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10 Wednesday, November 13,1996 ©ijr latlg ©ar Mwl Jeanne Fugate EDITOR Office Hours. 2-3 p.m. Fridays Graham Brink managing EDITOR ~*X. Adam Bianehi ELECTRONIC EDITION EDITOR World Wide Web Electronic Edition (ill http://www.unc.edu/dth | Jffl Established 1893 BMCI 103 Years of Editorial Freedom BOARD EDITORIALS ■ Running a for-profit nursing home business does not necessarily propel the best interests of society or of nursing home residents. Robert Hill Sr., a former farmer from Lenoir County, has built the 12th largest private com pany in North Carolina. His business is nursing homes, an area that has been experiencing a tremendous boom over the last 10 years. But the increasing dominance of for-profit, chain nurs ing homes is not always in the best interests of society. Since 1983, Hillco Ltd. has grown from only a few nursing homes to 36 facilities in three states, 19 of which are in North Carolina. In come from long-term care has jumped from s3l million in 1985 to $129 million in 1994. At the same time, nursing home bills rose eight times as fast as the number of patients over the past decade. Eighty-three percent of Hillco’s patients are covered by Medicaid, and thus, most of those costs were absorbed by the government. To generate more money, Hill has also estab lished subsidiary companies that supply his nurs ing homes with everything from food and medi cations to maintenance and insurance. The question is not if Hill and his family are effective businessmen they are. The question is whether seeking to extract maximum profits from a chain of nursing homes is in the best interests of those in their trust. Are profits worth the possible loss of quality care? Last February, one ofHillco’s nursing homes, Britthaven of Chapel Hill, was assessed a $510,000 fine after an Alzheimer’s patient was found strangled in her restraints. Federal regula tors stated that Britthaven had failed to provide Humane society As recent history demonstrates, China uses deceptive histrionics to fool the United States and the international community into ignoring its numerous human rights violations. Again, seeking to demonstrate a measure of improvement on human rights, China released Chen Ziming, a political dissident, from prison on a medical parole with the hope that U.S.- China tensions will cool before a Presidential Summit meeting in 1997. Serving as an obvious diplomatic ploy Chen’s parole was aimed at the international community and not publicly an nounced in China. Chen’s parole and imprisonment served as a gauge ofU.S.-China relations in the recentpast. China, seeking most favored trade status with the U.S. in 1994, released Chen on a medical parole only to imprison him again a year later as the two countries feuded over Taiwan. Only a week before Chen’s parole, Wang Dan —a political dissident and student leader from Bejing University was sentenced to an 11-year prison sentence. Both Chen and Wang played a somewhat significant role in the 1989 pro-democracy Tiananmen Square student demonstrations. Wang’s imprisonment, obviously a warning to Chinese free-thinking dissidents, was criticized Business and Advertising: Kevin Schwartz. director/general mangager; Chrissy Mennitt advertising director; Leslie Humphrey, classified ad manager; Lisa Reichle, business manager; Megan Stephenson, advertising manager Krista Scavone and Elizabeth Johnson, business assistants. Classified Advertising: Rachel Lomasz. Assistant Editors: Lily Thayer, arts and Diversions; Mary-Kathryn Craft and Angela Moore, city; Amanda Barnett and Dallas Smith, copy; Angela Eubanks, design; David Silverstein, features; Mark Weissman, graphics; Serena Custis and Brad Smith, photo; Alec Morrison. Paul Strelow and Kurt Tondorf. sports; Aaron Beard and M. Lee Taft Sport Saturday. Todd Darling and Wendy Goodman, state & national; Sharif Durhams, Marva Hinton and John Sweeney. university; Marissa Jones, writing coach. Arts/Diversions: Todd Gilchrist music editor; Mitch Bennett and Dean Hair, senior writers; Chris Barge, Robert Breitweiser, Kelly Brewington, Beth Carroll. Marya DeVoto, Louis Dillard. Nathan Ellis, Steven Ferrara, Betsy Greer, Rich Harris. Aziz Huq, Amber Ivey. Claire Jarvis. Verna Kale, Greg Kaliss, Kacey Kinard, Stephen Lee. Sophie Milam. Amelia Rasmus. Brent Simon, Barry Summerllin, Brian Truitt Ivan Vasquez, Scott Whittier and Karen Williams. Cartoon: Eric Bishop, Brad Christensen. Sean Gillespie. Tommy Harris. Brian Kahn, Paul Kendall. Tofly Long, Adria Mueller, Rob Neilson, Paul Saunders. Brad Timmers, Miles Travis and Michael Wlodek. Chy Elizabeth Adams, Sara Griffitt Kate Harrison, Erica Hinton, Mike Hirschel. Christina Kopp, Sallie Lacy. Aaron