Six Ways to Fix the American Healthcare System

(BUSINESS WIRE)--The fever for healthcare reform is running high in Washington, D.C., and politicians are lining up on both sides to offer “treatment plans,” says Samuel H. Fleet, president of AmWINS Group Benefits. He adds, “But policy makers are missing many of the key opportunities to address what is really broken about the system.”

Today, Fleet released a healthcare reform position paper, “The Six Ways to Fix Our Healthcare System,” www.amwinspresskit.com/news, which chronicles the main issues that should be clearly addressed for healthcare reform to truly make a difference.

Summary includes:

1. Restore Competition in the Marketplace

The four largest carriers in the country have 99% of providers in the network and in most states, the #1 carrier has 60-70% market share. Fleet comments that “in any other industry, this would raise antitrust issues, but for healthcare, no one seems concerned.” His solutions – break up the BUCA monopoly (Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, CIGNA and Aetna) and restore competition to the marketplace.

2. Enable the American Consumer to Become an Astute Buyer of Quality Healthcare

Fleet insists that the key to cost control is to bring transparency to pricing. For example, a California patient who needs a chest X-ray is charged anywhere from $120 to $1,519; in fact within a few blocks in Sacramento the price climbs from $451 to $790 from one hospital to the next. The solution – every provider must disclose the net prices that they charge and consumers need to know how to find high-quality care.

3. Eliminate Hidden Revenue Streams

Fleet says to do away with fragmentation in the healthcare delivery system, and instead, all Pharmacy Benefit Managers must fully disclose all sources of revenue or profit, block doctors from owning the diagnostic machines they refer their patients to, ban trips, money and other incentives from drug companies to doctors and force hospitals to disclose profitability and markup to implant devices.

4. Our Health – NOT Healthcare – Crisis

“The nation is hysterical over 18,000 cases of Swine Flu, yet we have 100 million obese people in this country,” said Fleet. He contends that the current administration should create an aggressive public campaign to promote a healthy lifestyle, restore funding for physical education in schools, as well as institute the use of prevention-based healthcare.

5. Facilitate Administrative Efficiency

Real savings can be realized by ensuring that the government define a standard for claims submissions between providers and payors, drive a set of rules for dealing with pended claims that makes sense, among others.

6. Protect the Risk Pool

Finally, Fleet insists that the only way to make universal coverage work is to make sure it’s universal. The first step – mandate that all employers offer insurance or force them to contribute to a government fund. In addition, Fleet asserts that, “we need to limit coverage to basic minimums set nationally,” and to ensure that everyone can afford coverage, we should require carriers to pool risk above a certain amount per claimant.

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In case you're wondering why you can't buy something on-line at the moment... Authorize.net down...

What a mess... I design websites, have a number of them with shopping carts. Every host I use has a big notice indicating that Authorize.net is down. Gather there was a fire, which, combined with holiday weekend, has had them down for 5 or more hours.

That means nobody who goes through Authorize.net is selling I'd "assume". I didn't realize how many companies depended on one cog in the buying wheel. I use multiple hosts, turns out all of them use Authorize.net.

Here's the message on one of my hosting sites:

According to dslreports.com "a 'perfect storm' was created by the combination of a data center fire and the July 4 weekend holiday, resulting the company going completely dark for more than five hours and counting. The company's phone lines and this Authorize.net website remains offline as of this writing."

Here's one from another:

"Authorize.net, our credit card processing provider for our e-commerce products, has reported an outage at their data center. At this point, we do not have an ETA for resolution, however, they are working diligently to get their systems online as quickly as possible. During this time, customers using PowerPay may not be able to authorize their purchases. We will provide updates as they become available."

Just what we need in this down economy... I doubt Authorize.net is worried about anything other than their reputation and ability to get back to working order though. Really feel for them as well as every company depending on them to sell.

State Preambles

Notice any similarities in the following? I added some links on a few, just wanted to verify that these were accurate before passing them along.

