A PUBLICATION OF News in NYCHSRO/MEDREVIEW VOLUME 9, NO. 2 JULY - SEPTEMBER 2006 REVIEW www.medreview.us MedReview Forms Alliance to Recruit Nurses n recognition of the severe shortage of qualified Registered mine specific provider needs Nurses in the United States and in the area in particu- and work closely with providers Ilar, MedReview has entered into an alliance with Personnel to ensure that the needs are Management Services, LLC to recruit and place foreign-born nurses met. This will include identify- and other health care professionals with prospective employers in ing applicants that meet all the United States. The main thrust of the initiative is to recruit nurs- necessary legal and profession- es from the Philippines. al requirements for employment The joint program will be called International Healthcare Staffing in the United States. The pro- Solutions and will be directed by Gary Stern who is the President gram will then be responsible of Personnel Management Services. Mr. Stern has extensive experi- to see that all necessary docu- JOE STAMM AND HELEN MUTCHLER AT ence in recruitment of professional medical staff, both in the United mentation and licenses that are A MEETING WITH GARY STERN States and the Philippines. He has an established recruitment office required by the prospective in the Philippines and has successfully recruited more than 600 employees for travel and work in the United States are obtained. nurses per year. Any clients who are interested in participating in this new initia- The program will reach out to the provider community to deter- tive should contact Helen Mutchler at 212.897.6105. Humanitarian Mission to Israel

t the request of Assemblyman Dov and members of relief organi- Hikind, MedReview’s CEO Joseph zations as well as families and A Stamm traveled to war torn Israel on a individual citizens in their fact finding and humanitarian mission on July houses and in their 30, 2006. The four day trip which centered bunkers. exclusively in the embattled northern region of The trip left an everlast- the country was also attended by Councilman ing impression as to the , Chairman of the Finance plight of the Israeli citizens Committee of the Council. which, for the most part, The eighteen member group met with the was never clearly presented mayors in the northern Israeli towns. The group in the media. (See accompa- was particularly interested in how Israel was nying published article by managing the health care emergency created Joseph Stamm on Page 4). by the war as well as the bombing of civilian populations in Israel. They were able to sched- ule a meeting with the CEO and other top Inside This Issue... administrative staff of Rambam Hospital. e MedReview Forms Alliance to Recruit Nurses Rambam Hospital is the largest hospital in the north and was the triage hospital attending to e Humanitarian Mission to Israel all of the injuries/casualties of the war. The e Healthcare Headline Summaries group also visited with the wounded soldiers e MedReview Political Outreach e News In Review Profile: Richard Bonforte, M.D. e Trip of a Lifetime e NYCHSRO Poetry Corner e Memorial Service for Dr. Eric Vanderbush e Obesity Costs e NYCHSRO/MedReview Takes to the Seas Infant Mortality in Voluntary C-sections – Change in Medicare Part B Premium amount for uninsured patients notwithstand- New York Times (NYT) – 9/5/2006 – A Calculation – (New York Times (NYT) – ing recent lawsuit attempts to collect on recent study has found that the risk of death 9/11/2006 – The Medicare Part B unpaid bills. in newborns delivered by Cesarean section deductible will no longer be a uniform The Senate Committee was also advised is much greater than previously believed. amount for all recipients. Effective in 2007, that NYPH’s CEO, Dr. Herbert Pardes made The rate among low-risk women is 1.77 the Part B premium payments will be gradu- more than $4.6 millions per year while the deaths per 1,000 live births while the rate ated based on personal income with wealth- hospital’s director and executive vice presi- for vaginal deliveries is 0.62 per 1,000. ier people paying a surcharge to offset the dent made about $3.4 million, not counting The study included 5,762,037 live births less wealthy. retirement contributions. NYPH also indicat- and 11,897 infant deaths in the United Using income from the Internal Revenue ed that, in addition to undisclosed travel States from 1998 through 2001 and Service from tax returns for 2005, if an indi- expenses for its top executives, the hospital encompassed 311,927 Cesarean deliveries vidual has modified gross income of reimburses Dr. Pardes about $4,300 each