সোমবার, ৫ আগস্ট, ২০১৩

Military hospitals shrinking services to meet spending cuts

Patients at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and other premier military hospitals are being sent to private doctors and having surgery and other treatment delayed because of furloughs to medical personnel, according to interviews and internal documents.

"Please show (patients) the utmost understanding and care while we are asking them to accept longer wait times and in some cases, curtailed or limited services," Rear Adm. Alton Stocks, hospital commander, told staff in a July 12 message.

A "colleagues" memo issued in recent days says inpatient beds are in "critically short supply" because of furloughs of civilian staff triggered by federal spending cuts known as sequestration.

The memo encourages "dispositions/discharges as soon as possible." Hospital spokesperson Sandy Dean explained this direction, saying, "We are are encouraging health care providers to be more efficient when handling their paperwork instead of writing discharge orders later in the day ... no patient has been or will be discharged before it is medically appropriate."

With cases of post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health problems at an all-time high, Dean says civilian caregivers in the hospital's in-patient mental health section are furloughed, reducing beds there from 28 to 22.

Most serious combat wounded and other medical cases are given priority as routine treatments are delayed, officials said.

Military families complain on the National Military Family Association website of waiting longer for medical appointments, immunizations for infants and getting someone to answer the phone at small medical clinics.

Similar cutbacks occurring across military medicine are "definitely impacting our ability to deliver health care," said Maj. Gen. Richard Thomas, commander of 11 Army hospitals in the western United States. Just in the first month of furloughs, 10,000 routine patient appointments in the western Army medical region been delayed because of staffing shortages, Thomas says.

The Pentagon's top medical official, Jonathan Woodson, assistant secretary of Defense for health affairs, called the cuts illogical and a significant threat.

"We simply cannot continue to sustain the burdens placed on the military medical system if sequester remains the law of the land," Woodson says. "The men and women who have fought tirelessly on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan ... deserve much, much more than this."

Thomas said that by sending patients to a network of private doctors who contract with the government for services, the Pentagon will spend more money in order to compensate for the automatic spending cuts.

"As we curtail ... we will inevitably refer more care out to the network," he says. "We'll end up spending more money in the long run."

The automatic cuts, which many in Congress have vowed to keep in place through 2014, led the Pentagon to furlough more than 640,000 civilian workers for 11 days between July 8 and the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30.

For the Army, which has the largest medical system within the military, all but 6,600 of its 44,000 civilian medical workers are being furloughed.

"The impact on morale is huge," says Thomas, adding that some caregivers have quit, lured to the Department of Veterans Affairs for jobs. "VA is parked right outside our installations and they're poaching our players."

For Erika Townes, a nurse at the Malcolm Grow Medical Center, an out-patient clinic at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, D.C., furloughs mean canceling family vacation, cutting groceries and losing $200 per paycheck every two weeks.

"It frustrates me because I make less than $50,000 a year and, not to toot my own horn, but I'm a damn good nurse. ... I put a lot of passion into what I do. So you're going to punish me because you can't fix your own budget?" says the veteran nurse, a mother of four whose husband is disabled.

At Walter Reed, the primary care facility for troops wounded in Afghanistan, the number of operating rooms has been cut from 23 to 20 Monday through Thursday and to 10 on Friday, when most civilians take their weekly furlough day, according to a memo July 15 from Navy Capt. Philip Perdue, deputy chief of surgery.

"Sorry to be the bearer of bad news; this is being forced on all of us," he writes.

The sprawling Walter Reed campus in Bethesda outside Washington is a joint military operation that in 2011 combined the National Naval Medical Center and the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

With the spending cuts, 10%-20% of beds are now left vacant in surgery, in-patient mental health, maternal child services and critical care. Surgeons are urged to finish operations by 3 p.m. each day, according to an internal memorandum.

Contributing: Tom Vanden Brook
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Source: http://www.stripes.com/news/us/military-hospitals-shrinking-services-to-meet-spending-cuts-1.233728

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Delonte West intends to repair image in NBA comeback

Delonte West's NBA career appeared to end in a string of bad breaks and bad decisions. He has not resigned to that notion, though, and plans to attempt a comeback after a year away from basketball.

Now 30 years old, married and a new father, he believes time away from basketball has helped mature him, and he wants another shot in the NBA. West told the Boston Globe's Gary Washburn that he is even willing to take a nonguaranteed contract, hoping only for the opportunity to show an NBA coach he still has what it takes to play amongst the world's best.

?This, in a way, has been the biggest blessing of my life,? West said. ?This has given me time to grow. I?m just looking for answers, and all of the things I have been searching for, as a man, not as an athlete, to complete me. In that time period I met my wife and have had a beautiful son, and it?s like everything is falling in place.

?Back in December or January, I stopped trying to trust in man and fight these battles by myself. I just handed the keys to the man upstairs and let him drive. It?s been the biggest blessing of my life. I have so much to be grateful for, thankful for, and I have a lot to play for now."

