Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Alfredo Lopez - Wanted by the FBI
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ALFREDO REYES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
DESCRIPTION
CAUTIONAlfredo Reyes is wanted for allegedly shooting a man in the stomach during a street altercation in Chicago, Illinois, on April 20, 2002. A state arrest warrant was issued on April 30, 2004, by the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, after Reyes was charged with attempted first degree murder. A federal arrest warrant was issued by the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, on March 16, 2005, after Reyes was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. Additionally, arrest warrants have been issued for Reyes in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Lake County, Indiana, for drug-related charges. SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ARMED AND DANGEROUS IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS CASE, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL FBI OFFICE OR THE NEAREST AMERICAN EMBASSY OR CONSULATE. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Labels: Alfredo Lopez, Alfredo Reyes, FBI
Monday, October 29, 2007
Focus on NASA Request for Team Sponsors
Active and intelligent teens love good competition, robots, an intellectual challenge, more robots and enjoy interacting with other motivated teenagers and mentors. If you recognize this and our nations desperate need to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) in our high schools, then PLEASE consider becoming a sponsor of
What is FOCUS On NASA?
FOCUS On NASA or FON is a revolutionary new STEM program series created by internationally respected Uber-Geek Jeff Gerhardt (for more information just Google “Jeff Gerhardt”), FOCUS ON NASA creates an environment where youth that are excited about science and technology can connect with other similarly interested youth. Focus On NASA has developed nine different science, technology, engineering and math programs that ALL make use of NASA based resources; including a five-tier robotics program that spans an eighteen month period. In 2006 the FOCUS ON NASA program was the recipient of the prestigious BP LEADER Award for High School age STEM program development.
What is UGLI?
UGLI (pronounced ugly) is a group of clubs forming up across Illinois based upon the original UGLC model. The UGLC or the Underground Gamers League of Chicago was an unique youth program experiment that was designed for “geek kids” that were disconnected from the education system. The concept is simple enough, build a center where kids can go to safely hang out and connect with things that interest then; while at the same time LEARNING. The motto of UGLI is “Excellence in Gaming through Mastery of Technology.” It is more than a drop in center and more then just a place for youth to play video games. It is a warm and comfortable place where youth who do not always fit into conventional social or educational settings not only fit it but thrive. The youth help to set the rules and plan the events at UGLI, the youth always come first. So as the youth thrive, so goes the UGLI and so goes Focus On NASA.
What is B2B?
The Birds to Bots Program (B2B) is a hands-on applied science program that teaches youth the mechanical skills behind the physics and math of the projects on which they work. Applied Science is the exact science of applying knowledge from one or more scientific fields to practical problems. Many applied sciences can be considered forms of engineering. Applied science is important for technology development. Its use in industrial settings is typically referred to as research and development (R&D).
In the fall session the students experienced building model gliders, remote control aircraft, medium power rocketry, space science and an introduction to robotics using VEX robotics technology.
A companion program of the B2B program is the ATX (Astronaut Training eXperience) that travels to Kennedy Space Center. We spend 3 days at the center participating in lectures and presentation, including a lunch with an astronaut. We try to plan the trip to coincide with a space shuttle or missile launch. This past year we witnessed a spectacular launch on December 9th.
What is Team Challenger?
Team Challenger is a major component of that five-tier robotics program. Team Challenger is an intensive “hands on” Robot building program that starts during the winter holiday break of 2007 and ends in May of 2008. Team Challenger will consist of youth that will be mentored by our engineering team and compete in the leading international robotics competition for high school age youth. The highlight of the program will be traveling to two NASA Sponsored US FIRST regional tournaments (one in Chicago and one in Milwaukee) and the national championships.
What is the US First Robotics Competition?
FIRST was founded in 1989 to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology. FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills. FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) is a unique varsity sport of the mind designed to help high-school-aged young people discover how interesting and rewarding the life of engineers and researchers can be. The program is split into TWO-six week cycles for a total of 12 weeks. The FIRST Robotics Competition challenges teams of young people and their mentors to solve a common problem during the first six-week time frame called BUILD SEASON, using a standard "kit of parts" and a common set of rules. All teams must complete their robots Teams build robots from the parts and then enter them in a series of grueling competitions for the following 6 weeks.
