This story was aired on NPR, it’s a great interview about addiction and abuse of prescription narcotics.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111084028&ft=1&f=1032
For more information about prescription drug addiction please visit:
www.prescriptiondrugaddiction.com
Frank Luntz is unknown to most Americans. Except, if you have heard the Republicans in Congress echo the words “SOCIALISM”, ” RATIONING “,” BUREAUCRATS”, GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER “, ” LONG LINES “, you will have heard his words and they all have to do with our failing healthcare system. Luntz, you see, is the master of word propaganda, as in ” Obama’s healthcare proposals are driving us to socialized medicine - where the government makes the decisions for your doctor and where bureaucrats ration your healthcare, while you stand in long lines and the government stands between you and your doctor !! “. You know, I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. First, this is the craziest argument I have heard in the healthcare debate. Who do you think stands between you and your doctor now ? A for profit company bureaucrat ! Come on ! Let’s get real. We have 47 million uninsured, millions more losing their healthcare through layoffs, the most expensive system in the world with awful results in the areas of childhood diseases, diabetes and obesity, to name a few. We do not have the best delivery system in the world..although we do have the world’s finest doctors. We pay more in drug costs than any other industrialized country. Our health system is choking the life out our business commmunity. If we do nothing, the skyrocketing costs of healthcare costs will ultimately bankrupt our country. Now, there are some really great healthcare insurance companies. We actually represent one…Aultcare, a locally run insurer whose sole goal is to keep costs in check. It’s mission , together with its sister hospital, Aultman, is to provide high quality healthcare at affordable costs. Unfortunately, most national carriers are only concerned about one thing…PROFITS. Secondly, the fact is the best run plan in America is Medicare and Medicaid ..a government run health system. So why would Luntz and his Republican shills try every possible ruse and word game to defeat critical, long overdue reform ? In looking back over my lifetime, I see one theme that runs through Republican ideology..protecting the status quo. Social security ? That’s communistic! Civil rights ? ” Those” people want it too soon. Just be patient. Environmental legislation to protect the quality of our air and water ? Are you crazy…don’t you realize the cost to business !! A livable wage ? Do you know how many small business owners will be put out of business !! Scientific advances ? Pretty soon we will be cloning humans with animals !!! The bottom line is that America is a vibrant, dynamic country, which is always moving in a progressive direction.. It’s time to reform our healthcare system before it’s really too late - whether Frank Luntz likes it or not. What do you think ? Allen ( SEE: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0509/22155.html )
We were recently asked about the legal liability of Michael Jackson’s doctors in prescribing the music idol medication that apparently was intended for patients in an operating room being placed under anesthesia. Well, let’s see. First are the criminal charges that could be brought by the LAPD. Tough to prove a criminal intent to cause the superstar harm, but if it was proven that the physician knew that the drug could cause severe injury or death it might qualify as manslaughter. You drink to excess, drive and kill someone, that’s a criminal act. So too if a physician knowingly prescribes a dangerous drug with a reckless indifference to the consequences, that’s breaking the law. Might be hard to convince a jury..beyond a reasonable doubt..that the doctor intended Jackson’s demise, but it could happen. Second and more easily proved is a charge brought by the State Medical Board. A doctor who prescibes a powerful anesthetic to a rock star with a history of drug abuse could suffer a loss of license. Finally, what about a civil action brought by the Jackson estate ? Well, was the doctor negligent in not taking a complete medical history from Jackson ? Did the physician have a true medical purpose in making the prescription ? Should the doctor have overseen such a powerful drug ? What was the doctor’s purpose ? Then, one must prove that the drug actually caused or contributed to Jackson’s death. Thus, the autopsy. Finally, would Jackson know of the dangerous consequences and did he use multiple doctors in the past to ” score” his medication ? That would go to whether Jackson took the risk. Wouldn’t exonerate the doc but might make it tough for the jury to assess a lot of compensation. All in all, I wouldn’t hold my breath on this one. Tough to prove, especially against a doctor. What do you think ? Let us know. Allen
A lot of lawyers advertise. We do and are proud of informing the public of our legal skills and our availability to provide legal services. We try to keep the commercials tasteful and relevant. Of course, we actually are trial lawyers who have presented cases in a courtroom in front of juries for over 35 years. There are lawyers who advertise the they ” will make people pay ” or that they are ” serious lawyers “. Whenever you spot one of these law firms, know what to ask….Have they actually tried cases ? How many ? Do they simply refer the cases to another law firm and collect a fee ? Do they have a list of satisfied clients who you can call ? Have they handled claims like yours and how many and to what outcome ? Are they recognized by their fellow lawyers ? And most importantly….are you talking to a real lawyer or are you being interviewed by a paralegal or ” intake ” person ? Some of these lawyers never talk to or even see the client !! Be a wise consumer…Ask the right questions…Shop around….Ask your friends…Research the attorney’s background. Legal matters are serious. You must be serious in selecting the lawyer who is going to be your voice. Allen
