the state UConn employees. heat, sewage and water services, he said. attorney, to determine any legal to calculate the number of positions to fill The figures show the maintenance de- He said the lack of staff will not allow problems that may develop in each state agency. partment lost 65 employees and that 57 measures to be taken that would prevent from the unofficial classes. To fill any vacancies, requests must be faculty members and 44 clerical workers problems. "There is a liability if we sent to the OPM, said Tolles. He said he retired. See page 5 See page 5 page 2 The Daily Campus, Thursday, October 5, 1989 AROUND THE WORLD Lebanese legislators debate scrapping 46-year-old pact TAIF, Saudi Arabia (AP) — much of the capital, Beirut, of shelling duels between Heckled by Iran, Lebanese leg- into rubble.