Private practice has public value
Kristen Consillio’s article accurately describes an expanding problem that can also be recognized as the impending demise of the private practice of medicine and surgery in this country (“Hospitals sap private practices,” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 9).
The increasing numbers of physicians willing to work in institutional medicine rather than incur the greater costs of setting up and maintaining private practices should alarm the public. Health care planning dominated by institutional medicine may not be so healthy for patients.
It is a fact that, at least in ophthalmology, many of the innovations in eye care were discovered by private practitioners, not by physicians working for institutions.
Innovative treatments for eye diseases now universally accepted include early surgery for crossed eyes, small incision and intraocular lenses for cataracts and lasers for diabetic eye disease.
Malcolm Ing, M.D.
Nuuanu
Voters must stay politically active
Donald Trump has surprised virtually all who profess to understand American politics by becoming the 2016 Republican nominee for president of the United States.
His success seems to be based on his business experience and his ability to speak to Americans who feel disenfranchised by our ruling government parties, whose policies bankrupt our government and by extension its citizens.
However, as we near the general election, new controversial information about both candidates has surfaced that challenges a voter’s gag reflex.
American voters will choose Trump, Hillary Clinton or a third-party candidate. Once the president is chosen, Americans must remain involved in the political process to ensure that our government leaders understand and respond to critical concerns that citizens face every day.
Our government’s priority must be focused on the issues facing U.S. citizens and formulating policies that ensure fair treatment for all.
John Tamashiro
Pearl City
Are Trump fans just like him?
What will all of Donald Trump’s die-hard fans do after he loses the presidential election?
How will they be able to live with themselves after they have spread his outrageous lies, hate and discontent?
How they can be proud of themselves is unbelievable.
Maybe they are just like him: callous, deceitful, narcissistic and vindictive.
Many of the Fox News announcers are Trump sycophants. When Trump makes grossly offensive remarks, they try to manipulate the media by stating that he didn’t say it like that or it wasn’t what he meant. They and the majority of the Republican Congress are self-serving individuals who are working to make our country worse with their negative comments and actions.
All the revelations about Trump’s businesses and charitable transactions are indisputable, yet his supporters claim he’s a genius and a generous billionaire.
When will Trump’s supporters face the truth?
Howard Char
Kaneohe
Talk about real political issues
I am not in favor of Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump becoming our next president.
The exposure of Trump’s so-called locker room talk has generated a lot of criticism from the general public, Congress and others.
May I suggest that all the critics, male or female, who have made harsh remarks about Trump step forward as qualified to cast the first stone at him.
I would like to meet this seemingly godlike person who is without sin.
Please get back to the real election issues and stop the mudslinging. Our allies and other nations are laughing at us.
James Mun
Kapolei
Tax will penalize those in suburbs
So the state is thinking of implementing a mileage tax so those who drive more get taxed more (“Charging by mile, not by fuel,” Star-Advertiser, Sept. 16).
I understand the why, but it just feels like we’re getting taxed for not being able to afford to live in town.
Kwai Leung Goo
Moanalua
DOT deceitful about gas tax
In response to state Department of Transportation (DOT) studies on “replacing” or “switching” gas tax revenues with a mileage tax, do not believe them when they say “switch” or “replace.”
DOT reported fuel tax revenue has flattened. Because these funds could decrease, DOT wants to raise the fuel tax.
Why would DOT need federal grant money to study ways to switch or replace the fuel tax when it is looking to increase the fuel tax at the pump?
Shouldn’t they be figuring out ways to lower the gas tax rate, if they are pushing to switch or replace it?
Do not believe it. A mileage tax will not replace the gas tax, only add to it.
Lance Mahoe
Waianae
Navy statements not very helpful
The Moanalua meeting was an opportunity for the Navy to explain why its plan was rejected and how it will revise it (“Navy hears from critics of its tanks on Red Hill,” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 7). However, the community is still in the dark.
We were first told this was a 20-year project. The revised plan adds seven more years.
The Board of Water Supply stated that the water is safe for now, but old metals deteriorate. With time, safeguarding the drinking water will become more difficult.
The Navy said if the jet fuel leaks, it will clean it up with a filtration system. In the meantime, the Navy has not considered asking Congress to assess the eventual retirement of the Red Hill tanks.
The Navy said it needs the fuel to protect us. We need pure water to remain healthy.
Let’s hold more community-sponsored hearings to address what’s best for our children’s children.
