TennCare 'Wasteland' Revisited
In regard to the TennCare mess: Since last February I have seen what this boondoggle has done to UT Medical Center and its satellite programs. (Of course it affected all Tennessee hospitals; I worked in the UT system). First, the UT School of Pediatrics was closed in Knoxville, while John Tighe, who was then state Finance Commissioner, decided to approve huge raises to the top seven administrators of TennCare who, in his words, knew the system so well, only they could save it! This is a sure case of the fox in the hen house, with no oversight whatsoever!
Joe Sullivan [Nov. 16 cover story] did a tremendous job investigating this subject. But he needs to talk to health care workers whose jobs have been negatively affected by this waste of a program. Cutbacks at UT Medical Center continue, especially in the Associated programs. Today all the outer offices of UT Home Care have closed, as well as the Home Care Infusion Department.
Until recently I worked for a division of the medical center so I know this subject well. Not only are the health care workers under far more pressure to provide services, but the patients, like the Ms. Crofoot he mentioned, are in a constant state of fear, wondering if they will lose their only health benefit. Of course the hospitals are suffering as well as physicians and other health care providers.
Poor record keeping, inefficient status investigations of patient qualifications, and just plain old waste have contributed to TennCare's critical state today. The state Legislature has done nothing for at least five years except to sweep this under the rug, ignore it, and promise "no new taxes" so they can ensure their own re-election.
What was under Governor McWherter a great new idea for health insurance for Tennessee and its uninsured has become nothing more than a bureaucratic wasteland.
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to express my opinion about this very serious subject.
Mary L. Wilson
Morristown
Appalled in Alcoa
In regard to the "7 Days In November" article of the Nov. 15 edition, I must say a few things:
1—I am not surprised that the writer's name is unknown to the reader.
2—Obviously the writer doesn't mind if my child, who is in middle school, gives my prescription drugs to his or her child, or vice versa, but I do.
3—I do not wish to bury my child because the writer's prescription drugs have been provided to her by his or her child, nor do I want to learn that the writer had to bury a child because of my drugs being provided to his or hers.
4—Maybe the writer doesn't know that DRUG ABUSE KILLS and is AGAINST THE LAW; and being so ill-informed, he/she had no business writing the article.
5—Since there is no disclaimer following the article, I assume that the writer's views on this are the same as the views of Metro Pulse, and I am utterly appalled.
Sandra K. Ross
Alcoa
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