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Sunday, January 27, 2013

Recovering Medicare Lost Funds

Medicare still has a long way to go to weed out improper payments. Two new reports by the Health and Human Services inspector general show prison inmates and illegal immigrants got $120 million worth of medical services between 2009 and 2011. On Capitol Hill, lawmakers are demanding a specific plan to prevent the mistakes from happening. Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) says the reports show that technical issues like data-sharing are critical and being overlooked. In April, Medicare is launching a new system to better spot red flags and recover lost funds.

A Comment Worthy Of A Post 1-27-13

Anonymous said...

As far as your publishers note about officers telling people to contact their insurance for claims less than $1000, I believe that is why UCR crime numbers are down; if there is no suspect info and no evidence to process and it is a misdemeanor, the officers probably get away with a "blotter entry" where they call the list of items in to dispatch and the dispatcher enters it in the call blotter. No official report is taken and there is only a case number given for insurance purposes. This is done to reduce paperwork in departments where certain crimes lack any leads to be followed up on and the home owner is reporting it because their insurance co needs a case number. Problem with this is that since no report is taken, it is not reflected in UCR statistics and because officers don't like writing reports they are more likely to overlook potential evidence and suggest to the person that all they need is a case number for their insurance company, and behold, crime numbers go down.

EXPERTS ARGUE CARING FOR SMOKERS, THE OBESE MAY BE TOO COSTLY: ‘WHY NOT JUST LET THESE HEALTH SINNERS DIE?’

Faced with the high cost of caring for smokers and overeaters, experts say society must grapple with a chilling question. The Associated Press summarizes: “Instead of trying to penalize them and change their ways, why not just let these health sinners die?”

Annual health care costs are roughly $96 billion for smokers and $147 billion for the obese, the government says. These costs accompany sometimes heroic attempts to prolong lives, including surgery, chemotherapy and other measures.

But despite these rescue attempts, smokers tend to die 10 years earlier on average, and the obese die five to 12 years prematurely, according to various researchers’ estimates.

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The Road To Debt-Serfdom

Ours is a dysfunctional debt-based Empire that buys the complicity of its debt-serfs with entitlement bread and circuses.

The road to debt-serfdom is paved by the banks and enforced by the Central State.If there is any point that is lost on ideologues, Progressive and Conservative alike, it is this: the first-order servitude and second-order tyranny of debt-serfdom can only occur if the banks' power is extended and protected by an expansive Central State.

Md. Couple Getting Married in N.O. Gets Super Bowl Surprise

A couple planning to get married the weekend of the Super Bowl in New Orleans on their 12th anniversary has gotten the surprise of a lifetime -- tickets to the game.

WBAL-TV 11 News met Jim Pellegrini and Daisy Sudano earlier this week. The couple met at a Ravens-Giants Super Bowl party 12 years ago and, years later, agreed they wouldn't get married until the Ravens returned to the Super Bowl.

Since the Ravens solidified their spot in the title game, the couple has been busy making wedding plans to elope in New Orleans over the Super Bowl weekend. The couple said they had plans to just watch the game on TV.

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QUOTES OF THE DAY 1-26-13

“In some professions, a large part of the time of first-rate people is spent countering the half-baked ideas of second-rate people and trying to salvage something from the wreckage of the disasters they create.” — Thomas Sowell

“What is this oozing behemoth, this fibrous tumor, this monster of power and expense hatched from the simple human desire for civic order? How did an allegedly free people spawn a vast, rampant cuttlefish of dominion with its tentacles in every orifice of the body politic?” — P. J. O’Rourke, Parliament of Whores

“The government is good at one thing…it knows how to break your legs, and then hand you a crutch and say, ‘See, if it weren’t for the government you wouldn’t be able to walk‘.” — Harry Browne

“The two enemies of the people are criminals and government, so let us tie the second down with the chains of the Constitution so the second will not become the legalized version of the first.” – Thomas Jefferson

“The ‘private sector’ of the economy is, in fact, the ‘voluntary’ sector; and…the ‘public sector’ is, in fact, the ‘coercive’ sector.” — Henry Hazlitt

“It is the duty of the patriot to protect his country from its government.” — Thomas Paine

“It is truly a triumph of rhetoric over reality when people can believe that going into politics is ‘public service,’ but that producing food, shelter, transportation, or medical care is not.” — Thomas Sowell

‘I NEED YOU IN THE GAME’: WIS. SHERIFF TELLS RESIDENTS TO LEARN HOW TO USE A GUN TO DEFEND THEMSELVES

Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke Jr. has a message for residents: learn how to use a gun.

