May 12, 2012 Protect Against Pertussis/Whooping Cough
Pertussis is known as whooping cough because of the "whooping" sound people often make while gasping for air after a coughing fit. It is a highly contagious bacterial disease which starts off like a cold, but leads to severe coughing that can last for weeks. In rare cases, it can be fatal. Pertussis is not just a children’s disease as many think.
This year, Washington state has had an outbreak of about 1,300 cases of whooping cough, one of the worst in decades. Health officials there have declared an epidemic, and are urging people to get vaccinated amid worry that more cases of the highly contagious disease could occur. Wisconsin has also reported nearly 2,000 cases this year, but has not declared an epidemic. Also, New Mexico and Idaho have reported infant deaths resulting from the disease. In 2010, California had over 9,000 cases, 10 of which resulted in death.
Doctors are encouraged to spot whooping cough early, send infected babies to the hospital and promptly treat those diagnosed. Parents are encouraged to have their young children vaccinated. Middle school and high school students should have a booster shot. It is also recommended for adults, especially those who are around babies.
The adult booster for pertussis, called Tdap for tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis, has only been available since 2005. Fewer than one in 10 adults have gotten the shot and most don't even know they need it. About 70 percent of teens have received a booster shot. Most people do not find out they even need a booster shot until they go to the doctor for a tetanus shot.
Talk to your doctor about receiving the vaccination. If you do not have insurance, contact the health department for information.
It is shameful that so few people in our country vote. We take this privilege for granted, that it will always be there. With the real threat to the freedoms granted in our Constitution, this year's election is one of the most important in our country's history. If you are unable to make it to the polls, it is now easier to request an absentee ballot. Vote!
Editorials/Opinions/Letters to the Host
In the past year, due to the efforts of Jamie Oliver who is a Celebrity Chef on the Cooking Channel, Pink Slime has come to the forefront of the minds of many people.......more
Announcements
Warnings and Scams
May 11, 2012 Health Care Fraud or Health Insurance Fraud (FBI)
The FBI gives examples of and tips for avoiding health care fraud or health insurance fraud.
Medical Equipment Fraud:
Equipment manufacturers offer "free" products to individuals. Insurers are then charged for products that were not needed and/or may not have been delivered.
"Rolling Lab" Schemes:
Unnecessary and sometimes fake tests are given to individuals at health clubs, retirement homes, or shopping malls and billed to insurance companies or Medicare.
Services Not Performed:
Customers or providers bill insurers for services never rendered by changing bills or submitting fake ones.
Medicare Fraud:
Medicare fraud can take the form of any of the health insurance frauds described above. Senior citizens are frequent targets of Medicare schemes, especially by medical equipment manufacturers who offer seniors free medical products in exchange for their Medicare numbers. Because a physician has to sign a form certifying that equipment or testing is needed before Medicare pays for it, con artists fake signatures or bribe corrupt doctors to sign the forms. Once a signature is in place, the manufacturers bill Medicare for merchandise or service that was not needed or was not ordered.
Tips for Avoiding Health Care Fraud or Health Insurance Fraud:
Never sign blank insurance claim forms.
Never give blanket authorization to a medical provider to bill for services rendered.
Ask your medical providers what they will charge and what you will be expected to pay out-of-pocket.
Carefully review your insurer's explanation of the benefits statement. Call your insurer and provider if you have questions.
Do not do business with door-to-door or telephone salespeople who tell you that services of medical equipment are free.
Give your insurance/Medicare identification only to those who have provided you with medical services.
Keep accurate records of all health care appointments.
Know if your physician ordered equipment for you.
Public Records/Information
May 15, 2012 Blanchard Police Arrest
Amanda Washburn
April 28, 2012 Blanchard Police Arrest
Bobby Penner
April 28, 2012 Blanchard Police Arrest
Theodore Archibald
April 24, 2012 Blanchard Police Arrest
Ricky Brown
April 14, 2012 Blanchard Police Arrest
Crystal Seely
April 12, 2012 Blanchard Police Arrest
David Everhart
March 18, 2012 Blanchard Police Arrest
Tyler Creswell
March 15, 2012 Blanchard Police Arrest
Mickey Chapman
March 14, 2012 Blanchard Police Arrest
David Brewer
February 28, 2012 Blanchard Police Arrest
Ryan Jackson
February 26, 2012 Blanchard Police Arrest
Michael Weathers
February 15, 2012 Blanchard Police Arrest
Donald Robinson
February 14, 2012 Blanchard Police Arrest
Corey Burris
February 8, 2012 Blanchard Police Arrest
Zane Dunn
February 8, 2012 Blanchard Police Arrest
Marquita Allen
February 8, 2012 Tom Linn Indicted for
Bribery of a Public
Official
February 8, 2012 Bill Edwards Indicted for
Bribery of a Public
Official
December 19, 2011 Yvonne Lackey Receives a
Deferred Sentence
October 27, 2011 Greg Shupert Pleads
"No Contest" to Charges