Entries Tagged 'Oxygen' ↓

The vote to override President Bush’s veto of H.R. 6331 (Medicare Bill), was a welcome bit of good news in a storm of seemingly bad news (Economy).

Thank you, to each and every member of Congress from the great State of Montana. Especially Denny Rehberg, who crossed the partisan, political B.S. that has garnered Congress an all-time low 9% approval rating.

I have worked closely with each member of Congress from Montana, as President of the Big Sky Association of Medical Equipment Suppliers. No, we are not a P.A.C. We don’t have a lobby. We tell the truth for the best interest of the people of Montana and America.

This vote means I will have an increased interest in helping Rep. Rehberg (R, MT) beat back a push toward Socialized Medicine in future legislation. To be fair, I believe Senators Baucus (D, MT) and Tester (D,MT) are not in favor of Socialized Medicine. In fact, Senator Baucus has a health care plan that has a prominent role for the private sector.

My thanks on behalf of Montana small businesses and Montana Medicare beneficiaries. You did the right thing, but this isn’t a fix, it is only a small, small beginning.

Some of you may have read the post about a dear child, Julia and her family.

I contacted my friend Rick at Respiratory Therapy Cave and he came through for Julia with flying colors. If you aren’t reading Rick’s Blog, you should be. Not only is he a talented writer, he cares, as most people who make medicine their profession do. I thank you Rick. Julia thanks you, I’m sure, and keep up the fantastic work.

Your Freind,

Bob

The Medicare Bill known as H.R. 6331 now becomes law thanks to a Congressional override of President Bush’s veto earlier today. While this bill does not do anything to fix the health care crisis, it does plenty to protect small business, physician access and protects the vital interests of Medicare beneficiaries.

Don’t be fooled, though, H.R. 6331 is simply a patch which gets us to next year. The major plus sides to the bill are a delay to the seriously flawed competitive bidding program, the repeal of title transfer on oxygen equipment, a 9.5% savings to Medicare on home medical equipment and stopping a 10% reduction in physician payments, which would have cut-off many Medicare beneficiaries from access to care. There is a very good article at Medical News Today which explains some differences in between simply supplying an item and serving a patients needs. The article fails to mention the added expense of billing any insurance over receiving cash for an item. Continue reading →

Today is Julia’s birthday. Julia is turning 7 years old. Happy Birthday, Julia. Julia and her family were featured in this story.  

I have to admit, I have a soft spot for children and their families who are struggling with debilitating disorders. And I admire the fighting spirit that children seem to universally possess. I got into this field when my father was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease). I believe dealing with a father’s disease could not compare to that of your child’s.

Internet Philanthropy

Julia is going to participate in the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago’s 2008 Hike for Lung Health. She has set a fundraising goal and I want to help her reach that goal. If each person who reads this article would donate $10.00 to Julia’s effort along with $10.00 to chILD Foundation, you would be doing so much more than that for her and her family’s spirit. Continue reading →

In a long awaited move the U.S. Department of Transportation strengthened the existing persons with disabilities regulation, implementing the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) and extended it to foreign airlines. The ACAA, enacted by Congress in 1986, prohibits airlines from discriminating against disabled passengers. Continue reading →