Jack & Jill Politics

Need help. I consider myself sorta good at searching for stuff, but I can't find this.

I'm looking for the reimbursement figures for medicare for home health services - specifically occupational and physical therapy. I need the dollar numbers.

Any help you can give me in pointing me in the right direction, I'd appreciate it.

I found a question from 2005 on the allnurses.com site, and the responder said this:

I have been in hh for 4 years. There is more paperwork in hh than in any other area of nursing. Most patients will be Medicare. When Medicare started with PPS, patients are certified for a period of 60 days. Basically this is how it works. Upon admission an OASIS is done by the RN. From the OASIS, certain items are worth "points". (Dyspnea, pressure ulcers, IV's, tubes, functional status, need for therapy, etc.) Based upon the points in each area, they fall into a category. Based upon your geographic location and if you are rural or urban, there is a fixed reimb. rate for the entire 60 day period. It is very very rare that we do daily wound care. Our IV's are usually with Medicaid or private insurance. They prefer for us to teach the family in around 3 visits how to do IV's. In order to operate an agency, you have to apply for a Certificate of Need in your area. All of the OASIS data is transmitted electronically to the govt. Since PPS, many HH agencies have closed their doors. We went from being able to send a HHA 3/day to max 3/week. With Medicare (Medicaid and private ins. tend to be mroe strict), there has to be a skill- this can be teaching or a procedure. However, VP no longer count as a skill. We used to have lots of hh patients who had monthly PT/INR- we still do that, but it is not a certifying reason. For injections (b12, etc.) we have to document about why patient or c/g can't do it or be taught to do it. There is much to know in hh and appropriate coding is a must. PM me if you have any more questions.

I also found software provided for billing purposes, and from what I could tell, reinmbursement is based on where you live and what kind of care you give, basically what the person on allnurses said. So far I haven't seen anything pointing to a set amount for reimbursement; it's all "based on this and considering that ...." I did find this summary from 2006 that shows how much was paid on a state-by-state basis for home health care, and the number of patients and visits. It's on the site of the National Association of Home Care and Hospice. www.nahc.org. They have some other Medicare links on their site and some of it is members only.

http://www.nahc.org/Facts/HHHCIS2006.pdf

Here is the medicare home health payment system overview page. If you back up to the medicare page, there are a lot more links to look at.

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/HomeHealthPPS/

I'll keep looking and see what else I can come up with.

Desiree Rogers Discusses The White House Social Calendar
JOCELYN NOVECK | June 18, 2009 11:36 PM EST |

NEW YORK — Stepping out in New York City to talk about culture, Desiree Rogers made one thing clear: This White House social secretary doesn't intend to stay closeted in her East Wing office for four years.

"One of the things the president and the first lady want to do is celebrate America," Rogers told The Associated Press as she arrived for an arts event Thursday evening. "So when it comes to arts and culture, we need to be out there. We need to see what people are doing."

Also, she noted, traveling outside Washington is a crucial way to find interesting artists and cultural figures to bring into the White House: "A lot of collaborations are born this way."

Rogers was the main attraction at the annual meeting of the Creative Coalition, a politically active, bipartisan group of entertainment industry figures founded by the late actors Christopher Reeve and Ron Silver. During a cocktail reception, she could barely move for all the well-wishers eager to meet her and press business cards into her hand.

Afterward, in a discussion moderated by actress Dana Delany, Rogers spoke of her dual mission: To both respect history and create new traditions at what she emphasized was "the people's house."

The nation's first black social secretary also spoke about another key way she's different from past social secretaries: She's a special assistant to the president, as well, meaning she's part of both the president's and the first lady's staffs.

"They wanted me to be able to really think about (the job) in a different way," Rogers told Delany. "It's also important that we work as a team."

Rogers, a tall, striking woman who's often noted for her fashion sense _ just like the first lady she works for _ already has made a mark on the job with such events as a poetry jam in May, where poets and playwrights celebrated the spoken word, and Monday's White House jazz concert, where musicians like Wynton Marsalis taught jazz technique and history. Next up, she said: "Country music!"


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/19/desire...