Levine, Jim Martin, Megan Meadows, Rob Nelson. Gibson Pate, Meegan Smith, Rachel Swain, Stacey Tumage The editorials are approved by the majority of the editorial board, which is composed of the editor, editorial page editor and seven editorial writers. The Daily Tar Heel is published by the DTH Publishing Corp., a nonprofit North Carolina corporation. Monday-Friday. according to the University calendar. Callers with questions about billing or display advertising should dial 962-1163 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Classified ads can be reached at 962-0252. Editorial questions should be directed to 9620245/0246. Nursing profits a safe environment over a 51 day period and levied a fine of SIO,OOO each day. Chapel Hill’s Britthaven continues to have difficulty providing a safe environment. Regula tors found a number of problems during the facility’s annual state certification inspection. A 24-page report cites Britthaven staffforfailingto, among otherthings, change soiled and wet cloth ing, keep a patient’s bed sores clean and fully nourish people who receive tube feedings. Many patients in nursing homes do not have the power or the capacity to complain about their care. Their interests must be looked after by state inspectors who need to continue to scruti nize nursing homes and hold owners and opera tors accountable to the people. The government needs to take an active role in ensuring that standards of care are met. More importantly, the industry needs to be conscious of the great responsibility with which they have been charged, a responsibility that often overrides concerns about the bottom line. Families entrust their loved ones to their care. The welfare of the patient needs to be valued aboveprofits. The United States is aging. It is expected that North Carolina’s population over the age of 65 will rise 28 percent during the next 25 years. When our parents, relatives or friends can no longer care for themselves, many of us may have to consider some type of long-term care. The nursing home industry must realize that quality care is their most important responsibility. by international human rights organizations. Historically, applying pressure during times whentheU.S. must appear compassionate about human rights is not enough to cease China’s deplorable actions. Also, making perfunctory threats to revoke most favored nation trade sta tus or to end all ties with China and isolate them in the world community exacerbates the di lemma and damages our economy. To improve China’s human rights record, without ending its trade ties, the United States can keep China in the world spotlight so then human rights record receives scrutiny from other countries and more action to improve the condi tions of the Chinese people. Such attention could be given at the upcoming Presidential Summit. Severing ties with China is impractical because it damages our economy as much as it hurts theirs with no impetus to improve the Chinese people’s condition. To improve China’s human rights record the U.S. must cease its idle threats and begin to seriously address a way to improve human rights in China. By making China an active and essen tial part of the international community, the United States can construct a Chinese foreign policy consistent with worldwide views on hu man rights. THE DAILYTAR HEEL Business & Advertising Staff assistant manager. Customer Service: Shelly Harper, Marian Jones. Sherry W. Martin, Laurie Morton, Chemise Overton and Julie Robertson, representatives. Display Advertising: Bee Auger, Megan Boyle, Eileen Hintz. Wendy Holmes, Shannon Hrdlicka. Henry Jay, Gidget Lamb. Jonri Scott Leslie Stephenson and Amy Waller, account executives; Editorial Staff and Julia Wood. Copy: Jenny Abella, Sara Batten, Catherine Blair. Karen Glunk, Michelle Jones. Elzabeth Kull. Kendell Mac Queen, Elizabeth Martin, Melissa Minas. April Simun. Jamie Vacca. Brandyne Warren and Elizabeth Whaley. Design: Michelle LaPierre. May-Sung Li, Courtney McCurry, HoHy Neal, Trina Ozer, Jennifer Snow, Leslie Wilkinson and Alkisti Yiannibas. Editorial: John Adcock. Devona Brown, Matthew Crawford, Susan Hazeldean, Leslie Kendrick. Keith Kocher and Tara Powell. Features: Lauren Agrella, Pooja Asher. Ashley Copeland. Jason Creech. Trisha Dabb, Hilary Franklin, Mark Lineberger, Andrea Luecke, John McAllister, Andrew McLester, Jason Morrell, Olivia Page Brenna Pearson, Cory Van Belois and Mary Williamson. Graphics: Etyse Alley, Jessica Godwin. Ashley Henkel. Anne Riley. Eileen Russell and Kelley Shaw. Photography: Erik Perel. senior photographer; Cara Brickman, Ashley Broom, Kelly Brown, Lindsay Cage, Kim Clark. Kai Dacosta, Morisea Davis. Jon Gardiner, Jennifer Guthrie. Margo Hasselman, John