Because Team Challenger is a part of an Applied Science program for youth, we do not view this program as a hobby for a bunch of professional engineers. Our program is 100% hands-on by the youth. We may not have the best robot on the playing field. But, we will have a very good robot and AT LEAST we will know in our hearts that our youth team members did the work.
Who can be on Team Challenger?
Enrolment is OPEN to ALL students’ grades 8 through 12. The FTC Program (VEX based robotics) is for grades 8 through 12 and the FRC program (Large Robotics) is for grades 10 through 12. Students do not have to be enrolled in High school, they can be recent graduates as long as they have not yet started college. College students can be team mentors along with out team of professional engineers. This is a serious challenge very similar to the commitment of participating in a major varsity sport. Parental participation contracts must be signed as grades are tightly monitored.
When & where do we meet?
The “official hours” are every weekday from 3:00pm till 8:00pm and Saturdays from 10:00am till 3:00pm. However, the hours are in fact much longer and often go beyond midnight. We make several locations where we meet. Our primary facility is located just off Route 47 in Woodstock. There is LOTS of FREE parking. We are presently building out a youth drop in facility that will be open during the months leading up to the competitive robotics season. We encourage potential sponsors to come visit. Please call in advance of coming.
What kind of Sponsors do we need?
We need all kinds of Sponsors in-kind and cash:
· CASH- This is a high value return proposition (just ask the parents of our youth), but not a cheap to run.
· FOOD and BEVERAGES- This team will have 30 hungry/thirsty teenagers in our charge 6 days a week for 3 months. Ideal for grocery or restaurant sponsorship.
· TOOLS- We need all kinds of tools from hand drills to industrial grade machine tools.
· Clothing- We need team uniforms (T-shirts and camo-pants)
· OFFICE SUPPLIES, PRINTING and SWAG- We have an organization to run. We need to promote our team to other teams as a potential alliance.
· No Minimum size donation
· CASH AND IN-KIND Donations can be combined to get higher level sponsor category (see over)
· MENTOR SPONSORS WELCOME- if your company employees- engineers, machinists, artists, craftsmen, PR or Marketing specialists, your company could sponsor your employee helping out our team; and fully tax deductible.
Sponsors benefits: Sponsors also benefit by participation in Team Challenger
· Corporate Name/logo placed on banners, pit trailer and team shirts/jackets
· Advertisement in our Team Program Booklet.
· Limited use of team logo in ads for all sponsors
· Newsletter: all sponsors get informed of news, events and new programs.
· Its TAX TIME!!!!!! The program is a 501C3 corp, all donations of cash or in-kind are legally tax deductible.
· The Satisfaction for supporting an Award Wining program .
Who are some of our past Sponsors/Partners from Chicago?
· Motorola (Platinum Sponsor)
· After School Matters
· Chicago Public School System
· NASA
· BP (Formerly AMACO)
· LEADER FOUNDATION
· Acme Networking
· Best Buy
Sponsor Options: Contribution Number Available
Platinum Sponsor: Over $50,000.00 One
Additional Benefits:
· Major Sponsor for Season
· Only Corporate Logo on FRC Robot
· Largest Corp Logo on all materials
· Largest Logo On Uniforms and T-shirts
· Largest Logo on Team Pit Banner
· Logo on front cover of Program
· Back Cover ad in Program
· Middle 2 page-spread of Program
· PR Event planned at your business
· Unrestricted use of Team Name and Logo
Gold Sponsor: $25,000.00-$49,999.00 Two
Benefits:
· Second Largest Corp Logo on all materials
· Second Largest Logo on uniforms and shirts
· Inside Front or Back Cover ad in Program
· Second Largest Logo On Pit Banner
· Event planned at your business
· Use of Team Name and Logo for Ads
Silver Sponsor: $10,000.00-$24,999.00 Four
Benefits:
· Third Largest Corp Logo on all materials
· Third Largest Logo on uniforms and shirts
· Full page ad in Program
· Third Largest Logo On Pit Banner
Bronze Sponsor: $5,000.00-$9,999.00 Eight
Benefits:
· Fourth Largest Corp Logo on all materials
· Fourth Largest Logo on uniforms and shirts
· Half page ad in Program
· Fourth Largest Logo On Pit Banner
School or Non Profit: Variable Commitment No Limit
Benefits:
· School or agency Logo on all materials
· School or agency Logo on uniforms and shirts
· Full to half page ad in Program
· Logo On Pit Banner
· Pep rally at Schools
· Small Logo on FRC Robot
Small Business Sponsor: $500.00-$4,999.00 No Limit
Benefits:
· Package adjustable to sponsorship size
· Perfect for local retail sponsors
· small Logo on uniforms and shirts
· ¼ to ½ page ad in Program
· Small Logo On Pit Banner
Family Sponsor: $250.00 No Limit
Benefits:
· ¼ page ad in Program
· Advanced sign-up opportunity on programs for all family members
Friends of the Team: Minimum Donation $1.00 No Limit
Benefits:
· Name on Friends of Team List in Program
· Invitation to all events
Types of IN-KIND donations needed: (All donations tax deductible)
Note- Cash and In-kind donations can be combined for sponsorship levels. Example: a grocery could donate $2500 in cash and $2500 in-kind to become a Bronze level sponsor.
