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How to Cut Health Care Costs
An article in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal identifies Intermountain Healthcare and the Mayo Clinic as examples of organizations that save lives and money by focusing on clinical quality. The writer, John Goodman, is president of the National Center for Policy Analysis. The editorial points out that Mayo and Intermountain relentlessly pursue better quality and cites these organizations as examples of “efficient, high-quality care.” The article states:
“Research by John Wennberg and his colleagues at Dartmouth Medical School suggest that if everyone in America went to the Mayo Clinic, our annual health-care bill would be 25% lower (more than $500 billion!), and the average quality of care would improve. If everyone got care at Intermountain Healthcare in Salt Lake City, our health-care costs would be lowered by one-third.” You can read the full article here, but a subscription is required.
Becker’s Blog
Mayoral candidate Ralph Becker has an impressive web site. He is blogging on the site about city issues. He’s also sending out a regular campaign newsletter via e-mail, updating supporters about campaign progress and activities.
National Politics
Best Stories From . . .
-- Washington Post: Editorial says Rep. Nancy Pelosi "offered an excellent demonstration yesterday of why members of Congress should not attempt to supplant the secretary of state when traveling abroad. After a meeting with Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in Damascus, Ms. Pelosi announced that she had delivered a message from Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that 'Israel was ready to engage in peace talks' with Syria. What's more, she added, Mr. Assad was ready to 'resume the peace process' as well. ... Only one problem: The Israeli prime minister entrusted Ms. Pelosi with no such message. ... In fact, Mr. Olmert told Ms. Pelosi that 'a number of Senate and House members who recently visited Damascus received the impression that despite the declarations of Bashar Assad, there is no change in the position of his country regarding a possible peace process with Israel.' In other words, Ms. Pelosi not only misrepresented Israel's position but was virtually alone in failing to discern that Mr. Assad's words were mere propaganda" (see also related Michael Young column).
-- Associated Press: Rudy Giuliani defends "his record favoring the use of public money for abortions, saying he wouldn't try to undo a Supreme Court ruling allowing the procedures. 'Ultimately I believe it's an individual right and a woman should make that choice,' the former New York mayor said ... 'I tell people what I think. I tell them (to) evaluate me as I am and do not expect them to agree with me on everything. I don't agree with me on everything ... If that's the most important thing, then I'm comfortable with the fact you won't vote for me'" (see also related CBS News story).
-- New York Times: Questions surrounding Sen. Barack Obama's ability to "stand toe to toe with Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, at least in raising money ... [were] settled on Wednesday as Mr. Obama's presidential campaign announced raising $25 million in the first three months of the year. ... 'It's been a truly historic response,' Mr. Obama said in an e-mail message to supporters, 'a measure of just how hungry people are to turn the page on this era of small and destructive politics and repair our American community'" (see also related Los Angeles Times story).
Today in Political History
April 6, 1789: The first U.S. Congress begins regular sessions at Federal Hall in New York City.
April 6, 1917: U.S. Congress declares war on Germany. (Source: perspicuity)
Wise Words
“If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace. We seek not your counsel, nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you; May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.”
-- Samuel Adams (Source: Quotes Exchange)
Utah Trivia
Q: What are Utah’s state symbol, state animal, and state fish?
A: Symbol: The beehive (symbolizes thrift and industry). Animal: The Rocky Mountain elk. Fish: The rainbow trout. (Source: 50states)
Blog Watch
-- Utah Senate Democrats sets the record straight about the involvement of Democratic leaders like Sen. Mike Dmitrich in the passage of HB38, which appropriated funds for the Sandy soccer stadium.
-- At The Senate Site, Sen. Dan Eastman discusses Utah's new trademark law.
-- Paul Rolly reports on a developing "tug of war" between State Treasurer Ed Alter and some GOP legislators over who will replace Alter when he steps down next year.
-- Matthew Buckley takes on the “UEA cartel”: "There has been many an argument put forth as to why vouchers are a bad idea, but after even a little bit of reasoning, you realize that every one of them is hollow.” (for more on the voucher issue, see Education in Utah).
-- Michael Barone posts some insightful thoughts on Mitt Romney's Mormonism.
Casual Friday
Fishing Report
Ice is pulling back at Strawberry and Scofield. If you catch it just right, trout fishing can be excellent on the edge of the ice as it pulls away from shore on these reservoirs. That experience may be possible this weekend and into next week. At Strawberry, the Ladders has open water now and the Soldier Creek side is expected to open up quickly.
The next few weeks will bring incredible fishing at Lake Powell. Striped bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass – this spring may bring the best action ever for these species at the big lake.
Fly fishing is now good on area streams. Some are a little high and may be muddy at times, but fishing will be good overall. See Dave Webb’s complete fishing report.
Mussels Threaten Utah
Wildlife officials are working to protect Utah’s borders from an invasive, alien species. If this species sneaks into the state, it will change the way many Utahns live their lives.