Ikeda. Kerri Laz. Ben McAllister, Misti McDaniel, Kristina Morris, Kristin Rohan, M.C. Steed and Vibhuti Uppal. Special Assignments: Sarah Frisch, Jessica Galazka, Tony Mecia. Lou Rutigliano, Monica Sanchez and Jonathan Watson. NATIONAL NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION ISSN *'o7o-9436 Office Suita 104 Carolina Union Campus Mail Addraaa: CB* S2lO Box 49, Carolina Union U.S. Mail Addraaa: P.O. Box 3257, Chapa! HOL NC 27516-3267 Ryan Norwood editorial page editor Jamie Griswold UNIVERSITY EDITOR Laura Godwin CITY EDITOR Erica Beshears state b national editor Andrew Park SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS EDITOR Robbi Piekeral SPORTS EDITOR Joseph Robson sportsaturday editor Jessica Banov FEATURES EDITOR Melissa Milios arts 9 diversions editor Juba Corbin COPY DESK EDITOR Michael Kanarek copy desk editor Amy Cappiello photography editor Amy Quattlebaum DESIGN EDITOR Phiip Molaro graphics editor Robin Linehan editorial cartoon editor Robin Berholz staff development Jodi Brown. Beth Cresant6, Joel Sasser and Barry Wyner, assistant account executives. Advertising Production: Beth O'Brien, manager Richard D. Allen, Yvonne Cema, Cindy Henley and Jody Matthews, assistants. Classified Production: Penny Persons. Newscleric Chris Dovichak. Sports: Beverly Morgan, copy. Dave Alexander, Jack Chaney, David Fleming, Kristi Geerken, Paul Holscher, Craig Kiser, Jason Knott Reino Makkonen, Anglea Merritt Jeff Stencel and Mike Sundheim. Staff Development Chris Barge, Derek Chiang, Jenny Couch, Erica Ellis, Adam Gusman, Susan Hazeldean, Greg Kallis and Sara Lester. State and National: Melissa Steele, senior writer Tiffany Cashwell, Anne Corbett Jonathan Cox. Sara deManigold, April Demert, Vickey Eckenrode, Eric Flack. Anne Harden. Holly Hart Charles Hellwig, Emily Howell, Tricia Johnson, Antoinette Kerr, Ashley Matlock, Whitney Moore, Kishma Patnaik, Monika Ruef, Andrew Rose, Robin Smith, LeAnn Spradling and Jeff Young. University: Rick Conner, Merritt Dempsey, Kaitlin Gurney, Ashley Hagler, Leah Haney, Allison Hill, Mindy Hodges, Balkees Jarrah, Teresa Killian, Sheng Lee, Evan Markfield, Jim Nicks. Kelly O'Brien, Kerry Ossi, Aru Pande, Stephanie Shaw, Sarah Sims, Anasa Sinegal, Dave Snell, Dana Spangler, Ashley Stephenson, Nahal Toosi, Lynn Wadford, Ray Watters, Jon Williams, Deanna Wrttmer and Sara Yawn. Editorial Production: Stacy Wynn, manager. DTH On-line: Eddie Beiles, production. Printing: Triangle Web. Distribution: Triangle Circulation Services. EDITORIAL Country needs effective mental health policy We live in a world that has rapidly advanced, technologically, in the diagnosis and treatment of physi cal illness. One illness which has continued to be overlooked is in the mental health system. The failure of the mental health system to properly diagnose and treat patients leads to homicides and suicides. The formation of an effective mental health policy and a change in the diagnosis process is as necessary as any medical advance today. Today mental illness is not seen as a major threat to those in most medical fields. Due to this lack of awareness, many times symptoms go unnoticed and the severely troubled “slip through the cracks.” Many feel it is still not possible to cure mental illnesses or reduce the effect of their pain. On the other hand, many doctors claim mentally ill patients start recov ering after a first round of anti-depressant medication, according to the National Advi sory Mental Health Council of the Depart ment of Health and Human Services, more than 60 percent do. The opposition claims adequate funds are being appropriated for the severity of the problem. Alan A. Anderson, head of a mental health managed care com pany, says, “Most people can be treated with a fairly limited application of health care re sources,” but also states, “treatments are in line with the cost and performance of treat ments for chronic heart failure, diabetes and hypertension.” Until families and doctors can become edu cated enough to recognize those in danger the funds are not necessary. Along with educa tion, will come more funds and a better sys tem. Without the proper education many symp toms of the mental illness go unnoticed. When these symptoms slip through and are not treated they can lead to suicide and homicide. The first step is for families to recognize certain y4s MR. r ]ORD‘\N ENTERS THE WORLD OF WoUYWOOD, PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE’ ' UN 6PORTS £U£ Cones, iKI HANDr. V* ’ limp defense' of Democratic monopoly does not stand up TO THE EDITOR: I chuckled heartily at art professor Helen Hills’ limp defense of her political party’s near-monopoly of the UNC faculty (“Article forgets politics are more than party affilia