Cullen Hayashida
Moanalua Gardens
Lau, Water Board on side of public
Mahalo to Ernie Lau and the Board of Water Supply for their tremendous work keeping the public informed about the Red Hill fuel tanks and safety of Oahu’s drinking water. Lau’s fidelity to the people of Hawaii is appreciated.
Nadia Garcia
Halawa
Ferry could be self-sustaining
If the state built an interisland ferry, would the benefits exceed the cost (“Federal funds will help state conduct study on new ferries,” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 3)?
Initial costs would be expensive (the two previous Superferry catamarans cost $90 million each), but over time, a ferry should be able to pay off its debt and start to generate revenue.
Further, the price of a ferry looks a lot more practical than the $8 billion cost of rail, which ultimately will benefit only a small percentage of Hawaii residents.
A ferry would provide cost-effective interisland travel for residents, as opposed to the rising air fares. It also would be a tourist attraction.
Aidan Wong
Kapolei
35 responses to “Private practice has public value”
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Howard Char clearly is suffering from a Clinton induced Three Monkey Syndrome. When it comes to Hillary, he sees no evil, hears no evil and speaks no evil.
I love how the media makes Trump out to be the one in bed with the Ruaaians. Heck, 4 years ago, Obama chided Romney for even suggesting Russia was a threat. “The 1980s called, they want their foreign policy back”, he joked. The audience laughed. Obama was caught on a hot mic telling then Prime Minister of Russia to “not worry, he’ll have more flexibility after the election”..meaning, Americans won’t go for my soft BS style on you guys now, but when I no longer have to worry about Americans re-electing me, I’ll bend over for ya. Hillary gave them a “reset” button..hoping a cute cartoon red button would convince the Russians not to proceed with their imperialist, Cold War agenda.
And the leftist media wants to try and paint Donald Trump as this pro-Russia anti-American demon?!?! He was a real estate investor for Gods sake!
The liberal media is so corrupt it is sickening. If voters fall for this, they are un-informed. If un-informed voters decide this election it is a travesty. The greatest con ever pulled on America was Obama. Unfortunately those same idiots as are going to elect Hillary as well. It ain’t funny anymore.
Howard, we Trump supporters are deplorable and not redeemable!! We are proud everyday Americans that respect God and our fellow Americans that Hillary does not like and maybe you do not either.
Kwai, with the governor’s green initiative, shifting to a mileage tax from a gas tax was inevitable. Even with without electric cars, the increasing fuel mileage standards issued by the federal government will result in less gas being consumed meaning less gas tax being collected. If you support this green initiative, then you knew or should have known that this was eventually going to be an unintended consequence that would have a negative impact on the middle class and working poor who just wanted to have a nice place to live in, regardless of traffic.
While I sympathize with Kwai, I see another angle. If you live out west, then there is more road to use and maintain so commensurate to your use of the roads, it’s only fair that we are taxed by usage.
I don’t believe this should be in addition to what we already pay however.
It will always be an additional tax, “they” will never stop taking our money. I think if “they” are going to add this tax we should also do away with auto insurance and have it pay at the pump. Then everyone has insurance. if someone wants additional coverage they go buy it.
As more and more comes out on all the corruption in Washington DC. I’m afraid this isn’t just about the Clinton’s. This is what is uniting the democrat and Republican parties, against Trump to keep him out of office at all cost. He has become a independent uncontrollable catalyst willing to expose back door deals. The two parties keep getting rich off and leave office rich. The money going into the pockets most likely is bigger the voters can even phantom. The lobbyist have proven one thing if nothing else. No politician is to big to buy looking at the people we have in Washington today at least. That goes for “BOTH PARTIES “. They have begin to feel like the untouchables and aren’t from it becoming a fact of life. Vote Donald J. Trump !
Well said Wazdat. This election isn’t just about Hillary vs Truump. There are thousands in DC who want Hillary to win, from both parties, so they can keep their jobs. We do need an outsider to shake things up. Dems in Congress are set for life, so they are first interested in keeping their gig going. The media will continue to cover topics only favorable to Hillary.
“DOT reported fuel tax revenue has flattened. Because these funds could decrease, DOT wants to raise the fuel tax.”>>> More “inventions” to tax more. Doing it under the guise of being more fair but you hit the nail on the head – taxing those who can’t afford to live closer to their jobs. People have just got to say NO to more taxation EVEN when it hits “the other guy” cause, believe me, they’ll be coming back around a time or two in some creative way to get more from YOU. Enough is enough.
so true. I already contacted my State Rep and let him know my feelings.