1- Food to feed hungry teens- Ideal for anything from a fast food to grocery to a motivated mom.
2- “Porta Potties”- Our new facilities are a bit slim on washrooms and we could supplement these with commercial chemical toilets. A waste management firm could supply these items.
3- Plumber or Plumbing Contractor- to help us build better washroom facilities.
4- Beverages- Youth go through huge quantities of bottled water and sports drinks.
5- Rocket Components- Hardware Store or Hobby Shop
6- Lumber & Electrical Supply- home center or trade contractor.
7- Electronics- Radio Shack or hobby shop.
8- T Shirts- Shirt shop or ad specialty company
9- Printer- for producing collateral materials
10- Sign Shop- for producing banners
11- Trailer- to haul around our projects and Bots: Trailer Sales company.
12- Transportation- We need an old van that runs reliably: Car Dealer
13- Carpet- Multiple segments thin & tough carpet for 40’x60’ robotics competition surface.
14- Dumpster- need pick up service from November through May
Type of volunteer or expert help we need: (Please note that time is deductible as an “in-kind” donation)
1- Engaged Parents- that want to see their kids in this type of program.
2- Engaged Teachers- to be our inside contact at middle and high schools
3- Engineers- Electrical, Mechanical, Programming
4- Artists- To help our youth generate logos, murals and collateral materials.
5- Craftsmen- electricians, plumbers, carpenters
6- Computer Science- PC/Network Techs, “C” programmers, PC Board designer
7- Model Remote Control Planes- any adult with experience
8- Astronomers-
9- Rocketry- from kits to high power rockets any adult with experience or high interest
10- Applied Technology- Shop teachers, Tool & Die Shop Owners
11-
Items Needed for Drop-In Center:
1- Ping Pong Tables
2- Pool Tables
3- Foos Ball Tables
4- Juke Box
5- Pin Ball Tables
6- Computers: 8 to 12 needed.
7- New Game Consoles: X-box, PS-3, Wii
8- Old consoles: Any Kind
9- Tables (need lots of tables)
10- Kitchen Fixtures
11- Microwave
12- Washroom fixtures
13- PA Equipment
14- Musical Instruments
Labels: Focus on NASA, Jeff Gerhart
Focus on NASA Sponsorship Form
Company Name: ______________________________________________Contact Name: _______________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________________
City, State & ZIP: ______________________________________________
Phone #: ____________________________________________________
Email: ______________________________________________________
Tax ID or SSN of Donor: ________________________________
Leave company name blank if personal contribution. (All donations 100% tax deductible)
TEAM CHALLENGER SPONSORSHIPS: (select team & donation option)
[ ] CHICAGO [ ] McHenry County [ ] Naperville/Aurora
Sponsor Category: Contribution Check Option
Platinum Sponsor: Over $50,000.00 [ ]
Gold Sponsor: $25,000.00-$49,999.00 [ ]
Silver Sponsor: $10,000.00-$24,999.00 [ ]
Bronze Sponsor: $5,000.00-$9,999.00 [ ]
School or Non Profit: Variable Commitment [ ]
Small Business Sponsor: $500.00-$4,999.00 [ ]
Family Sponsor: $250.00 [ ]
Friends of the Team: Minimum Donation $1.00 [ ]
Amount of IN-KIND vs. cash donation: _________________________________
Note- Cash and In-kind donations can be combined for sponsorship levels. Example: a grocery could donate $1000 in cash and $4000 in-kind to become a Bronze level sponsor.