When I was just a shorty my dad used to take my brother and I for long Sunday drives through Chicago with the radio tuned to the Legendary Daddy-O Daylie on "Daddy-O's Jazz Patio." Its one of my fondest memories of bonding with my dad, who passed away from throat cancer when I was 10. Those Sunday drives listening to Daddy-O inspired my love for jazz. I never knew until a few years ago that the song I remember most from those days was titled "A Song For My Father" by Horace Silver. Since this is the weekend we celebrate the paternal ones, I just thought I'd drop it off into ya'lls spirit. Enjoy:

Recording:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlGvuKSq7Wk

Live version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZqtBmEDryk

An update about the NY Senate Drama from Balloon Juice:

And you may say to yourself “My god, what have I done”
by DougJ

The NYS Senate is now dead-locked at 31-31, as you may have heard, with one of the two party-switchers (the wifegirlfriend-beater) switching back. And Republicans may or may not be having buyers’ remorse about the other party switcher, the one whose “cronies stole food meant for poor, sick people and gave it out at his political rallies, owes the city $61,750 in fines….has failed to file 41 reports with the State Board of Elections….has racked up $13,553 in penalties since 2002 [and] does not have an office in the district he was elected to represent in the Bronx.” Here’s Jimmy Vielkind:


“Several of them (Republican Senators) are in ‘Oh my God, what have we done’ mode,” said one Republican who is close to many of the senators. “Pedro is obviously enjoying this immensely. The image of Dean standing mute while Pedro pontificates is a little much. And the general stoppage … some are saying we never should have done it, some are saying, they should have said bring three or four or don’t come.”

[...]

The strongest statement of support I’ve heard for Espada came from State Senator Marty Golden, who attacked the Democrats for attacking Espada.

“Right now he’s innocent until proven guilty. I’ve had the privilege of working with them in the past, and I’ve found he’s an all-right guy, and I’ve found him and his son, who I worked with on the City Council, to be good family people,” Golden said.

[....]

This guy [Espada] hasn’t been indicted. This guy hasn’t done anything wrong yet, although the Democrats would want you to believe he has.”

Yet?

“The question is not ‘yet,’ he hasn’t done anything wrong at all. The Dems would want you to believe ‘yet’ is the word,” he said. “We’ll see what happens. Grand juries meet on a regular basis, and sometimes they file charges and sometimes they don’t.”




Really, who among us has never been investigated by a grand jury?

(via The Albany Project)

Update. This is not to imply that everyone who has been investigated by a grand jury has done anything wrong. But “grand juries meet all the time” shouldn’t cut it when you’re an elected official.



http://www.balloon-juice.com/?p=22896

I just heard this and love it. Anyone know who is singing this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nipQzEGsLmA

Just saw this at Huffington Post pics to the ice cream shoppe

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/20/obama-...

Oprah Winfrey : the world's greatest boss?

For the second time in recent years, she's making a strong case for that title by taking her entire staff and their families on vacation. This time they're going on a lavish Mediterranean cruise.

Winfrey and her staff will leave Chicago on Saturday. The cruise ship will stop in Spain, Italy, Turkey, Greece and Malta. She is covering transportation, food, drinks and activities at port stops.

In 2005, Winfrey celebrated the end of her "Wildest Dreams" season by surprising her staff with an all-expenses-paid trip to Hawaii.

According to Chicago-based Best Travel, a cruise like the one Winfrey is taking her staff on costs about $5,400 a person.


http://blogs.suntimes.com/oprah/2009/06/oprah_w...

Finally put together a slideshow of recent happenings on the farm.

The View From Here

::

Wimbledon, my favorite tournament on the tennis calendar, is about to begin and I can hardly wait. I still haven't digested much politics, other than some local issues/activism. I did catch part of the president's comedy routine the other night, but that was about it. I do understand, though, that most of the headlines are shouting "Obama is a Fraud!" from the mountaintops, in one version or another.

Whatever.

Life without contentious political bickering remains a beautiful thing.

Thanks for sharing the photos. They are beautiful.

Craig, you are an inspiration.

