Letters to the Editor 09-17-2002
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Doctors - More To Life - War On Drugs - Community Heroes
Doctors
Editor, Times-Union:I think it is time to make the public fully aware of what is going on in the medical field. It may be news to some that physicians are no longer allowed to practice medicine but are simply told what to do by the state, insurance companies, corporations and even nursing homes and hospitals. With sickening regularity we are being told that the drugs that we prescribe are not acceptable. This is supposedly on "rational" grounds, but really it has more to do with large organizations buying bulk and often, as in the case of the drug discount game, getting actual kickbacks from drug companies.
The State of Indiana is actually playing a more dangerous game in demanding that frail nursing home patients, for instance, be given high risk drugs instead of low risk drugs. This leaves the elderly person open to such complications as narcotic addiction, gastric ulcers that bleed with high risk arthritis drugs and sometimes even worse complications. It is increasingly being demanded that we give the elderly patient a "trial" of some harsh drug that is actually no more than over-the-counter ibuprofen given in large doses, which most elderly cannot tolerate. Then, if they bleed, the state is satisfied and will pay for a more expensive drug! This is one of the few but increasingly ominous incidents in which we are actually required to experiment on our patients rather than give them the safest alternative, and to actually induce a complication in order to prove to the state that it is OK to use a better drug.
Since most of us are going to be getting old if we are not already, this would seem to be an occasion for massive protests to legislators on the part of patients and potential patients. However, up to this point I have not heard a whimper. The news magazines and other media are resoundingly silent on this point. It makes one wonder, doesn't it?
This letter is simply scratching the surface of the real problem, which really comes down to a money problem plus a devaluation of human life, particularly in the elderly. If others do not join me in this protest, I am afraid I will have to assume that this problem is not just confined to the board rooms of America but has expanded to the general public. I encourage the reader to write the state senator and representative about this appalling situation which is rapidly getting worse and has already reached what I consider to be a point of crisis.
William Schuler, M.D.
Pierceton Community Health Clinic
More To Life
Editor, Times-Union:This is to Suzanne Robbins who wrote about the sixth-grader who was the only one cut from the volleyball team. ("Peer Pressure," 09/09/02.)
Your friend and our daughter have a lot in common except that our daughter was the only freshman (Lakeview side) cut from the WCHS freshman team. It was the most devastating time in her life. After all, she had played volleyball since fourth grade.
She also played basketball, softball, Shank-You volleyball and AAU basketball, and attended all Tiger volleyball and basketball camps since fourth grade, except the year she had mono and the time she attended Grace College camp prior to her freshman year. (That was because both Tiger and Grace camps were scheduled for the same week and we had already signed up and paid for her to attend there.) Needless to say, she had no desire to try out again for any sport.
But everything happens for a reason. This is her senior year. Looking back, even though it still bothers her at times, we now realize that WCHS (and the coach that cut her, who didn't return the next year) really did do us a favor. The money, time, energy and effort is really not worth it. She has learned so much, gained new "honest" friendships, has a job, still keeps her grades up and has been much more involved in church activities. Had she continued with sports, she would not have the time for those activities.
So tell your little friend that it is OK. It's hard and it hurts, but there is more to life than sports.
Rick and Sandy Schultz
Warsaw
via e-mail
War On Drugs
Editor, Times-Union:The "War on Drugs" is a war on ourselves.
The most shocking example was Washington's decision in May 2001 to financially reward Afghanistan's infamous Taliban government for its edict ordering a half to the cultivation of opium poppies.
Although the $43 million given to the Taliban might seem like a small amount, the equivalent financial impact on the U.S. economy would be an infusion of $215 billion. In other words, $43 million was very serious money to Afghanistan's Taliban rulers.
In May 2001, your elected officials gave your tax money to the Taliban. In September 2001 the Taliban gave it back.
The War on Drugs boosts the price of illegal drugs by as much as 17,000 percent, funneling huge profits to terrorist organizations. If you support the War on Drugs or vote for the politicians who wage it, you're helping support terrorism. Get the facts at www.LP.org/drugwar
Daniel Stevens
Libertarian Candidate, Indiana House District 18
Community Heroes
Editor, Times-Union:I was very honored to be a part of the tribute to our local heroes. The parade was wonderful. It was great to get to wave and smile to each person who drove by in the emergency vehicles. How lucky our community is to have so many people who are risking their lives to protect and serve each one of us! We are a very blessed community. I was very disappointed in the lack of support given both during the parade as well as the during the ceremony that followed at the fairgrounds. I feel that the majority of people in the community must not realize that these people are protecting each of us and often place their lives on the line (many which are volunteers!) - and how sad it was to see the lack of respect given to each of them with such poor attendance! I would ask you to think about how important each one of those people are and find a personal way for you to show your thanks to them. A special thanks to each of you serving our community and may God Bless each of you!