Alabama 1901, Preamble
We the people of the State of Alabama , invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution.. (http://www.legislature.state.al.us/CodeOfAlabama/Constitution/1901/CA-245529.htm)

Alaska 1956, Preamble We, the people of Alaska , grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land. (http://www.alaska.edu/creatingalaska/constitution/)

Arizona 1911, Preamble We, the people of the State of Arizona , grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution...

Arkansas 1874, Preamble We, the people of the State of Arkansas , grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government...

California 1879, Preamble We, the People of the State of California , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom...

Colorado 1876, Preamble We, the people of Colorado , with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe...

Connecticut 1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy.

Delaware 1897, Preamble Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences...

Florida 1885, Preamble We, the people of the State of Florida , grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution...

Georgia 1777, Preamble We, the people of Georgia , relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution...

Hawaii 1959, Preamble We , the people of Hawaii , Grateful for Divine Guidance ... Establish this Constitution. (http://hawaii.gov/lrb/con/conpream.html)

Idaho 1889, Preamble We, the people of the State of Idaho , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings.

Illinois 1870, Preamble We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil , political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors. (http://www.ilga.gov/commission/lrb/conp.htm)

Indiana 1851, Preamble We, the People of the State of Indiana , grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government.

Iowa 1857, Preamble We, the People of the St ate of Iowa , grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings, establish this Constitution.

Kansas 1859, Preamble We, the people of Kansas , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution.

Kentucky 1891, Preamble.. We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties..

Louisiana 1921, Preamble We, the people of the State of Louisiana , grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy.

Maine 1820, Preamble We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity .. And imploring His aid and direction.

Maryland 1776, Preamble We, the people of the state of Maryland , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty...

Massachusetts 1780, Preamble We...the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe In the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction

Michigan 1908, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Michigan , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom, establish this Constitution.

Minnesota, 1857, Preamble We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings: (http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/cco/rules/mncon/preamble.htm)

Mississippi 1890, Preamble We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.

Missouri 1845, Preamble We, the people of Missouri , with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness . Establish this Constitution...

Montana 1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty establish this Constitution ...

Nebraska 1875, Preamble We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom . Establish this Constitution.

Nevada 1864, Preamble We the people of the State of Nevada , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, establish this Constitution...

New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.

New Jersey 1844, Preamble We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.

New Mexico 1911, Preamble We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty..

New York 1846, Preamble We, the people of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.

North Carolina 1868, Preamble We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those...

North Dakota 1889, Preamble We , the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain...

Ohio 1852, Preamble We the people of the state of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common.

Oklahoma 1907, Preamble Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty, establish this

Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I Section 2. All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences

Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance....

Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing...

South Carolina, 1778, Preamble We, the people of he State of South Carolina grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

South Dakota 1889, Preamble We, the people of South Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties ...

Tennessee 1796, Art. XI..III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience...

Texas 1845, Preamble We the People of the Republic of Texas, acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.

Utah 1896, Preamble Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution.

Vermont 1777, Preamble Whereas all government ought to enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man ...

Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator can be directed only by Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other

Washington 1889, Preamble We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution

West Virginia 1872, Preamble Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God ...

Wisconsin 1848, Preamble We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility...

Wyoming 1890, Preamble We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties, establish this Constitution...

Governor Mark Sanford's Argentinian Affair Sparks New Business for South Carolina

RJ Note: What a great play on words! Applachain Trail or Argentina Tail! Good that a non profit will use the revunues from these t-shirts for the Applachain Trail.

/PRNewswire/ -- South Carolina Governor, Mark Sanford, is known for supporting industry in his home state, but his recent behavior has sparked a peculiar business idea called Argentina Tail. For many, the Appalachian Trail is a sacred rite of passage, which Sanford used as an excuse after "borrowing" State money to sneak away to Argentina. Argentina Tail is an initiative to increase the state's business revenue and protect a national treasure while humorously pointing out the difference between trekking The Appalachian Trail and tapping Argentina tail.