Craig doesn't know it, but I'm moving THERE!

http://thepage.time.com/2009/06/20/ice-cream-br...

Pool Report: Obama Gets Ice CreamPool Report #1
June 20, 2009
Ice cream run with the girls

POTUS, riding in his motorcade SUV, departed at 3:40 p.m. from the White House with daughters Malia and Sasha in tow.

POTUS took the girls on a sugar-coated Father's Day Eve jaunt to The Dairy Godmother, a boutique ice cream parlor in the Del Ray section of Alexandria, Va.

Malia had a waffle cone of vanilla custard and Sasha had a cup of vanilla custard. POTUS had a cup of vanilla custard with hot fudge and toasted almonds, the shopkeeper disclosed. The trio were in the shop for about 15 mins, and sat at a table and enjoyed their frozen treats.

POTUS and the girls received applause from the staff and patrons inside and a small crowd outside as they exited the ice cream shop. POTUS, carrying a bag of frozen "puppy pops" for Bo the First Dog, waved to the crowd before he hopped in the SUV.

The motorcade returned to the White House at 4:32 p.m.

For the record, your pool was unexpectedly called for this trek 25 minutes after a travel lid and 10 minutes after a full lid were issued. Hey, things change.

We now have what we are told is the real full lid for the day.

On a lighter note guys, I just came from seeing The Proposal with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds. I loved it. I'm a Rom Com fanatic, so I'm picky when it comes to them. If I really like them, then I buy them on DVD, this one I can't wait til the DVD comes out, I liked it that much.

Ya'll should go see it.

It was so much fun! Btwn Bettie White, Ryan and Sandra, I laughed my butt off.

I'm telling ya, I loved it. Sandra Bullocke deserves the number one spot for this one.

And Ryan Reynolds is HOTT!!!! Lucky Scarlett Johannsen

thanks for the review. I was wondering about it.

there are 2 scenes in this movie involving two songs you would never expect they were laugh out loud funny!!!

Song #1
Song #2

To see where they fit in, you'll have to see the movie, or bootleg it!!!
I suggest seeing the movie!

I know this is an older topic but I just read Helen & Margaret and am cracking up! Its on O'Reilly and his attacks on Dr. Tiller and Helen really lays him out. Here's how the piece begins.

http://margaretandhelen.wordpress.com/

"Margaret, whatever happened to common sense? I eat a lot of pie. I have a fat ass. I get the connection. You hardly eat anything, walk everyday and a strong wind could blow you over. Again, I get the connection. So why is it so hard for Bill O’Reilly over at Fox News to understand the connection between what he says and how someone responds to what he says?

It’s just not that big of a leap to see a connection between the television news calling someone a Baby Killing Nazi over and over again and some religious fanatic deciding to finally pull the trigger..........."

Helen and Margaret are on point and hilarious.

http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/2009/...

"The violence is worsening. There are horrific images of people dying in real time on YouTube video clips. In one, a sniper kills a young woman. I can't watch them anymore and won't post them here.

The Basij are monitoring the hospitals for injured. So many are encouraging wounded protesters to seek out support and help at foreign embassies.

Here is a map of those embassies in Tehran providing shelter and assistance.

The Embassies that are standing up thus far and doing the right thing are Australia, Finland, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, Mexico, Portugal, France, Switzerland (which represents the US). Canada is reportedly trying to find doctors to be helpful before opening doors to those who need help.

Why aren't Japan, China and Russia on this list?

-- Steve Clemons"

Canadians have lit their embassy up - telling them to open those doors.

Story by Steve Clemons at Huffington Post is that ride and die changed President Obama's mind on how to respond.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-clemons/bid...

Have they ACTUALLY confirmed with the embassies that this is happening? I've worried about this all day. People expecting to be helped and being turned away.

Canada wasn't, and their citizens have responded, sending the message for them to open their doors. I don't know if they've turned around, but the pressure has been placed on them.

I'm not staying embassies shouldn't. I am saying they may not 'respond' because it could be considered interfering in the country's business, and I just don't like it that people on especially Twitter and Huffington Post are encouraging people to go there if injured, along with maps & lists.

