http://www.aapsonline.org/

Proponents of the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) claim that doctors in the US spend four times more, interacting with the many health plans, than Canadian physicians spend interacting with the government.

In 2009, physicians in Ontario spent $22,205 on administrative costs per physician per year, while US physicians spent a staggering $82,975 each trying to get insurance companies to pay them. U.S. nursing staff, including medical assistants, spent 20.6 hours per physician, per week, interacting with health plans, nearly 10 times that of their Ontario counterparts. Many health policy makers conclude that a centralized system would be more efficient. But would that be better for patients?

Section 1104 of the Affordable Care Act of 2010 instructs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to figure out ways to simplify interactions between providers and health plans. Instead of private practices, the reform bill supports new groupings of physicians in Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs).

In a bureaucrat's heaven, ObamaCare will centralize payments to ACOs where care would be controlled and physicians compensated according to strict government guidelines, including dollars saved by giving less care. Patients would be expected to do what they're told.

If physicians were farmers and patients were livestock, this might be feasible, but setting up an efficient assembly line system is not the way to provide compassionate, individualized high quality medical care.

As a matter of fact, even farmers and livestock did not do well with central planning of the collective farms that existed in the early 20th century in the Soviet Union. These were farms or groups of farms organized as a unit and managed and worked cooperatively by a group of laborers under State supervision. Private ownership of farms was no longer allowed and they were confiscated by the State.

The State promised to collect the meat and produce and distribute it fairly. But this did not happen and peasants, those who worked the hardest, lamented that they were not getting their fair share. When they revolted, their non-compliance was met with harsh retaliation, and life was reduced to stark subsistence.

People were forced into hard labor by cruel taskmasters as the supervisors were held accountable for the results. Lives were micro-managed by the central planners and freedom disappeared. The punishments became harsher when productivity declined. Eventually, it has been said that the people pretended to work and the State pretended to pay them. The Soviet Union fell under its own weight as the economy ground to a halt.

So do we need more centralized control in medical care? Or would decentralizing care and minimizing the middle man be even better?

American physicians and patients value independence, wanting to keep their interactions at a personal one-on-one level. Why not allow every patient to choose his own primary care doctor, keeping his phone number on speed-dial. When the patient wakes up with abdominal pain or blood in his urine, he should be able to pick up the phone, hear a familiar voice and make an appointment for the same day. At the end of the visit, he would pull out his check book or credit card, and pay a reasonable fee-- about the cost of an oil change plus new windshield wiper blades. In 90% of medical visits there should be no third party and NO administrative costs.

Many US physicians have allowed themselves to be swallowed up by a system that is extraordinarily complicated and costly. But others are beginning to see that the answer is to pull away from all third party payers and contract with individual patients. Each doctor saving $83,000 per year would result in lower fees for the patients. Physicians would experience the great satisfaction of having an ongoing relationship with their patients, providing quick, efficient, and competent care. After all, that is why we went to medical school.

The Accountable Care Organizations will be the medical version of Soviet collective farms. The Affordable Care Act must be repealed before it has a chance to ruin the best medical care in the world.

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Davenport, Iowa - February 20, 2012 - Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Quad Cities announced today the debut of its new station 101.3 KISS FM, effective Monday, Feb. 20, at 5:00 a.m. 101.3 KISS FM will bring nationally syndicated programs like Elvis Duran and the Morning Show and On Air with Ryan Seacrest to the Quad Cities as well as local on-air host, Todd Alan.

The debut of 101.3 KISS FM demonstrates Clear Channel Quad Cities' commitment to providing quality programming to its local listeners. Elvis Duran and the Morning Show is the most-listened-to Top 40 morning show in the U.S. and consistently ranks No. 1 across multiple demographics and top markets. Broadcasting live from New York's Z100, Duran and his on-air crew entertain listeners with up-to-the-minute entertainment and pop culture news, celebrity guests, hit songs and regular features such as the gossipy "The Sleaze," the fashion-forward "Rage Page" and the popular prank "Phone Taps." Elvis Duran and the Morning Show will broadcast on 101.3 KISS FM during the morning drive Monday through Fridays and Saturdays.

On Air with Ryan Seacrest, broadcasts from Hollywood, Ca. and focuses on all aspects of the entertainment industry. Throughout the show, Seacrest interviews and highlights top talent from the worlds of music, film and television. On Air with Ryan Seacrest will broadcast on 101.3 KISS FM weekdays during mid-days.

Todd Alan, the Quad Cities' own local on-air talent, will host the afternoon drive time Monday through Saturday. He has a passion to connect with listeners in person and online and his new show will feature a daily Facebook request hour called Facebook/iHeart Radio 5 at 5. Alan is a Quad Cities radio veteran and has been hosting the afternoon drive on sister station, Mix 96, for more than three years. He is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University with a degree in radio, television and film.

