Thank you for calling out journalists who go for the easy, sloppy, story on gas prices, inflation, and polls. Shame on them for missing one of the most important moments in modern history- the reoccurrence of Fascist thought and action to suppress democracy and free will, civil rights, and the law. The “‘secret service” has become just that; service to an unjust tyrant that hates losing and is willing to bring down an entire democracy and country to satisfy his ego. Sound familiar? Germany 1931. Thank God Pence had the insight to resist getting in the car. I have much more respect for him now than ever before. Bravo to the embarrassed former Trump groupies who testified that it was an armed rebellion to deny the peaceful transfer of power. WAKE UP print media. You are missing THE STORY!
Jul 15, 2022·edited Jul 15, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
I am beyond angry that Texas AG Paxton has filed a suit against the Biden administration for it's enforcement reminder about the EMTALA. I wrote about the EMTALA in yesterday’s comments to that day’s Newsletter edition. Robert has referred to those comments in today’s Newsletter. They were written before Texas filed suit to block HHS enforcement of EMTALA provisions requiring emergency medical care including if necessary abortions in life-threatening medical crises.
I have written letters to my federal Congressional Representatives and Senators, President Biden, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, and also as a letter to the editor of our local paper. All of those communications point out that the recent HHS enforcement reminder on the EMTALA reflects no new rules, changes, or enforcement mechanisms to legislation originally passed in 1986 and enforced as federal law since then. It is also entirely consistent with present Texas anti-abortion restrictions that also provide exceptions for medical emergencies for patients who may require abortion care when their life is at risk without that care.
I have requested of Biden and Secretary Becerra that HHS conduct EMTALA compliance audits of medical facilities and hospitals to ensure they have written guidelines and training programs for affected emergency treatment staff in place. Both of those are EMTALA requirements. If those are found deficient, appropriate enforcement actions should be taken.
The following is the text of my letter to the editor of our local paper. I urge others to write similar letters to their own local papers and also communicate the need for HHS EMTALA compliance audits to appropriate legislators, the White House, and Secretary Becerra. No woman should be denied essential medical care in a life-threatening emergency. The idea of withholding such care is in my view beyond cruel and becomes medical terrorism.
My letter to the editor:
Providing Medical Care in Life-threatening Emergencies Is Not a Crime
Regardless of anyone's view on the issue of abortion, it should be understood that even Texas SB8 anti-abortion legislation provides exceptions for cases in which an abortion would save the pregnant patient’s life or prevent “substantial impairment of major bodily function."
Providing essential medical care in cases of a life-threatening emergency is what the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) passed by Congress in 1986 mandates. The recent enforcement reminder sent by HHS to medical facilities introduced no new rules or enforcement mechanisms, it was a reminder of the provisions in existing federal law passed and in place since 1986.
The lawsuit filed this week by Texas AG, Paxton, against the Biden administration is ill-advised and demonstrates the cruelty toward women's healthcare rights by the current Abbott administration. Gubernatorial and Attorney General political campaigns promoting the denial of emergency and essential medical care to women in life-threatening medical emergencies seem to be a poor campaign strategy. Most women are unlikely to find such a campaign plank other than cruel.
EMTALA is not abortion on demand. It is the provision of essential medical care in emergency life-threatening situations narrowly defined in the EMTALA law. It is also entirely consistent with the provisions of Texas present abortion restrictions in SB8.
Sending more than "thoughts and prayers" for your complete recovery from that monster that is COVID, Robert. It is quite the albatross! Still, your posts remain clear and compelling. Thank you.
On November 22, 1963 the Secret Service failed in numerous ways which contributed to the assassination of JFK. For instance Dallas as was the entire southern US antagonistic toward JFK; yet they allowed him to travel in an open vehicle below high rises with open windows and no law enforcement armed security spotters on rooftops. The list of dereliction of duty goes on to the point that JFK would have had better security if a troop of Boy Scouts had provided it. Sorry, Boy Scouts, I don’t mean to tarnish your image. It is so derelict that conspiracy to assassinate must include the SS. SS? That rings familiar. So why should we hesitate to consider that the Secret Service had a hand in the January 6th attempted Coup d’ etat? They attempted already to tarnish Ms Hutchinson’s testimony and now missing texts! OMG! Sounds like a secretary who leaned over to answer the phone and erased eighteen minutes of potentially incriminating evidence on her boss, Richard Nixon. How flimsy can excuses get? Sorry I asked that. Wait and see.
