Call Me A Doctor

A while back I e-mailed our Senator Arlen Specter, a man who I have voted for since I was 18 about a problem that we in Delaware County and all across the State have. Doctors, who because of skyrocketing insurance premiums are either leaving Pennsylvania or choosing to limit their specific specialty and or just retire early. As one of the thousands of self-employed people across the state who barely afford health care for my family, this is a two pronged issue. I was quite surprised today when I received this from Senator Specter. Dear Mr. Ward: Thank you for contacting my office regarding the issue of medical liability insurance. I appreciate your keeping me informed of your recommendations and concerns regarding this important issue. During the 108th Congress the United States Senate considered legislation that would place a cap on non economic damages in medical malpractice cases. I support caps on non-economic damages so long as they do not apply to catastrophic injuries such as the paperwork mix-up leading to the double mastectomy of a woman or the recent death of a 17 year old woman from North Carolina, due to an erroneous blood test. An appropriate standard for cases not covered could be analogous provisions in Pennsylvania law which limit actions against governmental entities or in the limited tort context which exclude death, serious impairment of bodily function, and permanent disfigurement or dismemberment. On February 24, 2004, I voted in favor of the motion to proceed to the consideration of S. 2061, the Healthy Mothers and Healthy Babies Access to Care Act of 2004. On April 7, 2004, I voted in favor of the motion to proceed to the consideration of S. 2207, the Pregnancy and Trauma Care Access Protection Act of 2004. Moreover, on July 9, 2003, I voted in favor of the motion to proceed to the consideration of S.11, the Patient's First Act of 2003. These votes however, failed to garner the necessary 60 votes to further floor debate. Congress will continue to pursue these measures. Beyond the issue of caps, I believe there could be savings on the cost of medical malpractice insurance by eliminating frivolous cases by requiring plaintiffs to file with the Court a certification by a doctor in the field that it is an appropriate case to bring to court. This proposal, which is now part of state procedure, would be expanded federally, thus reducing claims and saving costs. Further savings could be accomplished through patient safety initiatives identified in the report of the Institute of Medicine. I think it is worth noting that my service for 23 years on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for Health and Human Services has been to provide access to the best possible medical care to all Americans. I have consistently voted to assist doctors on adequate reimbursement in Medicare cases. I have consistently voted to expand funding for the National Institutes of Health to find cures for Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, cancer, heart disease and other ailments. I have voted to increase funding for graduate medical education and to provide the delivery of health care for people in financial need. From my travels throughout the state, I understand the problems faced by medical professionals, as well as to people injured in the course of medical treatment; and I am working with my colleagues in the Senate to provide an appropriate legislative solution. The concerns of my constituents are of great importance to me, and I rely on you and other Pennsylvanians to inform me of your views. Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office or visit my website at http://specter.senate.gov . Thank you again for writing. Sincerely, Arlen Specter Now I do realize that it must be difficult for a Senator to choose between the Insurance lobbyists who I'm sure bombard him 24/7 and the Lawyer lobbyist doing the same. Arlen, (Or at least his staffers) at least replied to me. Until this issue is resolved guess who will continue to suffer the most? The citizens of Pennsylvania. Ask your Doctor the next time you visit Him/Her how much they have to pay for insurance and you’ll find that they too are paying way too much. Now I'm not defending any Doctor who is proven incompetent, say who gives a wrong diagnosis that results in say a healthy kidney being removed instead of the diseased one, or stuff like that. They should be held accountable. But let's face it. More and more Physicians will continue to close shop for elsewhere unless something about this is done. Also, I would like to put forth the Insurance companies position that there has been an 11% increase over the last 6 years of Attorneys seeking multi-million dollar amounts for "frivolous lawsuits" as they put it. Again between the Doctors. Insurance Companies, and Law Firms, We the people lose out the most. Anyway,Thank You Arlen for being on the ball.

I'm BAACK...

I have just been way to busy with work, and a sick child, etc to post. Also, I have been actively reading many blogs and official White House "via FAWX / Rush/Hannity/Asshole Bill O'Lielly press releases" and have come to the conclusion that the shit is already hitting the fan. It's now up to the people who are on this to follow thru. To Fitz in Chicago? Do not back back down! WE as a whole are fed the hell up and want these treasonous pricks put in prison. NOW! Not next year or whatever. The new "Person who has sexual issues"(Happy now Shelley?) that Bush nominated is a joke. She never sat behind a bench. WTF. When will us AMERICANS Of all political affiliations demand accountability? Are "Conservatives" really that gullible? Do you not care about your country and where it's headed?

Yes Fran, I am outraged!