With budget cutbacks putting a strain on law enforcement, simply calling 911 might not cut it in a life-or-death or situation, Clarke said in a new radio ad this month. Safety is “no longer a spectator sport,” he says. “I need you in the game.”

“With officers laid off and furloughed, simply calling 911 and waiting is no longer your best option,” Clark adds. “You can beg for mercy from a violent criminal, hide under the bed, or you can fight back. But are you prepared?”

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Miniature Star Trek Style 'Tractor Beam' Built

Researchers from St Andrews demonstrated that the microscopic-scale apparatus could pull tiny particles suspended in water towards it via a beam of light, rather than push them away as would normally happen.
Although scientists have been able to manipulate light in various ways for decades, the experts claim they are the first to build a "tractor beam" which works of its own accord and does not require help from a computer to "trap" objects before shifting them.
Sadly for sci-fi enthusiasts the technique, detailed in the Nature Photonics journal, has only been proven to work on a particle five microns wide, and can not be scaled up to suck in spaceships because too powerful a laser would be required.
Dr Tomas Cizmar, who led the study, explained: "The problem is that this is based on the transfer of momentum between photons (light particles) and the object, and unavoidably there is also a transfer of energy.
"If you imagine you would like to attract a football, the amount of energy it would transfer would be huge and it would immediately burn up the football.

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Boy Scouts Threaten to Kick Out Troop For Supporting Gay Members

Update: Pack 442 took down its non-discrimination statement on Saturday after pressure from the National Capital Area Council, and will keep its charter as a result. Theresa Phillips, committee chair of Pack 442 tells Mother Jones the troop will continue to welcome gay members and families, even without the statement. "I asked for my name to removed from the charter because I feel like if gay/lesbian individuals are not worthy of being registered leaders, then I am not either," Phillips says.  

The Boy Scouts council in charge of overseeing scout programs in the Washington, DC-area is threatening to kick out a Maryland troop for posting a statement on its website declaring it won't discriminate against gay scouts. The troop has to decide by tomorrow whether to remove the statement.

In September, the families of Pack 442, which is based in Cloverly, Maryland (a small town less than 20 miles from the nation's capital), anonymously voted and overwhelmingly approved to adopt a non-discrimination statement. According to Theresa Phillips, committee chair of Pack 442, the pack wanted Boy Scouts of America to know "we will not stand for the discrimination of homosexual minors or adults whatsoever." Here's the sentence causing the controversy:

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Sandy Victim Blasts Obama: Shame on You

Five Apprehended After Anchorage Motel Room Invasion In Lewes

Location:
Anchorage Motel, 18809 Coastal Highway, Lewes, DE

Date of Occurrence:
Sunday, January 27, 2013 at 12:30 a.m.

Victims:
19 year old male
20 year old male

Defendants/Charges/Bond Information:
Derrick J. Legree-25 of Milford, DE
Robbery First Degree (2 counts)
Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
Home Invasion with Intent to Commit a Violent Felony
Assault Second Degree
Conspiracy Second Degree
Possession of a Deadly Weapon by Person Prohibited
Committed to Sussex Correctional Institution Cash Bond

Antonio Peay-17 of Milford, DE
Robbery First Degree (2 counts)
Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
Home Invasion with Intent to Commit a Violent Felony
Assault Second Degree
Conspiracy Second Degree
Committed to the Stevenson House Detention Center Cash Bond