Individual insurance coverage frustrates Georgians

Excerpt:
Steve Orston, 61, of Roswell, complained to Oxendine’s office when his premium jumped 55 percent — from $630 per month to $980 per month — for a husband-and-wife policy with a $3,500 deductible. The state could not help.
Rich Mazurek, 37, of Suwannee, is among thousands of Georgians who can’t get coverage at all.
Mazurek has rheumatoid arthritis and ventured into the individual market because he lost his job and couldn’t afford premiums under COBRA, the law that allows ex-employees to keep their coverage for a while at their own expense: “I was totally naive. I was declined by more than 20 companies.”
Sams, the taxidermist, has experienced the gamut of individual policy problems.
He lost his insurance in a dispute over whether he’d disclosed his acid reflux disease. After what he called “two years of anguish” trying to find a new policy, he ended up back with the company that canceled him.
Separate policies for him and his wife cost more than $1,000 per month, with $1,500 and $4,000 deductibles. And they don’t pay for what’s wrong with Sams. He pays for his acid reflux treatment out of pocket.
“Government can’t fix everything,” he said. “But when there are abuses, government needs to step in.”
Sams’ insurance company, Time Insurance, is among those with multiple complaints on record with the state.

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/...

Obama Closes Doors on Openness
By Michael Isikoff | NEWSWEEK
Published Jun 20, 2009
From the magazine issue dated Jun 29, 2009

As a senator, Barack Obama denounced the Bush administration for holding "secret energy meetings" with oil executives at the White House. But last week public-interest groups were dismayed when his own administration rejected a Freedom of Information Act request for Secret Service logs showing the identities of coal executives who had visited the White House to discuss Obama's "clean coal" policies. One reason: the disclosure of such records might impinge on privileged "presidential communications." The refusal, approved by White House counsel Greg Craig's office, is the latest in a series of cases in which Obama officials have opted against public disclosure. Since Obama pledged on his first day in office to usher in a "new era" of openness, "nothing has changed," says David -Sobel, a lawyer who litigates FOIA cases. "For a president who said he was going to bring unprecedented transparency to government, you would certainly expect more than the recycling of old Bush secrecy policies."

The hard line appears to be no accident. After Obama's much-publicized Jan. 21 "transparency" memo, administration lawyers crafted a key directive implementing the new policy that contained a major loophole, according to FOIA experts. The directive, signed by Attorney General Eric Holder, instructed federal agencies to adopt a "presumption" of disclosure for FOIA requests. This reversal of Bush policy was intended to restore a standard set by President Clinton's attorney general, Janet Reno. But in a little-noticed passage, the Holder memo also said the new standard applies "if practicable" for cases involving "pending litigation." Dan Metcalfe, the former longtime chief of FOIA policy at Justice, says the passage and other "lawyerly hedges" means the Holder memo is now "astonishingly weaker" than the Reno policy. (The visitor-log request falls in this category because of a pending Bush-era lawsuit for such records.)

Administration officials say the Holder memo was drafted by senior Justice lawyers in consultation with Craig's office. The separate standard for "pending" lawsuits was inserted because of the "burden" it would impose on officials to go "backward" and reprocess hundreds of old cases, says Melanie Ann Pustay, who now heads the FOIA office. White House spokesman Ben LaBolt says Obama "has backed up his promise" with actions including the broadcast of White House meetings on the Web. (Others cite the release of the so-called torture memos.) As for the visitor logs, LaBolt says the policy is now "under review."

© 2009

http://www.newsweek.com/id/202875

A Supreme Leader Loses His Aura as Iranians Flock to the Streets
By ROGER COHEN

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/21/opinion/21teh...

Documentary:
the Neo-African Americans

http://neoafricanamericans.wordpress.com/

I'm gonna have to order the DVD, this seems like a really interesting conversation.

Paul Begala straight clowned Meghan McCain last night on Maher...

From HuffPo:
[Begala] then began to explain how President Reagan blamed Jimmy Carter for years, to which [Meghan] McCain responded blithely "you know I wasn't born yet so I wouldn't know."

Going in for the kill, Begala fired back "I wasn't born during the French Revolution but I know about it."