Program & School/Facility Sponsorship:
This part of the form is used to sponsor a specific program at a school or facility of your choice. Most of these programs are after school but some do meet on Saturday’s. If you are sponsoring multiple programs, use one form per sponsorship. Please note that it is presumed that the school or organization will supply space for the program. Organization could be a community center or church.
School/Facility: _______________________________________
Program Sponsored: ____________________________________
UGLI Center:
UGLI (pronounced ugly) is a group of clubs forming up across Illinois based upon the original UGLC model. The UGLC or the Underground Gamers League of Chicago. The original program construct was to attract a mix of youth self identified as “geek kids.” These kids were often over-achievers but also were often disconnected from the education system. The concept is simple enough, build a center where kids can go to safely hang out and connect with things that interest then; while at the same time LEARNING. The motto of UGLI is “Excellence in Gaming through Mastery of Technology.” It is more than a drop in center and more then just a place for youth to play video games. It is a warm and comfortable place where youth who do not always fit into conventional social or educational settings not only fit it but thrive. The youth help to set the rules and plan the events at UGLI, the youth always come first. So as the youth thrive, so goes the UGLI and so goes other Focus On NASA programs at that facility. This is a place where youth WANT TO BE and a place where parents are happy for their youth to be.
It is HIGHLY suggested that this program start in the late winter or early spring so that there is time for student recruitment prior to summer. It DOES NOT include facility budget. Typical space required to set up a UGLI center include 3-rooms: a computer lab, a room for social interaction (game playing) and a kitchen (youth eat a lot). UGLI centers typically have a “hard core” membership of 30 to 40 students and serve 200 unique youth in a year. The Program & Staffing Budget for 52 weeks: $35,000 or $55/hour of operation.
ECO-Extreme:
Eco-Extreme is a unique hybrid program that merges extreme sports and science. The program meets twice monthly at the local school, more frequently just prior to a trip. The trips explore a unique Midwest eco-system and at the same time experience some form of out-door recreation. We prefer to make use of one physical education and one science teacher from the host school. Trips are planed in conjunction with other programs to maintain critical mass. The program cycle runs from September through the following August. Some of the trips require a participation fee. This allows for students to participate in some, if not all trips. Trips include:
1. Feast of the Hunters Moon Rendezvous (Fall)- Fee is $25.00
2. Seasonal Visits to the Volo Bog & Terminal Moraine zone- FREE TRIP
3. Wisconsin River canoeing & Rock Climbing (summer 3 day trip)- Fee is $50.00
4. Illinois Beaver Habitat & Illinois Michigan Canal- FREE TRIP
5. Pierre Marquette & Dune country (summer 3 day trip)- $50.00
Sponsorship includes staffing, lab equipment and basic trip costs not covered by participation fee. Participation level funded at 24 students. The Program & Staffing Budget for 52 weeks: $20,000
Birds to Bots (B2B):
B2B is our award winning multi-discipline applied science program. It meets 3 days per week and covers several scientific and engineering course studies. We make use of an anchor instructor from the local school and supplement their effort with experts that come in and teach the youth hands on skills that allow them to apply a scientific principle. Projects include: RC plans & gliders, Rocketry, VEX Based Robotics, space science, celestial navigation. This program is designed for 25 to 30 youth. This program typically ONLY runs in the fall. The Program and Staffing budget for the 14-week session is $22,000. We recommend that we charge a $250 program participation fee to defray costs. This also allows for significantly enhanced field trips. As this program requires intensive time from the student (9 to 12 hours per week), some schools offer a stipend of $300 to $500 to students (especially in low-income areas) to encourage participation. In this way a student can participate and still contribute a small amount financially to the program.