"We strive to bring the best programming to our local listeners and we are thrilled to bring the new 101.3 KISS FM to the Quad Cities," said Jeff Ashcraft, Vice President and Market Manager, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Eastern Iowa. "With on-air talent like Ryan Seacrest and locally Todd Alan, we think the area is ready for this kind of KISS."

"Playing your hits - is our focus."; said Jim O'Hara, Operations Manager, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Quad Cities. "The heart of this station is our listeners and we plan to bring them the hits they want to hear. It's an exciting time in Quad City area radio and we are proud to introduce the new 101.3 KISS FM to the market."

101.3 KISS FM's programming line-up will feature:
§ On Air with Ryan Seacrest from mid-days Monday through Friday.
§ Todd Alan afternoon drive Monday through Saturday.
§ Billy the Kid evenings Monday through Friday.
§ Jo Jo Wright and Sisanie overnights.
§ American Top 40 with Ryan Seacrest - weekends
§ Coming Soon: Elvis Duran and the Morning Show mornings Monday through Friday
and Saturdays.

About Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Davenport:
Clear Channel Quad Cities owns and operates WLLR-FM; KUUL 101.3; Q106.5; KMXG 96.1; WOC 1420; Fox Sports Radio WFXN and is part of Clear Channel Media and Entertainment. With 238 million monthly listeners in the U.S., Clear Channel Media and Entertainment has the largest reach of any radio or television outlet in America. Clear Channel Media and Entertainment serves 150 cities through 850 owned radio stations. The company's radio stations and content can be heard on AM/FM stations, HD digital radio channels, Sirius/XM satellite, on the Internet at iHeartRadio.com and on the company's radio station websites, on the iHeartRadio mobile application on iPads and smartphones, and used via navigation systems from TomTom, Garmin and others. The company's operations include radio broadcasting, online and mobile services and products, live concerts and events, syndication, music research services and independent media representation. Clear Channel Media and Entertainment is a division of CC Media Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: CCMO), a leading global media and entertainment company. More information on the company can be found at clearchannel.com, clearchanneloutdoor.com and ccmediaholdings.com.

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Contact:
Jeff Ashcraft

Congratulations to members of Encore!, Moline High School's Speech Team & Acting Troupe, got first in the state this weekend in Peoria for its Performance in the Round.  Members include :
Rowan Crow
Mariah Logan
Abbey Lasek
Britta Engstrom
Autumn Loose
Kaitlyn Wehr
Ellen Wells
Katy Deadmond
Sadie Buckles
Allison Condit
Jennie White
Micah SantAmour Bernas
Alejandro Raya

Receiving second place was senior Jenna Pautsch in the Original Oratory category.

Peter David McNaught & Alex Haifa received 6th place in the Humurous Duet Acting.

These acts will be performed this Friday as part of the school's Dessert Theatre.  The actors will perform in the round at the school's cafe at 7:30 pm.  $5.00 tickets at the door...the ticket price includes dessert.  Show begins at 7:30pm.

The Iowa Games, Iowa's largest amateur sports festival, provides more than 20,000 athletes with a variety of Olympic-style sports during the Summer and Winter Games. The Games are part of the National Congress of State Games and are open to Iowa residents of all ages and abilities. The Iowa Games is hosted by the Iowa Sports Foundation, a nonprofit organization which has a participation base of over 190,000 Iowans. For a complete listing of all the Iowa Games events and results please visit www.iowagames.org.

Bettendorf
Maya Baker, Gold, Basic 3 Compulsory Moves, Figure Skating;
Maya Baker, Gold, Basic 3 Freeskate, Figure Skating;
Lauren Barlow, Bronze, Preliminary Compulsory Moves, Figure Skating;
Brianna Hakenewerth, Silver, Forms / Children/Junior Novice 11-17, Martial Arts;
Brianna Hakenewerth, Silver, Sparring / Children/Junior Novice 11-17, Martial Arts;
Todd Hubbard, Bronze, Forms / Men/Women Novice 35-49, Martial Arts;
Todd Hubbard, Gold, Forms / Team Intermediate Bracket 2, Martial Arts;
Todd Hubbard, Gold, Sparring / Men/Women Novice 35-49, Martial Arts;
Alex Kurth, Silver, Open Class Giant Slalom / Male 18-25, Alpine Ski Racing;
Alex Kurth, Gold, Open Class Slalom / Male 18-25, Alpine Ski Racing;
Levi Langel, Gold, 1-2 Grade / Bantam 3, Wrestling - Dubuque;
Mike Mendelin, Gold, Men's Classical 8K / 35-39, Cross Country Skiing;
Mike Mendelin, Silver, Men's Freestyle 11.2K / 35-39, Cross Country Skiing;
Elissa Moylan, Gold, Pre-Preliminary Artistic, Figure Skating;
Elissa Moylan, Gold, Pre-Preliminary Freeskate Group B, Figure Skating;
Elissa Moylan, Gold, Preliminary Compulsory Moves, Figure Skating;
Norm Riek, Bronze, Doubles / Championship Level, Table Tennis;
Norm Riek, Silver, Singles / 40 & Over, Table Tennis;
Richard Stubblefield, Gold, Doubles / Beginner Level, Table Tennis;