Argentina Tail is a "play-on-words" as well as a T-shirt company that has dedicated over 15% of its sales to preserving the Appalachian Trail. Proceeds will go to The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, a volunteer-based organization dedicated to the preservation and management of the natural, scenic, historic, and cultural resources associated with the trail.

Founder of Argentina Tail states, "I really like Mark Sanford. It's not that we are judging the guy, but like everyone else, his actions have consequences. Why not use a negative situation for a good cause?" One of those consequences is a head on collision with the South's infamous sense of humor.

"We think it's pretty funny and we get to use the opportunity to help a non-profit that does great work. I guess time will tell if it really is funny." One thing is for sure, Argentina tail has generated much more interest in Sanford's political memoirs and now he has the t-shirt to prove it.

Argentina Tail t-shirts can be purchased at www.ArgentinaTail.com and www.OldManRecords.com for $15.00 with free shipping along with music that will also contribute $1 for every CD sold to The Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

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Mark Malkoff Completes 30-Day Landmark Journey of Living Onboard AirTran Airways' Aircraft

/PRNewswire/ -- Like a returning hero, Mark Malkoff arrived in Atlanta today to applause and adulation from hundreds of adoring fans. Malkoff set the Guinness World Record for most flight segments in a 30-day period while keeping in touch with friends, fans and family via Gogo Inflight Internet on the airline's aircraft.

During the 30-day tour, Malkoff visited 38 cities, posted more than 1,000 tweets on his Twitter account and updated his Facebook page more than 700 times, all while taking more than 130 flights covering more than 109,000 miles while living onboard AirTran's new Boeing 717 and 737 aircraft. Some of his most memorable stops include: racing remote control cars with Danica Patrick in Richmond, Va.; being hosed down in Flint, Mich. by the Bishop International Airport Fire-Rescue Department for his first shower in weeks; and challenging the famous Klement's racing sausages to a foot race around an AirTran Airways aircraft in Milwaukee.

"What a long, strange trip it has been," said Malkoff. "The other night on a red eye flight I was told that I was muttering 'How are you baby wipes?' in my sleep. I'm extremely excited to be able to take a long, hot shower and see my wife Christine but I will definitely miss the thousands of AirTran Crew Members that have made me feel so welcome and at home."

During the 30-day adventure, Malkoff accumulated more than 100 frequent flier credits as an A+ Rewards Elite Member. To commemorate his World-Record accomplishment, AirTran Airways is giving away 100 of these credits to one lucky winner at http://www.markonairtran.com/. On the site are also videos of Malkoff's adventures posted throughout his trip.

"Watching Mark fly day and night for the past 30 days has been amazing," said Tad Hutcheson, vice president of marketing and sales for AirTran Airways. "He was the fastest passenger ever to become an A+ Elite flyer and we're happy to be able to give these credits away to someone else so they can begin their own adventure."

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Americans acknowledge need for more energy, but underestimate role of oil, natural gas, survey shows

/PRNewswire/ -- A new survey finds that while Americans now recognize the United States will need more energy in the coming years, they continue to underestimate the amount of oil and natural gas that government experts predict will be needed to meet that demand. Conversely, respondents overestimate the role that renewable energy sources will play in meeting future demand, the amount of oil the U.S. imports from the Middle East, and oil and natural gas industry earnings.

The third annual "Energy IQ" survey, conducted for the American Petroleum Institute (API) by Harris Interactive(R), comes as a new administration and Congress are pursuing energy and climate policies that will determine America's economic competitiveness for years to come.

"Americans understand fundamentally that we need more energy to grow our economy but they continue to undervalue oil and natural gas in meeting expected demand," said Jack Gerard, API's president and CEO. "We stand ready to work with the White House and Congress on policies that encourage the development of America's vast resources, which would strengthen our nation's energy security, create new jobs and increase government revenues by trillions of dollars."

