Kansas Jackass

[proud2BlibKansan]

Have you all seen this site? It's pretty neat.

http://kansasjackass.blogspot.com/

[galloglas]

1. Woot! Woot! n/t

[patrice]

2. TKS!! Did you see the frontpage story for May 2?? Kathy Greenlee is going to be Under-secretary for

Aging!!

The reason that's important is that there ARE serious supporters of ALTERNATIVE economic models amongst the younger leaders in Kansas Long-Term Care (because of a guy named Dr. Bill Thomas, out of Baker University, who is all about this http://www.ncbcapitalimpact.org/default.aspx?id=146 ). The Senate Finance Commitee has already voted these Greenhouses one of their preferred models for investing in the future of Elder Care in the U.S. Dr. Bill Thomas's followers are all about elevating the professional status of the lowest paid workers in the system, Environmentally sound construction and operation, AND creating opportunities for private equity. Depending upon how it all works out this could turn into (amongst other things) Employee Ownership, because Federal Regulations (the OBRA) historically have not prohibit Residents of long-term care from also being employed by the Communities that they live in. And, btw, I'm also discovering support amongst the professional staff for Single Payer; there were LTC nurses at the All Souls gathering you and I attended last month.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. I did see that

It's great news.

Sure is nice to see some great Kansans having the opportunity to serve their country.

[patrice]

4. Our Financial Crises are bringing focus on cost-efficiences in LTC and, hence, on the Workers.

Focus on the Workers is causing leadership to think in broader terms about what the communities of the future will be (e.g. amongst other things, how low-level staff have educational and child-care needs). I was talking to a Director of Nursing yesterday who was right with me on the need for Residents to have, as much as possible and with specific care to avoid abuses, actual work that contributes to the good of the whole, because this will help them feel better about themselves and, thus, be as healthy as they can be. Many changes are coming.

[patrice]

5. P.S. Kathy Greenlee is right in tune with this stuff. She has visited our home and knows

exactly what is going on in LTC, good and bad.

[beyurslf]

6. I still consider one of Gov. Sebelius' worst mistakes choosing this Republi--ahem! Democrat

as her Lt. Gov. She had to know she would be on any short list for VP, and if a Dem won, on a number of short lists for Cabinet positions. She could have positioned a Democrat to take over ad instead she left us with this Republican wanna-be.