OK, I have lots of issues today.....Appointing a fucking veterinarian to direct Women's Health?? How many decades will this administration push back women's issues? I've been fearful of what is going to happen once the frat boy gets to make an appointment to the Supreme Court (now 2 of them, oy vey). I feel like we as a gender have been pushed aside....can you say burka? I was hoping that my generation's strides in women's rights would be a legacy to pass down to our children and grandchildren...was hoping that when my granddaughter is of age, there would be no glass ceiling for women in business, that women would not have to struggle as hard as men to get to the same place.... I know some of you that read Fran's blog are young enough to think that I'm talking smack here but seriously....when I started my career in 1973, I was working in the Intensive Care Unit of a large Philly hospital...large pediatric hospital actually. I was making $4.20 an hour which really, at that time, you could live on ($5.00 to fill your gas tank)...the male nurse that started with me, also a new graduate made 10 cents an hour more. Why? (and yes I DID ask), "Because he has a family to support". This has chapped my ass for years and you know what? It still happens! Back to the women's health issues....there is already a difference in the way health insurance treats male and female issues. Viagra is paid for but in many instances, birth control pills are not, did you know that? I know of what I speak, I work for an HMO. Insurance also pays for an erectaid pump in cases of erectile dysfunction and does not pay for a similar technology for women with sexual dysfunction. Need a penile implant? You can get one! Need breast implants? Sorry Miss. On to another issue..the news. Did you learn from reading the headlines today that we're suffering casualties in Iraq? I didn't think so. I have a dear friend that is there as a reservist, working as a nurse doing air evacuations...didn't hear from him all week and was beginning to worry. Heard from him briefly today, just enough time to tell me that it's bloody and ugly over there this week...just thought you might want to know. Enough bitching for now, but I'll be back!

Male Veterinarian Appointed Acting Director of Women's Health

Ladies: What do you think of this? I think it's an insult to women. First we have a former commissioner for the International Arabian Horse Association, now a former Veterinarian in charge of the Office of Women's Health?

Remembering 911

Earlier I posted this but mysteriously the link that was working fine suddenly is not. Remembering what happened on 9-11-01 and what has happened to America since then has been the topic of many people around the world. I will not go into my thoughts about 911, because it makes me sick to know that people got away with mass murder and continue to get away with it to this very day, four years later. So.Where's Usāmah bin Muhammad bin `Awad bin Lādin, the mastermind of 911? Where is he hiding? Will the 3000 plus souls who lost their lives ever get true justice? I, as well as thousands more, have been remembering 911 ever since and demand the truth. I do believe that someday, someone will come out with evidence that will make the "Official" story look like the story of a Pet Goat. Enough of the lies, enough of the brazen, cocky attitude that befalls the ones who did this. Americans will never forget 911, and pray God I hope that history dosen't get the chance to preserve it in falsehood.

Spinning Katrina

I am listening right now to Bill O'Reilly, again defending the Bush Administration on what is being done about the victims of Hurricane Katrina. This guy should be fired and I am ashamed that he is a fellow American. This is a crisis of bibicial proportions, and O'Reilly, smug and cocky as ever, shows me that he is a friggin'' racist in the worst way. He does not care to mention that the Bush administration cut their budget for flooding in June. Now I hear him say that FEMA cannot do their job because of armed gangs (He failed to mention they are Black, but he lets you know in his racist baritone anyway.) He is slamming the NOLA Mayor, saying that he is not a good leader for his people, and yet,Bush flies over for a few minutes in his sanitized AF-1 at 2500'? When is enough enough? The stench from you, Bill O'Reilly is more sickening than what must be coming from Bourbon Street. FIRE everyone who failed and is continuing to fail these people. Do not let the media sway you! These people cry "Help us!" for 6 days? Now Hannity is spewing his bullshit, trying to belittle Giraldo Rivera, after he makes a direct plea for the Jack Boots to allow the people out. Even Russia offered to help, and Bush replied? Yep, you guessed it.. NO. So just when will YOU, the American citizen and neighbor, demand accountability? Are you that stupid? That brainwashed in just what is going on with this administration? And what about you people who work for the government? Feel a little confused lately? I challenge ANYONE to let me know why this is happening! Why fellow Americans should be allowed to die? Is Iraq more important? NO! (But the OIL is!) Both O'Reilly and these other so called commentators should be sent overseas, preferably to Angola, to live among the "colored" people they despise so much. To Mr. O'Reilly? I have no respect for you. In fact, I respect Michael Crook (Who I detest) more! At least he doesn't back down on what he states, unlike you Mr. "Spinmeister". I hope that someday you will die a slow painful death, much like you have no problem with the "Bottom Feeders" of Louisiana and Alabama are each and every minute of the day and night. forget about gas prices, forget about Iraq and their "Freedom"!!! The number ONE distressing issue that has to be addressed RIGHT NOW is our fellow AMERICANS! And to those pols who want to be re-elected in 06? We are watching you. From the Haverford Blog: Awaiting Ivan in the Big Uneasy Thanks Pat! A sub note. To Michael Marcavage: Your statement that the sinful gay people of the NOLA deserved what Katrina brought them is just plain evil. You call yourself a man of God? You are a worthless cause, a twisted soul who should be the soul patient of Haverford State Mental Hospital. Do something humbling. Go and help your fellow man and woman. In fact fellow Delconian Michael, I'll make you a deal. I'll drive you to Louisiana and we'll both help. Are you in?