among low-risk women. $80,000 to $100,000, the surcharge will year for his membership in an unidentified The percentage of Cesarean births has be 13.3 percent, which will add about $13 “private social club”. been dramatically on the rise, increasing to the monthly premium, for a total of about from 20.7% in 1996 to 29.1% in 2004. $111.50. For a single person with income Health Care Premiums Rise Twice as Fast as While the mortality rate from Cesarean of more than $200,000, the surcharge will Wages and Inflation in 2006 (WSJ) – deliveries has always been higher than be 73.3 percent, or about $72 a month, for 9/26/2006 – Average family health insur- vaginal deliveries, it has always been a total premium of about $170.50. ance premiums rose 7.7% in 2006. After assumed that this was due to the high risk When the transition is fully implemented several years of steady increases, the cost nature of Cesarean. This study is the first to in 2009, it is anticipated that the wealthiest for family coverage under an employer reflect a significant higher degree of mortal- individuals will pay two to four times as health plan is now $11,480. However, this ity in a low risk population. much as the average person. year’s increase was lower than previous The report speculates that part of the rea- years and many large employers expect the son for the increased mortality may be that Congressional Review of New York downward increases to continue in 2007 to labor is beneficial to the baby releasing hor- Presbyterian Hospital Costs- New York Sun 6%. mones that promote healthy lung function. (NYS) - 9/13/2006 – Senate hearings Most larger firms indicate that they’re The physical compression of the baby dur- focused on high charges billed to uninsured adding “consumer directed” plans, which ing labor is also useful in removing fluids patients at nonprofit hospitals were centered combine deductibles of typically more than from the lungs and helping the baby pre- on New York-Presbyterian hospital. Senator $1,000 and some sort of tax-saving account pare to breathe air. Grassley, during the hearings, indicated to make employees more of a financial that “Non-profit doesn’t necessarily mean stake in their health care spending. Cancer Mortality Trends – Wall Street pro-poor patient. Non-profit hospitals may Journal (WSJ) – 9/6/2006 – The Annual provide less care to the poor than their for- Quality and Cost of Care Disclosure- (WSJ)- Report to on the Status of Cancer profit counterparts. They may charge poor, 8/23/2006 - On August 22, 2006, reported that death rates from cancer are uninsured patients more for the same ser- President Bush issued an executive order continuing to decline but there has been an vices than they charge insured patients. requiring all federal agencies to disclose the unexpected increase in cases of thyroid can- They sometimes give their executives gold- quality and cost of care provided to cer. plated compensation packages and gener- Medicare beneficiaries, federal employees, For men, overall rates declined 1.6% ous perks, such as country club member- the military and veterans. The order also annually between 1993 and 2003 and the ships. All of this calls into question whether promotes the use of health-care technology decline was 0.8% for women. However, non-profit hospitals deserve the billions of and rewards consumers who shop for med- thyroid cancer rates during that same period dollars in tax breaks they received from fed- ical care based on quality and value. increased 9.1% for women from 2000 to eral, state, and local government.” President Bush called on private employ- 2003. The rate for men also increased but While Presbyterian wasn’t singled out ers, unions and local governments to follow not as significantly. specifically, some of its practices could gen- suit. "People deserve to know what their The study also found that Latinos had erate further questions. At the hearings, health care costs, how good it is, and the lower incidence rates than non-Hispanic NYPH indicated that its list prices for proce- choices available to them…", Secretary of whites for most cancers but that Latino chil- dures, office visits, and hospital stays repre- Health Leavitt stated. Some insurers such as dren have higher incidence rates of sent, on average, a 98% markup from the Humana and Aetna are already experiment- leukemia, retinoblastoma, osteosarcoma, hospitals costs. Insured patients and their ing with giving information to help con- and germ cell tumors than do non-Latino insurance companies almost always get a sumers compare care and may use federal white children. discount, which averages 47% for