realdialysisethics
Joined: 06 Jan 2003
Posts: 41
Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2003 6:29 am Post subject: REGARDING OCTOBER HEARINGS
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We were notified this morning by Michelle from Senator Grassley's office on Finance that the hearings on dialysis that were scheduled on Oct 16 may of been cancelled and here is the email and I would suggest you let them know that they sold you out again.<
><
>Michelle,<
>What purpose will a press conference be when it is that we need Congressional action to stop the following<
>1- Patient dumpings<
>2- Assure that there is quality of care in dialysis units<
>3- Patients rights and that they are not afraid to speak out<
>4 -The ESRD Network who has failed this group of patients and are self policing and protect the abusers.<
> <
>Can you share information that suppose to be released to a press conference? What do you expect to achieve? What changes and safety for the patients can be expected with a press conference? When we had hearings in 2000, these same conditions existed as now and went unanswered then and ignored, what is going to be different? What is your expected outcome from a press conference? What can change with only a press conference? We need laws changed.<
> <
>At the CMS meeting we were told that it would take Congressional action to make the changes. The ESRD Network and its abuses needed to have Congressional action. It hasnt worked and protects only the industry. <
> <
>We will be in Washington DC on October 16 and would appreciate with you if there are no hearings. <
> <
>Thank you<
>Arlene Mullin<
>360-253-8327<
> <
>-----Original Message-----<
>From: Anderson, Michelle (Finance-Rep) <Michelle_Anderson@finance-rep.senate.gov><
>To: Arlene Mullin <arlene@dialysisethics.org><
>Date: Tuesday, September 23, 2003 9:46 AM<
>Subject: RE: More names that you may be interested in<
><
><
>Arlene,<
> <
>The date of the hearing is subject to change and that is why I said in my email that the date "at this point" is scheduled for the 16th of October. We are considering other methods to
ing ESRD to the public's attention. We may have a press conference instead of a hearing to get the message out. At this point, there are no definites. I have been informing the patients I have spoken to that the date is tentative. I should know more about the mechanism we will be using to deliver the GAO report to the public this afternoon.<
>Thanks, <
>Michelle Anderson <
>Investigative Auditor <
>Senate Finance Committee <
>202-224-1374 <
>Michelle_Anderson@finance-rep.senate.gov <
><
>
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leadsag
Joined: 31 Oct 2002
Posts: 263
Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2003 6:55 am Post subject: Hearings or NO hearings
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So hearings may be cancelled or maybe not. Either way it is time for the issues to be exposed. <
><
>When will the article appear? No more waiting to coordinate with hearings that may or may not happen.<
><
>What about the flyers? The March? What is the National Action Network currently doing with regards to Dialysis?<
><
>Just because the hearings may not happen doesn't mean that the issues can't be exposed via other means.
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Worker Bee
Joined: 29 Oct 2002
Posts: 28
Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2003 8:32 am Post subject: Are we Surprised?
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Why should we be surprised that they want to cancel the hearings? This is the same senator that has done nothing over the last 3 years since he held the hearings in 2000. I wonder what kind of twist he will put on it to
ing himself more TV and media coverage. It certainly will not be focused totally on the dialysis patients and industry, after all, this is a senator who takes re-elaction money from Amgen. :">
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Anoither email
Joined: 23 Sep 2003
Posts: 1
Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2003 8:34 am Post subject: FYI
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It appears that the hearings may go on. It appears that the journalist called and was "pissed".<
><
>Arlene,<
> <
>At this point in time, we are not sure how we are going to proceed. We may have a hearing or we may present the issues faced in dialysis facitilies in another way. I just had someone call here that stated you told him that the hearing was a no-go. Those were not my words. A decision on a hearing has not been made at this point. We are looking at our options but in the meantime we are preparing as if we are having a hearing. I have stated that everything is tentative. Schedules can change and things can come up. We are trying to get the most bang for our time in this issue since the Committee realizes that not much has changed since 2000. <
> <
>Thanks, <
>
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FYI
Joined: 15 Feb 2003
Posts: 72
Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2003 8:40 am Post subject: This is our response
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This is our answer.<
>Michelle,<
> <
>The patients have been waiting for relief for 3 1/2 years under Senator Grassleys watch. I would estimate that the population has 40% less patients due to dumpings and poor care and deaths.. I am not trusting of Grassley or his intentions,as he has failed them with the last hearings.. Lots of these issues need to be addressed as soon as possible. I have 3 dumped patients that have done nothing wrong. I have CMS telling me that Congress has to change the complaint system,as the industry has been allowed to self police. Many of the press and others have been with us helping us fight for the rights of this group of citizens. I fight for these patients daily and we are the only ones out there. We are fighting and need to have someone to help us save these lives. I tried to work with the system and ask for help. I have faxed letters over the past 3 years to the Committee on Aging and to Senator Grassley for over 3 years and never responded to. Patients have died with full knowledge. I am only praying that this is not a poputlation that is protected under our laws. According to CMS the physicians can dismiss a patient for no cause. The ESRD Network always sides with the industry leaving the patients alone. This I am sure if the patients on the list, that this is critical. I will be up in Washington on Oct 16, will be meeting with those that we were scheduled to meet. I would appreciate a few minutes of your time as I will also be in DC on the 17th.<
> <
>I work in the war zone daily for these patients, I am praying that the Senate will stop this insanity. I am only asking for help and to have the patients concerns and to stop the fear.<
> <
>Thank You <
>Arlene<
>.<
><
>
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brenda
Joined: 28 Oct 2002
Posts: 103
Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2003 9:16 am Post subject: Round one of more faxes and emails
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:"> They do not want to piss me off anymore then what I am right now. That bast... Grassley will never stop getting things from me....... I will stay in his inbox in every office he has..........<
><
>Just sent this off to Michelle <
><
><
>Michelle-<
><
>So the hearing time,day and way to approach the subject is tentative, just another round of
