Rick's Rants #511
By: Rick Williams

Taking Chance:
I normally don’t promote movies or television programs; in fact I don’t believe I’ve ever done it, but things change.

On Saturday, Feb, 21, 8 PM EST HBO will air a movie called “Taking Chance.” The movie is the true story of USMC LTC Michael Stroble who escorted the remains of PFC Chance Phelps to his family in Wyoming. This isn’t a war movie, it is simply a retelling of a journey and what occurred along the way. The movie stars Kevin Bacon, if you are a fan of his. One warning though; have a box of tissues handy.

Through some contacts, I saw a preview and knowing my readers I know you’ll want to see this. You can view the trailer at: http://www.hbo.com/films/takingchance/

I’ll make one other recommendation along the same lines. If you haven’t read it, go to http://www.esquire.com/features/things-that-carried-him and read this story by Chris Jones on Esquire.Com.

Healthcare Implications in Stimulus Package:
Bloomberg’s Betsy McCaughey wrote a piece this week that everyone should read. Buried in the massive non-stimulus, stimulus pork bill are provisions for healthcare and how it is provided. On pages 445, 454, 479 you will find that your medical records will be tracked electronically by a federal system. Additionally it creates a new bureaucracy, the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology. But it goes further. Quoting Ms. McCaughey:

“the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology, will monitor treatments to make sure your doctor is doing what the federal government deems appropriate and cost effective. The goal is to reduce costs and “guide” your doctor’s decisions (442, 446). These provisions in the stimulus bill are virtually identical to what Daschle prescribed in his 2008 book, “Critical: What We Can Do About the Health-Care Crisis.” According to Daschle, doctors have to give up autonomy and “learn to operate less like solo practitioners.” Providers, who do not utilize the system will face penalties. What constitutes not using isn’t defined, nor are the penalties; that is being left up to Health and Human Services Secretary.

But the really bad news is for the elderly. Again quoting; “Daschle says health-care reform “will not be pain free.” Seniors should be more accepting of the conditions that come with age instead of treating them. That means the elderly will bear the brunt.

Medicare now pays for treatments deemed safe and effective. The stimulus bill would change that and apply a cost- effectiveness standard set by the Federal Council (464).”

She continues; : The stimulus bill will affect every part of health care, from medical and nursing education, to how patients are treated and how much hospitals get paid. The bill allocates more funding for this bureaucracy than for the Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force combined (90-92, 174-177, 181).

Hiding health legislation in a stimulus bill is intentional. Daschle supported the Clinton administration’s health-care overhaul in 1994, and attributed its failure to debate and delay. A year ago, Daschle wrote that the next president should act quickly before critics mount an opposition. “If that means attaching a health-care plan to the federal budget, so be it,” he said. “The issue is too important to be stalled by Senate protocol.”

So there you have it. A new huge bureaucracy, less healthcare and doctors losing more control over your treatment.
Get on the phone and call your congressional representative…now! This bill is a few days away from being passed.