tion,” Nov. 6). Helen says her heart sank when she read the article, and well it might given she and her faculty cronies have been exposed. Helen would have us believe that though 91 percent of the UNC faculty are registered Democrats, that fact has no political or socio logical significance whatever. Is she daft? She assures us with a nudge and a wink she and her faculty cronies boast a broad range of opinion on political and social issues. I have no doubt they reflect the range of opinion within the Democratic Party; which, of course, is the crux of the problem she refuses to ac knowledge. I’m not sure which is worse: a UNC faculty who reflects the group-think of a one-party state, or a professor who tries to convince us that UNC’s group-think faculty actually rep resents diversity of thought. Does Helen Hills expect anyone to believe her nonsense? I certainly don’t, and-I suspect that most thinking men and women won’t either. For now, The Daily Tar Heel writer’s re search is the best barometer of UNC faculty political attitudes, and it constitutes de facto evidence that the UNC faculty has systemati cally discriminated against Republicans in hiring. Kudos to writer Tony Mecia let’s have more investigative articles in The Daily Tar Heel and fewer administration press re leases. And thanks to Helen Hills for her letter showing how goofy left-wing faculty can re ally be. Stanley K. Ridgley CLASS OF 1977 SPRINGFIELD, PA. CAA's random distribution policy removes all meaning TO THE EDITOR: The Carolina Athletic Association should be commended for making ticket distribution so random, the distribution itself is totally meaningless. On Sunday, about 2,400 num- MAH HAWKINS symptoms, such as Abigail Trafford mentions, “lying, stealing, manipulat- GUEST COLUMNIST ing and abusing others" and “a person just seems flawed—lazy, thoughtless, distracted.” Senator Alan K. Simpson can relate to the pain of not recognizing the symptoms of ill ness. His niece, “a most beautiful girl... We did not get or understand the signals in time, ” said Simpson. As her illness worsened, she committed suicide. An example of the doctors’ failure to notice comes from a personal story from this past summer. At the age of 19 my stepbrother, Chad Flynt, had been living out of die house for several years. He had jobs and lost them, lived from place to place and become mentally unfocused and lost. His illness worsened, but he never wanted help. He reached a point where our family became very worried. Asa concerned family we attempted to commit Chad to the NC Mental Health. After a short interview, the doctor declared he was neither homicidalnorsuicidalandreleasedhim. Three weeks later Chad reached a point no one should have to reach and committed suicide. A misdiagnosis not only leads to suicides, but also homicides. One of the most publicized serial killers in the past decade was once com mitted by his parents. Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber, was once released by mental health after his brother committed him. “We were told he had to be a danger—a demonstrable danger to himself or to others,” said David Kaczynski. At that point the Unabomber had struck 12 times, killing one person and injuring 21. “The Unabomber caused two more deaths since 1991.” On the local side, a gunman by the name of Wendel Williamson opened fire in Chapel Hill, N. C., killing two. Williamson had been READMOTJM The Daily Tar Heel welcomes reader comments and criticism. Letters to the editor should be no longer than 400 words and must be typed, doublespaced, dated and signed by no more than two people. Students should include their year, major and phone number. Faculty and staff should include their title, department and phone number. The DTH reserves the right to edit letters for space, clarity and vulgarity. Bring letters to the DTH office at Suite 104, Carolina Union, mail them to P.O. Box 3257, Chapel Hill, NC 27515 or e-mail forum to: dth@unc.edu. bers were issued, more than have ever been given out before, a CAA member told me. Some of Carolina’s more “die hard” fans were rewarded for wandering in line at 1:45 p.m. with lower level seating because distribution started high at 1491. Their laughter at having obtained better seats without wasting their entire afternoon fell on deaf ears frozen from people waiting since noon. Lest we forget this system’s superiority, several CAA members reminded us of how great it is to not wait so long for numbers. But we had no idea if our number meant we had lower level or we would even get a ticket. The CAA claimed some students were un able to camp out. But what about those who can’t make it by 2 p.m.? Like hungover stu dents, or those sick in bed or what about those