Attention Delconians ! Fed up with gas prices?

I received this from a woman friend of mine on My Space. It makes perfect sense, as OPEC is putting the screws to us Americans, even in light of the horrible tragedy in the Southeast United States. Repost this and tell your friends. We need to take this nation back. OK, Let's fight back! Read on and do your part, only buy from the companies listed below: TO BUY YOUR GAS, THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW! Why didn't George W. think of this? Gas rationing in the 80's worked even though we grumbled about it. It might even be good for us! The Saudis are boycotting American goods. We should return the favor. An interesting thought is to boycott their GAS. Every time you fill up the car, you can avoid putting more money into the coffers of Saudi Arabia. Just buy from gas companies that don't import their oil from the Saudis. Nothing is more frustrating than the feeling that every time I fill-up the tank, I am sending my money to people who are trying to kill me, my family, and my friends. I thought it might be interesting for you to know which oil companies are the best to buy gas from and which major companies import Middle Eastern oil: Arab oil: Shell - 205,742,000 barrels Chevron/Texaco - 144, 332,000 barrels Exxon/Mobil - 130,082,000 barrels Marathon/Speedway - 117,740,000 barrels Amoco - 62,231,000 barrels: "If you do the math at $70/barrel, these imports amount to over $434 BILLION! Here are some large companies that DO NOT import Middle Eastern oil: Citgo - 0 barrels Sunoco - 0 barrels Conoco - 0 barrels Sinclair - 0 barrels BP/Phillips - 0 barrels Hess - 0 barrels ARCO - 0 barrels All of this information is available from the Department of Energy and each is required to state where they get their oil and how much they are importing. But to have an impact, we need to reach literally millions of gas buyers. It's really simple to do. Come on people do it! Go to Arab Oil Boycott I agree, get the word out, better yet? JUST DO IT!

Come Together

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, there are hundreds of thousands of people now homeless in America. Millions without power (No refrigerator = rotting food) A lot of these people have nothing left but the shirts on their backs. I just was browsing the MSM news on the TV and saw a woman being informed that her son's grave and hundreds of others were uprooted, and emptied out of their caskets. The time to act is now. No squabbling about where's the money coming from. Imagine what is happening down there. Imagine what is going to happen in the next week or two. In every passing day, hundreds of people will die from dehydration and disease is surely to come. I was quite happy to receive this letter today but it failed to address the money issue, other than to donate. "Ken Mehlman, RNC Chairman" To: frannyward@yahoo.com Subject: Hurricane Katrina Date: Tue, 30 Aug 2005 22:29:50 -0400 (EDT) Dear Francis, Hurricane Katrina has passed and now the people of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama must begin the process of rebuilding. Our thoughts are with those who were affected by this powerful storm. During times like these, there is no room for politics and partisanship. This is a time when we all come together to help our neighbors. Due to the size of this storm and the area of impact, the cost for recovery will be staggering. For that reason, we are asking you, our supporters, to make a donation to hurricane relief efforts. The American Red Cross and the Salvation Army provide shelter, food, water, blankets and clothing to those who have lost everything. We appreciate your willingness to help these groups. Your generosity will help the people impacted by the storm begin the process of rising up and recovering from this disaster. Thanks for all you do. Sincerely, Ken MehlmanChairman, RNC And I thought that the GOP didn't care! I was wondering what FEMA is doing to mobilize first responders. As you know, FEMA better known as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is the "people in charge" of both natural and man- made disasters. What I didn't know is this:

"FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003."

FEMA is appealing to the residents of the affected areas who evacuated to stay put, and are as I type this, sending hundreds of personal to coordinate relief efforts. Here is a news statement from FEMA. I actually am thinking of just what I can do to help, other than to send money. Maybe join the CERT program? Has anyone really ever volunteered to go so far away? My sister in law, who works for State Farm, has been to Florida and other states in the past after hurricanes to set up comm posts. And as the price of gasoline skyrocket's "I saw it go up 9 cents today on Oak Ave, in Primos" this is going to affect us all. Your favourite WAWA coffee, Milk, Budweisers, Air Conditioning, Heat, etc, all will be affected by a storm named Katrina. Let's hope this is the last of the season. The Chevron Pascagoula Refinery

Rigorous Intuition: Crash on the levee

I'm not the only one who aware of what's going on.

CommonSense: The Continuing Exploitation of Chester by Delco Politicians

Amazing information and a good read to those who want to know what's really going on in our county government. Thanks Peter and welcome to "I Live in Delaware County"! Feel free to post here anytime.