Let’s be civil. The Flathead Beacon encourages vigorous discussion and lively debate, but we will delete comments that attack other readers, make accusations we can’t verify, stray too far off topic, criticize local businesses (call them if you have a problem), convict someone of a crime, use profanity or are simply judged to be in bad taste. We don’t always have someone moderating comments, so we ask for your help: If you see a comment that violates these ground rules, or you simply deem it offensive, please e-mail editor [at] flatheadbeacon.com. The views expressed in the comments section do not reflect those of the Beacon.
By Kriss Roth on 05-22-09
Here is something he needs to know. There is a pandemic looming. All over the country health care institutions everywhere have responded to the economic downturn by reducing capacity, by freezing hiring, by laying off nurses and canceling expenditures for new equipment and everything else they can freeze. This was a system that DID NOT have the capacity to handle a crisis BEFORE they cut back and now they have less capacity than they had in the last 50 years. In the last 10 years alone HUNDREDS of hospitals have been closed. Do you remember all the yelling and screaming John Q. Public did when there was a shortage of flu vaccine? Well it wasn’t nothing to what you will hear when they take their loved ones to ERs and hospitals all over the country and they just can’t get seen by a MD or admitted under any circumstances. You need to act RIGHT now to encourage hospitals to begin hiring and expanding to get ready any way they can for the pandemic around the corner. The most important thing is to get them to increase staffing. GIVE them the money to hire and train new nurses if you have to. Make sure they do not abuse it by doing something else with it like increase the CEOs pay rate. Also please warn them they are not to use it to hire new grads and fire experienced nurses who make more than the new nurses. After all health care is a business and they would be inclined to abuse government money just like all the business that abused the TARP fund. You have a very short window of time to act here. The crisis is bearing down on you as I write this.
Beacon Readers Rated This Comment:
By Grannysgadgets on 05-22-09
Kriss : Do you really think that the swine flu will eventually reach pandemic proportions ? . The media makes it so confusing with their full coverage of it, and then with their backing down and saying “ well, it’s not as bad as we had thought !“. It’s hard to get a precise guage on what this really amounts, and will amount too ! I would love to hear your take on it.
Beacon Readers Rated This Comment:
In order to post comments you must register once with the Beacon and be logged in. Log in below or register now.
Cat-Griz: 109th Meeting Could Have Playoff Implications
A Holiday Curtain Call
Mixed Martial Arts Return to Kalispell
DOR Director Says Reappraisal Process Working
After 42 Years, Books West Closes its Doors
Comments on: Baucus Staff Holds Health Care Listening Sessions
Let’s be civil. The Flathead Beacon encourages vigorous discussion and lively debate, but we will delete comments that attack other readers, make accusations we can’t verify, stray too far off topic, criticize local businesses (call them if you have a problem), convict someone of a crime, use profanity or are simply judged to be in bad taste. We don’t always have someone moderating comments, so we ask for your help: If you see a comment that violates these ground rules, or you simply deem it offensive, please e-mail editor [at] flatheadbeacon.com. The views expressed in the comments section do not reflect those of the Beacon.
By Kriss Roth on 05-22-09
Here is something he needs to know. There is a pandemic looming. All over the country health care institutions everywhere have responded to the economic downturn by reducing capacity, by freezing hiring, by laying off nurses and canceling expenditures for new equipment and everything else they can freeze. This was a system that DID NOT have the capacity to handle a crisis BEFORE they cut back and now they have less capacity than they had in the last 50 years. In the last 10 years alone HUNDREDS of hospitals have been closed. Do you remember all the yelling and screaming John Q. Public did when there was a shortage of flu vaccine? Well it wasn’t nothing to what you will hear when they take their loved ones to ERs and hospitals all over the country and they just can’t get seen by a MD or admitted under any circumstances. You need to act RIGHT now to encourage hospitals to begin hiring and expanding to get ready any way they can for the pandemic around the corner. The most important thing is to get them to increase staffing. GIVE them the money to hire and train new nurses if you have to. Make sure they do not abuse it by doing something else with it like increase the CEOs pay rate. Also please warn them they are not to use it to hire new grads and fire experienced nurses who make more than the new nurses. After all health care is a business and they would be inclined to abuse government money just like all the business that abused the TARP fund. You have a very short window of time to act here. The crisis is bearing down on you as I write this.
By Grannysgadgets on 05-22-09
Kriss : Do you really think that the swine flu will eventually reach pandemic proportions ? . The media makes it so confusing with their full coverage of it, and then with their backing down and saying “ well, it’s not as bad as we had thought !“. It’s hard to get a precise guage on what this really amounts, and will amount too ! I would love to hear your take on it.