Alycia M. Peay-19 of Milford, DE
Robbery First Degree (2 counts)
Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
Home Invasion with Intent to Commit a Violent Felony
Assault Second Degree
Conspiracy Second Degree
Committed to Sussex Correctional Institution Cash Bond

Skyy Waters-15 of Millsboro, DE
Robbery First Degree (2 counts)
Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
Home Invasion with Intent to Commit a Violent Felony
Assault Second Degree
Conspiracy Second Degree
Committed to the Stevenson House Detention Center Cash Bond

Chazna B. Halliday-15 of Millsboro, DE
Robbery First Degree (2 counts)
Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
Home Invasion with Intent to Commit a Violent Felony
Assault Second Degree
Conspiracy Second Degree
Committed to the Stevenson House Detention Center Cash Bond

Resume:
Lewes-Delaware State Police have arrested and charged five individuals, including three juveniles, shortly after committing a motel room invasion in Lewes.

Delaware State Police Major Crime Detectives have charged Derrick J. Legree-25 of Milford, DE, Antonio Peay-17 of Milford, DE, Alycia M. Peay-19 of Milford, DE, Skyy Waters-15 of Millsboro, DE, and Chazna B. Halliday-15 of Millsboro, DE with the above listed crimes in connection with the motel room invasion style robbery that occurred at the Anchorage Motel in Lewes early this morning.

The incident occurred at approximately 12:30 a.m. this morning as the two victims were inside of their rented room located at the Anchorage Motel for a prearranged gathering with Alycia M. Peay, Skyy Waters and Chazna B. Halliday. While the two male victims were inside of the room with the females, Derrick J. Legree, armed with a handgun, and Antonio Peay forced their way into the motel room demanding money and ordering the victims to the ground. During the course of the takeover, the 20 year old male victim fled the motel room on foot and the 19 year old victim jumped through a glass bathroom window of the motel room to escape and called State Police. The defendants removed backpacks containing an undisclosed amount of cash that belonged to the victims and fled the motel in a vehicle described as silver PT Cruiser. The 19 year old male victim suffered lacerations from jumping through the glass window and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Treatment status and disposition were unknown at the time of this release.

At approximately 1:00 a.m. Officers from the Georgetown Police Department observed a PT Cruiser matching the description of the suspect vehicle utilized in the motel invasion and conducted a vehicle stop. The PT Cruiser was occupied by all five defendants and contained evidence from the earlier incident connecting them to the motel invasion.

All of the defendants were taken into custody and after conducting interviews and evidence collection by Delaware State Police Major Crimes Detectives, it was determined that Alycia M. Peay, Sky Watters, and Chazna B. Halliday had orchestrated and planned the motel invasion robbery of the two victims by Derrick J. Legree and Antonio Peay.

All five defendants were charged with the above crimes and committed to the respective institutions on Cash Bond (Cash Bond amounts undetermined at the time of this release)

How Babies Are Made In Canada

PALIN: 'WE HAVEN'T YET BEGUN TO FIGHT!'—EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH BREITBART NEWS

In my research for the film I made on Governor Palin, The Undefeated, I was constantly amazed at the anti-establishment stands she took at every step in her rise to power. Moves that a conventional politician would run from, she embraced: in Wasilla, in Juneau, and in the rise of the Tea Party. Her ability to see “over the hill” to what is really important, what really matters, is what sets her apart.

Andrew Breitbart embraced the Governor as a fellow warrior in the long struggle against a detached and venal political/media complex. He lives on in spirit and through the work of those he inspired—including, but not limited to, those who report and contribute at his site.

The Governor has been at the forefront of the fight against the Permanent Political Class and, as such, inspired Peter Schweizer and myself in our work last night on Fox News with Sean Hannity’s special “Boomtown.” We consider ourselves honored at Breitbart News to have her share with us her thoughts on the road ahead in this exclusive Q & A.

