A disturbing article with direct ties to congressional Washington now dragging its heels on the stimulus bill. One alarming example of the desperate straits the free-market economic mess has caused. Contrary to crocodile remonstrations of congressional Neanderthal Neocons–and so amply demonstrated in 1932–the only entity big enough to solve our mess is the federal government. And yes, it’s a spending bill. A spending bill to alleviate suffering, one of which described in ... More »

Ho presents a discomforting picture from King County (Seattle) and Washington state. The combination of stingy medicaid payments and privatized care concerned with maximizing profits is resulting in evicting people too old to care for themselves.

Unfortunately it's probably all factual. Nursing homes, especially absentee corporate ones, have a tendency to skimp on food, activities, and staff, to overmedicate - and generally fail to meet needs of residents. And yes, Medicaid reimbursements aren't adequate, and medicaid doesn't cover assisted living facilities which could keep a lot of people out of nursing homes at half the cost!. Medicare doesn't cover custodial care. This is a part of the health care system that ... More »

Ms. Ho has written a great and informative report, but as with all well written story's, which sources are more credible, the patients or the health care industry.Well, after thinking about it for literally seconds, I believe I'll go with the patients, After all, HMO's are bloodsucker's.