West, who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, was involved in a number of incidents before the Dallas Mavericks waived him following a heated argument with coach Rick Carlisle. As a member of the Celtics, he engaged in a fight with then teammate Von Wafter. With the Cavaliers, he was arrested on a weapons charge, which provided the largest dent to his reputation.

?Since the incident that happened [while with] Cleveland, it?s been an everyday battle, not with mental disorder, but an everyday battle with having to prove who you are as a person, to prove you?re a good person,? West said. ?It?s OK, because if you are a good person, I don?t have to do too much but be myself. That?s all right.?

Teams have shown interest in West, but he's unlikely to really get an opportunity to play in front of anyone until training camps start two months from now, in October. But, when that time comes, West expects to prove himself.

?I am putting in the work every day, and whatever team picks me up, guaranteed or nonguaranteed, they?re going to get a top-tier player,? he said. ?I spent time just licking my wounds, trying to shy away from the laughter [about me]. My game is not of league minimum, but that?s OK, though. It?s not about the money.

"I?m trying to break free from that stigma but it?s hanging over my head. I decided that I ain?t worried about the laughter. I?m not giving nobody no more ammunition to laugh at me. No more self-loathing. I?m here to play basketball and show people who Delonte West is.?

Source: http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2013-08-04/delonte-west-cavaliers-mavericks-celtics-st-joseph-mark-cuban-rick-carlisle

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রবিবার, ৪ আগস্ট, ২০১৩

A-Rod Trenton bound after simulated game

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez throws the ball during a rehabilitation workout at Steinbrenner Field Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013, in Tampa, Fla. Major League Baseball is threatening to kick A-Rod out of the game for life unless the New York star agrees not to fight a lengthy suspension for his role in the sport's latest drug scandal, according to a person familiar with the discussions. The person spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday, July 31, 2013 on condition of anonymity because no statements were authorized. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez throws the ball during a rehabilitation workout at Steinbrenner Field Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013, in Tampa, Fla. Major League Baseball is threatening to kick A-Rod out of the game for life unless the New York star agrees not to fight a lengthy suspension for his role in the sport's latest drug scandal, according to a person familiar with the discussions. The person spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday, July 31, 2013 on condition of anonymity because no statements were authorized. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

In this image made through fencing, New York Yankees third baseman third baseman Alex Rodriguez points during a rehabilitaion workout at Steinbrenner Field Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013, in Tampa, Fla. Major League Baseball is threatening to kick A-Rod out of the game for life unless the New York star agrees not to fight a lengthy suspension for his role in the sport's latest drug scandal, according to a person familiar with the discussions. The person spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday, July 31, 2013 on condition of anonymity because no statements were authorized. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez arrives to workout at the Yankees minor league complex Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013, in Tampa, Fla. Rodriguez is doing rehabilitation for a quad strain. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez leaves the team's minor league complex after a rehabilitation workout Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013, in Tampa, Fla. Major League Baseball is threatening to kick A-Rod out of the game for life unless the New York star agrees not to fight a lengthy suspension for his role in the sport's latest drug scandal, according to a person familiar with the discussions. The person spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday, July 31, 2013 on condition of anonymity because no statements were authorized. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez leaves the team's minor league complex after a rehabilitation workout Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013, in Tampa, Fla. Major League Baseball is threatening to kick A-Rod out of the game for life unless the New York star agrees not to fight a lengthy suspension for his role in the sport's latest drug scandal, according to a person familiar with the discussions. The person spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday, July 31, 2013 on condition of anonymity because no statements were authorized. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) ? Alex Rodriguez will start a second minor league injury rehabilitation assignment on Friday at Double-A Trenton, hoping to return to the New York Yankees before any suspension by Major League Baseball.

Rodriguez played a simulated game Thursday at the team's spring training home, and New York said he will play for Trenton against Reading for two games through Saturday.

With the Yankees at San Diego on Sunday, there is little chance the team will tell him fly across the country after a night game for a day game in California.

If he's not suspended by then, the three-time MVP could rejoin New York for its series opener Monday at the Chicago White Sox. However, it appears MLB will suspend Rodriguez by then for ties to Biogenesis of America, a closed Florida anti-aging clinic accused of distributing banned performance-enhancing drugs.

Four years ago Rodriguez admitted using PEDs while with Texas from 2001-03, but he repeatedly has denied using them since.

Because of wet grounds, the Yankees moved Rodriguez's simulated game from their minor league complex across the Dale Mabry highway to Steinbrenner Field.

The ballpark was closed to media, who watched from a walkway behind the right-field bullpen. Rodriguez saw 31 pitches over six at-bats, played third and ran bases during the simulated game. About two dozen media members and five television trucks were on hand ? but no fans.

Coming back from January hip surgery, Rodriguez was .200 (8 for 40) with two homers and eight RBIs in 13 minor league games from July 2-20 for Class A Tampa and Charleston (S.C.), Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The assignment was cut a day short when he complained of quadriceps tightness, and the Yankees said an MRI in New York on July 21 showed a grade 1 strain.