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Insurers To White House: Delay ObamaCare Or Risk "Chaos"

With eight months left until million of Americans are supposed to begin shopping at online markets created by the Obamacare 'tax' law, the insurance industry is concerned at the government's lack of readiness. Bloomberg reports that Jim Donelon, the head of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, suggested that President Obama may need to delay the implementation of the health-care overhaul or "risk chaos" when the subsidized plans go on sale later this year. While it is clear that the administration has shown no sign of seeking a delay, Donelon notes that "...to rush into implementation before it's ready would not be in the President's best interest."
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Field Notes

Observations and Reflections on Legislative Activities

By Delegate Michael A. McDermottWeek 2 Jan. 21-25, 2013

Monday Regular Session:

As tradition dictates, a member of the Black Caucus deliver a speech relatvie to the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King on his recongized Holiday. This evening’s address was delivered by Delegate C.T. Wilson (D-Charles). He focussed on his own upbringing and how his life and opportunities had been make better by the civil rights path created by Dr. King and others.The speech was very personal and I believe everyone was touched by his words.

Tuesday Judiciary Committee Hearings:
HB-14 addresses a gap in the law which did not cover part-time school employees and coaches who may attempt to engage in sexual contact with a student. The current law only deals with “permanent, full time” personnel. The bill seeks to insure this custodial relationship is covered whether someone is full time or part time. We heard testimony about several cases in Maryland where sexual relations had occurred that, once found out, could not be prosecuted since they were only part time employees of the school.

HB-31 attempts to cover the same gap in the law as the above stated HB-14. I will be offering an amendment to this bill which would also cover non-salaried personnel who are engaged in coaching and other activity within the school system.

HB-1 seeks to make Cannabimimetic Agents illegal. These are the “bath salts” which are being abused by some people and used as synthetic marijuana. We heard testimony regarding the elimination of these drugs locally by ordinance in Worcester County. This bill seeks to do so statewide. We heard testimony about multiple adverse affects these new synthetic drugs are having on young people who are the targeted audience.

HB-12 addresses the pointing or aiming of laser pointers at aircraft. We passed this bill last year but it was stalled in the Senate. We heard testimony from State Police Pilots who testified that this is a significant safety issue for them while operating their aircraft as the laser reflects upon striking their cockpit area and impacts their ability to safely operate. Some who have been caught doing this have been charged with Reckless Endangerment successfully. There was discussion about the need to create a new law if we are already seeing successful prosecution under existing statutes.

HB-27 seeks to eliminate Diminution Credits for offenders convicted of Child Pornography. These are the credits provided for inmates who participating in various approved programs within the correctional facilities which allow them to reduce their prison sentences.

“A Minute with Mike”: Keeping Government Local

Wednesday Judiciary Hearing:

HB-32 would require someone convicted of Transporting a Minor While Intoxicated to submit to having an Ignition Interlock System installed on their vehicle and would mandate their participation in the program. There were some questions regarding the cost (which is born by the participant) and the impact on families economically. This has been before the committee in the past and I am unsure if it is going to get out to the floor this year.

HB-8 seeks to address the specific amount of money which may be deposited into a single account belonging to a minor in cases before an Orphan’s Court. Currently there is a restriction placed upon the rules governing fiduciary estates which is $75,000. This bill seeks to lift the amount to $200,000. It seems the bill seeks to update the amounts to keep up with the times rather than alter any legislative language.

This afternoon I released this Press Release on my School Safety proposals.

Thursday Judiciary Hearing:

HB-54 seeks to create a State Registry of Adult Abusers. The list would be maintained by the state in similar fashion as a Sex Offender Registry. We received statistics on the number of elder abuse occurring and the repetitive nature of these acts when employees that are abusive move from one job to another. This bill was opposed by Occupational Health Care Practitioners as they feel the reviews are already being conducted by employers through background checks. We heard from the Sex Offender defenders who do not believe the public should be entitled to this type of information.

