Letters
In response to your series of articles about health and the rising costs of healthcare, I must say that the University was extremely premature in phasing out the Periodic Health Appraisal program. This much-missed program provided regular physical exams to employees. These exams were not only a lot easier to schedule than ones booked through a PCP, but were also much more extensive than the cursory once-over you get elsewhere. Each employee was given test results and a full consultation on how to improve their health, and since exams were done on a regular basis in the same office, any changes in health status were recognized early. The Periodic Health Appraisal team was dedicated to preventative medicine, which is key to cutting overall healthcare costs. This program was well worth the money — and the University was short-sighted in removing it.
I was disappointed to read the opinions expressed by Laurita Thomas, U-M's associate vice president for human resources, in the April 28 University Record story describing the university's new "HealthSense" program.
In her response to your reporter's question, Thomas links "the increase in chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes and cancer" to "long-term poor health habits." This all-too-common attitude oversimplifies the complexity of our national health care crisis. People get sick for many reasons — most of which are beyond their control.
As a baby boomer myself, I don't disagree with Thomas' statement that "aging baby boomers tend to have high expectations for quality of life and full utilization of health care resources." But who doesn't? Is there anyone on this campus, no matter what his or her age, who is not interested in quality health care?
If U-M administrators want to cut health benefits for faculty and staff to save money, that is their prerogative. But blaming sick people for getting sick and pitting generations against each other is offensive and does not help solve the problem.
Congratulations on a perfect Spring 2008 Commencement in the Diag. Not a single detail was overlooked and the setting, given the class size, was beautiful and intimate. Everyone in our family agreed that the level of preparation was fairly amazing. This was the ideal way to celebrate our daughter's graduation!
—Joe Curry
parent of Lisa Curry, LSA Spring Class of 2008
The University Record welcomes letters from members of the University community. Those on topics of broad University interest will be given preference for publication. Letters should be no more than 500 words and must be signed. The editorial staff reserves the right to reject any letter and to edit and/or condense letters for publication. The staff also reserves the right to limit the number of letters submitted by the same individual. Letters may appear in small type. Organizations submitting material must include the name and address of an appropriate officer. Letters must be received by noon Wednesday to receive consideration for publication in the next issue.