People are wondering how D-H could lose so much money after switching to a Texas company for coding and billing, when that move was supposed to increase revenues. Practically forgotten in the continuing saga are more than 300 loyal and union-less workers, some with 20 to 30-plus years with the institution, who were traded to this for-profit company.
The paradox is trying to balance the delivery of health care with the ridiculous for-profit insurance model. This is not just a D-H failure. It is a big part of a shameful national story that can’t be fixed by sloughing off workers. Ironically, the newest innovation of health care delivery, the electronic medical record, is a tool that simply does not improve quality of care. I believe physicians now must pay more attention to correctly entering insurance codes than to the patient!
Your Sept. 23 article (“D-H May Ask Physicians to Pick Up Pace”) tells some of that story.
At what point will we start to come around to the fact that insurance is not health care? We refuse to pay what we can afford to make sure that our society is healthier. We pay far more than other countries with a national health plan. We have worse outcomes than those countries. And insurance is not equitable. People continue to use the emergency room because the premiums, deductibles and copays are more than they can pay.
The insurance and other powerful industries have locked us into a system that works only to make shareholders rich. What makes me irate is that we pretend we can fix this completely failed thing instead of adopting at least some of what has already worked elsewhere, like a national health plan or Medicare for all. I wish D-H would lead the way.
Sharon Racusin Norwich
I read with interest about University of Vermont Medical School’s new curriculum and large donation by a past student (“UVM Medical School Gets Record Gift,” Sept. 23). The new curriculum will be based on small-group learning instead of traditional lectures by the faculty.
It should be noted that this system of teaching in medical school is not new. In 1969, the newly opened McMaster University Medical school in Hamilton, Ontario, introduced a system of small-group learning (five to six students) for medical students instead of a large lecture platform. The students were guided by the tutor who facilitated discussion.
The program discontinued traditional written and oral exams to measure students’ progress. Performance was measured by peer evaluation and the tutor, and was graded satisfactory or unsatisfactory. A satisfactory performance allowed the student to move to the next unit, while unsatisfactory performance required the student to repeat the unit.
The system was revolutionary, and many schools including Harvard adopted parts of the program. This system typically produced a more well-rounded physician, better engaged in dealing with both medical and psychosocial problems of patients. The educational leaders of UVM will be well advised to visit McMaster Medical School if they have not already done so.
Sikhar Banerjee New London
A variety of public use violations has forced closure of Hanover’s water supply lands to all except deer hunters, at least until hunting season ends on Dec. 15. In deciding to open these lands for public recreation last winter, the Trescott Company board made clear that its top priority remains providing safe drinking water. The other is forest management — including wildlife — to promote clean water. Public recreation must remain a lower priority.
Clear rules for public use were widely publicized, including that the reservoirs and their 250-foot buffers stay permanently closed to the public; that dogs are permitted only if leashed at all times and waste is cleaned up; and that the property is to be multi-use, including deer hunting.
Unfortunately, over the Sept. 24 weekend, people were observed kayaking and fishing in the reservoirs, running dogs off leash, and harassing hunters who had been invited to help control the unsustainably large deer population on the property. We deeply regret that the actions of a few have spoiled the enjoyment of so many in exploring these beautiful lands.
Peter Kulbacki Director, Hanover Department of Public Works Adair Mulligan Executive Director, Hanover Conservancy Hanover
I am a freshman at Lebanon High School. Recently we saw Life, Animated at the Hopkins Center. It was about Owen, who has autism and loves Disney movies. I would suggest other people watch Owen’s story so they would understand his way of thinking. Try to think like autism sometimes. It might help them understand and show things that help someone be calm, like a Disney movie.
Scenes from the movie made me feel like others could understand how it makes me feel.
David Cassedy Plainfield
I would like to note and comment on the grace, composure and courage of the pastor in Flint, Mich., who recently gently redirected Donald Trump away from a political rant about Hillary Clinton, and back to the reason he was invited to speak in her church. As she gently tapped his arm, spoke and stepped away, he agreed to get back on track.
Then the next day, he did what he always does, attempting to diminish her by calling her “a nervous wreck” and said it didn’t bother him because she was “playing games.” Apparently no one else at that event made that observation, and it certainly wasn’t evident on national TV. She stepped right up there literally in front of millions and very respectfully corrected him!