Maddogs:
A “Maddog” is a class of high-power rocket that is used to compete in high-altitude and high-speed rocketry competitions. These rockets break the speed of sound and can fly as high as 10,000 feet. This program can be an addition to an existing school science or engineering club or can be a new club at your school. The club is designed to meet weekly. Although a high-power rocket can be built in a month, a Maddog is a significant piece of technology and is best when time is taken. The program is designed for 28 sessions during the school year. Several large high-power rockets are constructed including one Maddog that will compete in the Midwest Power Annual Sprints. The Program and Staffing budget for the 28-weekly sessions is $10,000.
Team Columbia:
Team Columbia is a small robotics program based upon the US FIRST FTC competitive metric. The program meets twice weekly. We try to find one of the two mentors from the schools Computer Science department as C Programming is a huge benefit to each program. This program competes in multiple low cost robotics competitions through the school year including the FIRST FTC program. The Program & Staffing Budget for 28 weeks: $26,000. This does NOT include travel costs to competitions or stipends.
Storm Chasers:
The Storm Chaser program is a spring/summer program that runs April through the end of June. The program meets 2 days a week training youth on weather and storm observation equipment. The program caps with weekend trips chasing storms across the Midwest. The Program and Staffing budget for 12 weeks and the field trips is $8,000.
ATX:
The Astronaut Training eXperience is a four day (Thursday through Sunday) trip to the Kennedy Space Center. The first day of the program is spent touring the space coast area. Day two is spent at the Kennedy Space Center taking the KSC ATX program that includes special private tours of the complex and shuttle flight training simulations. The highlight of the day is lunch with an astronaut. Day three starts with lectures in the morning and then free time to explore the space center in the afternoon. Sunday is a “chill out” day where we have a picnic on the beach. If possible we coordinate this trip with a shuttle launch at the center. Our cost of these trips is typically around $1,000 per student. We have never had any problem selling this trip out with a per student cost of $650.00. A sponsorship of $10,000 makes this possible to deliver to the school of your choice.
Labels: Focus on NASA, Jeff Gerhart, Youth Community Technology Project
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Ken Arnold's Plan to Make Health Consumers Better Buyers
What follows is 8th congressional district Ken Arnold's health information improvement white paper:
Editor’s Note: The document that follows was developed and submitted to Congressman Phil Crane in 1994. This was BEFORE the advent of the internet as a universal data access point available to all. This proposal is easily updated by allowing access by both the internet and social security office basis (the latter perhaps for lower income people not having PC systems themselves).
| "CHIP": THE CONSUMER HEALTHCARE INFORMATION PROGRAM |
| JUNE, 1994 |
| Kenneth W. Arnold Certified Employee Benefits Specialist 2034 Liberty Lane Gurnee,lL 60031 |
| Telephone: 847-263-6351 (H) 847-782-1688 (W) |
| |
| THE PROBLEM: |
| Many problems exist in our country's health care system as documented within the current debates in the media -- and in Congress. Such problems as the following abound: |
| 1) High costs. 2) Duplicate resources in a particular geography. 3) Cumbersome paperwork. 4) Inefficient application and overutilization of high technology. 5) Unnecessary, or detrimental procedures performed. |
| |
| With well over 10% of our entire GDP devoted to health care in this country, and with the future baby boomers really having a need for increased health care starting around the year 2010, the United States can neither afford such a large sector of its economy to be so inefficient nor have the entire system become untenable just when we need it most. |
| BACKGROUND CONSIDERATIONS: |
| Like any other sector of our free market economy, CONSUMER KNOWLEDGE IS VITAL TO THE EFFICIENT USAGE OF RESOURCES. We do not purchase automobiles without knowing such things as the price and various features. In this way, we may compare them to other providers and determine, as consumers, which product gives us the greatest utility. WHY SHOULD HEALTH CARE CONTINUE TO BE SO DIFFERENT? |
| In the past, perhaps, there were some excuses. The lack of computers and centralized, standardized databases was a major obstacle given the multitude of ailments a person could have. And, yes, there was resistance by Doctors to have ANY review of their methods or their resultant costs/mortalities by outside parties. But today, the former is fully existent and the later is already greatly changed by the powerful, unrelenting forces of the free market in such areas as managed care corporations. |
| Already existing in formats of ICD-9 codes are computer databases of U.S. health care provider's charges. They reside with the Social Security Administration (Medicare), the respective State Medicaid Program administrators, and the major health care plan providers around the country. Items such as the cost of a particular event, its outcome as it pertains to mortality, and whether there were complicating factors (comorbidities) |