private government standards, as they are devel- plans. However, NYPH also indicated that oped, to become benchmarks in the private it never sees about 82% of the billed sector. M EDR EVIEW P OLITICAL O UTREACH uring the third quarter of • Assemblyman Herman Farrell 2006, MedReview contin- • Borough D ued its efforts to reach out President Scott Stringer to political figures in an effort to • State Senator Kevin Parker educate them regarding the con- In addition to meeting the polit- tinuous spiraling health care ical leaders noted, Ms. Mutchler expenditures and its impact on had the unique opportunity to health insurance coverage as well meet . as quality of care concerns. On separate occasions during The most significant was the the past few months, Mr. Stamm gala birthday party celebrating and Ms. Mutchler visited with Congressman Charles Rangel’s Assemblyman Dov Hikind and 78th birthday. This event, which Councilmember Melinda Katz. took place on August 9, 2006, These meetings were a continua- was held at Tavern on the Green. tion of the ongoing discussions MedReview CEO Joseph Stamm regarding ways to alleviate the and Executive Vice President, health care crisis in New York. Helen Mutchler took advantage of MedReview was also honored the presence of many dignitaries by the surprise visit of Yitzchuk who attended to pay homage to Pindrus, Mayor of Beitar, Israel. Congressman Rangel by briefly Mr. Stamm has developed a long discussing issues of concern and and close relationship with the seeking follow-up meetings with Mayor and has floated a number them. The dignitaries contacted of interesting programs intended included: to enhance the quality of health • Attorney General Elliot care in Beitar. These proposals Spitzer (New York’s new are currently under review by the Governor) Mayor. • City Comptroller Bill TOP: AT CONGRESSMAN RANGEL’S Thompson BIRTHDAY PARTY • Former Governor Mario LEFT: JOE STAMM AND HELEN MUTCHLER WITH BEITAR MAYOR PINDRUS. Cuomo RIGHT: COUNCILWOMAN MELINDA KATZ • Former Mayor David Dinkins WITH ANNE AND JOE STAMM

and fellowship training at the Mount Sinai national organi- News In Review Profile Hospital, New York. Following his training zations, including Richard J. Bonforte M.D.,F.A.A.P. and his military service as a Major in the the American U.S. Army Medical Corp in the Panama Academy of or the past eight years, prior to his Canal Zone, Dr. Bonforte joined the full- Pediatrics, the recent retirement, Dr. Richard J. time faculty of the Department of Pediatrics New York FBonforte was Senior Vice-President for at Mount Sinai where he became Director Academy of Medical Affairs, Vice President and of the Division of Pediatric Ambulatory Medicine, the Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics, Care and Director of the Cystic Fibrosis Cystic Fibrosis and Medical Director of the Children’s Center. In 1977, Dr. Bonforte was award- Foundation and Medical Center of Hudson County at the ed a grant from the Department of Health the American Jersey City Medical Center, Jersey City, NJ. and Human Services, Division of Maternal- Lung Association. He is a consultant both He continues to be active at the Mount Child Health, to establish a Pediatric to the New York State Department of Sinai School of Medicine where is Pulmonary Center. At that time he also Health Office of Professional Medical Professor of Pediatrics and Director of the became Director of the Division of Pediatric Conduct and to the New York State Cystic Fibrosis Center. Prior to his recent Pulmonology, and recruited its first interdis- Attorney General’s Office. Dr. Bonforte employment at Jersey City Medical Center, ciplinary faculty. The Pediatric Pulmonary has been actively involved with NYCHSRO Dr. Bonforte was named Chairman Center is in its 30th year of funded opera- and MedReview since its inception, and Emeritus of the Department of Pediatrics at tion and is a nationally recognized clinical, currently serves as Secretary of the Board Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY, training and research center of excellence of Directors. He is the author of over 65 a department he headed for over 17 years. in the care of children with acute and articles, chapters and abstracts; a member Dr. Bonforte is a graduate of the chronic respiratory illnesses. of a number of peer societies and organi- Georgetown University School of Medicine, Dr. Bonforte has served on the commit- zations; and the recipient of numerous hon- and completed his internship, residency tees and boards of a variety of local and ors and awards. Corner Memorial Service for Dr. Eric Vanderbush memorial service and