I so admire her for this, but at the same time I am deeply concerned at what a sadly empty soul this country may in fact elect as our president.
Mary Anne Levin Lebanon
Somewhat late in the game, and a bit incredibly, a certain presidential candidate has stressed the importance to him of his supposed Christian faith. As an imperfect Christian myself (I know of no other kind), I commend the following to that candidate and his Bible-reliant advocates. It comprises the first few verses of 1 Timothy: 6. “Whoever teaches something different and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the religious teaching is conceited, understanding nothing, and has a morbid disposition for arguments and verbal disputes. From these come envy, rivalry, insults, evil suspicions, and mutual friction among people with corrupted minds, who are deprived of the truth, supposing religion to be a means of gain.” He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
Sydney Lea Newbury, Vt.
In this year’s presidential campaign, there has been a lot of recent talk swirling around Hillary Clinton’s e-mails, her health and Russians hacking into sensitive government information. Meanwhile, our news media have largely ignored or downplayed something far more dangerous.
On repeated occasions, Donald Trump has praised Vladimir Putin; he appeared on Russian state television earlier this month. He has called for a massive arms buildup on our part. He has suggested that it might be a good idea for Japan and South Korea to possess nuclear weapons. He has endorsed waterboarding, along with even rougher interrogation methods. He has proposed initiating war with Iran if its sailors should insult our own with “certain gestures.” Meanwhile, Rudy Giuliani, one of Trump’s chief supporters, stated on Sept. 12 that in war “anything is legal.”
Let’s see where this logic takes us. It means a renewed and accelerated arms race, and with it an open violation of our obligations under the 1970 Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty. It means profiteering in our weapons industry on a scale hitherto unknown. It means that the precedent set at the Nuremberg Trials no longer applies. It means that the Geneva Conventions are a dead letter. It means the collapse of the International Court of Justice, which has tried, convicted and jailed war criminals such as Liberia’s Charles Taylor. It means that the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was perfectly legal, as was al-Qaeda’s attack on the World Trade Center. It means that everything Nazi Germany did in World War II was perfectly legal, the Holocaust included. It means that in future, the United States can behave in similar fashion. Is this what we want for our foreign and military policy?
John Raby New London
Hillary Clinton offers no basis for her candidacy beyond a sense of personal entitlement. She has proven time and again to be disdainful of the truth (to put it politely!) and her long political history has produced no meaningful accomplishment other than to amass a personal fortune.
Donald Trump offers us an opportunity to change the failed domestic and foreign policies of the last eight years, for which she shares responsibility. Trump or Clinton? Seems like a no-brainer.
Jeff Lehmann Lyme Center
With the coming of fall, we are entering the flu season. Flu is a highly contagious infection of the respiratory tract caused by the influenza virus. In any given year, up to 20 percent of the population may be affected. Some will require hospitalization and a few may die. Influenza vaccine is the best protection against the flu and needs to be given every year.
This year the Public Health Council of the Upper Valley (formerly MVHI) will sponsor community flu clinics that are free for persons age 10 and above.
Aided by students from Geisel School of Medicine, and vaccine donated by D-H, clinics will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 13 in Orford, Oct. 20 in Enfield and Oct. 27 in Canaan. Check the Valley Calendar for locations.
High-dose vaccine will be available for seniors over age 65. It is recommended for these folks because of a less than robust response to regular vaccine.
William E. Boyle, M.D.Hanover
This year please consider joining us in celebrating World Quaker Day.
Sunday has been designated World Quaker Day; the theme for this year is “Inspired by Faith: Witnessing Together in the World.”
World Quaker Day is open to all, and is an opportunity for you, if you are not familiar with The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), to get to know about us.
The Hanover Friends Meeting at 43 Lebanon St. in Hanover welcomes you to join us in worship on Sunday at 10 a.m., and afterward for fellowship. We have a wonderful children’s program and child care is provided for families with infants and young children. Come learn about traditional Quaker testimonies: peace, equality, simplicity, love, integrity and justice. And, if you want to learn more about Quakers and World Quaker Day in the meantime, visit fwcc.world.
Dulany Bennett, Presiding Clerk Len Cadwallader, Assistant Clerk
Hanover