Medicare Fraud? You tell me.
In 2006 I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and received a prescription for an oxygen concentrator. Like a good patient I contacted Pacific Pulmonary, one of several companies providing medical devices.
They delivered a Respironics EverFlo-Q Oxygen Concentrator and a supply of Salter Labs Nasal Cannulas. For use of this equipment, Pacific Pulmonary has billed Humana, my insurer, about $121 per month, and they have billed me a co-pay of $24 a month. It has been a total of about 60 months, but Pacific Pulmonary claims there were 15 months during which they did not bill.
I am not very good at remembering due dates or payment details, so I leave that to my wife of forty years. She is generally quite frugal, extremely good at meeting all obligation dates and amounts and is good at arithmetic. Perhaps Pacific Pulmonary has billed us only 45 months... I'll take their word for it pending further checking.
In any event, 45 months at about $145 a month, totals over $6,700. During this period, they have sent perhaps an additional 50 nasal cannulas.
Humana has advised that they will no longer pay for Pacific Pulmonary services, and has advised we contact a different provider. This prompted me to add up what we have paid Pacific and what they have provided.
I Googled "Respironic oxygen concentrator" and was instantly provided with the URL of several providers. I clicked on one, http://www.portablenebs.com and learned that the Respironics unit I am using is available for purchase for $599; nasal cannulas are about $12.50 for 10.
To summarize, Pacific Pulmonary has "rented" me a piece of gear worth $600 and tossed in about $75 worth of accessories, for the amazing low price of just $6,700!
Gee, what a business!
Is it legal? Probably. I signed whatever paperwork was presented me.
Is it fraud? In my opinion, decidedly yes! How about you?
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
The Legacy of New Mexico Democrats
My adopted state of New Mexico is a shining example of how the Democrat Party shapes any governmental unit they dominate.
Democrats have held the majority in almost every city, county, state or federal office. In November, 2010, we elected a Republican governor; broke the Democrats hold on our congressional delegation by electing a Republican to one of our three districts, and we gained some seats in our state legislature. But Democrats still hold majorities.
What is the result: Here is how the American Society of Civil Engineers graded New Mexico's infrastructure:
1. Aviation: D
2. Bridges: C
3. Dams: D
4. Drinking Water: D-
5. Energy: D+
6. Hazardous Waste: D
7. Inland Waterways: D-
8. Levees: D-
9. Public Parks and recreation: C-
10. Rail: C-
11. Roads: D-
12: Schools: D
13. Solid Waste: C+
14. Transit: D
15. Wastewater: D-
Meantime, New Mexico's Department of Higher Education reports that, for the fist time in history, New Mexico's older residents are better educated than its younger ones. A higher percentage of those 45 to 65 years old have an associate's degree or higher compared to those who are 25 to 44. In other words, our system of higher education is no longer working.
New Mexico has a variety of climates, from toasty warm deserts to cool mountains. It has an abundance of natural resources, including oil, natural gas and uranium. It has fishing, big and small game hunting; lakes, ski areas and other tourist attractions. And, New Mexico has spectacular scenery and breathtaking sunsets nearly every day.
New Mexico now has a commercial spaceport. (It costs a lot less to launch from 4,000 feet than at sea level, as in Florida.)
There is every reason why New Mexico should be a thriving, prosperous state. Sadly, its management - its government - has prevented that from becoming a reality.
My adopted state of New Mexico is a shining example of how the Democrat Party shapes any governmental unit they dominate.
Democrats have held the majority in almost every city, county, state or federal office. In November, 2010, we elected a Republican governor; broke the Democrats hold on our congressional delegation by electing a Republican to one of our three districts, and we gained some seats in our state legislature. But Democrats still hold majorities.
What is the result: Here is how the American Society of Civil Engineers graded New Mexico's infrastructure:
1. Aviation: D
2. Bridges: C
3. Dams: D
4. Drinking Water: D-
5. Energy: D+
6. Hazardous Waste: D
7. Inland Waterways: D-
8. Levees: D-
9. Public Parks and recreation: C-
10. Rail: C-
11. Roads: D-
12: Schools: D
13. Solid Waste: C+
14. Transit: D
15. Wastewater: D-
Meantime, New Mexico's Department of Higher Education reports that, for the fist time in history, New Mexico's older residents are better educated than its younger ones. A higher percentage of those 45 to 65 years old have an associate's degree or higher compared to those who are 25 to 44. In other words, our system of higher education is no longer working.
New Mexico has a variety of climates, from toasty warm deserts to cool mountains. It has an abundance of natural resources, including oil, natural gas and uranium. It has fishing, big and small game hunting; lakes, ski areas and other tourist attractions. And, New Mexico has spectacular scenery and breathtaking sunsets nearly every day.
New Mexico now has a commercial spaceport. (It costs a lot less to launch from 4,000 feet than at sea level, as in Florida.)