This letter was one of your most powerful. I can only imagine what we have to look forward to once you emerge from the energy drain of Covid. Thank you for continuing to provide us with your letter during your illness. You could have taken a bunch of time off and we would have respected that. You are one tough and focused dude.
And a special thanks to your wife for all she does.
So now the Fugitive Slave Act has been reborn. Ken Paxton will be offering bounties for the return of any Texas women who go to NM or IL for an ectopic pregnancy abortion. If voters aren't scared to death about a return to the 1850s and the treatment of women as second class citizens, they should start listening to something other than FOX for a change. And vote Blue in November.
On my 70th birthday today, I was hoping for a little ray of hope for my country.
Having realized, on my retirement, that I would never be able to afford medical care in the United States, I will visit my family when I can and remain in a country with a modest social safety net.
Jul 15, 2022·edited Jul 15, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Hope and pray for a complete COVID recovery Robert. Since I have an immune disorder, I still mask up in public places. Yesterday, standing in line at the grocery check out, the woman in front of me glanced at my masked faced, then turned to the clerk and said, "Isn't it wonderful that we don't have to wear masks anymore! FREEDOM!" Then she looked back at me with a sort of sneer. Good thing she couldn't see MY face
Wish I could agree that headlines are information, nothing more, nothing less. Rupert Murdoch and William Randolph Hurst both knew that they could be the ”Alpha dogs” of journalism and influence issues of the day. Rupert has been at it for most of his miserable life and wreaked havoc around the world. But, thanks to both and their clones, the scent of alpha dogs is now suspect by discerning citizens. Sadly, more journalism follows their lead and leaves us floundering. But discerning we must be. Are there enough of us?
So sorry you have Covid rebound!! That is happening quite a bit with the medication! We need your fight and encouragement to stay ENGAGED! So many are capitulating! We just don’t get it!!! Stay strong and healthy!!
"Manchin kills any chance of reconciliation bill."
It is truly remarkable that a single Senator, who claims to be a Democrat, from a state with less than 1% of the US population and that generates .38% of the total US GDP can determine the economic and political fate of our Country. Manchin has done more to hurt Joe Biden and the democratic agenda than Republicans could have ever done.
Robert your unfortunate rebound is a stark reminder to all you us that COVID related viruses are not gone and we need to still be diligent in our everyday lives. It feels like everyday we become aware of the depth of the corruption and cancer of the Trump administration as evidenced by the latest story of the Secret Service. I don’t know all the facts but missing text messages and a VP who refused to get in the Secret Service car looks and feels suspicious. I am also frustrated and sadden by the story of the 10 year old child who was raped and went to Indiana for an abortion and how anti abortion Republicans vilified the poor child, the attending physician and leading Republican lawmakers like Jim Jordan and propagandist like Tucker Carlson spread lies about the entire situation without any impunity. Two startlingly facts stare us in the face. State Republicans will ratchet up anti abortion rhetoric and actions as we get closer to the mid term elections to feed their base and there is nothing we can do about it and a host of other issues unless we own the Senate and the House. One thing I just learned about polling is that because of caller ID technology pollsters are getting less phone conversation polling data and are increasingly relying on social media questioning and interviews whose accuracy is not as reliable. There are many dishonest polling responses in part because the trust factor on surveys is very low. I am feeling a small tidal wave of frustration building among potential voters across all demographics and it’s up to us to harvest it.