LMAO, I'm glad that Begala didn't suffer that dumb **** for long. For the love of ***, I wish these republican chillrens would limit themselves to Saturday morning cartoons.

And I don't see toy companies rushing out to make dolls after these girls like they made the Marvelous Malia & Sweet Sasha. The republican children are neither marvelous nor sweet. Who teaches a child to use their saliva to slick down a little brother's hair? Nasty.

Who teaches a child to use their saliva to slick down a little brother's hair? Nasty.


Webb,

I know. Eww. I had a white woman to tell me how cute that was. Are you kidding me? Didn't someone teach them anything? Backwards Wasilla hillbillies! GTFOH!

Aww damn!! I bet her face is still on Maher's floor. Begala can put it down when he wants to.

"Who teaches a child to use their saliva to slick down a little brother's hair? "
I know! Everybody knows that only momma saliva is appropriate for cleaning dirt off the face and curing all manner of scrapes. It might not be the saliva but I know when I was a kid and hurt myself my momma kissed it and made it all better.

I saw it and LMAO.The problem is people talk and have no idea about history or political realities.All they can spout is the talking points that they have been programmed with.I mean, what makes her so special to talk about politics other than her last name?There is at least 10 women on this site alone who can hold a decent dialogue without sounding like a fool.Meghan McCain is just a spoil white rich girl who never had to want for anything and we are suppose to listen to what she has to say.Give me a break.

That's what's been pissing me off about the political happenings in Iran. People don't fucking know history, and I'm not talking 30 years ago. We - the United States - have an unbelievable history of imposing our will upon Iran with 'you-know-who's help.

He straight pimped slapped that chick! LOL! Then she tried to play victim, saying that they were picking on her just because she's blonde. Meanwhile, sitting to Begala's left was Katty Kay --- A BLONDE.

Throughout the whole show, she acted like a spoiled, bratty, entitled princess. Oh, wait....

If her last name was Smith or Jones, no one would even listen to her. She's making her career off her dad's name plus she has mother's money to count on. I'm sure she does feel entitled.

LOL

Following Obama, Students Define "Black" on Ivy League Campuses

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/evelyn-hsieh/bara...

"When Terry first arrived on campus, he felt uneasy. He would sit by himself in the dining hall, feeling the stares of others. One time, while walking through Harvard Yard, the woman in front of him picked up her pace and soon broke out into full-out running."

The more I picture that....the funnier (albeit sad) it becomes. All I see is this chick busting out into a full blown Flo-Jo dash......if only he would have started running too, thinking "there must be someone behind me".....

When you are just chilling or BBQ here is a mix for your listening pleasure.
Deepness is in my Soul
Tracklist
1.Fonk Musik (Georgie's Deconstuction Mix) Melchyor A
2.Left Hand Jazz (Cuica Remix) Infekto
3.Hate On Me (Sole Channel Mix) Jill Scott
4.Love The Music (Soul Deliverence Mix) Ronnie Maze
5.Thank You Lord (AW Vocal Mix) Connie Harvey
6.Mary Dont You Weep (Terry Hunter Mix) Craig Loftis feat. Aretha Franklin
7.Chicago Bluez (Terrance Disko Bristol to Belmont Remix) Astropimp
8.That Harmonica Track - House Of Glass
9.Disco Passion - JD Productions
10. My Joy feat. Margeret Grace (Quentin Harris)
11.Heaven (Marlon D & Groove Assasins Mix) Kem
12.L.O.V.E (Ain't Nuthin But A House Party)Marlon D feat. Pepper
13.Nite Drive (Highway) Urban Jazz Provider
14.Back When - Sir Piers
15.Dr. Love - First Choice
16.Superman - Herbie Mann
17.Hot Shot (Ralphi Rosasio & Craig Alexander Remix) Karen Young
18.Time Warp Revisited (Guitar Mix) Soul Creation
Here is the link
http://djmix.net/djchefron/mixes/Deepnessisinmy...

btw, i did register at the site. . . and it did not play even when i registered. . .