| page 2 of 6 |
| as it pertains to mortality, and whether there were complicating factors (comorbidities) with the particular case would be able to be gleaned from such databases. These databases may presently be in different technical formats. However: all gather these type data items to pay and administer health care benefits to their customers and health care providers. |
| A MAJOR SOLUTION TO THE HEALTH CARE CRISES: |
| There is no single magic answer to the Health Care crises. However, the solution with the BIGGEST effect has got to be to put the power of information in the hands of the consumer. Economics dictates that consumers, when given all appropriate information, WILL make rational and efficient economic decisions. And Health Care is not the single exception. Giving consumers knowledge on the Quality of a particular provider, and their local |
| competitors, will directly and indirectly attack all of the problems cited at the beginning of this white paper. Not only will consumers rest easy in the knowledge that a particular provider is a low cost provider AND won't kill them -- but they'll know which providers are butchers (i.e. have high mortality ratings). As a recent RAND Corporation study found, the quality of health care providers is NOT correlated to their costs. They found as many high cost butchers as low cost butchers. This system, hereafter called the "Consumer Healthcare Information Program (CHIP, for short), will show both types of providers to the consumer. They can then "vote" with their dollars elsewhere. |
| WHATS NEEDING TO BE DONE? |
| To give consumers this information, it is proposed that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Agency for Health Care Policy and Research be instructed to initiate the following project steps: |
| |
| A) Request a monthly computer tape from the Social Security Administration, State |
| Medicaid Administrators, and the top 10 private health care insurers in the country. |
| |
| page 3 of 6 |
| This monthly report on all claims processed in that month would have the various healthcare-related information previously outlined. B) Develop computer programming to reformat each tape into a standard format to be loaded into the brand new, central Social Security Administration super-computer system. |
| C) Develop computer programming for combining all ICD-9 codes under each health care provider with the provider's average cost and mortality probability over a rolling one year period being depicted. This data would be illustrated to the user graphically and quantitatively on remote Personal Computers hooked up via modem. It would also, in stage one, not consider any cases having comorbidities (e.g. a lung transplant patient also having bone cancer). This would enable them to, within an estimated 1 1/2 year time period, go on-line without any potential inaccuracies from wholesale inclusion of comorbidity cases. Adding within two years thereafter all cases having comorbidities by "severity-adjusting" these particular cases merely fine tunes the results and completely eliminates the argument otherwise made by some providers that: "The reason my costs are higher than your costs is because I treat sicker patients." (NOTE: The private sector is already doing this per the attached.) |
| D) Establish hardware specifications for the computer users and, where required, be the central supplier for such hardware to all nationwide Social Security Administration offices. (NOTE: Existing Social Security Office PCs could do the job if one is so designated within each office. Those few offices unable to designate one could request an additional PC for such purposes. Est. cost: $ 1,500 per PC purchased.) How Would C H I P Operate? In operation, CHIP would be used as follows: A) A consumer would go to his local Social Security office when wishing to determine, for a particular ailment, who the quality health care providers are in his area – or any other geography of their specification. B) At the Social Security Office, the consumer would look up the appropriate ICD-9 code he wishes information on. His private doctor could also have already given him the appropriate code. |
| |
| page 4 of 6 |
| C) He then, sitting at a personal computer conveniently located within that office, would input his home zip code (or other if he wishes providers around a different locale) along with the designated ICD-9 code. |
| D) The computer would then give him a graphical depiction of data by provider (i.e. bar charts with cost in one bar and mortality rate in the other). The provider list would be all providers within a 20 mile radius of the consumer's zip code. If there are not three providers or more, the computer would expand the search until the minimum of three health care providers is found. If greater than 10, the user would initially receive the one's having the most favorable cost/mortality statistics. He could then elect to see the others on additional screens and printouts. |
| E) The consumer can now elect to receive a printout of data (not the graphs) which would provide, in addition to the cost and mortality statistics of a provider, the provider's address and telephone number. |
| F) The consumer is then free to further investigate any of the illustrated providers by such means as on-site tours or discussions with his private physician. |
