My Story: Why Universal Health Insurance Matters to Me

I know this isn't neighborhood-oriented, but I felt compelled to share:

Senator Kennedy passed away today, and his last unfinished goal was to provide health care (via health insurance) to all Americans, just as the government provides police protection, an army, education, fire protection, roads, airports, a coast guard, and the like.

So many months ago my doctor informed me I had to go to a specialist for treatments I'd rather not go into here. However, to get treated, I had to ask "permission" from my insurance company. You know, so they could decide if I was sick instead of my doctor deciding. After about 10 calls to different numbers (talk about bureaucracy!), I was approved for SOME treatments (not all).

I attended my pre-approved treatments, but had to pay for them myself, then get reimbursed at the rate that my insurance company decided it should cost; not reimbursed for the amount it ACTUALLY cost. Over 50% of the time, when I submitted my (pre-approved) reimbursements to my insurance company, my reimbursements were DENIED. Or lost. Or something else that allowed them to not pay me, even though they had preapproved me (but somehow had misfiled the paperwork... in their electronic system. Under my name. Seriously.).

My last reimursement was denied two weeks ago. I'm scheduled for another treatment next week. Think they're reimburse that one, even though they pre-approved it?

So let's recap: My INSURANCE COMPANY decides if they want to pay for treatments my doctor says I need; then my INSURANCE COMPANY decides how much those treatments should cost; then my INSURANCE COMPANY decides if they're actually going to reimburse me or not. Now, is this my DOCTOR making my medical decisions or is it my INSURANCE COMPANY?

I'm lucky. I have amazing insurance through a great employer. And for the "extras", I can afford to pay myself, though it's not cheap. And I'm smart enough to wade through the paperwork and determined enough to continue to call and re-submit my reimbursements.

But what about the little guy(s)? Those who aren't as fortunate as I am?

Where would we be if an education insurance company got to decide if your child was smart enough to go to school before they'd pay the teachers? What if a police insurance company got to decide how much of the police officers' time they would reimburse if you or a relative were harmed or killed by a criminal? How about if a coast guard insurance company got to decide if they were going to reimburse you at all for the cost of rescuing you from a sinking ship?

What's more important, America? Profits for the insurance companies, or actual people?

Let's have real reform today.

Action on Tree Boxes!

Just a quick note to let you know that the 24 empty or dead tree boxes that I reported to DDOT this summer on on their way to getting filled.

I got an email from DDOT's Ward 1 & 2 arborist last Thursday. Evidently the trees I submitted for planting in June of 2008 didn't get into the system until February 2009, which is why they weren't planted last season. Those boxes were entered into the system, as was the longer, more thorough list from this year.

Hopefully we'll have a nicer canopy in outlying years!! Please note that you can report a tree box for filling by contacting me or the mayor's office at 311.

Sept. 7: Pig Roast to Benefit Ross Elementary

Labor Day Pig Roast to benefit Ross Elementary
Monday, September 7 from 11am to 5pm
Café Saint Ex at 1847 14th Street, NW
Best Barbeque Sauce Contest, face painting, and a lemonade stand round out the delights of another fundraisers for Ross Elementary brought to you by the community-minded Café Saint Ex located on the SE corner of 14th and T Streets.

Sept. 29: MPD Awards Banquet

This is a reminder that the 2D MPD CAC Awards Banquet is set for September 29, at 6:00 - 10:00 at Maggiano's Little Iittle at Friendship Heights. Tickets are $40 per person, and include a full 3 course meal plus wine/beverages. If you would like to show your support for our police officers by attending the banquet, please send your check made out to 2D MPD CAC to me at 2940 Northampton St. NW 20015, and I will deliver your tickets to you. If you cannot join us, but would like to support the event, you can sponsor the ticket of an award winning officer for the evening. We will have 23 officers and their 23 guests who attend for free. We need sponsors to help pay for their tickets. If your business would like to place an ad in our program for the evening, you can help sponsor awardees in that way. Ads are $100 for a full page. You can send your camera ready ad to me at my email: nolantutor@yahoo.com. If you would like to sponsor a table for award winners (10 tickets), your name will go on our table sponsor page in the program.