Sorry Zackboston I am having trouble with my account and it wont be fixed till Monday as soon as is fixed you can listen or D/L the mix but I did post another one that you can only D/L in this thread.Again I am sorry and Peace

oh i thought it was just going to take five minutes to load, but it never worked. i was so looking forward to listening! fyi, i am using a mac. . .

I fixed the problem and you can listen or D/L.Again sorry for the inconvenience.

I get the screen and everything...but it doesn't play for me. Do I need to register with the site or something?

I'm sorry .Check below

i'm trying your link to play the remix. . . thanks!

Thank you.I am having trouble with the site and when I emailed them they said they will get in touch with me. Oh well,I am sorry for the inconvenience but if you like I can send one on another site,let me know and I will do it ASAP.Peace

I an truly sorry for the mishap.Till I get the problem fix here is another link.You cannot stream it only download it so again my apology.This is another mix and it will work
Tracklist
1,Gigolo Anthem
2.Give Me The Night - Randy Crawford
3.Runaway(Mouse T Remix)Nuyorican Soul & India
4.Black Action -Glenn Underground
5.Movement Blues(Dub Mix)Jihad Muhammed
6.A Badoo Thing -Erica Badu
7.Run To You(Masters At Work Remix) Dina Carrol
8.Taboo Jazz(Charles Spencer Mix)David Harness
9.Fly Like An Eagle - Masters At Work
10.Love Came In(Quentin Harris Remix)India Arie
11.Message In A Bottle(Quentin Harris Remix) The Police
12.Sweetest Taboo - Sade
13.Solid Vibes - The Soul Immigrants
http://www.sendspace.com/file/6kwhkt

Hang on to your hats......pat buchanan defends Obama regarding Iran.

http://www.jabberwonk.com/flinker.cfm?cliid=y4eh

"MSNBC ‘s Pat Buchanan Blasts John McCain for Hot Headed Comments on Iran"

Buchanan is a racist, but not a neo-con.

He is a racist but and I may feel dirty about saying this he makes sense on foreign policy.

You are not dirty. You're just dumfounded that someone so off the wall on race can actually formulate a logical argument.

How was the Jazz fest, Hope you had a good time.

A very graphic video of the murder of an Iranian woman.

Please be warned:

http://infidelsarecool.com/2009/06/20/video-ira...

Yesterday, I received an interesting mailer from the good folks at Philip Morris regarding Marlboro cigarettes.....and I don't smoke, and never have. Did anyone else receive this? Apparently IF you smoke, you're eligible to enter the "100 days of flavor" sweepstakes. Everyday for 100 days, a different prize..from a digital camera to a GMC Sierra Hybrid to $40k in gold bars. Oh, and there's a coupon should I decide to become a smoker. Well if you live in MA or MI you can't participate in this "sweepstakes". Interesting marketing ploy. I wonder how they prove you're a smoker since you have to be to enter...an x-ray of your blackened lung? What?

NYT: When He was Barry:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/18/fashion/18FRE...

Just a reminder:

if you want good updates about Iran, go to The Daily Dish. I'm down on Sullivan on some things, but he's come through big time with this Iran situation.

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily...

gotta chuckle at this one....

http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2009/06/john-en...

" Congress
John Ensign's Interns Pack It In
— By Elizabeth Gettelman | Thu June 18, 2009 3:54 PM PST

No word on when or whether we'll get an Ensign resign, but yesterday the hypocritical Senator left his post as the chair of the Republican Policy Committee, so are they packing up boxes at the HQ? A couple of hours ago, this tidbit on Roll Call:

In an e-mail sent to intern coordinators in Senate offices on Thursday afternoon, Ensign’s coordinator Jessica Walton said she is looking to place an unspecified number of the Nevada Republican’s interns in other offices. “This is Jessica from Ensign’s office. I am trying to find out if anyone has any openings for interns. I have some really great interns that want to relocate to another office. If you have anything or know of someone who does please let me know,” Walton wrote in the e-mail.


Clearing out the committee worker bees? Calling it quits altogether? Interns begging for another name for the resume? Whatever, hey interns: We're hiring! Join our scandal-free DC bureau and investigate Senators for a living; we promise not to let you down."