| In none of the above system features would the individual consumer be charged. All services would be provided free. All healthcare providers, however, would be charged moderate user fees. For this, however, they would get comprehensive computer reports across all coded ailments (this feature may very well make the program pay for itself). |
| THE MANAGED CARE SECTOR |
| Because of the increasing share of all health care delivery which is being done through Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), one needs to consider this sector of our nation's health care delivery system. The proposal outlined above would generally mesh well with this structure of health care delivery. |
| In an HMO model, it is the HMO and not the individual consumer who manages health care delivery relationships. It is the HMO that reviews various health care providers for being efficient and effective health care providers and then chooses the facilities or physicians who meet their criteria to join their network. HMO members then merely pay their set dollar copays regardless of which provider in that network they go to. |
| |
| page 5 of 6 |
| Because of the operation of HMOs mentioned above, HMO participants would not directly utilize the consumer health care information database. It would be their HMO who would well utilize this database in selecting, or maintaining, their panels of health care providers. Like other physicians and providers, HMOs could request comprehensive reports on any health care facilities desired. |
| One last point of consideration is that of the "closed model" HMO. This HMO structure, less prevalent than some other type HMO models, has company-owned facilities/Doctors who only service members of that particular HMO. They do not treat the general public. Although the strong current trend with them is to develop and/or further refine their internal systems of identifying costs; there are a minority of HMOs who still do not have cost information by ICD-9 code because it is not strictly required. They have no Medicare/Medicaid patients and no outside insurance carrier is reimbursing their expenses. |
| Despite the current status of databases with these "closed model" HMOs, they would still get some level of relevant information on other providers using the proposed database. Moreover: the speed at which they flesh out their databases to get even better knowledge of their own costs would be greatly accelerated by this initiative. Closed model HMOs would want to sooner, rather than later, know even more precisely how they stack up as a health care provider versus their competition and, similarly, provide such data for public use within C H I P. |
| CONCLUSION: |
| Utilizing presently existing databases, already operating government super-computers, and established/convenient Social Security Administration offices and equipment makes all of the present, expensive and complex health care reform proposals look almost ridiculous in comparison. Make no mistake, there are other items being discussed in Washington that also will do good. But with a proposal like this that could be online in 1 1/2 to 2 years and only cost an estimated $3 to $5 million; this initiative's near-term horizon, low cost, and overall efficiency would be a model of government using an efficient, simple solution where others would throw billions of dollars at the problem. |
| |
| page 6 of 6 |
| The benefits of this system would actually be multifold once this system is in operation. It would: |
| 1) Give consumers convenient, free, and relevant information they require – when required – to determine which health care provider to go to based on statistically valid, easy-to-understand data. |
| 2) Establish free market incentives for efficiencies where few existed before. Specifically, it would reward the efficient providers and penalize the inefficient providers of health care. The Ford's would thrive while the Yugos would die. |
| 3) Provide the means for the health care providers themselves to improve their quality processes by they being able to determine where they are strong and where they are weak when compared to their area competitors. In some areas, for instance, they may be the high cost provider simply because they lack the volume of business ("economies of scale") in that area visa vis their competitor. They may, consequently, elect to no longer provide that market niche but concentrate in other areas of specialty - - thus avoiding inefficient duplication of capacities in a specific geographic area. |
| In conclusion, taxpayers will appreciate C H I P having a lot of "bang for the buck". And we will all see a few less patients go through unneeded pain,suffering, and death -- physically and financially. But perhaps the most appreciative will be those taxpayers who will have the honor of continuing to pay taxes -- for THEY will not be another mortality statistic! It is to these people that government owes its most fervent efforts of protection by this noble initiative. |
| LET’S GET TO IT!
|
Labels: 8th Congressional District, Ken Arnold, Melissa Bean
Ken Arnold's Plan for Prescription Drugs
BACKGROUND AND PROBLEM:
Ethical drugs have been the boon of the 20th century in healthcare treatment and will prove to be even more so in the 21st century. Many health ailments that were formerly treated by hospital stays and even medical procedures are now treated via outpatient regimens of drug treatment. This includes treatments within cancer, psychological ailments, and even heart conditions.
