Wednesday, September 5, 2012
In this week's Times: The influential and more
Posted by Max Brantley on Wed, Sep 5, 2012 at 9:18 AM
I hope readers will notice the list includes some of the blog's favorite targets. We may disagree, but we don't diminish the likes of Teresa Oelke of Rogers, the leader of the Koch-created Americans for Prosperity organization in Arkansas, or the lead Walton school reform financier. We may disagree, but we absolutely acknowledge their rising influence. Otherwise, why bother talking about them?
I pushed for inclusion of another influencer from the conservative end of the spectrum, Tea Party radio talk favorite Dave Elswick, but he didn't make the cut. He's another who's uttered few words with which I have agreed over the years, but his show is a popular friendly forum for the rising red tide in Arkansas. Like many on that end of the political spectrum, including Oelke, Elswick prefers to control his message apparently. He declined to participate in our research for the piece and wound up on the cutting room floor.
ALSO, IN THE SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION CATEGORY: My column returns from vacation hiatus this week with a quick roundup of comment on news that occurred while I was gone. 1) How Todd Akin revealed the truth about Republican abortion politics and the seamlessness of the GOP's attack on women's medical autonony, from contraception to abortion. 2) About Mike Beebe's response to the well-financed Republican effort to take legislative control. 3) And, finally, about some of my many questions about the UAMS idea to merge hospital operations with a religious institution, St. Vincent Infirmary, whose guiding principles aren't all in the broader and more diverse public interests of a taxpayer-financed institution. And what's government doing as an equity investor in a private business anyway? They sure got off to a bad start by flouting the state open records law, perhaps a harbinger of the proposed new day of public-private partnerships.
AND DON'T MISS: Another weirdly wonderful column from the genius Bob Lancaster. It's about the absence of any degree of separation among us Arkies.
ALSO: Doug Smith writes about a hot Senate race in South Arkansas, which features yet another sulled-up Republican, Mike Akin, unwilling to talk to the press about his record of self-dealing in public positions. There's also Razorback football, Shakespeare at the Rep and seafood in Hot Springs, among others.
Speaking of...
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Stormy morning: Shoffner, hospitals, abortion
May 21, 2013A morning report as Arkansas watches the stormy skies: * THE STATE TREASURER WATCH: Can Martha Shoffner really return to work today as state treasurer, overseeing billions in state investments, after admitting to FBI agents that she wrongfully accepted a pie stuffed with a cash kickback from a securities salesman she inordinately favored with state business? /more/
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UAMS art show reception today
May 15, 2013Works to hang at the Psychiatric Research Unit. /more/
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Catholic Diocese aims to strengthen religious identity of hospitals
May 14, 2013A friend notes a news article in the Arkansas Catholic and the coincidence of timing with discussions about a merger of clinical operations of the public University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and St. Vincent Infirmary. /more/
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Morning report: Prescription drug watch
May 13, 2013The morning again begins slowly. But among others: * MONITORING DOCTORS' PRESCRIPTION PRACTICES: Pro Publica has published with the Washington Post a deep look at doctors' prescription practices under Medicare. /more/
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Huge differences in hospital charges, CMS finds: UPDATE 2
May 10, 2013How is it possible that major and small bowel procedures at National Park Medical Center in Hot Springs cost $333,470, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, but only $19,740 at St. Bernard’s Medical Center in Jonesboro? /more/
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Former UAMS CFO reportedly out at new job
May 9, 2013Melony Goodhand, who left as chief financial officer and vice chancellor after nine years at UAMS, is apparently no longer chief operating officer at Bristol (Tenn.) Regional Medical Center, a job she took in early March. /more/
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Behind the scenes of UAMS-St. Vincent merger talks
May 9, 2013The unearthing of background discussions between UAMS and St. Vincent Health on combination of their operations in Little Rock continues through Freedom of Information Act requests. /more/
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The Do You Remember Robbie Wills Edition
May 3, 2013Merger negotiations between St. Vincent and UAMS, non-partisan elections, the race for the Republican nominee for governor and more — all covered on this week's show. /more/
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St. Vincent proposal: Run all clinics
May 3, 2013When it was first rumored last year that the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences might turn its hospital over to the Catholic-run St. Vincent Health Services, UAMS said no, no, no, that wasn't in the plan. /more/
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UAMS hires new CFO
May 2, 2013: Chancellor Dan Rahn has told staff that he's hired Bill Bowes, a Connecticut college CFO, to be the UAMS CFO. /more/
- More »
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