Rodriguez pushed to be activated later that week, retaining a doctor without giving the Yankees the required notification, and the physician claimed he couldn't detect an injury. During a conference call with Yankees officials on July 25 ? Rodriguez insisted one of his lawyers be on the call ? the sides agreed to a schedule for his return.

He appeared ready to talk as he was leaving the minor league complex, waving a group of writers to his car in the parking lot and rolling down the window. However, when A-Rod saw a second group with TV cameras approaching, he said "I'll talk to you guys, but no cameras."

Rodriguez closed the window and kept the car stationary for a moment, then left without saying another word to reporters.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2013-08-01-BBA-Yankees-Rodriguez/id-a5546c8d5761476f84802bea8e43027c

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শনিবার, ৩ আগস্ট, ২০১৩

Muldrow Man Grieving Loss of Pets and Home | 5NEWSOnline.com

Posted on: 10:36 pm, August 2, 2013, by Aubry Killion, updated on: 10:46pm, August 2, 2013

Bill Bowman?s Muldrow home caught fire (August 2) with several of his dogs inside his mobile home. Bowman?s brother was one of the first responders to the fire.

?He was broken hearted because he lost the dogs. The house can be replaced but the dogs can?t be replaced,? said, JR Bowman.

Several of his dogs living in the home died from smoke inhalation. One of his pets, Dee Dee, made it out alive.

?I think it was a relief to him that they died of smoke inhalation and they weren?t burned alive but he was still broken hearted,? said Bowman.

Firefighters on scene said they responded to a call around 5:22 pm.

?We could see flames from approximately two, three miles away,? said Muldrow Fire Fighter, Jesse Chandler.

Chandler said the fire was so large multiple crews were sent to the mobile home.

?The home will be a total loss; half of it?s burnt up,? said Chandler.

Firefighters said the fire started in the back bedroom of the home.

Bowman?s brother said his dogs were like his children.

?Right now the home is the least of his concern because he loved the dogs like most people love their kids,? said Bowman

One of the owners longtime friends of more than 20 years came out to show support for his friend and help salvage what he could.

?Bill?s been a friend of mine for 25 years. He?s just a super great guy, and he?s a real animal lover,? said Tim Blalock.

Blalock said his friend is a survivor and tragedy is no stranger to him.

?He?s lost his parents too, I know he will hang in there.?

Fortunately Bowman said his home is insured but as he tries to pick up the pieces of his home he will never forget his animals named Lady Bug, Little Girl and Stinky.

Source: http://5newsonline.com/2013/08/02/muldrow-man-grieving-loss-of-pets-and-home/

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U.S. Department of Justice wants ludicrous restrictions placed on Apple, iBooks

U.S. Department of Justice proposes solution to Apple ebook price-fixing

The U.S. Department of Justice has proposed a solution to address Apple's ebook price fixing. The remedy places restrictions on how Apple makes deals with publishers, including the immediate termination of their current deals with five publishers, and forces Apple to change policy with regards to ebook apps linking to external stores for at least two years. Additionally, the order would have the court appoint an external antitrust monitor at Apple, says the DOJ release:

The monitor, whose salary and expenses will be paid by Apple, will work with an internal antitrust compliance officer who will be hired by and report exclusively to the outside directors comprising Apple?s audit committee. The antitrust compliance officer will be responsible for training Apple?s senior executives and other employees about the antitrust laws and ensuring that Apple abides by the relief ordered by the court.

Apple was found to have consipired to fix ebook prices on July 10. Apple has said that they plan to appeal the ruling, though their chances of success are very slim. The five publishers that had also been sued by the DOJ had previously settled last year.

One element of the DOJ's proposed remedy which is of particular interest is the ebook apps policy change. Currently, apps are not allowed to link to external stores, including ebook apps like Amazon's Kindle or Barnes & Noble's Nook app. The Kindle app recently found a workaround for this issue, but if the solution is accepted by the court, Apple will be forced to allow the Kindle, Nook, and other ebook apps to link to their companies' stores to allow customers to compare prices easily.

This proposal by the DOJ, along with others will be presented to the court in a hearing held later this month.

Source: U.S. Department of Justice

    


Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/aQDD8drUIXI/story01.htm

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CityMaps Launches Official iOS App That Aims To Make Mapping Social

photo 1CityMaps, a mapping startup that picked up $2.5 million last year to offer "social mapping," has been down a long and winding road. Founded in 2012 by an urban panner and a former financial product manager, the company began by mapping New York and adding SoLoMo tags to various locations based on popularity and friend recommendations.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/UVKtGx5VDKY/

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This Week in Time Capsules: Royal Baby Edition

This Week in Time Capsules: Royal Baby Edition

This week we have a time capsule of floppy disks that will be hard to read, a church that thinks microfilm is the best way to future-proof your capsule, and we finally get that royal baby time capsule I was wondering about last week. IT'S A BOY(sterous waste of media coverage)!

Read more...

    


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/0XKwocl6gOY/this-week-in-time-capsules-royal-baby-edition-1003358698

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