oken promises from the government. To bad one of the Senate witnesses from 2000, couldn't of taken another approach with the issue that he addressed back then. Instead he died with the words of Senator Grassley so <
>implanted in his memory, " if any reprecussions happen Mr. Smith because of your testimony here, any threats, any disturbances, you just let me know. I will handle it". Well bleep it was 2 years ago this past Sunday that Brent died, and we are still waiting to hear from the "Senator" about the
promises and what he is going to do about it. <
><
>He ( Senator Grassley) was told the issues that happened at the units, he was told of the threats made to Brent after the hearing, he has choosen to ignore the email's and faxes sent, and he has choosen to turn the other cheek for the camera and address any issue but this. I unlike "Mr "Grassley, keep my word and promises, I will stay with the group til the end and not let any of them forget the
oken promises made to the people some of whom put these "caring" men in office. As cruel as it sounds and being a person of the Vietnam era, must we make a wall in memory of them in order for them to be given consideration for what their life's are worth. My
other Brent would be one of those names on there, that went to his grave trying to get their attention. I wish he could of gotten it while he was still here.<
><
>Brenda<
><
><
><
><
>
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leadsag
Joined: 31 Oct 2002
Posts: 263
Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2003 9:49 am Post subject: To Brenda
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You should write letters to the editors of all the Iowa newspapers as it comes time for his re-election
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Curious
Joined: 02 Feb 2003
Posts: 39
Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2003 2:21 pm Post subject: I agree
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We still will be going to Washington DC. We have appointments to keep and we have press to talk to. It was mentioned to me that we need to help this get out in his area of voters.<
><
>They may not have the hearings, nor certain people to attend, but those of us that are going to Washington are going to have a rally up there.<
><
>Words are words and actions are actions. Senator Grassley needs to realize that he is partially responsible for the abuses and deaths and it is simply spitting at the patients who have died. The same goes for Sentor Wyden. They have been aware of the dumpings and I personally have pleaded with the Senate Committee on Aging to live up to their promises. Senator Grassley thought nothing of selling the patients down the river. I am angry and I will see that all the faxes are shared with the press. How can they be outraged, when he took Amigen money after the last hearings. Now election yeara is not far off, and he is concerned only at reelection, Grassley and the others need to understand that a person is only as good as their word. We were told that only by Congressional action can this industry change. THey want a press release to get this information out...WE want action.<
>I suggest that you hand out this email to all your friends and churches and let them know that this group of citizen should start counting. Email and state that we want hearings and action. To many lives are lost.
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brenda
Joined: 28 Oct 2002
Posts: 103
Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2003 8:51 pm Post subject: Thanks Leadsag
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going to do just that. Grassley and Wyden are top on my of list of Senators to expose to their voters. My faxes and emails continue today and as always have the support of the people at work to help get their in boxes even more filled. While I realize that most of them probably hit the "shredder", they still have to pay someone ( or shall I say we the people have to pay someone) to sort thru them. Just another showing of how the government waste our taxes .
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plugger
Joined: 11 Jan 2003
Posts: 235
Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2003 12:05 am Post subject: grassroots
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I've been working on an introduction for some of the churches around here, I've just about got it finished. I've also got my own flyer that urges support for standards and HR1004. Time to shake things up around here. I've already spoken in front of one congregation. I'm not the greatest public speaker, but I'm sure I'll get better with practice. <
><
>sky.prohosting.com/cschwab/
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leadsag
Joined: 31 Oct 2002
Posts: 263
Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2003 3:02 am Post subject: Hearings
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Maybe they will re-consider if they did decide to cancel the hearings after they see the volume of letters/emails received from the nations(voters) dialysis population and patients families. Of course a vote doesn't seem to count as much as money(industry money).
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say what
Joined: 11 Mar 2003
Posts: 29
Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2003 5:32 am Post subject: Corruption cleaning up corruption?
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Sen Grassly has shown his colors last time. A press conference? Say What! what is that to accomplish? More talk ,if he cared at all he would take a moral stand.All fluff for the cameras again!<
>Count on me to be in DC also.
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downtrodden
Joined: 24 Sep 2003
Posts: 5
Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2003 6:32 pm Post subject: A good rapid response!
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If you can't get action thru "dirty" politicians then maybe exposure like "60 Minutes" or a similar news service would light a fire under them if the flames are continually fed!<
><
>P.S. Sorry but i have some heavy feelings about politicians in general!
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leadsag
Joined: 31 Oct 2002
Posts: 263
Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2003 2:55 am Post subject: status
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Does anyone know the status of the hearings? WIll they be held or will there just be a press conference? If a press conference, will there be reports present that can ask some tough questions?
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waiting to hear today
Joined: 29 Sep 2003
Posts: 1
Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2003 3:43 am Post subject: We will be notified
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We have sent off a memo to the investigator. We will be in DC on those dates. We have several plans of action and will use the time productively even if the hearings are not on.<
><
>
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Dave
Joined: 07 Jul 2003
Posts: 10
Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2003 10:05 am Post subject: Calls from Committee
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Has anyone been called yet by the committee? I submitted my number but I haven't been called yet. Is there still time to email in our written experiences? If so send to arlene@dialysisethics.org?
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