There is every reason why New Mexico should be a thriving, prosperous state. Sadly, its management - its government - has prevented that from becoming a reality.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Things that irk!
George Mason University's Distinguished Professor Walter Williams recently wrote: "There are a lot of things, large and small, that irk me. One of them is our tendency to evaluate a presidential candidate based on his intelligence or academic credentials."
Well.. that started me thinking... what was Dr. Williams talking about? So I decided to look up the formal education credentials of the presidents.
First, a few of the "good" presidents:
No. 1: George Washington has long been described as First in War, First in Peace, First in the hearts of his countrymen. His education was rudimentary, probably being obtained from tutors but possibly also from private schools, and he learned surveying.
No. 2: Abraham Lincoln gained what education he could along the way. While reading law, he worked in a store, managed a mill, surveyed, and split rails.
No. 3: Thomas Jefferson attended the College of William and Mary and read law (1762-1767) with George Wythe, the greatest law teacher of his generation in Virginia.
No. 4: Ronald Wilson Reagan earned a BA degree in 1932 from Eureka (Ill.) College.
No. 5: Harry S. Truman attended the public schools in Independence, Mo.
And, a few "stinkers":
No. 1: (Thomas) Woodrow Wilson. A Princeton graduate, he turned from law practice to post-graduate work in political science at Johns Hopkins University, receiving his Ph.D. in 1886. He taught at Bryn Mawr, Wesleyan, and Princeton, and in 1902 was made president of Princeton.
No. 2: Franklin Delano Roosevelt. A Harvard graduate, he also attended Columbia Law School.
No. 3. Theodore Roosevelt. A Harvard graduate.
No. 4: William Howard Taft. A Yale graduate.
No. 5: James Earl Carter, Jr. Graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis
And, we must not forget:
No. 6: Barack Hussein Obama obtained early education in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Hawaii; continued education at Occidental College, Los Angeles, Calif.; received a B.A. in 1983 from Columbia University, New York City; studied law at Harvard University, where he received J.D. in 1991
I could go on, but no need... I now think I see what Dr. Williams was talking about!
George Mason University's Distinguished Professor Walter Williams recently wrote: "There are a lot of things, large and small, that irk me. One of them is our tendency to evaluate a presidential candidate based on his intelligence or academic credentials."
Well.. that started me thinking... what was Dr. Williams talking about? So I decided to look up the formal education credentials of the presidents.
First, a few of the "good" presidents:
No. 1: George Washington has long been described as First in War, First in Peace, First in the hearts of his countrymen. His education was rudimentary, probably being obtained from tutors but possibly also from private schools, and he learned surveying.
No. 2: Abraham Lincoln gained what education he could along the way. While reading law, he worked in a store, managed a mill, surveyed, and split rails.
No. 3: Thomas Jefferson attended the College of William and Mary and read law (1762-1767) with George Wythe, the greatest law teacher of his generation in Virginia.
No. 4: Ronald Wilson Reagan earned a BA degree in 1932 from Eureka (Ill.) College.
No. 5: Harry S. Truman attended the public schools in Independence, Mo.
And, a few "stinkers":
No. 1: (Thomas) Woodrow Wilson. A Princeton graduate, he turned from law practice to post-graduate work in political science at Johns Hopkins University, receiving his Ph.D. in 1886. He taught at Bryn Mawr, Wesleyan, and Princeton, and in 1902 was made president of Princeton.
No. 2: Franklin Delano Roosevelt. A Harvard graduate, he also attended Columbia Law School.
No. 3. Theodore Roosevelt. A Harvard graduate.
No. 4: William Howard Taft. A Yale graduate.
No. 5: James Earl Carter, Jr. Graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis
And, we must not forget:
No. 6: Barack Hussein Obama obtained early education in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Hawaii; continued education at Occidental College, Los Angeles, Calif.; received a B.A. in 1983 from Columbia University, New York City; studied law at Harvard University, where he received J.D. in 1991
I could go on, but no need... I now think I see what Dr. Williams was talking about!
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Does anyone believe
those political talking points? Or do they just keep repeating them to persuade the uninformed to believe a lie?
Last night my wife and I attended a Town Hall type meeting conducted by our New Mexico Congressman, Republican Stevan Pearce. A couple of people persisted in demanding to know why the Republicans refused to "tax the rich" as a way to ease the nation's debt crisis. After the Congressman quoted New Mexico's former Democrat governor Bill Richardson that raising taxes killed jobs, the questioner stormed out of the meeting in a huff.
The fact is, if the government confiscated every dime of income of the top 2% of the nation's earners - not just an increase in their tax rates, but every dime of their income - it would raise only enough cash to operate the government for a week or ten days. There are other sound reasons why raising tax rates on top income earners would be a mistake, but are more reasons needed?
