AHA, AMA object to Medicare “never event” policy — The American Hospital Association and the American Medical Association objected to Medicare’s plan not to reimburse hospitals for medical errors such as operating on the wrong patient or the wrong side of a patient’s body. The groups argue the policy is vague and needs to be better defined, such as by determining exactly which medical services it won’t pay for in such cases. [Source: Modern Healthcare]

Shikha Dalmia embarrasses herself in Forbes:

Detroit's Big Three need a bailout not because Big Labor has been too greedy but because American taxpayers haven't been generous enough.

At least, that's the argument that Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm was making on Meet The Press and other shows last weekend. But Granholm ought to get her facts straight. Read more…

DeMint predicts riots if Auto Makers receive bail out.

Yes, he is up for reelection in 2010.

Look for Collection Account Balances to Fall Under Universal Health Care, Not Volume

If America shifts to a mandate-driven universal healthcare system, debt collectors that currently specialize in medical receivables shouldn't expect fewer accounts. But the balances forwarded by clients may be smaller.

Health Insurers See 'Universal' Opportunity

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Health insurance companies such as Humana and UnitedHealth always seem to pay a price for "gifts" from the federal government. Read more…

Elizabeth Drew does her own "angling", you decide what for:

"But Washington has been taking in Obama's victory in its own idiosyncratic way. Hostesses are angling to be the first to entertain the Obamas at their first private dinner in Washington. Read more…

MSNBC's Brzezinski falsely asserted "the average Big Three automaker union worker's compensation is $73/hour" Read more…

Via Back Alley Media we learn the latest in Versailles pretentiousness, Sally Quinn presumes to tell the Obamas where they should go to church.

It tells you everything you need to know about the National Cathedral that they would consent to be quoted in such an article. Anything less spiritual would be difficult to imagine.

Via Atrios: Senate Throws Good-Bye Party For Ted Stevens, Gives Convicted Felon A Standing Ovation

For your viewing pleasure we have exclusive video of the evening's festivities.

Two items from Howard Fineman's list of reasons why Obama should have an even bigger lead:

• Obama’s own Democratic Party is relatively unified, the sulking of the Clintons notwithstanding.
• The “mainstream” media, or what is left of it, has favored and fawned over Obama from the start--even before the current parade of official endorsements. Much of the coverage has been egregiously slanted. Just ask Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

The article doesn't give the new limits they want, just that they're asking congress for permission to do it.

http://tinyurl.com/3z22ma

And I have to apologize, the best article I've found is from AP (don't touch that content) and it only seems to come up on our Wii.

45 years ago today, in Washington, DC -- I have a dream

for Bayard Rustin -- and all the rest of us who remain "Brother -and Sister- Outsiders" -- who still don't have the opportunities, equality, and rights that others have -- and that we all deserve.

Am I the only one who's a little frustrated by posts and comments that complain about some other unspecified posts or comments somewhere?

You know, like this post?

Some of you know that I am an, er, critic of Israel, but I am a big fan of parts of its English media, especially the newspaper Ha'aretz, and not just on its Mideast coverage. Here's an intriguing column by Bradley Burston on the US election. He's basically written Obama off.

Take a long walk in this land of dreams and all you'll see is Obama. Obama lawn signs, Obama bumper stickers, window placards, lapel buttons, anklets. In souvenir stores, Obama t-shirts compete successfully with longtime best-sellers touting Bourbon Street and carousing alligators. Read more…

NBC News Political Director Chuck Todd:

Beginning Tuesday night and extending at least midway through Wednesday, you'll have to forgive those of us in the media if you hear us humming the song "You're So Vain." The Clintons will probably think this convention's about them.

The fuck I will forgive you.

msnbc.com headline: "Obama says McCain running 'cynical' campaign"

It is with deep regret and after much contemplation (an interesting variant spelling of "cowardice") that I hereby resign from Correntewire.com blog and request that my name be removed from the masthead. This is no longer a site I wish to be associated with.

Do what you want with my previous writings; they belong to the blog and you can't un-write history. A lot--indeed, as best I can recall, nearly all--of what I wrote here I am entirely proud of. But my business, interest and passion is getting Democrats elected to public office, including Barak Obama as the next President of the United States.

That does not seem to be a popular attitude around here any more and so I think it is best that I depart. Read more…

The New Yorker and Hipster Racism, (what a great phrase, hipster racism, I will have to remember that).

With friends like these

Truly, it is really an offensive cover. It only thinks it is satirical. It reinforces serious lies and does great damage to our public discourse.

We don't really have what I'd call "power" here in the blogosphere, not yet at least. But and still: it's fascinating to read Open Left of late. If anyone can be said to be 'connected' and 'in touch' with the Village establishment, it's these folks. And Dayum! Can you say, "not happy with Mr. Hope?"