Holly McCammack
via e-mail
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- Doctors - More To Life - War On Drugs - Community Heroes
Doctors
Editor, Times-Union:I think it is time to make the public fully aware of what is going on in the medical field. It may be news to some that physicians are no longer allowed to practice medicine but are simply told what to do by the state, insurance companies, corporations and even nursing homes and hospitals. With sickening regularity we are being told that the drugs that we prescribe are not acceptable. This is supposedly on "rational" grounds, but really it has more to do with large organizations buying bulk and often, as in the case of the drug discount game, getting actual kickbacks from drug companies.
The State of Indiana is actually playing a more dangerous game in demanding that frail nursing home patients, for instance, be given high risk drugs instead of low risk drugs. This leaves the elderly person open to such complications as narcotic addiction, gastric ulcers that bleed with high risk arthritis drugs and sometimes even worse complications. It is increasingly being demanded that we give the elderly patient a "trial" of some harsh drug that is actually no more than over-the-counter ibuprofen given in large doses, which most elderly cannot tolerate. Then, if they bleed, the state is satisfied and will pay for a more expensive drug! This is one of the few but increasingly ominous incidents in which we are actually required to experiment on our patients rather than give them the safest alternative, and to actually induce a complication in order to prove to the state that it is OK to use a better drug.
Since most of us are going to be getting old if we are not already, this would seem to be an occasion for massive protests to legislators on the part of patients and potential patients. However, up to this point I have not heard a whimper. The news magazines and other media are resoundingly silent on this point. It makes one wonder, doesn't it?
This letter is simply scratching the surface of the real problem, which really comes down to a money problem plus a devaluation of human life, particularly in the elderly. If others do not join me in this protest, I am afraid I will have to assume that this problem is not just confined to the board rooms of America but has expanded to the general public. I encourage the reader to write the state senator and representative about this appalling situation which is rapidly getting worse and has already reached what I consider to be a point of crisis.
William Schuler, M.D.
Pierceton Community Health Clinic
More To Life
Editor, Times-Union:This is to Suzanne Robbins who wrote about the sixth-grader who was the only one cut from the volleyball team. ("Peer Pressure," 09/09/02.)
Your friend and our daughter have a lot in common except that our daughter was the only freshman (Lakeview side) cut from the WCHS freshman team. It was the most devastating time in her life. After all, she had played volleyball since fourth grade.
She also played basketball, softball, Shank-You volleyball and AAU basketball, and attended all Tiger volleyball and basketball camps since fourth grade, except the year she had mono and the time she attended Grace College camp prior to her freshman year. (That was because both Tiger and Grace camps were scheduled for the same week and we had already signed up and paid for her to attend there.) Needless to say, she had no desire to try out again for any sport.
But everything happens for a reason. This is her senior year. Looking back, even though it still bothers her at times, we now realize that WCHS (and the coach that cut her, who didn't return the next year) really did do us a favor. The money, time, energy and effort is really not worth it. She has learned so much, gained new "honest" friendships, has a job, still keeps her grades up and has been much more involved in church activities. Had she continued with sports, she would not have the time for those activities.
So tell your little friend that it is OK. It's hard and it hurts, but there is more to life than sports.
Rick and Sandy Schultz
Warsaw
via e-mail
War On Drugs
Editor, Times-Union:The "War on Drugs" is a war on ourselves.
The most shocking example was Washington's decision in May 2001 to financially reward Afghanistan's infamous Taliban government for its edict ordering a half to the cultivation of opium poppies.
Although the $43 million given to the Taliban might seem like a small amount, the equivalent financial impact on the U.S. economy would be an infusion of $215 billion. In other words, $43 million was very serious money to Afghanistan's Taliban rulers.
In May 2001, your elected officials gave your tax money to the Taliban. In September 2001 the Taliban gave it back.
The War on Drugs boosts the price of illegal drugs by as much as 17,000 percent, funneling huge profits to terrorist organizations. If you support the War on Drugs or vote for the politicians who wage it, you're helping support terrorism. Get the facts at www.LP.org/drugwar
Daniel Stevens
Libertarian Candidate, Indiana House District 18
Community Heroes
Editor, Times-Union:I was very honored to be a part of the tribute to our local heroes. The parade was wonderful. It was great to get to wave and smile to each person who drove by in the emergency vehicles. How lucky our community is to have so many people who are risking their lives to protect and serve each one of us! We are a very blessed community. I was very disappointed in the lack of support given both during the parade as well as the during the ceremony that followed at the fairgrounds. I feel that the majority of people in the community must not realize that these people are protecting each of us and often place their lives on the line (many which are volunteers!) - and how sad it was to see the lack of respect given to each of them with such poor attendance! I would ask you to think about how important each one of those people are and find a personal way for you to show your thanks to them. A special thanks to each of you serving our community and may God Bless each of you!
Holly McCammack
via e-mail
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