Chairmen GEORGE BRAMAN, M.D., A REVIEW PHYSICIAN IN THE for Dr. Eric Department of Medicine, HOME CARE REVIEW DEPARTMENT IS MORE THAN JUST AN Vanderbush was Nassau University ACCOMPLISHED PHYSICIAN. IN ADDITION TO HIS ACTIVITIES A held at Harlem Hospital Medical Center; FOR NYCHSRO AND HIS OTHER MEDICAL PRACTICE, HE IS A Poetry on Friday, September B.Walver Kong,Ph.D.,J.D. PUBLISHED POET. THE FOLLOWING IS A POEM FROM THE PUB- LISHED WORKS OF DOCTOR BRAMAN: 15, 2006. Dr. CEO, Association of Black Vanderbush spent most Cardiologists. Dr. Alfred of his professional Ashford, Chief and Entitlements career at Harlem Director Department of Middle age comes upon us unaware, Hospital after graduat- Medicine at Harlem The years begin to slide by unannounced, ing from Columbia’s Hospital; and countless The extra breath it takes to climb the stair, College of Physicians others. There were also and Surgeons. He many representatives from The lost or misplace key, the graying hair, served as a physician NYCHSRO/MedReview The familiar phrase blocked or mispronounced. consultant for NYCHSRO/MedReview who came to pay tribute to their col- Middle age comes upon us unaware. for over 25 years and was also a league and friend. member of the Board of Directors of The services included music from Like tax returns we need time to prepare, NYCHSRO. the ARC Choir of Harlem and very Life-long pleasures take time to be renounced. The tribute for Dr. Vanderbush was moving memories by friends, col- The extra breath it takes to climb the stair, well attended by Harlem Hospital leagues and his sister, Toni Wiarda. The modest paunch, the cautionary air, staff; Columbia University faculty; and There are no words to express the All apply in reckoning our accounts; various distinguished physician from tremendous loss felt by all of us who Middle age comes upon us unaware. around the world such as Dr. Mathew had the pleasure of working with Eric Hurley, President United Doctors and the privilege of calling him our We need to take out time to get us there, Association; Dr. Edward Healton, Sr. friend. Dr. V gave so much to so We need to deal in debits and amounts, Vice President and Medical Director many, evidenced by his involvement The extra breath it takes to climb the stair. National Rehabilitation Hospital and with so many issues concerning clients Professor Neurology at Columbia and staff at NYCHSRO/MedReview. We need a moment, coming up for air, Presbyterian Hospital and Harlem His shoes can never be filled; his influ- To pause, to measure, even to denounce Hospital; Dr. Norbert Rainford, ence was far reaching and ever-last- (Middle age comes upon us unaware) Medical Director, Empire Medicare ing. Dr. V will remain in our hearts The extra breath it takes to climb the stair. Services; Dr. Aloysius Cuylet, Director and minds, never to be forgotten.

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that popular (Xenical and Reductil are the two about 58 million American adults (26 mil- Obesity most prevalent anti-obesity drugs), as the lion men and 32 million women) are population grapples with this persistent obese. The National Institutes of Health problem. In fact, RAND Corp. has calculate that overweight and obese found that obese individuals actually individuals cost the country approxi- Costs use more healthcare services and mately $122.9 billion per medications than year – a figure comparable smokers or heavy to smoking related results. CLINICAL CATEGORY DIRECT COSTS INDIRECT COSTS TOTAL COSTS drinkers. Obesity and related ail- The annual cost of ments result in at least Heart Disease 8.8 billion N/A N/A overweight and obese $62.7 million in doctors’ individuals: $122.9 visits and $39.3 million in Osteoarthritis 21.2 billion 5.3 billion 15.9 billion billion. Direct cost: $ lost workdays each year. 64.1 billion. Indirect The condition varies by Hypertension 4.1 billion N/A N/A cost: $58.8 billion age and race with African- (comparable to the American women and the Gallbladder disease 3.4 billion 3.2 billion 0.2 billion economic costs of middle-aged population cigarette smoking). the most affected. Breast cancer 2.9 billion 1.1 billion 1.8 billion The following chart Childhood obesity is also shows the costs of on the rise. Meanwhile, common diseases but Endometrial cancer 933 million 310 million 623 million surgical procedures and only as they relate to drugs to reduce obesity weight problems and Colon cancer 3.5 billion 1.3 billion 2.2 billion have become increasingly obesity: The Trip of a Lifetime: Assemblyman Dov Hikind’s Chizuk Mission to Northern Israel By, Joseph B. Stamm, President CEO., MedReview, Inc.

