- Email: [email protected]
Conference on Health Maintenance Organizations
Let us reach our Relief Fund goal The annual American Dental Association Relief Fund drive is under way, as noted in an article on page 1085 of this issue. For several years now, contributions have failed to reach the campaign goal. That is strange. Of all the fund drives that dentists are asked to contribute to during the year, the Relief Fund is one that is for "our own"our colleagues, ourselves and our dependents who suddenly find themselves victims of debilitating illness or other tragic circumstance. And it has the rare quality of having administrative costs that are practically nil. Just remember that dentists are neither indestructible nor immortal. They and th~ir loved
ones , like anyone else, face devastating experiences that turn yesterday's comfort, security and happiness into living nightmares. All it takes to make this campaign a success is this simple, practical thought: "Here is help for an unfortunate colleague . Here is help for myself and my loved ones should tragedy strike -and it can strike. I will make my contribution this minute, because if I dqn ' t, I will find it easier ancj easier to pro1;;rastinate until next year rolls around. I procrastinated last year, and this year I am going to make up for that lost time. " Another way of putting it is, " Get the lead out!"
Conference on HeC!lth Maintenance The scheduled February conference on health maintenance organizations and their rela~ tionship to dentistry, spo nsored by the ADA and the Group Health Associatiqn of America, comes at an appropriate time. HMOs have been a hotly debated issue for many months now without even qgreement as to what an HMO is or sqould b·e. A definition , if one evolves, must necessarily include many things, such as what segments of our population will be eligible to subscribe, how much financing and control will come from the federal government, what services will be offer~d. Tj1e list seems endless. Pr~i:.;tically speaking, the final definition will come in the form of whatever legislation comes out of Congress. And not even the politicians know what that outcome will be. There is always horse-trading, compromise and usually a few surprises up to the final hour of congressional enactment. Then comes more maneuvering on appropriations and the administ:"ation' s release of funds. Each step of the way requires scrutiny. The motives of those influencing the preparation of such a wide-ranging program must be sought out and, if need be, challenged. The ADA can stand proud, for it has been farsighted enough to have already established policies for national health legislation through its Guidelines for Dentistry's Position in a National H ea /th Program. And scruti ny of HMO pro998 • JADA, Vol. 85, November 1972
Or~anizations
posals is being made day-to-day by the ADA's Washington Office and Council on Legislation. Up-to-date information on legislative activity reaches the membership through theADA NEWS and THE JOURNAL. Next February, shortly after a new Congress has convened, will be an excellent time for representatives of our profession to sit down together, hear all the )~test information on HMO plans, ask questions about what it all means and discuss how the profession fits into the scheme of things. In addition to dentist participation , a congressman will discuss legislative proposals , and a consumer representative will give his views. Discussions will run the gamut, including dental prepayment and group practice as they apply to the best means of health care delivery. Each constituent society and the larger component societies are being invited to send representatives. It is hoped that many of those attending will be private practitioners. These grass roots dentists should take an active part in the discussions and then follow through by reporting back to the membership. The HMO is one step toward a national health insurance program. Its importance cannot be overestimated. We hope for an excellent turnout for this two-day conference, so that the profession is fully aware of what may be lurking arou nd the corner.
ones , like anyone else, face devastating experiences that turn yesterday's comfort, security and happiness into living nightmares. All it takes to make this campaign a success is this simple, practical thought: "Here is help for an unfortunate colleague . Here is help for myself and my loved ones should tragedy strike -and it can strike. I will make my contribution this minute, because if I dqn ' t, I will find it easier ancj easier to pro1;;rastinate until next year rolls around. I procrastinated last year, and this year I am going to make up for that lost time. " Another way of putting it is, " Get the lead out!"
Conference on HeC!lth Maintenance The scheduled February conference on health maintenance organizations and their rela~ tionship to dentistry, spo nsored by the ADA and the Group Health Associatiqn of America, comes at an appropriate time. HMOs have been a hotly debated issue for many months now without even qgreement as to what an HMO is or sqould b·e. A definition , if one evolves, must necessarily include many things, such as what segments of our population will be eligible to subscribe, how much financing and control will come from the federal government, what services will be offer~d. Tj1e list seems endless. Pr~i:.;tically speaking, the final definition will come in the form of whatever legislation comes out of Congress. And not even the politicians know what that outcome will be. There is always horse-trading, compromise and usually a few surprises up to the final hour of congressional enactment. Then comes more maneuvering on appropriations and the administ:"ation' s release of funds. Each step of the way requires scrutiny. The motives of those influencing the preparation of such a wide-ranging program must be sought out and, if need be, challenged. The ADA can stand proud, for it has been farsighted enough to have already established policies for national health legislation through its Guidelines for Dentistry's Position in a National H ea /th Program. And scruti ny of HMO pro998 • JADA, Vol. 85, November 1972
Or~anizations
posals is being made day-to-day by the ADA's Washington Office and Council on Legislation. Up-to-date information on legislative activity reaches the membership through theADA NEWS and THE JOURNAL. Next February, shortly after a new Congress has convened, will be an excellent time for representatives of our profession to sit down together, hear all the )~test information on HMO plans, ask questions about what it all means and discuss how the profession fits into the scheme of things. In addition to dentist participation , a congressman will discuss legislative proposals , and a consumer representative will give his views. Discussions will run the gamut, including dental prepayment and group practice as they apply to the best means of health care delivery. Each constituent society and the larger component societies are being invited to send representatives. It is hoped that many of those attending will be private practitioners. These grass roots dentists should take an active part in the discussions and then follow through by reporting back to the membership. The HMO is one step toward a national health insurance program. Its importance cannot be overestimated. We hope for an excellent turnout for this two-day conference, so that the profession is fully aware of what may be lurking arou nd the corner.