Davenport
Erik Belby, Bronze, Men's Classical 8K / 35-39, Cross Country Skiing;
Erik Belby, Bronze, Men's Freestyle 11.2K / 35-39, Cross Country Skiing;
Lyette Boucher, Silver, Forms / 2nd Degree & Above 14-34, Martial Arts;
Lyette Boucher, Bronze, Sparring / Black Belt/2nd Degree & Above 14-34, Martial Arts;
Jeff Bradley, Gold, Men's Freestyle 11.2K / 50-59, Cross Country Skiing;
Doug Christensen, Gold, Forms / Men/Women Intermediate 35-49, Martial Arts;
Doug Christensen, Gold, Sparring / Men/Women Intermediate 35-39, Martial Arts;
Dorie Dettmann, Silver, Adult Freeskate, Figure Skating;
Jacob Felderman, Gold, 5-6 Grade / Junior 1, Wrestling - Dubuque;
Alexandra Foley, Silver, Basic 6 Compulsory Moves, Figure Skating;
Alexandra Foley, Bronze, Basic 6 Freeskate, Figure Skating;
Alex Gosa, Gold, Sparring / Children Novice 4-10, Martial Arts;
Yeo Jin Kim, Silver, Forms / Men/Women Novice 35-49, Martial Arts;
Yeo Jin Kim, Silver, Sparring / Men/Women Novice 35-49, Martial Arts;
Arnold Kompaniyets, Gold, Doubles / Beginner Level, Table Tennis;
Arnold Kompaniyets, Bronze, Singles / Championship Level, Table Tennis;
Ben Lloyd, Gold, Men's Classical 8K / 25-29, Cross Country Skiing;
Joanna Lochner, Silver, Female / 35-39, Road Race;
Grace Lomelino, Silver, Pre-Preliminary Freeskate Group A, Figure Skating;
Grace Lomelino, Silver, Preliminary Compulsory Moves, Figure Skating;
Lisa Michaels, Bronze, Forms / Men/Women Novice 18-34 Bracket 2, Martial Arts;
Michael Middlemiss, Gold, Open Class Giant Slalom / Male 65 & Over, Alpine Ski Racing;
Michael Middlemiss, Gold, Open Class Slalom / Male 65 & Over, Alpine Ski Racing;
Theresa Monfre, Bronze, Forms / Men/Women Novice 18-34 Bracket 1, Martial Arts;
Theresa Monfre, Gold, Forms / Team Intermediate Bracket 2, Martial Arts;
Theresa Monfre, Silver, Sparring / Men/Women Novice 18-34 Bracket 1, Martial Arts;
Rich Nelson, Gold, Men's Classical 8K / 50-59, Cross Country Skiing;
Gary Robbins, Silver, Open Class Giant Slalom / Male 56-64, Alpine Ski Racing;
Terry Sanders, Silver, Forms / Men/Women Intermediate 35-49, Martial Arts;
Terry Sanders, Silver, Sparring / Men/Women Intermediate 35-39, Martial Arts;
Logan Schimanski, Gold, 3-4 Grade / Cadet 8, Wrestling - Dubuque;
Tae-Yang Shin, Bronze, Forms / Children Novice/Intermediate 4-7, Martial Arts;
Tae-Yang Shin, Bronze, Sparring / Novice/Intermediate 4-7, Martial Arts;
Kenny Snook, Silver, Forms / Men/Women Novice 18-34 Bracket 1, Martial Arts;
Kenny Snook, Bronze, Sparring / Men/Women Novice 18-34 Bracket 1, Martial Arts;
Giovanni Torres, Gold, Forms / Men/Women Intermediate 18-34, Martial Arts;
Giovanni Torres, Gold, Sparring / Men/Women Intermediate 18-34, Martial Arts;
Jackson Tracy, Silver, Open Class Giant Slalom / Para Skiers, Alpine Ski Racing;
Jackson Tracy, Gold, Open Class Slalom / Para Skiers, Alpine Ski Racing;
Conner Wedig, Gold, 1-2 Grade / Bantam 7, Wrestling - Dubuque;
Randy Wiest, Bronze, Doubles / Championship Level, Table Tennis;
Kirby Winn, Silver, Men's Classical 8K / 35-39, Cross Country Skiing;
Deb Wood, Gold, Women's Freestyle 11.2K / 30-34, Cross Country Skiing;