This invader is called a quagga mussel. Quagga mussels and their close relative, the zebra mussel, are freshwater, bivalve mollusks that are similar to a small clam. Recently, quagga mussels were found in the Lower Colorado River drainage, including lakes Mead, Mojave and Havasu in Nevada.
Quagga mussels cluster in tremendous numbers. More than 700,000 mussels per square meter have been found in the Great Lakes. They attach themselves to hard surfaces, such as rocks, pipes, cement, anchors, cables, other quagga mussels and even the bottoms of boats. If allowed to infest the water storage reservoirs that are common in Utah, the effects will be disastrous. Learn more about this destructive mussel and what you can do to make sure it does not infest Utah’s waters at the DWR website.
Outdoors Report
-- Morning News on final weeks of skiing at Utah resorts
-- Rising popularity of NASCAR racing in the Morning News
-- View elaborate courtship ritual of the sage grouse in the Tribune
-- Morning News on Easter weekend recreation opportunities
-- Explore five southern Utah arches in the Tribune’s Hike of the Week
-- Find out about upcoming events in the Morning News’ Outdoor Notes
-- Check out the Tribune’s Outdoor Notebook and Recreation Roundup for sports and recreation activities this week
-- For the latest wildlife news and information and the fishing report visit the DWR website
New Films
-- Avenue Montaigne: Tribune review
-- The Reaping: Tribune review
-- Grindhouse: Tribune review
-- The Hoax: Tribune review
Concerts
-- Allison Jones, Zachary Millman and Kallie Hansen, vocal, Friday, 4:30 p.m., BYU Museum of Art, BYU, free
-- Amy Robinson, piano, Friday, 5:30 p.m., Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU, Provo, free
-- BYU Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU, Provo, $9 (801-422-7664)
-- Hilary Weeks, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center
-- Scott Holden, piano, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU, Provo, free
-- Rachel Cox, voice, Friday, 9:30 p.m., Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU, Provo, free
-- Ballroom in Concert, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, 2 p.m., Marriott Center, BYU, Provo, $10-$25 (800-322-2981 or 801-422-2981)
-- U. Modern Dance Senior Class, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Alice Sheets Marriott Center for Dance, U. campus
-- U. Singers & A Cappella Choir, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Gardner Hall
-- Bachauer winner with the Utah Symphony, Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m., Abravanel Hall
-- Tally Turner, viola, Saturday, 12:30 p.m., BYU Museum of Art, BYU, Provo, free
-- Guitar Ensemble, Saturday, 2 p.m., Maeser Building, BYU, Provo, free
-- Jay Roberts, bass trombone, Saturday, 2:15 p.m., BYU Museum of Art, BYU, Provo, free
-- Daniel Smith, guitar, Saturday, 3:45 p.m., BYU Museum of Art, BYU, Provo, free
-- Anna White, piano, Saturday, 5:30 p.m., Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU, Provo, free
-- Brass Chamber Night, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Tanner Building, Room 251, BYU, Provo, free
-- Panoramic Steel and Percussion Ensemble, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU, Provo, $9 (801-422-7664)
-- Momix, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Eccles Center for the Performing Arts
-- Honors String Quartet, Saturday, 9:30 p.m., Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU, Provo, free
Theater
-- “Hamlet” through April 7, Pardoe Theatre, BYU
-- “Little Women, the Musical” through April 7, Hale Centre Theatre
-- “The Pirates of Penzance” through April 7, Terrace Plaza Playhouse
-- “The Secret Garden” through April 7, Imagine Ballet Theatre
-- “Guys and Dolls” through April 14, Center Street Musical Theatre
-- “Lucky Stiff” through April 14, Hale Center Theater Orem
-- “The Busy Body” through April 15, dates and times vary, Babcock Theatre
-- “The Sound of Music” through April 21, Rodgers Memorial Theatre
-- “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” through April 21, Empress Theatre
-- “Rounding Third” through April 22, Salt Lake Acting Company
-- “Phantom of the Grand Ol' Opry” through June 9, Desert Star Cabaret Theatre
Museum Exhibits
-- The 3rd Annual Arte Lation: A Celebration of Latino Art in Utah Exhibition, La Loteria: An Exploration of Mexico Exhibition, both exhibits run through April 20, Kimball Art Center
-- Resonance and Return: Social Documentary Photography, 1935-Present Exhibition through May 19, Salt Lake Art Center
-- From Above: Images of a Storied Land Exhibition through May 20, Utah Museum of Natural History, University of Utah
-- The Quiet Landscapes of William B. Post Exhibition through May 28, Museum of Art, Brigham Young University
-- Brian Kershisnik: Painting from Life Exhibition through July 1, Utah Museum of Fine Arts, University of Utah
Et Cetera
-- Easter Bonnet Parade, Saturday, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., The Gateway
-- Orchid Show, Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Red Butte Garden
-- Utah Fiber Celebration, through April 11, Utah Cultural Celebration Center |