"The American public wants to believe there is a silver bullet answer to our energy challenges despite what government experts predict," said Jim Hoskins, senior vice president for Harris Interactive. "Americans have become more aware of how current policies limit increased domestic production but they also continue to subscribe to common, yet critical, misperceptions regarding how the industry operates and the energy we'll need to meet growing demand."

Comparing the results to last year's survey, respondents showed a continued misunderstanding on key issues such as the significance of North American oil and natural gas resources, the number of people employed by the oil and natural gas industry in the U.S., and the amount of taxes the industry pays every year.

API commissioned the online research by Harris Interactive of 1,298 U.S. adults between April 30 and May 8, 2009. Results were compared to the previous two years' responses. Among the survey's key findings:

-- More Americans understand that U.S. energy demand will increase during
the next 20 years, but they underestimate the vital role that fossil
fuels will play in meeting demand.
-- While the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects
that U.S. energy demand will increase 9 percent during the next 20
years, only 5 percent of respondents chose the correct answer. The
majority overestimated this number, believing that U.S. demand
would increase 16 to 21 percent.
-- When asked what percent of global energy demand will be met by
fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas and coal, according to
government projections, only 10 percent of respondents answered
correctly that fossil fuels will meet 85 percent of energy demand.
This is the second consecutive year this number has dropped even
though the EIA figure for future U.S. reliance on fossil fuels has
risen by five percent since 2008.
-- Similarly, while the EIA projects that more than 55 percent of
U.S. energy demand in 2030 will be met by oil and natural gas,
only 16 percent of respondents chose this answer.
-- Those surveyed overestimate the amount of oil and natural gas supplied
to the U.S. by the Persian Gulf countries and underestimate the amount
that is supplied from North America.
-- According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), 12 percent of
the oil consumed last year in the U.S. came from the Persian Gulf
countries. Only 7 percent of respondents chose correctly, while
more than 40 percent of respondents believed that over 30 percent
of our oil supply came from the Persian Gulf.
-- Fifty-three percent of respondents believed that Saudi Arabia was
the largest U.S. supplier of imported crude oil. In fact,
according to the DOE, Canada is the largest supplier of imported
crude oil.
-- Only 5 percent of respondents knew that more than 73 percent of
oil and natural gas consumed in the U.S. was produced in North
America. This is down 3 percent from last year's survey. A
surprising 42 percent were under the misconception that the answer
was less than 35 percent.
-- People underestimate the contributions the industry makes to the U.S.
economy through jobs and taxes, and overestimate the industry's
profits.
-- Only 15 percent of respondents knew that six million Americans are
employed directly or indirectly by the oil and natural gas
industry.
-- Only 9 percent of respondents knew that oil companies pay more
than 40 percent in income taxes as a share of their income. The
majority thought that it was less than 30 percent, with one-third
of all respondents under the misconception that companies pay less
than 15 percent in income taxes.
-- Similarly, when asked how much the oil and natural gas industry
paid in taxes over the past three years, a full one quarter of
respondents believed that the U.S. oil and natural gas industry
contributed less than $100 billion. Forty-three percent of
respondents chose "not sure" and only 10 percent answered
correctly -- $242 billion, according to the EIA.
-- More than 40 percent of respondents believed that the oil and
natural gas industry earned more than 20 cents per every dollar of
sales. In fact the industry earns just below 6 cents on every
dollar.

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A Change in Fayette: Farewell to Chuck and Cindy Morley

I've been in Fayette County long enough to remember when Chuck and Cindy Morley took over the Fayette Daily News around 14 years ago. For many in Fayette, they've never know a Fayette Daily News without the pair at the helm. At the end of the month, newbies coming into the county will read a Fayette Daily minus the hard-working dynamic duo.