who just slept in real late? No deadline is ever fair. Maybe the CAA should give all 26,000 students a shot at 110A by mailing out tickets randomly. People wouldn’t sacrifice anything to get seats; their tickets would be delivered right to their door. Seth Nore could play Ed McMahon in this “Carolina Basketball Sweep stakes,” presenting a larger-than-life front row ticket to the week’s lucky winner. Camping out is looking better. Your num ber told you right then if you got lower level or not, and guaranteed you a seat. And after surviving the night, you were definitely sitting in those hard-earned seats, filling them up with enthusiastic fans. Most importantly, people Stye lath} (Ear Heel diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, but had not been using any form of medical treat ment to improve his illness. Improvements in the system could not only saved the lives lost in the preceding para graphs, but also spared the grief felt by the thousands of close friends and family. The mental health system is in need of a change, and the change needs to start today. The first place to start is with the education of mental illness given to the world. Education is needed, not only about the disease itself, but the early warning signs and the results untreated illnesses can lead to. Next, the doctors must be specifically trained in spot ting mental illness. The doctors must have lengthy conversations with the patient, and realize that if a parent is so concerned with their child to commit them, the child needs help. Finally, more money must be allocated to the treatment and medication for mentally ill patients. As Abigail Trafford says, “What the government can do is design'an effective health care system, which includes the treat ment and support of those who suffer a mental illness and are therefore at an increased risk of suicide.” The solution is simple, but the pro cess is going to be a long, hard fought battle. Whether the disease is mental or physical it causes great damage to the patient and the family. “We’re seeing the needs of mental illness catch upwithotherdiseases,’’saidN ancy Domenci, which is why her husband, a Sena tor from New Mexico, “recently co-authored legislation that would put mental disorders on an equal footing with traditional health insur ance plans. ” With a better education of doctors and families of symptoms, longer examination periods and easier treatment, there won’t need to be a Chad or any of the other victims of this horrific disease. Matt Hawkins is a freshman from Raleigh. built friendships while suffering frostbite and exceeding recommended tent capacities. There’s something to say for tradition... it’s a time honored custom people find to be good and worthwhile keeping. Dave Troxler SOPHOMORE POUTICAL SCIENCE America is stinking cesspool, but don't blame the Dukes TO THE EDITOR: Not the Dukes! I agree with Richard Harris. Our country has been crippled by racism from the very beginning. Our Founding Racists (sorry George) laid the foundation from which our feelings of hatred and acts of oppression could build upon. From the three-fifths clause to Manifest Destiny to Rodney King, our “great” country has managed to do it all. We live in a stinking cesspool where old, white men man age to hoard all the money and power, and the poor are given just enough to keep them from revolting. Ron Kovic was right, America Stinks. But dammit Richard, why did you have to drag the Dukes into this! The Dukes ofHazzard was THE only show on TV. Forget “The Muppet Show,” forget “That’s Incredible,” forget “Benson,” the Dukes ruled. Beau and Luke Duke were the Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid of the deep South. Whether they were running from the tyrannical grasp of Boss Hogg or the menacing stare of Sheriff Little from Chickasaw County, the Dukes even tually found a way to escape. And when they escaped, they did it with panache. Besides, any show with Daisy Duke had to be good (even in the second grade, I knew Daisy was hot). Not only did the Dukes provide great enter tainment, they taught me a lesson. I learned no matter what situation I got in, I could eventu ally find a way out. I learned that strong family ties were important in molding my character. And I learned that if you try to slide across the hood of your car, it really hurts. Richard, you’ve ruined this. Thanks to you, I can never look back on the Dukes in the same light. Next thing, you’ll tell me Star Wars was all about incest and religious persecution AHHH!!! JackEichler SENIOR chemistry
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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Nov. 13, 1996, edition 1
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