Politics
‘Cruel’ Digital Race For Vaccines Leaves Many Seniors Behind; Challenges Facing Seniors Speak To the Country’s Fragmented Approach
The efforts to vaccinate people 65 and older have strained under the enormous demand that has overwhelmed cumbersome, inconsistent scheduling systems. The struggle represents a shift from the first wave of vaccinations — health care workers in health care settings — which went comparatively smoothly. Now, in most places, elderly people are pitted against one another, competing on an unstable technological playing field for limited shots. While the demand is an encouraging sign of public trust in the vaccines, the challenges facing seniors also speak to the country’s fragmented approach, which has left many confused and enlisting family members to hunt down appointments. more »
Kaiser Health News: Trump’s Pardons Included Health Care Execs Behind Massive Frauds
"The list of some 200 Trump pardons or commutations, most issued as he vacated the White House, included at least seven doctors or health care entrepreneurs who ran discredited health care enterprises, from nursing homes to pain clinics. One is a former doctor and California hospital owner embroiled in a massive workers’ compensation kickback scheme that prosecutors alleged prompted more than 14,000 dubious spinal surgeries. Another was in prison after prosecutors accused him of ripping off more than $1 billion from Medicare and Medicaid through nursing homes and other senior care facilities, among the largest frauds in U.S. history." more »
Jo Freeman writes: The Wall that Trump Built
Jo Freeman Writes: The press said there were 25,000 members of the National Guard in town. I believe it. They were everywhere. The day before the inauguration, chartered busses were bringing them in in droves. Some individuals were friendly. Some just wanted me to scoot. I’ve been to half a dozen inaugurations, though I only had press credentials for 1993. Usually you can find someplace from which to watch the parade. This year I watched it all on TV. Overall, law enforcement went from under-response to the January 6 riot to over-reaction. They closed things down as though they were expecting an armed invasion and not just a few hundred cult fanatics. more »
Jo Freeman's Review of Gil Venable's Mississippi & After: A Life in Equal Justice Law
There were only three black lawyers in the entire state of Mississippi and white lawyers wouldn’t take these cases. They were assisted by law students, for which this was a summer job. Gil was one of those students, having completed his first year at the University of Pittsburgh Law School. He returned committed to becoming a public interest lawyer. He joined the Pittsburgh ACLU, and after graduation, became its first executive director. About a quarter of the book is about his work with the ACLU. In 1970 Gil moved to Arizona to become Assistant Dean of the ASU law school. He stayed to raise a family while involved with social justice issues. This book tells you about more than his legal work. You learn a lot about his ancestors and his girlfriends. more »