Comment

Comment by Morgan Orlins on August 27, 2010 at 11:24am

That's a legitimate question Tamara, so I ask you to think about something. Rick was the CEO of a hospital company with THOUSANDS of employees, right? When I was in the military there were times that I was responsible for a few dozen men, and sometimes all you can do is hope and pray that they are smart enough to stay the hell out of trouble. After leading by example and issuing orders and guidelines, they're on their own! Imagine if you were the CEO of THOUSANDS. It would be pretty darned EASY to hide some fraud from the boss.

As a hospital company you are FORCED to do business with Medicare and Medicaid HUNDREDS of times per day--maybe even thousands.

Have you ever read about or dealt with the inherant NIGHTMARES of getting compensated for Medicare claims? Of treating Medicare patients and then being informed by some disgusting bureaucrat that "Medicare doesn't cover that treatment" or the FAR more common "Medicare only covers $250 of that --- surgery."

I'm not excusing fraud at all, don't get me wrong. BUT as a HUGE hospital corporation you are FORCED into incestuous dealings with the government, who will use the force of law to compel you to treat some patients at a monetary loss. Is it possible that all hospitals double bill Medicare to make up for those losses? I think YES! My guess is that they still come out losing money.

Just food for thought Tamara. :-)

Comment by tamara stephenson on August 27, 2010 at 11:06am

I want Rick Scott to answer the question about how when he was CEO of Columbia HCA, his company was found guilty of defrauding me via Medicare and Medicaid fraud, paid $1.7 billion in fines, and he didn't know. I find that hard to believe. And, if he didn't know, then he is an absolute idiot and not any kind of CEO i want for my state. So, to me, he was either out of touch and incompetent or a complete criminal. i will not follow a man based merely on his speeches and attack ads. where is his strength of character? i fear he has none.

Comment by Morgan Orlins on August 25, 2010 at 1:46pm

I do think Morris has sadly fallen for the narrative, but he'll be tremendously useful in the leadup to the General election. I hestitate to speculate on WHY Rick isn't taking this on aggressively, but here goes...
Is it possible that Rick is under some sort of gag order on the HCA fraud case? Is it on-going or something? As far as I know he was ALREADY deposed on a related matter and they decided NOT to prosecute, that says it all to me. Based on the behavior of the prosecution I think Rick's clean. What do you think?

Comment by Debbie G on August 25, 2010 at 1:40pm

This morning when Dick Morris stated that Floridians have been fooled by corruption in electing Scott it infuriated me. The pervasiveness of misinformation in this election is likening to the Bill and Monica scandal. With regards to Jeb and Mike, they are all but history in my book. When the condition of "whom you know" becomes the barometer of integrity [i.e. McCollum getting their endorsement] it is time to turn the page and seek fresh material; new representatives. Similarly, it is time for all good men/women to take up the torch of liberty and spread facts to counter the pablum our main stream media is feeding America.

Comment by Morgan Orlins on August 25, 2010 at 12:52pm

VERY well stated Debbie! Bravo! Among other things, power can breed contempt and arrogance.
As for "retiring most of them" I'd prefer that happen on a case by case basis, because many of them are worth keeping. How about Jeb and Mike the Huckster coming out--with others--in force for the establishment pick? Don't get me wrong, I respect Bill McCollum, but the "circle the wagons" thing angered me.

Comment by Debbie G on August 25, 2010 at 12:47pm

I do, quite emphatically, agree that it is time "We The People" shake the tree, clean house, drain the swamp, and knock our political elite down to size by "retiring most of them!!!!" I am so tired of the condescension obvious and ubiquitous in conversations with our representatives. Our founding fathers did not intend for this country to be run by individuals with a sense of elevated class and entitlement, but rather by the reluctant citizen choosing to sacrifice in the name of civic duty for a period of time after which return to society once again as a normal citizen. This elitism is not exclusive to the federal level. . .