ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, October 20, 1996 TAG: 9610210080
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-3 EDITION: METRO
Study urges hunters to put on orange
ATLANTA - A new study reinforces the idea that orange is a safe color for hunters.
The government report found an average of 86 hunting accidents a year between 1988 and 1991 in New York, one of 10 states that do not require hunters to wear orange garb.
The rate dropped to 61.5 annual accidents between 1992 and 1995, during a campaign to encourage the use of orange.
``Hunters seem to be wearing it, no matter if it's required or not. We feel we are making an impact,'' said Wayne Jones of the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, whose report was published by the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC said nearly three-fourths of the New York injuries happened to hunters not wearing orange. Nearly a third were mistaken for game.
Nationwide, hunting accidents killed 107 people in 1995 and injured 1,094, the report said.
``One death is too many deaths in any sport,'' said Jackie Bushman, founder of Buckmasters, a national group of 250,000 hunters. ``The No.1 rule is: `Know what you're shooting.' No deer is orange.''
- Associated Press
Medicare Part B premiums to rise
WASHINGTON - Monthly Medicare Part B premiums will increase $1.30 to $43.80 in 1997, the government said. At just more than 3 percent, it's the smallest increase since 1990 in the program that provides health insurance to the elderly, the Health and Human Services Department said Friday.
Medicare Part A deductibles, which cover hospital stays, are rising by $24, from $736 this year to $760 in 1997. The Part A deductible is the only cost for a recipient's first 60 days in a hospital.
The Part B program helps beneficiaries pay for doctor visits, hospital outpatient service, lab work, equipment and supplies.
- Associated Press
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