In an editorial of July 10, the New Era states: "Some observers say hospitals should give Amish and Mennonites a substantial price break all their own...
"But Tom Beeman at LGH told the Wall Street Journal that Holmes's request was unrealistic and unfair and simply would shift the burden of payment to all other hospital users...
"Why should one group be singled out for special treatment?"
WATCHDOG: Agreed that one group should not be singled out for special treatment. So why should the Amish be singled out to pay 75% or more of the phony inflated "charges"* that only the non-insured and partially insured are required to pay while the insurance companies, MediCare and MediAid pay only 50% of "charges" by Lancaster General Hospital's own admission?
Speaking of insurance, this editorial is yet another example of the Big Five Mutual Protection Plan. (That's F & M, Fulton, High, Lancaster General, and, of course, Lancaster Newspapers who cover each others' back, no matter what.)
*Lancaster General is typical of hospitals in setting sky high prices for non-insured and the co-pay portion of those who are partially insured.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Sunday, July 6, 2008
SUNDAY NEWS
Its July 6 front page headlines "Faith not paying bills: Amish and Old Order Mennonites, who don't believe in health insurance, are facing personal and financial catastrophes."
WATCHDOG:
The title is disingenuous. What it should say is "Lancaster General Hospital has been price gouging Amish."
The article itself reports fairly and touches, if ever so gently, on posturings on the part of LGH. But unlike NewsLanc's forthcoming report on its month long analysis of why LGH is earning such phenomenal profits, the Sunday News simply reports what it no longer can avoid. Yet it has failed to undertake an investigate into the sources of LGH's phenomenal profits.
It took the Lancaster Newspapers nine days to report upon and largely regurgitate an article that ran in the Wall Street Journal on June 26th, and then only after prodding by the WATCHODG and our letter writers.
NewsLanc was referring to the inequitable billings prior to the WSJ article and reported and expanded upon the WSJ article within a day.
NewsLanc is working with officials at LGH to obtain as accurate information as the hospital is prepared to share. Ultimately, NewsLanc will have to go with the best information available. If any aspect turns out not to be totally accurate, it will be because of a failure to disclose by the public non-profit corporation.
WATCHDOG:
The title is disingenuous. What it should say is "Lancaster General Hospital has been price gouging Amish."
The article itself reports fairly and touches, if ever so gently, on posturings on the part of LGH. But unlike NewsLanc's forthcoming report on its month long analysis of why LGH is earning such phenomenal profits, the Sunday News simply reports what it no longer can avoid. Yet it has failed to undertake an investigate into the sources of LGH's phenomenal profits.
It took the Lancaster Newspapers nine days to report upon and largely regurgitate an article that ran in the Wall Street Journal on June 26th, and then only after prodding by the WATCHODG and our letter writers.
NewsLanc was referring to the inequitable billings prior to the WSJ article and reported and expanded upon the WSJ article within a day.
NewsLanc is working with officials at LGH to obtain as accurate information as the hospital is prepared to share. Ultimately, NewsLanc will have to go with the best information available. If any aspect turns out not to be totally accurate, it will be because of a failure to disclose by the public non-profit corporation.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
LANCASTER POST
The Post's July 4th edition features "Puff Piece...of the week; How does the Kool-Aid Taste, Gil Smart" which pokes fun at the Sunday News lead article of June 29th titled "Confidence building: Optimistic city merchants say Penn Square project is but one of the factors in an increasing robust downtown."
WATCHDOG: Now that Chris Hart-Nibbrig has unsheathed his rapier dipped in scorn, we professional and amateur journalists in town are going to be held to a new and higher standard. Be assured we all will grab new issues of the Post the first chance we get and turn to Page 15 with the fear (or perhaps the hope) of having been run through!
WATCHDOG: Now that Chris Hart-Nibbrig has unsheathed his rapier dipped in scorn, we professional and amateur journalists in town are going to be held to a new and higher standard. Be assured we all will grab new issues of the Post the first chance we get and turn to Page 15 with the fear (or perhaps the hope) of having been run through!
Friday, July 4, 2008
INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL
In its July 4 lead story "Sen. targets game officials; Takes action after son pleads guilty to violations", the Intell shows sadly belated courage by finally, in the waning months of Senator Gibson Armstrong's final term, publishing news that on its face is testimonial of the Senator's arrogance and disregard of the public good in pursuit of personal goals and vendatives.
WATCHDOG: Armstrong abused his powerful chairmanship of the Senate Appropriation Committee to bully through special legislation to make it possible to constuct the Convention Center Project largely at tax payer expense, thus providing potentially eight digit profits for his cronies, the Lancaster Newspapers, Inc. and the High Group. Reciprocating, Lancaster Newspapers gave Armstrong the same special treatment of "see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil" they allow the Big Five (F & M, Fulton, High, Lancaster General Hospital and itself.)
Can any reader imagine not answering the reasonable questions of a law officer and lying to that officer about not having a fire arm in the vehicle? Can any of us conceive of simply driving away across a field and leaving the officer in our dust?