Thank you for calling out journalists who go for the easy, sloppy, story on gas prices, inflation, and polls. Shame on them for missing one of the most important moments in modern history- the reoccurrence of Fascist thought and action to suppress democracy and free will, civil rights, and the law. The “‘secret service” has become just that; service to an unjust tyrant that hates losing and is willing to bring down an entire democracy and country to satisfy his ego. Sound familiar? Germany 1931. Thank God Pence had the insight to resist getting in the car. I have much more respect for him now than ever before. Bravo to the embarrassed former Trump groupies who testified that it was an armed rebellion to deny the peaceful transfer of power. WAKE UP print media. You are missing THE STORY!
I am beyond angry that Texas AG Paxton has filed a suit against the Biden administration for it's enforcement reminder about the EMTALA. I wrote about the EMTALA in yesterday’s comments to that day’s Newsletter edition. Robert has referred to those comments in today’s Newsletter. They were written before Texas filed suit to block HHS enforcement of EMTALA provisions requiring emergency medical care including if necessary abortions in life-threatening medical crises.
I have written letters to my federal Congressional Representatives and Senators, President Biden, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, and also as a letter to the editor of our local paper. All of those communications point out that the recent HHS enforcement reminder on the EMTALA reflects no new rules, changes, or enforcement mechanisms to legislation originally passed in 1986 and enforced as federal law since then. It is also entirely consistent with present Texas anti-abortion restrictions that also provide exceptions for medical emergencies for patients who may require abortion care when their life is at risk without that care.
I have requested of Biden and Secretary Becerra that HHS conduct EMTALA compliance audits of medical facilities and hospitals to ensure they have written guidelines and training programs for affected emergency treatment staff in place. Both of those are EMTALA requirements. If those are found deficient, appropriate enforcement actions should be taken.
The following is the text of my letter to the editor of our local paper. I urge others to write similar letters to their own local papers and also communicate the need for HHS EMTALA compliance audits to appropriate legislators, the White House, and Secretary Becerra. No woman should be denied essential medical care in a life-threatening emergency. The idea of withholding such care is in my view beyond cruel and becomes medical terrorism.
My letter to the editor:
Providing Medical Care in Life-threatening Emergencies Is Not a Crime
Regardless of anyone's view on the issue of abortion, it should be understood that even Texas SB8 anti-abortion legislation provides exceptions for cases in which an abortion would save the pregnant patient’s life or prevent “substantial impairment of major bodily function."
Providing essential medical care in cases of a life-threatening emergency is what the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) passed by Congress in 1986 mandates. The recent enforcement reminder sent by HHS to medical facilities introduced no new rules or enforcement mechanisms, it was a reminder of the provisions in existing federal law passed and in place since 1986.
The lawsuit filed this week by Texas AG, Paxton, against the Biden administration is ill-advised and demonstrates the cruelty toward women's healthcare rights by the current Abbott administration. Gubernatorial and Attorney General political campaigns promoting the denial of emergency and essential medical care to women in life-threatening medical emergencies seem to be a poor campaign strategy. Most women are unlikely to find such a campaign plank other than cruel.
EMTALA is not abortion on demand. It is the provision of essential medical care in emergency life-threatening situations narrowly defined in the EMTALA law. It is also entirely consistent with the provisions of Texas present abortion restrictions in SB8.
Sending more than "thoughts and prayers" for your complete recovery from that monster that is COVID, Robert. It is quite the albatross! Still, your posts remain clear and compelling. Thank you.
On November 22, 1963 the Secret Service failed in numerous ways which contributed to the assassination of JFK. For instance Dallas as was the entire southern US antagonistic toward JFK; yet they allowed him to travel in an open vehicle below high rises with open windows and no law enforcement armed security spotters on rooftops. The list of dereliction of duty goes on to the point that JFK would have had better security if a troop of Boy Scouts had provided it. Sorry, Boy Scouts, I don’t mean to tarnish your image. It is so derelict that conspiracy to assassinate must include the SS. SS? That rings familiar. So why should we hesitate to consider that the Secret Service had a hand in the January 6th attempted Coup d’ etat? They attempted already to tarnish Ms Hutchinson’s testimony and now missing texts! OMG! Sounds like a secretary who leaned over to answer the phone and erased eighteen minutes of potentially incriminating evidence on her boss, Richard Nixon. How flimsy can excuses get? Sorry I asked that. Wait and see.
