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greatest number of persons. Accordingto that criteria, artificial heartswould fall very low on the scale. Notevery person needs one and indeed,not everyone who may need one willwant one. But, on the other end ofthe spectrum, there are millions ofmothers and would-be mothers whoneed adequate prenatal care andeducation. There are millions of teenagerswho need, indeed, requireinformation and help to equip themselvesfor sexual survival in theonslaught of the culture and themedia. This is where the moneyshould be spent. We cannot, in fact,allow a military mentality to dominateour medical establishment. Theoffensive arsenal does not have to bepurely technological. Unlike the militaryindustrial complex, the medicalestablishment does not have an "evilempire" to blame for the massiveexpenditure of dollars. They are, infact, not elected and do not directlyanswer to any constituency.Women who are concernedabout power, who are in positions ofpower, must go beyond their ownself-interest to see that their havinga perfect baby, their being superwomenwith careers and families, isnot the ultimate positive result ofthe revolution! Just as the notion ofpower in the women's movementmust be one of the universal collectiverather than the individual personal,"Patient Power" must begin tomove from the individual patient'srelationship with her physician to abroader, more active political andclass consciousness. The power ofwomen as patients, and as medicalconsumers, cannot exist only withinthe limited confines of family or thehome.Women are the primary constituencyof the medical establishmentand must understand that until theyhave a major voice in how the moneyis being spent, how the research isbeing directed, what technologicalpriorities are being established, anduntil all women (those who wouldbe, and those who would choose notto be mothers) and their children aregiven the information they needfrom various sources, the preventativecare they need from physiciansand a government that acknowledgesthem as a priority—and a commitmentof DOLLARS—women maybe less than second class citizens..they are victims.PATIENT POWERIn the early 1970s, Merle Hoffman,founder/president of CHOICES,developed the concept of Patient Power,based on the principle that patients(mainly women) are consumers of medicaltreatment rather than passive (andoften victimized) recipients. As such,J1. Patient Power is the right to questionyour doctor.2. Patient Power is not being intimidatedby the medical establishment.3. Patient Power is making medicinework for you.4. Patient Power is knowledge of thepower of your own will to health.5. Patient Power is awareness of availablemedical choices.6. Patient Power is assertive questioningof the medical system.cr, 7 Athey are entitled to get what they payfor, know what they're getting, andunderstand all their options for treatment.The following "12 Tenets ofPatient Power" will help you understandthis philosophy and ultimately practiceit in your own medical care.7. Patient Power is knowing all youroptions.8. Patient Power is being informed ofyour rights and responsibilities.9. Patient Power is comparison shoppingfor doctors and drugs.10. Patient Power is being an informedconsumer.11. Patient Power is integrity andresponsiblity.12. Patient Power is a discipline of selfawareness.Now, listen carefully and take notes/. ©ketchup ISQ vegetable.@Highmilitary Spending reduces the naticna/ ,.^{%hereisNOunemp)oymentin America '