I remember walking into Chuck's office many times way back when to sneak one of my press releases into his huge overflowing in-box stack. I'd position it near the top knowing he'd never get down to the one at the bottom. At times I'd slide the same one in the pile in a couple of spots. Sometimes I just leave it in his chair or someplace where I knew he couldn't miss it in hopes that my bright colors and fancy fonts, if not the subject matter, would catch his attention. Most of the time he'd be in his office and we'd chat. Almost as often, if I found Chuck, I'd find Cindy... always wearing something with a noticeable Georgia Bulldog logo it seemed!

Over the years our paths have crossed many times as I managed my public relations and marketing company, worked part-time for one of their competitors and then became a quasi-competitor of sorts when I started the Fayette Front Page. Inevitably if I went to a Tech or Georgia game I'd see the pair at some point with cameras, pad and pens, covering the action.

Change is a way of life these days so it's hard to complain about some of the changes, even some of the ones I don't like. People retire or move onto better things. Newspapers shrink, formats change and the focus shifts.

The Fayette Daily News will not be the same without Chuck and Cindy. It has become so closely identified with them that whoever attempts to take their place is going to have a difficult time of it I'd think. Despite the growth in Fayette, we're still a small town in many ways and relationships matter.

There are very few Fayette County secrets unknown to the Morleys. They know the history of the county, the good and the bad. They know the relationships, the ties and the heart of the community. They seem to pretty much get along with everyone and manage to find friends on both sides of issues.

It's going to be strange sitting at a Fayette County Commission meeting without Cindy to joke and talk to during the lulls. I'll miss hearing Chuck's dry witty comments at the next event I cover. It's rare to cover any event and not find one of the two.

I wish them well and hope their next ventures are wildly successful. We're going to miss them in Fayette County.

Consumer Watchdog to Obama: No 'Cash for Clunkers' Without Compensation for GM Victims

RJ Note: Isn't this interesting? Buy a car from GM while they are in bankruptcy. Have big safety problem with car. So sorry. They aren't liable? Yep. This should really help consumer confidence so much that even the Cash for Clunkers won't overcome it.

/PRNewswire/ -- Consumer Watchdog called upon President Obama to prioritize the purchase of an insurance policy for victims of defective GM vehicles in the company's bankruptcy over the "cash-for-clunkers" program. Read the letter to the President at http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/resources/LtrObamaReGM.pdf.

"The same $1 billion allocated for clunkers could purchase an insurance policy in the GM bankruptcy proceeding to provide for Americans who are injured or maimed, and the families of those killed by unsafe GM cars and trucks," wrote Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court. "The United States government should make compensation for GM victims a priority before paying cash for clunkers... While a typical bankruptcy would include successor liability - the new company would be responsible for the defects of the old company - this special process for GM provides no such protection for its victims. The new GM should be required to buy an insurance policy to adequately and fully pay the claims of consumers injured in the past and the future by GM's defective cars and trucks."

Consumer Watchdog pointed out the inappropriate priorities in the GM bankruptcy: $100 million for an insurance policy to protect its officers and directors, a policy without a deductible for the executives; $2 billion per year for GM advertising; and hundreds of millions for Wall Street advisors.

"Americans have already sunk $50 billion in GM, and analysts expect that money will never be returned," wrote Court. "How much is there to provide for those burned or killed by an exploding GM gas tank? Not a dime."

The consumer group also sent the President a "death memo" from the GM litigation files showing company managers knew about defects that would burn and kill customers but chose not to recall the cars because it was cheaper to pay out lawsuits. Read the memo at http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/resources/ValueAnalysisAutoFuel.pdf.

"Such cold-hearted calculations should not prove prophetic," Court wrote. "You have it within your power as President to send a signal that those who have suffered from these calculations are worth at least as much as an Oldsmobile Cutlas Supreme. You simply cannot allow this injustice to stand."