hat started out as a routine trip to Israel Saturday coverage particularly Sky News and CNN who continuously night, 7/29/06 quickly turned into the trip of a life- showed the plight of the Lebanese population; the elderly , the W time. A group of eighteen fearless or perhaps “foolish” children who were being indiscriminately massacred by the people led by Assemblyman Dov Hikind went on a mission to “ruthless” Israeli army despite conflicting reports that proved show solidarity and support to Israel in general and to the brave this was not true. The shameless statement of the UN Secretary Israeli soldiers in particular. You could feel that this trip was General Kofi Annan which accused the Israeli army of deliber- going to be special when it began with prayers for peace on the ately bombing the UN peace keeping personnel was a continua- plane. After an uneventful flight which landed us in Lod Airport tion of the one-sided reporting that prevailed throughout our Sunday afternoon, mission. Nothing was the Israeli customs mentioned of the direct were shocked to learn hits on the innocent that we were on a Israeli population or the mission exclusively to devastating impact on the North where the Israeli economy Hezbollah missiles which was enduring a were falling, with our complete halt of first destination tourism, most notably in being Haifa. the north during the The customs agent height of tourism sea- could not compre- son. Nothing was men- hend why we were tioned about the travelling against the cramped bunkers where tide with 30% of the innocent Israeli families, residents of Haifa men, women and chil- and 70% of the resi- dren, had to stay for dents of Tzefat leav- more than 3 weeks. ing to safer destina- Children who were look- tions (Eilat, ing forward to spending Jerusalem). She their summer vacation asked me, “Do you on trips throughout the want to die in Haifa?” country had to endure Realization set in the nightmare of con- early on with our stant bombardment. arrival at Lot Hotel in Haifa, finding soldiers and the press were For one brief period the members of the mission, which the only guests at the hotel. Channel 7 news reporter N.J. included City Councilman David Weprin, Rabbis Gershon Burkett who was reporting live from Northern Israel was sur- Tannenbaum and Rabbi David Algazi, were forced to run for prised to learn that we were not even equipped with helmets and cover due to the Hezbollah rockets landing nearby. bullet proof vests. Unfortunately, this is the same situation Israeli families had to The truth is we did come with 50 vests and helmets but they endure for weeks. were for the Zaka organization, the brave individuals who are on On the positive side was the overwhelming outpouring of the scene of every tragedy that occurs in Israel. Assemblyman unity among around the world and in Israel. The thousands of Hikind, in a moving ceremony, presented Zaka with more than volunteers throughout the country who came to assist the plight $25,000 for vests and helmets (which he quickly accumulated of the northern residents, civilians, and soldiers alike, was heart- after announcing on the Dov Hikind Show that he was collecting ening. money for that purpose.) Throughout our mission, whether at a The mission gave the participants the opportunity to see first debriefing by military personnel as to the current status of the hand the constant attacks that Israel endured. Over 1,100 homes war against the Hezbollah, or in talking with local officials e.g. received direct hits from Hezbollah rockets. Our visit with the mayors of Haifa, Nahariya, Maalot, Kiryat Shmona and wounded soldiers in Rambam Hospital in Haifa was moving and Metulla, the unifying theme was that Israel, must complete its greatly appreciated by the wounded soldiers. Most notable, how- mission, the destruction of Hezbollah. ever, was our visit with the Israeli soldiers stationed in Maalot; In discussion with the local residents throughout northern how appreciative they were in receiving 500 pairs of socks and Israel, it was clear that all were prepared to endure hardships underwear from Assemblyman Hikind in another humanitarian and continue staying in bunkers despite the economic losses due presentation. The soldiers were given refreshments and drinks, to no tourism, no farming, and no commerce. Israel’s actions but most of all they appreciate receiving moral support, knowing were necessary to once and for all achieve security from the con- that they were not alone and that world Jewry was behind them. stant bombardment of artillery shells from the Hezbollah cow- For those who attended the mission it was a trip of a life time. ards who use innocent civilians as human shields. With special thanks to our leader Assemblyman Dov Hikind who What was most disturbing was the one-sidedness of the news had the foresight and tenacity to undertake this “crazy” mission. THE VUES • • 718.377.8016 AUGUST 12 to AUGUST 18, 2006 NYCHSRO/MEDREVIEW Takes to the Seas

YCHSRO/MedReview continued its tradi- N tion of a summer outing with a fun-filled boat ride around Manhattan. Staff mem- bers from all over the New York area gathered at the Circle Line pier on a hot and sunny day in July to participate in this special event. The weather was perfect and the scenery spec- tacular as the boat circled lower Manhattan, giv- ing everyone views of the Statue of Liberty, the New York City skyline, and the NYCHSRO/MedReview office. An elaborate lun- cheon was served (including delicious kosher meals) and there were drinks and fun for every- one. The entertainment included a D.J. who pro- vided music which had many of the NYCH- SRO/MedReview family up and dancing. Others just sat back on deck and relaxed, enjoying the view and the sun. The summer outing is always a special day for staff members, particularly those who do not work in the central office. It gives them the opportunity to renew old acquaintances and meet new employees who have joined the organization since the last event. The boat ride was a huge success and everyone went home looking forward to next summer when they can participate in another exciting outing.

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