It's funny. Since I took my Pledge not to say anything negative about him until after November, it seems I can't find anything but that in the progressive blogosphere. The feeling I have isn't quite schadenfreude, nor bitterness, or even 'I told you so-ism,' but the hope (heh) that it's finally beginning, and we're coming together to see that 'third way' centrist DLC crap is just that. Crap. When 'mainstream' blogs are getting it, I can't help but smile. Read more…

I suppose this is the logical conclusion of the American Health Neglect System:

CIGNA Creating a Virtual Health Care Community

BLOOMFIELD, Conn. & SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today CIGNA, a leading health service company, is announcing the development of a virtual health care community. This computer-simulated world is situated on a Second Life® island, where seminars, interactive displays, educational games and virtual health consultations help foster real and sustainable behavior change that improves health. Read more…

Sits on Wellpoint's Board of Directors

Susan Bayh, wife of Senator Evan Bayh, sits on the board of directors of Wellpoint, a huge health insurance company. poputonian has an excellent run down of the history of Wellpoint. Read more…

Like alot of folks, I don't often visit WKJM's blog. But today, I was interested to see how the koolaid was tasting and took a stroll.

That's how I found Greg Sargent's helpful compilation entitled "Was The Media Unfair To Hillary? Here's Our Rundown", arriving, "just in time to not make a difference" as the man says. But with the difference not made, this is now merely the koolest invitation to pull up a comfy chair and have some popcorn that we've had in some time. Read more…

Via The Sideshow,

limerick:
In the past I cheered Olbermann’s rants—
Loved his anti-war, anti-Bush stance.
But misogynous bluster
Is all he can muster
In Olbermann’s mirror-romance.

14th St, NW, Wash., DC

I snapped this on the way to work today on 14th and P NW DC. It is the window lettering of Bob Gold Mitchell Williams which is some bourgeoisie furniture store. It speaks volumes for the transition of 14th Street in this decade.

Yeah, it is about slip covers, sheets, and towels, but sheesh.

More from Hoogrrl Read more…

David Broder’s Moonlighting: Post columnist benefits from corporate speaking deals

So it’s surprising to see that Broder, who recently took a buyout, but will continue to write his Post column, appears to be a regular presence these days on the business lecture circuit, and has even spoken to major health care groups. Do a Google search and you’ll see that Broder is represented by a number of speaker’s bureaus, including Grabow, which says it is “your David Broder booking agent for private corporate events.” Read more…

Broder is identified (in various promotional and other online materials I found) as a featured speaker at events such as these:

[Slightly updated below]

Kidz, I'm here to give you some harsh news. I was part of this blog before the horserace, I expect to be part of it long afterwards. Lambert is my Brother, and no matter what he says or does, he has my love, and knows that. Same with the rest of the MCB Sr. Fellows, past or present. But I've been on the phone, a lot, lately with higher ups and people in the know, and it's no more or less than I've been saying: it's not up to "us" anymore, and the people in whose hands it is...well, they won't "let her win." As the Princess, the ahead of the curve evil bitch, the sad, sick Edwards supporter of old, and Deaniac before that, I'm telling you. Nah. Gunna. Happen. It's time to deal.

This is the best blog you'll ever read, and not because of me. But because even as I expect some to jump all over my ass for this post, I'm fairly sure that my "different" opinion will be welcomed, and stimulate some minds. Because you all are the best, all of you, even those I think are wrong and clouded and uncritical and the rest. Unlike the rabble, I know you Listen.

At this point, for a long time now, I haven't cared which one is picked. I still don't. And: I could be wrong, very, very and publically wrong. I've tried, for all these long months, to "believe" something different could happen. I no longer believe it can. I won't bore you with why, except to say that smarter and more in the know people in my life are telling me so. I'm going out on a small limb and trusting them, and as much as I don't like it for feminist reasons (you will never convince me she got a fair shake, even as I know for a fact how she fucked it up herself in some ways too), I'm asking you all to Sober Up, Let Go, and Be Real. It's time.

Go Ahead with the remaining WWTSBQ posts and the like. I'm not offended. I'm annoyed; some of you posting here lately are way below Correntish standards and we've tolerated that, for various reasons. But I'd really like to bring things back up to snuff, which is to say, in and up to Reality World. Even my Divine friends who've been behind her for a long time, have let go. So I ask you, as one who has long argued that a "Black" man will never win the prez race (heh) in this country, what are you going to do when the HrC party is over? It's coming to an end. I know this as one who's thrown many successful parties and knows when it's time to kick out the stumblers. Don't let that be you.

I'd like my balanced blog back, I'm tired of reading about the horserace. Soon, none of what you've put so much effort into will matter. I tried to say this in a "nice" way, months ago, and got ignored. Well, you won't be ignoring me soon. It's over. The moderate, UChicago econ advisor-having, throw the progressive under the bus, guy is going to win. It's not your fault. Don't feel guilty, or sad. As a Deaniac, I'm telling you: I've been there and you can get over it. But, more importantly: you and I both know why it's going to be very rough this fall for BHO. So. It will soon be time to put your $ where your mouth is, and stand up for Kerry, I mean BHO and make a difference. Are you ready? It's time for you to get ready. I'm tellin ya true. In love, and with compassion. Trust me, we've been here before, and this time, I'm really Hoping (heh) we can do better.

But without you, we won't. Are you willing? Or is being Bitter and Right more important to you? Flame away, I can hack it. Read more…