“Dick Rowland Image”
”Shoots (News, Views and Quotes)”
– Sacramento, California
Eco-scam, reported in the L.A. Times:
After a yearlong investigation, law enforcement officers have arrested 14 people accused of defrauding the state’s recycling program of millions of dollars by hauling bottles and cans from Mexico and neighboring states and redeeming them in Los Angeles.
– New York
Advance in the science of public health, reported by the New York Post:
The New York City Health Department is warning doctors they could face malpractice suits if they don’t push patients to kick the smoking habit.
Above two items are quoted from Liberty Magazine, PO Box 1181, Port Townsend, WA 98368 (February 2003).
– California Shoots Itself in the Foot
With little fanfare or attention, a new law went into effect in California on January 1 that makes privatization of education support services more difficult. Reason Director of Education Lisa Snell points out that in light of $5.2 billion in proposed education cuts in Governor Davis’ state budget and the reduced flexibility of the new anti-privatization law, it will be difficult to not cut teachers and instructional programs. https://www.rppi.org/cripplingcalifornia.html
1/16/03
”Roots (Food for Thought)”
What follows is a theoretical physician who is operating his own medical practice answering questions about HMO’s. Author is unknown, perhaps by design.
Explaining HMO’s
Please study the following closely …
Q. What does HMO stand for?
A. This is actually a variation of the phrase, “Hey, Moe!” Its roots go back to a concept pioneered by Dr. Moe Howard of “The Three Stooges” who discovered that a patient could be made to forget about the pain in his foot if he was poked hard enough in the eyes.
Q. I just joined an HMO. How difficult will it be to choose the doctor I want?
A. Just slightly more difficult than choosing your parents. Your insurer will provide you with a book listing all the doctors who were participating in the plan. These doctors basically fall into two categories: those who are no longer accepting new patients; and those who will see you but are no longer part of the plan. But don’t worry, the remaining doctor who is still in the plan and accepting new patients has an office just a half-day’s drive away and has a diploma from a small medical school in India.
Q. Do all diagnostic procedures require pre-certification?
A. No. Only those you need.
Q. What are pre-existing conditions?
A. This is a term used by the grammatically challenged when they want to talk about existing conditions. Unfortunately, we appear to be pre-stuck with ‘pre’ and ‘now’ meaning the same.
Q. Can I get coverage for my pre-existing conditions?
A. Certainly, as long as they don’t require any treatment.
Q. What happens if I want to try alternative forms of medicine?
A. You’ll need to find alternative forms of payment.
Q. My pharmacy plan only covers generic drugs, but I need the name
brand. I tried the generic medication, but it gave me a stomach ache. What should I do?
A. Poke yourself in the eye.
Q. What if I’m away from home and I get sick?
A. You really shouldn’t do that.
Q. I think I need to see a specialist, but my doctor insists he can handle my problem. Can a general practitioner really perform a heart transplant right in his office?
A. Hard to say, but considering that all you’re risking is the $10 co-payment, there is no harm giving him a shot at it.
Q. Will health care be any different in the next century?
A. No. But if you call right now, you might get an appointment by then.
”Evergreen (Today’s Quotes)”
Today we visit former U.S. Rep. Dick Armey (R-Tx.):
I said, “Ron (Dellums, D-Calif.,) you know, you and are alike, actually — I spend that money like it’s my money, and you spend that money like it’s my money.”
– “Remember what Waylon says – I may be used, but I ain’t used up.” – Quoting a lyric by singer Waylon Jennings, while speaking to reporters after the House adjourned sine die Friday. Nov. 26, 2002.
“The average politician, if he got run over by a train, would stand up and say, ‘I got the best of that deal.’ I don’t believe anything politicians have to say. I don’t like any politicians — never have. Politics is about how to fool somebody.” – Speaking to reporters Dec. 4, 1995
“Economics is the science of telling you things you have known all your life, but in a language you can’t understand.” – An economist by training, quoted in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution October 11, 1995.
”’See Web site”’ https://www.grassrootinstitute.org ”’for further information. Join its efforts at “Nurturing the rights and responsibilities of the individual in a civil society. …” or email or call Grassroot of Hawaii Institute President Richard O. Rowland at mailto:grassroot@hawaii.rr.com or (808) 487-4959.”’