Editing 79-08-B4 (section)

=== Transcript ===
We can be forgiven for saying that Washington's worry about hospital
costs sounds a little hypocritical. The Department of H.E.W. has ordered
the nations hospitals to adopt a new idea in accounting procedures.

For a number of hospitals the start-up cost alone will amount to $100,000.
For all of them it will require keeping two sets of books -- one for the hospital
and one for H.E.W. Even without this, government regulations are adding
considerably to the average hospital bill. A recent study in New York state found
that regulations alone add $38.86 daily to the patients bill.

While on the subject of H.E.W. That agency whose budget is third largest
in the world (exceeded only by the National budgets of the United States and
the Soviet Union) managed to lose an affirmative action plan from the University
of Alabama three times. That took some doing since the report was the size of
a New York phone book.

When the university finally managed to get their plan to the proper desk at
H.E.W. they were informed the regulations had been changed and they would have
to submit a new plan.

I know I've commented a number of times about our society's soft on crime
attitude and suggested we should have more compassion for the criminals victims,
Well here is an outstanding example of what I've been talking about. Virginia
Annable's car was stolen a few months ago and driven out on the ice of Long Islands
Great South Bay. There it was set on fire, Miss Annable found her burned
out car but before she could do anything about getting it back it had sunk
through the weakened ice, coming to rest on the bottom of the bay. Well it
was an old klunker worth only about $400.00 - so end of story. Or is it?
The Army Corps of Engineers has informed Miss Annable that her sunken
car is a menace to navigation and must be removed from the bay. She will be
billed for the removal which the Engineers say will cost $1,000.00. Now
wouldn't you think some nice, sensible judge would rule that the criminal who
stole the car is responsible and tell the Corps of Engineers to find him and
collect their $1,000.00.

On a happier note-- and I couldn't be happier than I am over England's new
Prime Minister. It has been my privilege to meet and have two lengthy visits
with Margaret Thatcher. I've been rooting for her to become Prime Minister
since our first meeting.

If anyone can remind England of the greatness it knew during those
dangerous days in World War II when alone and unafraid her people fought the
Battle of Britain it will be the Prime Minister the English press has already
nicknamed "Maggie".

I think she'll do some moving and shaking of England's once proud industrial
capacity which under the Labor Party has been running down hill for a long
time. Productivity levels in some industrial fields are lower than they were
forty years ago. Output per man hour in many trades is only a third of what
it was in the 1930's. Bricklayers for example laid 1,000 bricks a day in 1937
today they lay 300(ed.?). I think "Maggie" -- bless her soul, will do something
about that.

This is Ronald Reagan.

Thanks for listening.
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