Gun Bill-Speaker’s Special Committee: I attended the initial meeting of a newly formed Special Committee which will review the O’Malley-Brown Gun Bill and hear from various professionals who can speak to the many layers covered by this coprehensive legislation. There are three committees represented: Judiciary, Health & Government Operations, and Economic Matters. We will be meeting many times in the coming weeks as we break the bill down. I have reviewed the O’Malley-Brown Bill, SB-281, and it would create a ban on assault weapons and magazines over 10-rounds. It also includes extensive registration and training requirements along with many fees. There are no provisions which address school safety or security in the bill, and the changes will not make us any safer. I will provide a complete breakdown on the bill next week for your review.

This afternoon I released this Press Release on the upcoming HB-106 Hearing, the Repeal of last years SB-236. It is a call for action for those concerned about their property rights.

This afternoon I released this Press Release on the upcoming HB-106 Hearing. It is a call for action for those concerned about their property rights.

Friday Morning-Eastern Shore Delegation Meeting:

The delegation heard from Secretary Dominick Murray from the Department of Business and Economic Development. We also heard from the Commercial Watermen’s Association President Gibby Dean and several representatives from the regional Tri-County Councils. I will post up the minutes from the meeting in a later update.

Immigration Reform Could Add Millions Of People Under Obama Health Law

Comprehensive immigration reform could make millions of people suddenly eligible for assistance under President Obama's healthcare law, assuming a final deal paves the way for undocumented immigrants to receive papers.

Illegal aliens are now prohibited from purchasing coverage through the Affordable Care Act's insurance exchanges, which will launch next year.


They are also ineligible for Medicaid under most circumstances, making the law's expansion of the program fruitless for people without documents.
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Today's Survey Question

Do you think it's rude to campaign or sign wave on Sundays?

Is Crime Really DOWN In Salisbury Like The Mayor Says?


"Hi Joe,
Our quiet community development of Cooper Landing was hit last night by vandals, i.e. cars gone through, GPS's and change taken.  I know you used to have a link to police reports.  Is that still available?
A co-worker told me his development was hit a week and a half ago in similar fashion.  Of course, these things never hit the press and was wondering how much of this going on?"

Publishers Notes: As I had mentioned a couple days ago, Officers are being told to suggest you simply contact your Insurance Company for crime under $1,000.00. 

I have made numerous attempts in the past to contact Chief Barbara Duncan but ever since the Mayors alleged phone spoof Mrs. Duncan refuses to answer or respond to my calls or text messages. 

This is very concerning for my campaign as we have serious questions for each department head but Mayor Ireton has enforced very strict instruction telling all of them they cannot speak to Joe Albero. 

Of course the Mayor is doing everything in his power to keep these kind of details from going public and or allowing me to challenge him with the TRUTH in public forums or debates. 

So I'll repeat, IF you have been and or are satisfied with the progress in Salisbury for the past 16 years, please, by all means, vote for Jim Ireton. 

If you are tired of the good old boys, temper tantrums, press conferences, pointing fingers at every one else and you want to see Salisbury move ahead in the right direction with a MAN in Office who will take full responsibility for once, you'll vote for me. 

"This is not Joe Albero's election to lose, it's the citizens' election to lose". 

Starchy Diets Key To Dog Domestication

They work with us, play with us and comfort us when we’re down.
Archaeological evidence indicates that dogs have had a close bond with humans for millennia.

But exactly why and how they evolved from their wolf ancestors into our loyal companions has been something of a mystery.

Now a new genetic analysis indicates that dietary adaptation played a critical role in dog domestication.

Scientists have two theories for how dog domestication began.

One holds that humans captured wolf pups and tamed them for their hunting and guarding abilities.

Baltimore VA Office Worst In Nation For Processing Disability Claims





The Baltimore office of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is the slowest in the country in processing disability claims for servicemen and servicewomen — averaging about a year — and makes more mistakes than any other office.

The failures locally are a symptom of a national breakdown: Across the country, more than 900,000 veterans wait an average of nine months for the agency to determine whether they qualify for disability benefits, according to the VA.

Even as the VA says it is working to fix problems in Baltimore and nationwide, Paul Rieckhoff, founder of Iraq and AfghanistanVeterans of America, calls the situation "shameful."

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