en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/951719 Comments by jmk1956 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Patient-Advocates-Critical-of-Iowa-Hospice-Oversight--120570484.html#IDComment145943983 Sorry, I didn't make it clear. The majority of Medicare policies have a hospice benefit. The benefit pays a flat daily rate to cover all services, treatments, medications, durable medical equipment, disposable supplies and professional services (including physician services) related to the patient's terminal illness. It is the same for Medicaid and most private insurances. There are specific Medicare policies and private insurances that don't have a hospice benefit. Something many people don't know is that Medicare also requires a certain percentage of total patient care hours be provided by volunteer labor. I'm not sure what it is now but it was 5% when I was working in hospice. So, volunteering for hospice is not only rewarding but helps the hospice to stay compliant with Medicare. Private donations often go towards covering services for people without Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance or a means to help pay for the care. Mon, 25 Apr 2011 19:15:24 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Patient-Advocates-Critical-of-Iowa-Hospice-Oversight--120570484.html#IDComment145943983 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Patient-Advocates-Critical-of-Iowa-Hospice-Oversight--120570484.html#IDComment145727757 (continued from above) In my career I spent countle$$ hours caring for my patients and their families at a most vul-ner-able and in-ti-mate time. Then I would complete the countle$$ forms and all the doc-u-men-ta-tion nece$$ary for Medicare. If someone does not have any sort of insurance coverage for hospice care, they are not expected to pay for their care although the hospice is required by Medicare to bill for the services. Someone who cannot pay for their care receives the same level of care a$ anyone else. The cost of this care is usually covered by donations, memorials, etc. Many patients or families choose to have memorial money go to a hospice a$ grat-i-tude for the services provided. Hospice caregiving is a calling not a job. It is the best and most rewarding work someone can do. The end. Sorry about having to break up my com-ment. Only way to get it past big brother. Mon, 25 Apr 2011 00:46:18 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Patient-Advocates-Critical-of-Iowa-Hospice-Oversight--120570484.html#IDComment145727757 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Patient-Advocates-Critical-of-Iowa-Hospice-Oversight--120570484.html#IDComment145726846 (continued from above) And, I have participated in many surveys in the agencies I have worked for. An inspection is comprehensive and takes about 5 days (40 hours) to complete. The level of care provided is looked at closely including visits by inspectors to hospice patients. (continued below) Mon, 25 Apr 2011 00:40:38 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Patient-Advocates-Critical-of-Iowa-Hospice-Oversight--120570484.html#IDComment145726846 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Patient-Advocates-Critical-of-Iowa-Hospice-Oversight--120570484.html#IDComment145724858 (continued from above) I'm not certain what hospices the article is referring to except maybe a volunteer hospice organization or a hospice not certified by Medicare. An uncertified hospice does not receive Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance coverage. I don't know of any in Iowa although there may be one or two. This hospice care is probably paid for by the patient or family and would be quite expensive. Most facility hospice care is provided in nursing homes or special hospital units. These are inspected at least yearly. I'm not certain how often a free standing hospice inpatient facility is inspected but I would guess it's more frequently than once every 20 years. (continued below) Mon, 25 Apr 2011 00:29:10 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Patient-Advocates-Critical-of-Iowa-Hospice-Oversight--120570484.html#IDComment145724858 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Patient-Advocates-Critical-of-Iowa-Hospice-Oversight--120570484.html#IDComment145724307 First it took numerous tries to get this pa$t the administrator, whatever that means. I am offended by this article. I believe this article ha$ left out factual information and misrepresented other facts to put honorable organizations into question. I retired from hospice 2 years ago after working a$ a registered nurse manager. To receive Medicare or Medicaid money for caring for those individuals and their families a hospice must be certified by Medicare. A Medicare certified hospice is inspected by the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals a minimum of once every 5 years. Additionally, IDIA must follow up on every complaint, often with a personal visit from an inspector. (continued below) Mon, 25 Apr 2011 00:25:22 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Patient-Advocates-Critical-of-Iowa-Hospice-Oversight--120570484.html#IDComment145724307 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Parkersburg-Man-Killed-When-Motorcycle-Hits-Van-119765249.html#IDComment142573898 Very sad story. Children are left without their parent. I'm in the health care field. There is a reason motorcycles are often referred to as "donor" cycles in the ER. The motorcyclist often becomes another statistic. Wed, 