Does "daddy" object to such actions? No, he condones them! In Sen. Armstrong's case, he tries to ram through legislation that would gut the ability of the Game Commission to enforce the laws of the Commonwealth. It appears totally retributive. We urge viewers to visit the well written, objective Intell article at http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/224018 and judge for themselves.
WATCHDOG: Armstrong abused his powerful chairmanship of the Senate Appropriation Committee to bully through special legislation to make it possible to constuct the Convention Center Project largely at tax payer expense, thus providing potentially eight digit profits for his cronies, the Lancaster Newspapers, Inc. and the High Group. Reciprocating, Lancaster Newspapers gave Armstrong the same special treatment of "see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil" they allow the Big Five (F & M, Fulton, High, Lancaster General Hospital and itself.)
Can any reader imagine not answering the reasonable questions of a law officer and lying to that officer about not having a fire arm in the vehicle? Can any of us conceive of simply driving away across a field and leaving the officer in our dust?
Does "daddy" object to such actions? No, he condones them! In Sen. Armstrong's case, he tries to ram through legislation that would gut the ability of the Game Commission to enforce the laws of the Commonwealth. It appears totally retributive. We urge viewers to visit the well written, objective Intell article at http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/224018 and judge for themselves.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
NEW ERA
It's editorial on July 2nd is headed "Philadelphia: Stop harassing Scouts". It goes on to say "..the scouts' freedom to limit membership has come at a price....Philadelphia ordered the Boy Scouts to abandon its policy on homosexuality and atheism or say goodbye to its low rent by the end of May...Meanwhile, programs that serve thousands of boys in desperate need of activities to keep them off the streets of Philadelphia remain in limbo."
WATCHDOG: This is the type of unfortunate situation that can serve as a slippery slope leading to government funding discrimination. Would the New Era criticize Philadelphia for withdrawing its rent subsidy if the building was sub-let to the Nazi Party?
Law and practice is based on precedent, and making exception for the well intentioned can open the door wide for the ill disposed. The Watchdog suggests that the Boy Scouts either change the policy or raise some extra money for rent.
We love and support the Boy Scouts; but we also don't want government subsidizing discrimination.
WATCHDOG: This is the type of unfortunate situation that can serve as a slippery slope leading to government funding discrimination. Would the New Era criticize Philadelphia for withdrawing its rent subsidy if the building was sub-let to the Nazi Party?
Law and practice is based on precedent, and making exception for the well intentioned can open the door wide for the ill disposed. The Watchdog suggests that the Boy Scouts either change the policy or raise some extra money for rent.
We love and support the Boy Scouts; but we also don't want government subsidizing discrimination.
INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL
In a July 3rd editorial states: "One study found that reducing speeds from 75 mph to 65 mph resulted in a savings of 20 cents per gallon...Is 12 minutes worth the additional cost of 5 miles per gallon?"
WATCHDOG: Without taking sides, let's test the economics.
From the point of view of someone who earns $15 per hour, 8 minutes is worth $3. His or her employer computes the cost of employees by a multiple of 150% to cover benefits and company overhead so, at $22.50, 8 minutes is worth $4.50.
Ordinary professionals charge perhaps $75 for their time, so that 8 minutes is worth $15. Doctors and lawyers and other top specialist bill at say $175 per hour, so 8 minutes is worth $35 an hour.
When two or more adults travel together, the cost can double or triple
More efficient motors in smaller cars along with improved public transportation may be a better solution than slowing down the economy.
Incidentally, the figures presented do not pass the Watchdog's sniff test, at least as they apply to a typical new car, say a Chevy Impala. Since many cars now show the instantaneous measurement of gas consumption per hour, try speeding up from 65 to 75 on a level stretch of road to see if the amount of miles per gallon actually drops by ten miles. If it does, please drop us a note!
WATCHDOG: Without taking sides, let's test the economics.
From the point of view of someone who earns $15 per hour, 8 minutes is worth $3. His or her employer computes the cost of employees by a multiple of 150% to cover benefits and company overhead so, at $22.50, 8 minutes is worth $4.50.
Ordinary professionals charge perhaps $75 for their time, so that 8 minutes is worth $15. Doctors and lawyers and other top specialist bill at say $175 per hour, so 8 minutes is worth $35 an hour.
When two or more adults travel together, the cost can double or triple
More efficient motors in smaller cars along with improved public transportation may be a better solution than slowing down the economy.
Incidentally, the figures presented do not pass the Watchdog's sniff test, at least as they apply to a typical new car, say a Chevy Impala. Since many cars now show the instantaneous measurement of gas consumption per hour, try speeding up from 65 to 75 on a level stretch of road to see if the amount of miles per gallon actually drops by ten miles. If it does, please drop us a note!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL
An article of July 2nd states "Local woman, 58, charged with not returning rental car" relates that Manheim Township police are seeking the whereabouts of Cynthia J. Barnett who rented a car in February and has not returned it.
WATCHDOG: Big mystery! Police and the reporter would have done well to check with the County Prison where a person by that name and age is being held.
WATCHDOG: Big mystery! Police and the reporter would have done well to check with the County Prison where a person by that name and age is being held.
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