Consumer Watchdog also pointed out that, "Practically, the success of cash-for-clunkers could depend upon the purchase of insurance to cover GM safety claims. Under the current bankruptcy filing, New GM would not be accountable for injuries and deaths from safety defects in cars sold before the company exits bankruptcy. If you want Americans to use their clunker vouchers for a 2009 GM car in the short term, Americans will have to know that if their gas tanks explode or brakes fail they won't be able to hold GM accountable for their injuries. That's certainly not going to help GM dealers move their inventory. Cash-for-clunkers will be far less effective in stimulating the economy if the government vouchers purchase foreign-made cars.

"Mr. President, with the American people owning GM, it is your responsibility to make sure there is coverage that makes good on GM's obligation to families injured and killed by GM cars, in the past and in the future. The price tag, in light of recent government spending on carmakers, is a small cost in order to provide for these devastated families and uphold the cause of the justice in America. We appreciate your attention to this matter of grave concern."

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Test Demonstrates Texting While Behind The Wheel Can Be Even More Dangerous Than Impaired Driving

RJ Note: As I recall being a young driver, swerving cars usually meant drinking and driving. Now, it appears the honor for swerving cars now can indicate driving while talking or texting. How many times do you pass a swerving car and say to yourself "get off the phone and drive"?

I usually make sure I am at a complete stop before I try to talk on the phone. And I never text while driving. After all, it can take my complete dedication to listening to what is being said. Shoot, sometimes I can't even watch TV and talk at the same time.

/PRNewswire/ -- Text messaging is on the rise, and undoubtedly, some "texters" or "tweeters" are sending and receiving messages while driving. In December 2008, more than 110 billion messages were being sent each month, up from less than 10 billion just three years ago. To gauge the effect of these road messagers, Car and Driver magazine decided to conduct a road test to determine just how dangerous texting and driving can be. The results were eye-opening.

Previous academic studies have shown texting while driving using simulators impairs a driver's abilities. But as far as we know, no study has been conducted in a real vehicle that is being driven. In addition, Car and Driver also compared the results of texting to the effects of drunk driving, on the same day and under the exact same conditions.

The focus of the test was solely on the driver's reaction time. All of the driving was done in a straight line on an 11,800-foot runway. Given the prevalence of the BlackBerry, the iPhone, and other text-friendly mobile phones, the test subjects would have devices with full QWERTY keypads and would be familiar with text messaging. A web intern 22, armed with an iPhone, would represent the younger crowd. The older demographic would be covered by Editor-in-Chief, Eddie Alterman, 37.

After conducting the texting tests on both drivers at 35 mph and 70 mph, the test subjects then drank alcoholic cocktails until they reached the legal driving limit of 0.08 percent blood-alcohol content. They then went back behind the wheel and ran the identical test without any texting distractions.

The results showed even using a straight road without any traffic, road signals, or pedestrians, and looking just at reaction times, the texting results were even worse than the negative impaired driving results.

Both socially and legally, drunk driving is completely unacceptable. Texting, on the other hand, is still in its formative period with respect to laws and opinion. A few jurisdictions have passed ordinances against texting while driving. But even if sweeping legislation were passed today to outlaw any typing behind the wheel, it would still be very difficult to enforce the law.

As summarized by Alterman, "In our test, neither of us had any idea texting would slow down our reaction time so much. Like most folks, we believe we are good drivers, but the real key to driving safely is keeping your eyes and your mind on the road. Text messaging distracts any driver from those primary tasks."

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Next Week is 35th Anniversary of Retail Bar Code Scanning

RJ Note: Long gone are the days when you stood in the grocery line and watched the magical fingers of the check out clerk. Of course, you also watched carefully to ensure no errors were made as those fingers flew over the keys.

Now, the UPC is turning 35. I still remember the first time I saw it used in a store. The store was in Augusta, Georgia, on Washington Rd, but I can no longer recall the name of the store. However, I do recall I got my first hand held hair dryer at that store. Ahh, memories.

(BUSINESS WIRE)--“It’s the wave of the future, and I’m very upbeat on the system.” These were the words almost 35 years ago of Virginia Knauer, special assistant for consumer affairs to the President of the United States, when asked about the Universal Product Code (UPC) and the growing interest in retail bar code scanning.