Within healthcare plans, this movement to drug treatments has many times been a cost savings when compared to the former treatments such as medical procedures and hospitalizations. However: The drug costs themselves have escalated over the years many times that of the general inflation rate found in the United States. Moreover, because of governmental price controls in other countries, U.S. manufacturers (who make up a majority of such manufacturers worldwide) have sold there drugs oversees at 40, 50, 60% or more lower than they have marketed them in the United States.
With the historical inflation in drug costs, the increasing practice of drug regimens within healthcare, and our aging population; one can directly see the high costs for prescription drugs as a quickly escalating problem for our Nation. Already, there are segments of our population that are choosing to half their prescription dosages because they simply cannot afford the costs. And some are even foregoing such treatments altogether -- fully well knowing that they are medically “taking their chances”. It is, indeed, becoming a fearful place in America with this problem…
ONE SOLUTION:
There are several initiatives that candidate Ken Arnold will immediately be proposing upon entry into Congress within the prescription drug area. But perhaps the most unique one is a solution which directly breaks the “hypocrisy between Nations” when it comes to the price of drugs. Ken Arnold would END the one-sided and unfair pricing differentials between all of the world’s countries. Not only will that finally help American consumers (who still supply sizable tax dollars for the R & D to develop such drugs for the world), but it will emphasize that we are all equal as human beings and deserve to be treated equally when it comes to such potential life and death situations.
Candidate Ken Arnold would upon entry into Congress propose “The Prescription Equality Act (PEA)”. This act that would simply specify the following:
“No U.S. Ethical Pharmaceutical Company shall sell to any foreign wholesaler / distributor any drug at a price LESS than that offered to any comparable U.S. wholesaler / distributor”.
ADVANTAGES:
Initiating such law would end the unfair and discrepant treatment American consumers receive in the Prescription Drug area versus others in the world. It would effectively raise the price to foreign distributors and LOWER the price to U.S. distributors of the same drug. And because the demand for drugs is relatively unaffected by the cost (i.e. “inelastic demand”), and are protected by patents, the U.S. drug manufacturers will receive approximately the same aggregate revenue they received before. It will only change who is paying what in the overall equation…
Thus, there would be no need for ridiculous “re-importation” from Canada because - like purchasing stereo systems today - the price of such drug would be approximately the same here as overseas. Additionally, the research and regulatory approval costs to take a drug to market would no longer be substantially born by the American consumer. ALL cusumers – worldwide - that use such product would be treated equally. From a human as well as national policy, this is as it should be when talking about potentially life and death issues…
The above initiative is not price controls. We are not specifying how much the Abbotts and Mercks of the world charge per dosage. That is up to them. We are merely saying that a U.S. distributor shall be placed at no worse position than that of a foreign distributor.
Moreover, we are not denying a drug to any world customer, nor asking them to pay MORE than we do – we’re merely asking them to pay no LESS than we do. And in those areas of the world where charity is in order with such drugs (i.e. aids drugs to certain African nations), drug manufacturers can continue their programs that they currently have developed in offering subsidies or special prices in those specific drugs requiring such. Nothing changes in these programs – programs in geographic areas that only supply a small fraction of today’s drug revenues.
After materially lowering drug costs to American consumers, the U.S. Congress can THEN review the remaining problems that would still exist with much smaller segments of our population. THEN Congress can address such targeted need with a targeted Medicare Prescription Drug program rather than the current blanket one where the Bill Gates’ and Warren Buffets’ of the world are to receive taxpayer-provided benefits as much as those truly still in need.
Created and submitted by: Ken Arnold, Candidate
8th Congressional District of Illinois
Email: Ken@Arnoldforyou.com
www.ArnoldforCongress.com
Labels: 8th Congressional District, Ken Arnold, Melissa Bean
