tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20863951.post115790324700082838..comments2024-03-27T07:31:38.464-07:00Comments on Los Angeles Times Pressmens 20 Year Club: Sunday Morning LinkageEdward Padgetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16664562454216468914noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20863951.post-1158043466658929442006-09-11T23:44:00.000-07:002006-09-11T23:44:00.000-07:00I think fewer people have any empathy with those w...I think fewer people have any empathy with those who are here illegally anymore. And lest you think I'm only talking about south of the border, no. They're from everywhere, be it boat, plane or foot.<BR/><BR/> The other day, I opened the mail at work and found a check from Medi-CAL. $35.00 for a consultation that involved one hour of the specialist's time, another hour of staff time to schedule and ensure all the paperwork was in order. This doesn't even pay for our phone calls. We lose money by seeing Medi-CAL patients. <BR/><BR/>Frankly, I think more doctors are going to do what they do in West L.A. Refuse all insurance and take credit cards and cash.<BR/><BR/>And beware: if you have a PPO insurance card, and it gets swiped, it's liable to be used by someone else. It's a racket now and they're sold to those down on their luck, or illegally here. So make copies of them and keep them in a safe place at home if they get swiped.<BR/><BR/>The other thing: I was talking to the staff how I have to pay for all these school supplies and a bus pass for my kids. We live in a city that has poor and rich, but everyone is given the option of buying supplies. She lives in a demographically poorer neightborhood and the kids are given everything free. No cost for supplies, the bus is free. She wanted to know why. The only conclusion is that our district asks the parents to pay out of pocket, then puts the savings into educational resources instead. I'm not saying it's wrong. But if you have enough money to buy your kid a Gameboy DS, you've got enough for crayons.<BR/><BR/>Medi-CAL, schools... either way, we all end up paying for everyone else. I"m not so sure anything will change in California.Kananihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08317494343177263398noreply@blogger.com