Again, I ask... does anyone believe those talking points? I worry that they do, and those people also vote.
those political talking points? Or do they just keep repeating them to persuade the uninformed to believe a lie?
Last night my wife and I attended a Town Hall type meeting conducted by our New Mexico Congressman, Republican Stevan Pearce. A couple of people persisted in demanding to know why the Republicans refused to "tax the rich" as a way to ease the nation's debt crisis. After the Congressman quoted New Mexico's former Democrat governor Bill Richardson that raising taxes killed jobs, the questioner stormed out of the meeting in a huff.
The fact is, if the government confiscated every dime of income of the top 2% of the nation's earners - not just an increase in their tax rates, but every dime of their income - it would raise only enough cash to operate the government for a week or ten days. There are other sound reasons why raising tax rates on top income earners would be a mistake, but are more reasons needed?
Again, I ask... does anyone believe those talking points? I worry that they do, and those people also vote.
Friday, June 24, 2011
An Urgent Message
to all political pundits predicting who can or cannot, will or will not win the 2012 presidential election:
Take a deep breath. Read a little history. Then shut up.
Everything we are being told is wishful thinking, imaginings from fantasy land, or, perhaps, deliberate spin in hopes of influencing election results.
Just check the elections in my lifetime. In 1936, Roosevelt was completing his first term. He had brought us more than a dozen failed government programs. Kansas' Governor Alf Landon ran against FDR as the Republican candidate. The only polling of the day, conducted by The Literary Digest, predicted a Landon win by a landslide. Roosevelt won.
FDR died in 1945. V.P. Harry Truman became president and ran for reelection in 1948. Even on election day, everyone thought Truman would be defeated by Republican Thomas Dewey. The Chicago Tribune famously published a headline proclaiming a Dewey win. Truman won.
In 1960, Richard Nixon, a former U.S. Senator and Vice President under the popular Dwight Eisenhower, was favored to win over the young Massachusetts Senator John F. Kennedy. Kennedy won.
Following the first Gulf War, George H. W. Bush had approval ratings in the 90% range and was considered unbeatable in the 1992 election. The economy took a cyclical downturn and an unknown governor of a small southern state, William Jefferson Clinton, defeated Bush.
Even after election day we may not know the winner in November 2012. Recall how long it took in 2000 when Al Gore's on-again-off-again concession delayed the inevitable win for George W. Bush.
When Barrack Obama announced his candidacy, even the respected columnist Dr. Charles Krauthammer scoffed. His comment, almost word for word, was "Many Americans, myself included, would like to see an African-American elected to the presidency, but this inexperienced candidate has no chance of winning." As the canned tuna people would say, "Sorry Charley"! Obama won.
So, hang onto your TV remote. Every time a learned pundit starts telling you what the election results will be, change the channel!
to all political pundits predicting who can or cannot, will or will not win the 2012 presidential election:
Take a deep breath. Read a little history. Then shut up.
Everything we are being told is wishful thinking, imaginings from fantasy land, or, perhaps, deliberate spin in hopes of influencing election results.
Just check the elections in my lifetime. In 1936, Roosevelt was completing his first term. He had brought us more than a dozen failed government programs. Kansas' Governor Alf Landon ran against FDR as the Republican candidate. The only polling of the day, conducted by The Literary Digest, predicted a Landon win by a landslide. Roosevelt won.
FDR died in 1945. V.P. Harry Truman became president and ran for reelection in 1948. Even on election day, everyone thought Truman would be defeated by Republican Thomas Dewey. The Chicago Tribune famously published a headline proclaiming a Dewey win. Truman won.
In 1960, Richard Nixon, a former U.S. Senator and Vice President under the popular Dwight Eisenhower, was favored to win over the young Massachusetts Senator John F. Kennedy. Kennedy won.
Following the first Gulf War, George H. W. Bush had approval ratings in the 90% range and was considered unbeatable in the 1992 election. The economy took a cyclical downturn and an unknown governor of a small southern state, William Jefferson Clinton, defeated Bush.
Even after election day we may not know the winner in November 2012. Recall how long it took in 2000 when Al Gore's on-again-off-again concession delayed the inevitable win for George W. Bush.
When Barrack Obama announced his candidacy, even the respected columnist Dr. Charles Krauthammer scoffed. His comment, almost word for word, was "Many Americans, myself included, would like to see an African-American elected to the presidency, but this inexperienced candidate has no chance of winning." As the canned tuna people would say, "Sorry Charley"! Obama won.
So, hang onto your TV remote. Every time a learned pundit starts telling you what the election results will be, change the channel!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Elections Have Consequences!
And, apparently, one of the consequences of last November's elections is that Uncle Sam's Tavern has a new sign out front!
But, If you peek through that dusty window, you'll see one lonely patriot sitting at the end of the bar, nursing a now warm, flat beer.The back door is unlocked! Will one of our one-time contributors join me!
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