Sound Politics: Great moments in government-run medicine

February 02, 2010

Great moments in government-run medicine

KING-5 Investigators: "Report confirms strange practices at King County Morgue "

Robinette Struckel worked as a forensic autopsy technician at the King County Medical Examiner's Office (KCMEO) between 2001 and 2007. She says during that time she witnessed lax procedures, unprofessional conduct and improper handling of skeletal remains, tissue samples and hazardous waste.

So maybe the only folks who have to worry about government "death panels" are the already dead?

Or not: "Fragile, pushed out and paying a price: [Washington] State saves millions by relocating poorest patients"

In dozens of instances, relocated residents were overdosed accidentally or were harmed when critical medications were withheld, The Times found.

In a dozen cases of residents with dementia, caregivers with little understanding of the disorder imprisoned residents in their rooms or tied them to chairs with belts or ropes to keep them from walking off.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Gregoire thinks we all deserve to have government bureaucrats micromanaging our health care.

Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at February 02, 2010 05:12 PM | Email This

Comments

1. Just becuase Chrissy feels that way does'nt mean my family do.More good news our 2 illustrus Senators are not doing well with 100% chance of a no vote on 1 site i saw! OUCH!

Posted by: Laurie on February 2, 2010 06:53 PM

2. Here are several blog posts from 2005 with reporting from KIRO television news, The Weekly and others about the corruption surrounding the culture of death in King County government:

http://www.pscottcummins.com/blog/2005/04/time-for-your-voice-on-king-county.html

http://www.pscottcummins.com/blog/2005/04/weeklys-rick-anderson-scandal-nothing.html

http://www.pscottcummins.com/blog/2005/04/same-practices-as-king-countys-brings.html

http://www.pscottcummins.com/blog/2005/04/king-county-signed-contract-to-profit.html

http://www.pscottcummins.com/blog/2005/04/coroner-profits-without-consent-from.html

Posted by: PScott Cummins on February 2, 2010 09:34 PM

3. As the Dems in Olympia have screamed, "it is easy to cut the benefits of the poor and disadvantaged". No truer words were ever spoken.

Instead, and during this rough economy, Democrats need to confront the "gorilla" in the room and ask them to tighten their belts and help the State by taking a 10% pay cut. After all, with some exceptions, that is what we are all doing. But no, the legislative and executive branches are begging for more stimulus money for-- you got it--money for the union wages.

And the poor get disenfranchised.

Wife works at nursing home (long term care) and non-profit. Medicaid really doesn't pay enough even for that facility.

Posted by: swatter on February 3, 2010 07:28 AM

4. I just think that it is ironic that the Premier of Newfoundland is going to have heart surgery in an undisclosed location in the United States. They said in the news this morning that the average wait time for heart surgery in Canada is 18 weeks. So instead of waiting those 18 weeks, like the average Canadian would, he chose to come to America for his health care. Makes you feel good doesn't it (except if you are Canadian).

Posted by: shed man on February 3, 2010 09:46 AM

5. The same idiots who were stupid enough to elect Obummer and Queen Christine are now proving to be stupid enough to turn their healthcare management over to the government. Gee, that's a surprise.

Posted by: Saltherring on February 3, 2010 07:03 PM

6. Follow up, please, on the great moments in insurance industry-run health care.

Posted by: Roger P. on February 5, 2010 04:38 AM