13 Apr 2011 20:06:57 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Parkersburg-Man-Killed-When-Motorcycle-Hits-Van-119765249.html#IDComment142573898 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Police-Release-Name-Of-Woman-Killed-In-Train-Crash-118917734.html#IDComment138661935 In the rational world, suicide is a very selfish act. This lady was probably mentally ill. Unfortunately, mental illness often does not allow rational thinking to take place. Also, we know nothing about what drove this woman to take her own life. Very sad for everyone connected to this story. Wed, 30 Mar 2011 18:26:53 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Police-Release-Name-Of-Woman-Killed-In-Train-Crash-118917734.html#IDComment138661935 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Robbery-Inmate-Claims-Jail-Isnt-Providing-Him-Medical-Treatment-118529834.html#IDComment137675419 Oh my goodness...can no one see this story for what it is? The media's idea of fun at our expense. The media thrives on public reaction. They put a spin on a story to get our ire up And it works. This guy is one of thousands in our criminal justice system. His story is not unique...I've dealt with many of them in my health care profession. My point is that something is needed to help prevent offenders from becoming repeat offenders. When we have them in our control, that is the perfect opportunity to do something. It saves us (the taxpayers) in the long term. I don't want this guy (or any other guy like him) living off my dollar for the rest of his life. One question in the back of my tiny mind is....does this guy have a family we will be supporting also? One last thing so you understand me.....I am a proud gun carrying conservative Republican. I want our state and federal finances in order, our borders secure, our military strong, our health care system out of government hands and I would like to see functional intact family units (mom, dad, kids). I am compas sionate and I believe that we must start in our own backyard. This is why I am showing compas sion toward someone who is probably guilty of the charges against him and owes a debt to society by way of jail time. This is also the time to get him straightened out and ready to be a better citizen. Sat, 26 Mar 2011 09:52:35 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Robbery-Inmate-Claims-Jail-Isnt-Providing-Him-Medical-Treatment-118529834.html#IDComment137675419 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Robbery-Inmate-Claims-Jail-Isnt-Providing-Him-Medical-Treatment-118529834.html#IDComment137428755 Sorry, I stand by my opinion. Unless we (society, taxpayers, law enforcement, etc) wish this guy to become a frequent flyer in our court and health care systems, now is the time to do something about it. We have Mr. Copenhaver under our control and it seems that he should be given the care and tools to be a better citizen when he is released. A little investment now saves us (the taxpayers) in the long term. As for his victims...I hope they have sought help for their own anxieties. Please don't confuse compas sion with "feeling sorry." I DO NOT feel sorry for this guy. If he did the crime, he must do the time, but do we throw away the proverbial key and look forward to having him in our welfare or criminal system for life? I think not. I am looking at this situation from a monetary as well as a Christian perspective. Fri, 25 Mar 2011 07:30:10 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Robbery-Inmate-Claims-Jail-Isnt-Providing-Him-Medical-Treatment-118529834.html#IDComment137428755 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Robbery-Inmate-Claims-Jail-Isnt-Providing-Him-Medical-Treatment-118529834.html#IDComment137205498 I've read the article a couple of times. And....I must say that I am a conservative Christian so you all know my opinions concerning President Obama's policies, etc. I am also a compas sionate person and I believe Mr. Copenhaver deserves our compas sion. My career as a health care professional indicates that Mr. Copenhaver probably does have the pain he claims BUT, he also has too much time available to worry about his aches and pains. His lawyer is probably some schmuck appointed by the courts. Anyway, I propose that Mr. Copenhaver be trained to help himself (and not to other people's possessions). As long as he is incarcerated, he can be helped with increased exercise and diet restrictions to begin with. Later add some rehab so maybe, just maybe he'll get out of jail a better human being. Then....the system has worked. Thu, 24 Mar 2011 09:33:31 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Robbery-Inmate-Claims-Jail-Isnt-Providing-Him-Medical-Treatment-118529834.html#IDComment137205498 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Train-Hits-Cedar-Rapids-Police-Car-During-Chase--118073354.html#IDComment135351723 Yikes! Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:24:17 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Train-Hits-Cedar-Rapids-Police-Car-During-Chase--118073354.html#IDComment135351723 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Culver-Considered-For-Big-National-Job-118010834.html#IDComment135351306 I absolutely did not care for Chet Culver as our governor but I really dislike the innuendo in the title of this article. In my humble opinion using the word "big" coupled with the picture of Mr. Culver is inappropriate for a media outlet. Whoever came up with that title should be ashamed. The public can comment any way they wish but the media should have more professionalism. Oh my gosh, what a funny statement....media and professionalism in one sentence. Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:22:30 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Culver-Considered-For-Big-National-Job-118010834.html#IDComment135351306 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/UI-investigates-Use-of-Baby-Monitor-to-Eavesdrop-on-Employees--118022314.html#IDComment135348040 What is the employees' expectations of privacy here? Duh....none. An office setting (except for a private office with a door) has little expectation of complete privacy. Nothing to worry about unless inappropriate use of work time or conversation is being done. Get over it. Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:06:24 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/UI-investigates-Use-of-Baby-Monitor-to-Eavesdrop-on-Employees--118022314.html#IDComment135348040 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Local-Democrats-Vow-to-Stop-GOP-Labor-Bill-117000943.html#IDComment131104967 Oh my friend, we are all in this together. We are Americans first. The unions helped create the economic environment we have today. Jobs were driven out of the country because of some of the demands by unions. After several decades we, as a nation, are upside down in exports/imports. This cannot be sustained. However, unions helped early on to get workers reasonable wages, working conditions, etc. Unions also encouraged labor laws that are now the foundation of the business environment in relation to protection of employees. It's time for unions to recognize that their role must evolve. We must all step back and look at how we have arrived to this place. Emotions are running high. But, emotions must be put aside and rational thinking and reasoning must prevail on all sides. Sun, 27 Feb 2011 18:40:38 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Local-Democrats-Vow-to-Stop-GOP-Labor-Bill-117000943.html#IDComment131104967 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Local-Democrats-Vow-to-Stop-GOP-Labor-Bill-117000943.html#IDComment131086480 Hmmm....union tail trying to wag the dog?? Although an important part of our American history, like the Model T, unions are obsolete. Labor unions forced better treatment of workers across the board in multiple ways. But, they've outlived their usefulness. We must move forward and show the world that we are not hostile towards business, big or small. We must work towards being an exporter, not importer. To do that, the business sector must want to bring business to us. This sounds like we could help our economy and maybe regain some of the respect from our world friends and enemies. Now that's a novel thought. :) Sun, 27 Feb 2011 16:29:54 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Local-Democrats-Vow-to-Stop-GOP-Labor-Bill-117000943.html#IDComment131086480 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Iowa-Union-Member-Headed-to-Wi-116977268.html#IDComment130902511 Oh my gosh, thanks. I sometimes get mixed up whether or not a word or words should be hyphenated, compound or what. Fortunately, I don't proofread for a living. Sat, 26 Feb 2011 22:23:27 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Iowa-Union-Member-Headed-to-Wi-116977268.html#IDComment130902511 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Eastern-Iowa-Offices-Plan-for-Government-Shutdown-116953338.html#IDComment130875818 Maybe someone reported it as inappropriate or offensive (even it it wasn't). You might get flagged as an undesirable. Not really sure. And, good luck trying to get it resolved. It's all but impossible to inquire from KCRG about it. Sat, 26 Feb 2011 19:06:24 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Eastern-Iowa-Offices-Plan-for-Government-Shutdown-116953338.html#IDComment130875818 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Eastern-Iowa-Offices-Plan-for-Government-Shutdown-116953338.html#IDComment130872724 Big Bro doesn't like your comment or the arrangement of letters, even within a word, that are interpreted as profanity. Before you submit your comment use you copy button because if your comment is rejected, it's been executed. Proof read (a foreign concept for KCRG) before you submit. Examples of what you can do to help get you comment in print: a-s-s-essment, a$-$essment Sat, 26 Feb 2011 18:45:15 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Eastern-Iowa-Offices-Plan-for-Government-Shutdown-116953338.html#IDComment130872724 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Eastern-Iowa-Offices-Plan-for-Government-Shutdown-116953338.html#IDComment130871577 I think it was written and proof read by a high school drop out union member. Sat, 26 Feb 2011 18:36:36 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Eastern-Iowa-Offices-Plan-for-Government-Shutdown-116953338.html#IDComment130871577 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Iowa-Union-Member-Headed-to-Wi-116977268.html#IDComment130870416 I interpreted that sentence that Scott Smith paid for the bus. Great KCRG staff proof reading and use of punctuation in action. If Mr. Smith paid for the bus, he might be getting paid a little too much, or else he just took out a big chunk of his kid's college fund. Otherwise, we all know the AFL/CIO has deep pockets to promote their cause. Sat, 26 Feb 2011 18:28:08 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Iowa-Union-Member-Headed-to-Wi-116977268.html#IDComment130870416