Robert,
This letter was one of your most powerful. I can only imagine what we have to look forward to once you emerge from the energy drain of Covid. Thank you for continuing to provide us with your letter during your illness. You could have taken a bunch of time off and we would have respected that. You are one tough and focused dude.
And a special thanks to your wife for all she does.
So now the Fugitive Slave Act has been reborn. Ken Paxton will be offering bounties for the return of any Texas women who go to NM or IL for an ectopic pregnancy abortion. If voters aren't scared to death about a return to the 1850s and the treatment of women as second class citizens, they should start listening to something other than FOX for a change. And vote Blue in November.
On my 70th birthday today, I was hoping for a little ray of hope for my country.
Having realized, on my retirement, that I would never be able to afford medical care in the United States, I will visit my family when I can and remain in a country with a modest social safety net.
Wiesbaden, Germany.
Hope and pray for a complete COVID recovery Robert. Since I have an immune disorder, I still mask up in public places. Yesterday, standing in line at the grocery check out, the woman in front of me glanced at my masked faced, then turned to the clerk and said, "Isn't it wonderful that we don't have to wear masks anymore! FREEDOM!" Then she looked back at me with a sort of sneer. Good thing she couldn't see MY face
Outstanding synopsis of the most significant and massively important news—news that is currently unfolding at a pace I can barely manage to follow.
Wish I could agree that headlines are information, nothing more, nothing less. Rupert Murdoch and William Randolph Hurst both knew that they could be the ”Alpha dogs” of journalism and influence issues of the day. Rupert has been at it for most of his miserable life and wreaked havoc around the world. But, thanks to both and their clones, the scent of alpha dogs is now suspect by discerning citizens. Sadly, more journalism follows their lead and leaves us floundering. But discerning we must be. Are there enough of us?
So sorry you have Covid rebound!! That is happening quite a bit with the medication! We need your fight and encouragement to stay ENGAGED! So many are capitulating! We just don’t get it!!! Stay strong and healthy!!
"Manchin kills any chance of reconciliation bill."
It is truly remarkable that a single Senator, who claims to be a Democrat, from a state with less than 1% of the US population and that generates .38% of the total US GDP can determine the economic and political fate of our Country. Manchin has done more to hurt Joe Biden and the democratic agenda than Republicans could have ever done.
Anti-Abortion rights is FORCED BIRTH. It's a men's issue as well as women's and all of society will bear the costs.
Robert your unfortunate rebound is a stark reminder to all you us that COVID related viruses are not gone and we need to still be diligent in our everyday lives. It feels like everyday we become aware of the depth of the corruption and cancer of the Trump administration as evidenced by the latest story of the Secret Service. I don’t know all the facts but missing text messages and a VP who refused to get in the Secret Service car looks and feels suspicious. I am also frustrated and sadden by the story of the 10 year old child who was raped and went to Indiana for an abortion and how anti abortion Republicans vilified the poor child, the attending physician and leading Republican lawmakers like Jim Jordan and propagandist like Tucker Carlson spread lies about the entire situation without any impunity. Two startlingly facts stare us in the face. State Republicans will ratchet up anti abortion rhetoric and actions as we get closer to the mid term elections to feed their base and there is nothing we can do about it and a host of other issues unless we own the Senate and the House. One thing I just learned about polling is that because of caller ID technology pollsters are getting less phone conversation polling data and are increasingly relying on social media questioning and interviews whose accuracy is not as reliable. There are many dishonest polling responses in part because the trust factor on surveys is very low. I am feeling a small tidal wave of frustration building among potential voters across all demographics and it’s up to us to harvest it.
GREAT column, Covid be damned! Love the rhetorical, and absolutely spot on, cascading paragraph of EXTRAORDINARY. Yes. Thank you.
Powerful synopsis of US current events - thank you. Calling thinking citizens of all stripes: VOTE!