Today, there is virtually no consumer product that cannot be scanned at the checkout in a retail store.

NCR Corporation first demonstrated its scanning system in 1974 to an overflow crowd that attended the Super Market Institute convention to view the then-revolutionary technology. Less than two months later, on June 26, 1974, history was made when a 10-pack of Wrigley’s chewing gum became the first product ever scanned in a retail store setting — with an NCR scanner in a checkout lane at a Marsh Supermarket in Troy, Ohio.

NCR and Marsh quickly made headlines in newspapers and trade publications in the United States, Canada and other countries.

“Throughout its history, Marsh has been a technology leader in the retail industry,” said Lee Nicholson, vice president of MIS for Indianapolis-based Marsh Supermarkets, Inc. “When that package of Wrigley’s gum moved across the scan window, and a laser beam ‘read’ the bar code imprinted on the package, it was the beginning of a new era for retailing.”

Indeed, the new system helped revolutionize the world of retailing. Bar code scanning at the point of service soon brought faster checkout for shoppers and gave retailers more information and control over inventory and other areas of store operations. But the revolution didn’t stop there.

“That first transaction on an NCR bar code scanner launched a transformation that is still being felt throughout the world of retailing,” said Mike Webster, NCR vice president and general manager, Retail and Hospitality. “It’s a world where NCR has helped make shopping easier and faster for consumers with a stream of innovative solutions that we intend to drive well into the future.”

Today, retailers use the detailed transaction data collected by NCR RealPOS™ bar code scanners in ways only dreamed of 35 years ago. For example, consumer loyalty programs — like NCR Advanced Marketing Solution software — are linked to data that is generated when items are scanned at the point of sale.

In the years since 1974, NCR has introduced a steady stream of technology and software innovations that set the standard for scanning systems in retail stores and made the company today’s market leader in high performance scanners.

Moreover, NCR continues to simplify retailing processes and revolutionize the two things most people like least about shopping — waiting in line and paying. For example:

* NCR SelfServ™ Checkout, from the global market leader in self-checkout, can reduce checkout wait times up to 40 percent, greatly enhancing the shopping experience.
* NCR SelfServ kiosks, available with an integrated bar code scanner, support numerous retail self-service functions, including order placement, bill payment, promotional information, gift registries and more.

In addition, the global standards community, led by GS1™, is working with NCR to introduce the first new bar code symbology introduced worldwide to retail since the introduction of the European Article Number (EAN) format in 1977. The GS1 DataBar™ can be used for identifying small items, such as produce, and can carry more information than the current EAN/UPC bar code.

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Atlanta Mom on Mission for Quality, Affordable Healthcare for All Drives Purple Bus Across Nation Gathering Stories

/PRNewswire/ -- As lawmakers wrangle over health reform legislation and the insurance industry ramps up its opposition to reform, one mom is making sure people's voices are heard. Kathie McClure, an Atlanta mother, has logged more than 16,500 miles through 25 states to expose the gaps in our tattered healthcare system safety net and inspire Americans to speak up for real solutions. McClure, a 54 year-old former lawyer and mother of two, will deliver hundreds of personal stories to members of Congress when she arrives in Washington, DC on June 24 with one mission: to convince lawmakers to finally provide quality, affordable healthcare for all Americans.

Since the tour began on March 31, McClure has traveled around the country in the little bus her husband refurbished and painted purple to represent a mixture of the red and blue factions that too often divide our country. It is emblazoned with the campaign's web site, "VoteHealthcare.org," and hundreds of smiley faces representing people all across the country in desperate need of a healthcare system that works for them, not against them.