We hope you can join us for this important event. Thank you for your help.

Nov. 4: 2009 Preservation Awards Program

SAVE THE DATE

District of Columbia Awards for Excellence in Historic Preservation
November 4, 2009
Program: 6:30/Reception: 7:30

Location: Historic DC Courthouse/DC Court of Appeals
430 E Street, NW ( Judiciary Square Metro)

For additional information: historic.preservation@dc.gov; (202) 442-8835

S&T Ribbon Cutting Rescheduled

Friends & Neighbors:

Just a quick note to let you all know that the ribbon cutting for the S&T Street has been rescheduled for Sept. 3 at 4:00 pm.

This is (again) subject to change, but given the pushback we've heaped upon DPR and the many, many delays that have occurred - coupled with direct oversight from the Director and her senior staff - I have great hopes that these parks will be open by Labor Day.

S&T Parks Update and Delay Info

I know many have been anxious for the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to conclude work on the dog park at 17th & S, and the additional park at 17th & T. I'm included among those. A couple of updates on the subject.

We found out on Tuesday that the parks would be further delayed - into September - due to contractor mistakes on the astroturf. We were informed of the delay by The Dupont Current, rather than by DPR. I immediately reached out to DPR for clarification, and spent a great deal of time on the phone on Tuesday with Adriane Belinne, the COO for DPR and 2nd in command at the agency after Ximena Hartsock, the Director.

I expressed to him the community's displeasure about not being informed about the continual delays at the parks until deadlines were missed. At least three times the parks have been delayed with no community notification. That is entirely unacceptable in my view, and he agreed and offered to attend Wednesday night's ANC meeting, which he did.

On Wednesday we also found out that the T Street park, which has a lot of new plantings, would not have a fence around it due to budget cutbacks. We also found this out 2nd hand, with DPR notifying us only after we specifically asked about the issue. Unfortunately, not all dogs will use the dog park, so any plantings without fencing would be destroyed by the chemicals left from urine within a year or less. Commissioner Bob Meehan pointed this out to Mr. Belinne at our ANC meeting. Mr. Belinne committed to working with the commission to find some sort of fencing to protect the vegitation. Mr. Belinne also agreed that communication needs to be improved, and committed to fostering better communications with the community.

Earlier today, as a follow up to last night's meeting, Director Hartsock called and emailed me regarding the lack of communication and community notification of the project status, both in terms of the delays and in terms of the changes to the project due to budget cuts. In an email to me. Director Hartsock stated, "There is no excuse for the lack of communication. I deeply apologize."

I appreciate her candor and her acceptance of responsibility on this issue. She also has taken personal control of the project and will be providing the community updates on its status henceforth.

As a final follow up, Councilmember Jack Evans' office called to follow up on the park issue, and will be following up directly with Director Hartsock as well, both on the continued delays and to reiterate Commissioner Meehan's concerns about fencing for the T Street park. I'll keep you all updated as much as I am able.

Aug. 15: DCPL Picnic

Picnic on the Potomac
Saturday, August 15, 2009
4:00pm - 8:00pm
Washington Canoe Club
3700 Water Street, NW

Join the DC Preservation League for a celebration of summer at the historic Washington Canoe Club. Designated as a DC Landmark in 1973, the clubhouse was built by its members in 1905 from salvaged lumber. Despite numerous floods and ice jams, the building retains its integrity. Interior spaces have changed little over the last 104 years – the first floor is decorated with a cartoon frieze by Felix Mahony (1867-1939), a cartoonist for the Washington Star and founder of the National Art School .

The Washington Canoe Club is significant for its role in the development of flatwater canoe racing as an Olympic competition and has produced numerous national champions and Olympic medal winners.

Bring the family for a celebration that will include food, libations and fun in the sun! You may even want to test your paddling skills in one of the club’s canoes.

All Ages
$20 Members
$30 Non-members
Kids are FREE!

Reservations are required.
To register email rsvp@dcpreservation.org or call 202.783.5144

Street parking is available on K Street.

www.dcpreservation.org.