Requirements for cars and trucks to meet higher miles-per-gallon standards and the increase in hybrid vehicles and EVs has reduced the amount of revenue generated by the gas tax. The DOT is using a grant to determine if a usage tax would be a better option. Those who drive the most would pay the most. Oregon has successfully begun adopting such a tax. In the meantime, the amount of funds available to repair our roads is decreasing. The DOT has no choice but to ask for a higher tax to maintain our highways, until they determine if a usage tax is feasible. If you want decent roads you have to pay for them.
maybe if they used the gas tax to maintain the roads and not siphon off money for other projects we would not have to have this conversation.
No, the State has the money to maintain roads but never does because of a poorly performing DOT.
No one likes to pay taxes but people generally like poor roads less. Republicans think they can just wave a magic wand and all problems will go away is just not realistic. People need to just say No to republican voodoo.
boots, your voodoo rhetoric is getting old. We are in a democrat run state and our roads are among the worst in the country, as are our schools and our taxes are among the highest in the country.
There’s no magic wand, but without change, we are doing the same thing over and over and expecting better results. And that is the definition of insanity.
Yes, fortunately we are in a democratic state. Republicans have never offered anything except promised change. But how realistic is this? Not very in my opinion. I want something other than Voodoo.
Boots: “”Yes, fortunately we are in a democratic state””
So we can have the worst roads, sewers and schools in the country while paying the highest taxes?
Actually, Hawaii didn’t even make the list of the top 10 states with the highest taxes for 2016. (previously we were about #8 or #9) Kind of surprised me too.
If we take out the costs of education from the state budget… we probably fall to about the middle of the pack. In other states, school districts are not funded by the state.
And if we compare ourselves in term of education and roads to those states in the middle of the pack, my guess is that we are about the same or better.
Our educations funds are more equitably distributed and we have less roads while driving less in excellent weather.
Republicans??? What republicans, this is Hawaii, there are no republican politicians and there hasn’t been for over 60 years?
Hawaii used to be a republican state. During the first half of the 20th century, it was controlled by republicans. Since then it has been controlled by democrats. After seeing both, I prefer the democrats.
Sadly there are a lot of republicans around but they have now joined the democratic party as the republican party doesn’t offer anything.
boots your rhetoric is lame and getting old.
Yes, we GET IT, boots…we’re SO lucky to be in a Dem state with ZERO GOP influence.
So…WHY IS THIS STATE STILL SO BLOODY FUBAR???????
Please enlighten me….
Boots, Hawaii was not a state in the 1st half of the 20th Century.
Boots, what is your problem? I can’t figure out if you’re a freshman in high school who was bullied, or a retired curmudgeon. C’mon, lighten up. You’re not going to influence anyone by being “Boots”.
“Ferry could be self-sustaining”>>> Wow. Just wow. Based on WHAT track record? Any? Are ya kidding me?
Why doesn’t Young Brothers have a ferry in their fleet???
they won’t make money off it. If they could make money off it, it would already exist.
IRT: “Our government’s priority must be focused on the issues facing U.S. citizens and formulating policies that ensure fair treatment for all.” …. and apple pie! As long as the big money carrot is dangling in front of our politicians the general public will not be well served. It is disturbing to think about what kind of a world our descendants will inherit.
Our descendants are going to inherit perpetual taxes and expenses for the boondoggle called “rail-henge”.
But few seem to care, or they aren’t paying attention. There is the political class who will benefit from rail long into the future. I wonder if Ukublue will ever use rail, except for maybe the inaugural trip.
Dr. Ing makes an excellent point. The ACA discourages private practice through its regulations. The Quality of health care will suffer ubder the ACA. All who believe a “single payer system” is desirable, watch C-Span when they discuss healthcare in British Parliament, then you’ll understand what rationed care looks like. Notice that Congress and the Administration are exempt from the ACA. I wonder why?
In the long run, health care standards by the ACA will benefit doctors as well as patients.
For example, standards for health care databases will help doctors by reducing the number of papers they push.
On the computer, the information is automatically available to all insurers.
IRT Howard Char. When I read your description of the candidate, one could ask, which candidate are you referring to? Describing the candidate is the coordinated narrative the mainstream media and the Democratic Party. They will do anything to avoid talking about issues like the economy, the middle East, the VA, the status of our military, the open border, the huge increase in welfare/food stamps, radical Islam, and especially the racial divide in the country. You’d think women would be most concerned about those topics. Maybe they would if those topics were front and center in the media and in debates.
regarding the mileage tax. So we going after all the motorist who drive electric cars. These are people who pay taxes etc. Now what about the motorist who has no ins. registration, safety check. How is the state going to catch those people. At least with the gas tax you get those with no ins. etc.