Now known as the "Purple Bus Lady," McClure formed the nonprofit 501(c)(3) and launched her cross-country trek when insurers refused to sell reasonably priced policies to her own children because of their "pre-existing conditions." Her son, Chris, 27, suffers from Type 1 diabetes, and her daughter, Caitlin, 25, suffers from epilepsy. She believes the way she can influence real change on healthcare in Washington is by collecting stories of people's heartbreak and frustration when insurance companies use fine print and loopholes to deny care.

"Though Washington politicians and moneyed special interests debate the future of our healthcare," said McClure, "as a concerned mother I know that meaningful reform that achieves quality, affordable healthcare for all will not happen without citizens' overwhelming support."

McClure has met countless Americans who, like her, demand that lawmakers put asides partisan differences and find real solutions. "My journey has taught me that I am not alone in this fight," she said. Just a fraction of those she's met include:

-- Jackie, a Persian Gulf veteran who struggles to find basic, preventive
care for her kindergarten age son in La Grande, Oregon;
-- Dan, an unemployed construction worker from Bothell, Washington,
diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes weeks after losing his coverage;
-- Wendy, a hard working 52-year-old organic farmer in Nampa, Idaho, who
is too young for Medicare but can no longer afford the premiums for
her railroad retiree health benefits.


McClure's next stops are in Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska on June 16 and Des Moines and Davenport, Iowa on June 17 and 18, then on to Washington, DC's Freedom Plaza on June 24. The full schedule is available at http://www.votehealthcare.org/bandwagon.aspx. To see a compilation of media coverage she's received around the country, visit http://www.votehealthcare.org/Article.aspx?ID=19.

"Whether they live in red states or blue states, people understand what's going on in Washington. They know the insurance and pharmaceutical industries make excessive profits and spend millions lining politicians' pockets and broadcasting misleading ads. People all over the country are standing up and demanding reform," said McClure. "To members of Congress who are not sure they should vote for health reform, I invite you to ride with me on the purple bus."

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Georgia Preacher Rescued Apollo 11 Astronauts

/PRNewswire/ -- When Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Mike Collins splashed down into the Pacific Ocean on July 24, 1969 after their historic moonwalk, the first human they saw had flowers plastered all over his wetsuit. A picture of Wolfram standing on top of the capsule holding on to the recovery loop like a cowboy on a bucking bronco was plastered all over America's newspapers and periodicals, including the now-defunct Look magazine. You can't miss Wolfram. His flowers distinguish him from the others.

Wolfram remembers that remarkable day as if it were yesterday, "Who would have thought that a 20-year-old seaman like me would have ever gotten the chance to be part of history? Dreams do come true."

Rescuing astronauts was not the only adventure of Wolfram's short navy career. He was deployed twice to Vietnam where he received a purple heart from a leg wound received during a firefight with the Viet Cong. John lost eight close friends, "I was one of the fortunate ones. I was able to return to the U.S. and pick up where I left off."

John's amazing story is chronicled in a book he has published called Splashdown, The Rescue of a Navy Frogman -- just in time for the 40th anniversary of the first Moon landing. Wolfram not only describes in detail his journey to become a Navy UDT/SEAL, he also shares with readers his personal struggles, coping with drugs and the controversial war. While hallucinating on LSD in a Vietnam hotel room, he escaped the horrors of suicide after hearing a familiar voice -- the one that had spoken to him once before as a child.

With the help of faith that never left his side, Wolfram weaves into his narrative how while he was trained to rescue others, he found himself in need of rescue.

When asked the question, what do you want readers to get out of your book, among other things? His reply was "to realize someone is out there, urging us to try, to take the risk, to brave the danger, and standing ready to reveal Himself as our savior."

Wolfram's own conversion came at the end of his four-year Navy enlistment. His turnaround was so dramatic that many of his UDT-11 teammates were also converted. Four of them became preachers of the gospel.

Wolfram's Christian journey has led him back to Vietnam, among those whom he fought in order to lead them to Jesus. "Going back to Vietnam was a rush beyond words," says Wolfram. "I faced my demons and answered God's call all at the same time. I've been making trips every year since the early '90s."

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