PA Legislators Have Their Own Special Doctor--At Taxpayer Expense

[blue neen]

"PITTSBURGH -- One day after thousands of Pennsylvania residents lost their state subsidized health care, Team 4's Jim Parsons reported on state legislators receiving medical treatment by a private doctor at the expense of taxpayers.

Parsons reported that taxpayers are making it possible for a physician to be in the Capitol several days per week so elected officials can receive quicker medical attention if needed.

Parsons obtained the contract for Dr. Paul Grosh, a semi-retired oncologist from Lancaster.

Grosh receives $170 per hour for his services, plus benefits for medical, dental, vision and prescription costs, Parsons reported.

Taxpayers also pick up the tab for any of his medical malpractice insurance, Parsons reported.

Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Cranberry, said he has visited Grosh several times and offered no apologies for it."

Read More At:

http://www.wtae.com/news/27046200/detail.html

[Divernan]

1. There has been a doctor at the state capitol for at least 2 decades.

Blue Neen, we usually see eye to eye in this forum, but I have to disagree with you on this issue. God knows I hold Daryl Metcalfe in total contempt, and it is despicable that the new Governor rejected BC/BS's offer to extend the adult Basic health care program for 6 months. But you only got a small part of the story in that reporter's article.

There has been a nurses' office in the Capitol Building, just off the Rotunda lower floor since at least the '90s, when I worked there, and probably for decades before that. It is available to all elected officials & their employees, regardless of political party, as well as employees of the bipartisan administrative offices of the legislature (research office, janitors, cafeteria workers, security guards,etc.) That would total several thousand people, whether Democrat, Republican, Independent, or unregistered. Many business operations of a similar size traditionally had a nurse's office available to employees. Each public school used to have its own school nurse - although now school nurses have to cover multiple schools.

As to the Representatives and Senators, the majority of them, when they are in Harrisburg for session days and/or committee meetings or hearings, are 2 to 4 hours away from their homes, and their personal physicians, for up to 5 days at a stretch, and must drive themselves back and forth to Harrisburg. Some of them, as are many of the employees are rather old. People who become ill at work would have to take at least a half day of sick time, IF their doctor would give them an immediate appointment. Otherwise they would go home sick, wait several days (as I have to with my internist) for an appointment, getting sicker, finally get a doctor's appt. and prescription for necessary medication, and eventually return to work. When I went to the nurses' office, I would typically see a nurse for 5 minutes and the doctor for 5 minutes. I'd get OTC cold meds, or sometimes a scrip for antibiotics from the nearby drugstore and go right back to work. Some times of year, things are pretty quiet - the Reps and Senators are hardly there over the summer. But when sessions and voting on bills are going hot and heavy, elected reps and staff are working very hard - phones are ringing off the hook, people are rushing to prepare amendments with very tight deadlines, the reps and senators' sessions go late into the nights.

I want my elected Representative and Senator to be voting at committee and full session meetings. I want their staffs to be there to give them support. I absolutely know that it is more cost efficient to have medical care for illnesses (the doc doesn't treat emergencies) available in that workplace then for a worker to take several days sick leave. It's certainly valid to point out to our elected reps that all workers in this country deserve the same work benefit, which they would have under a national health care program.

[blue neen]

2. The people 41,000 people who got shut off Adult Basic Insurance were working Pennsylvanians.

They paid their taxes, and from what I understand, fairly high premiums. None of them will have access to a doctor any time now. They won't be getting any antibiotics.

These very same legislators can see a doctor any day, any time...and that is paid for by the very taxpayers who lost their benefits on Monday. That is a travesty.

You're right...we should all have the same benefits our elected representatives have.

The worst part to me was Metcalfe's attitude, "There's an associated cost with government." So, entitlement programs are okay for him, but the hell with everybody else?

Another item that bothered me--why do the taxpayers have to pay the doctor's malpractice premiums?

[Divernan]

3. Legislators' undocumented per diems are a far bigger ripoff

Don't know what the current rate is - but over $100 per day. Supposed to cover meals and lodging. Believe me, the majority of them enjoy lavish free meals. Lobbying groups sponsor catered breakfasts nearly every session day - bacon, sausage, eggs, fruit & juices, doughnuts, bagels, pastries, etc. Or the reps have fund-raiser breakfasts (paid out of their campaign funds)at local restaurants - the lobbyists proceed from one to another with checks in hand. The respective Dem. and GOP caucuses provide catered lunches in caucus rooms- choice of hot entrees, assorted fresh baked breads & fancy deserts. Come the evening, the various lobbyists take legislators out to the best area restaurants, where the alcohol flows. On non-session days, many legislators pop in to attend a hearing (and sign in) for 10 minutes and then take off for the golf course or other non-legislative activities.

As to housing, I never knew one to stay at local hotels, but in cheaper, often shared rental housing, or with their Harrisburg girlfriends - "What happens in Harrisburg stays in Harrisburg."

If they had to document expense claims with actual receipts, those amounts would average maybe $10 a day, not $100.
This holds true for both parties.
Bill DeWeese(D) flew between Greene County and Harrisburg every week on a private jet - expenses paid for by the Dem.caucus.

Most of these guys see themselves as gods. There are a few exceptions - very few.

[blue neen]

4. All that, plus the fact that there are 253 of them.

It's ridiculous.

[Bunny]

5. I think the legislators, and their staffers, can go to the nearest urgent care center

just like everyone else. Walgreen's has a very nice Take Care Clinic right in their store. It's staffed by a CRNP or Physician Assistant, it accepts most health insurance and you can get prescriptions filled right there on the spot with practically no waiting. It's also got the complete array of OTC meds for most common ailments.

I'm sure there's one near the capitol and I see nothing, really, nothing whatsover, that renders them more special (or in need of the services of a private doctor on retainer) than the people they serve. We're all busy people with important things to do, and we have to take time out of our precious schedules to deal with this stuff. Legislators and their staff are not an entitled class.

[blue neen]

6. Yes, exactly...and Walgreen's doesn't charge $100 for their flu shots, either!

Why would a flu shot cost $100?