Subject: DJP Update 1-5-2010 ITEM ONE: Upcoming talk – “Health System Reform – The Arrogance of Power”; ITEM TWO: Do words mean something?; LAGNIAPPE – talented physician artist
DJP Update 1-5-2010 ITEM ONE: Upcoming talk – “Health System Reform – The Arrogance of Power”; ITEM TWO: Do words mean something?; LAGNIAPPE – talented physician artist
ITEM ONE: DJP Update 1-5-2010 Upcoming talk – “Health System Reform & The Arrogance of Power”
I will deliver the keynote address on February 4, 2010 at the meeting in Orlando Florida of the combined sections meeting of The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc. aka The Triological Society.
I selected as the title of my talk, “Health System Reform & The Arrogance of Power”.
Considering what has occurred in the health system reform debate this year, I believe the title is appropriate. I will not repeat all of the special deals for votes in the Senate. That has been covered in a previous DJP Update. But do consider how the public has been left out of the negotiations and the end runs planned to avoid a conference committee of the different House and Senate bills. Secrecy is of great value in searching for those who wish to attack America but it has no place in health system reform. We are Americans, not the enemy.
I believe what I said in the Epilogue of my book, “On Leadership – Essential Principles for Success”, is especially pertinent today:
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Page 230: “I believe Americans are disgusted and apathetic about the partisanship, patronage and scandals that continue to stifle Congress. The behavior in the halls and chambers of Congress also does not reflect the Declaration of Independence’s conclusion, ‘And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.’ It appears that many in Congress are not pledging their ‘Fortunes,’ but rather working hard to increase their own.”
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ITEM TWO: DO WORDS MEAN SOMETHING?
Now here are a few excepts about promises and reality.
Negotiate health care reform in public sessions televised on C-SPAN
Below are comments about transparency by then-candidate Senator Obama in 2008:
To achieve health care reform, “I’m going to have all the negotiations around a big table. We’ll have doctors and nurses and hospital administrators. Insurance companies, drug companies — they’ll get a seat at the table, they just won’t be able to buy every chair. But what we will do is, we’ll have the negotiations televised on C-SPAN, so that people can see who is making arguments on behalf of their constituents, and who are making arguments on behalf of the drug companies or the insurance companies. And so, that approach, I think is what is going to allow people to stay involved in this process.”
Sources: Town hall meeting on Aug. 21, 2008, in Chester, Va.
See more at St. Petersburg Time site: http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/promise/517/health-care-reform-public-sessions-C-SPAN/
Also see AP report at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100105/ap_on_en_tv/us_health_care_overhaul_tv
“”Obama pledged during a presidential debate in January 2008 that he would be “bringing all parties together, and broadcasting those negotiations on C-SPAN so that the American people can see what the choices are.””
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The following is posted at C-Span Website today:
http://www.c-span.org/
Democratic leadership is considering bypassing a formal conference committee in resolving health care legislation differences between the House and Senate. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, “there has never been a more open process” and “we will take the route that gets the job done.”
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C-Span television sent letter to Congress and reminded President of promise for transparency in negotiations.
http://www.c-span.org/pdf/C-SPAN%20Health%20Care%20Letter.pdf
EXCERPT of December 30, 2009 letter
“President Obama, Senate and House leaders, many of your rank-and-file members, and the nations’s editorial pages have all talked about the value of transparent discussions on reforming the nations’s health care system. Now that the process moves to the critical stage of reconciliation between the Chambers, we respectfully request that you allow the public full access, through television, to legislation that will affect the lives of every single American.”
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I read the above quote from C-Span on a Washington, DC area 30 minute radio interview this morning (G. Gordon Liddy Show with former Congressman Ernest Istook of Oklahoma as host. You can listen to the Podcast or download it at: http://www.radioamerica.org/POD_ggl.htm
Now on another topic, here is an example of the need to read the fine print in the bills in Congress – danger to HSAs
http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/congress-declares-war-on-hsas/
Read what how the patient in control Health Savings Account coverage could be destroyed with the current bills being pushed in Congress.
Here is an excerpt from article by Ron Bachman posted at John Goodman’s Blog site:
But be sure to read the entire article!
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“While Congress has been debating health reform, employers have been creating new consumer-driven plans that lower costs and improve the quality of care. More than half of employers now offer consumer-driven options, including Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and by 2010, nearly 18 million people will be enrolled.
“Federal legislation can stop progress in its tracks, however. The Senate proposal, for example, does not directly outlaw HSA-eligible plans; but it restricts HSA options in insidious ways that will delay, deny, defeat and ultimately kill them.”
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LAGNIAPPE: Many of you know Dr. Susan Adelman, pediatric surgeon and former AMA Board member. Sue is now retired from Medicine and is using her gift for art creation full-time. Check out her Website to see her paintings, jewelry, and sculpture she has for sale. Very impressive! Go to: www.artandjewelryofsue.com
Stay well,
Donald
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Donald J. Palmisano, MD, JD
Intrepid Resources® / The Medical Risk Manager Company
5000 West Esplanade Ave., #432
Metairie, Louisiana USA 70006
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DJP@donaldpalmisano.com
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