Peter K
@unclebanjo.bsky.social
Reposted by Peter K
Reposted by Peter K
"BREAKING" is exactly what it is.
BREAKING: Everyone at the Department of Health and Human Services who sets federal poverty guidelines, which determine whether tens of millions of Americans are eligible for programs like Medicaid, food assistance, child care, and more, has been fired.
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Trump HHS Eliminates Office That Sets Poverty Levels Tied to Benefits for 80 Million People - KFF Health News
Recent cuts eliminated a small, specialized workforce that sets the poverty standards determining who is eligible for Medicaid as well as assistance with food, home heating, child care, and more.
kffhealthnews.org
April 11, 2025 at 3:42 PM
"BREAKING" is exactly what it is.
Reposted by Peter K
NEW: Blue Cross authorized mastectomies & breast reconstructions at one hospital, then refused to pay the full doctors' bills.
BUT...
The insurer did make some exceptions.
On several occasions, Blue Cross execs signed deals to pay for their wives’ treatment.
By @tchristianmiller.bsky.social
BUT...
The insurer did make some exceptions.
On several occasions, Blue Cross execs signed deals to pay for their wives’ treatment.
By @tchristianmiller.bsky.social
“Slow Pay, Low Pay or No Pay”
Blue Cross authorized mastectomies and breast reconstructions for women with cancer but refused to pay the full doctors’ bills. A jury called it fraud and awarded the practice $421 million.
www.propublica.org
April 12, 2025 at 9:10 AM
NEW: Blue Cross authorized mastectomies & breast reconstructions at one hospital, then refused to pay the full doctors' bills.
BUT...
The insurer did make some exceptions.
On several occasions, Blue Cross execs signed deals to pay for their wives’ treatment.
By @tchristianmiller.bsky.social
BUT...
The insurer did make some exceptions.
On several occasions, Blue Cross execs signed deals to pay for their wives’ treatment.
By @tchristianmiller.bsky.social
Reposted by Peter K
NEW: Of the 7,837 disputed procedures in the lawsuit, involving 1,680 patients, Blue Cross paid this breast cancer center about 9 cents on the dollar, paying $43M on invoices totaling $500M.
Some 60% of the claims weren’t reimbursed at all.
Some 60% of the claims weren’t reimbursed at all.
“Slow Pay, Low Pay or No Pay”: Trial Reveals How Insurers Try to Wield Power Over Doctors
Blue Cross authorized mastectomies and breast reconstructions for women with cancer but refused to pay the full doctors’ bills. A jury called it fraud and awarded the practice $421 million.
propub.li
April 12, 2025 at 11:00 AM
NEW: Of the 7,837 disputed procedures in the lawsuit, involving 1,680 patients, Blue Cross paid this breast cancer center about 9 cents on the dollar, paying $43M on invoices totaling $500M.
Some 60% of the claims weren’t reimbursed at all.
Some 60% of the claims weren’t reimbursed at all.
Reposted by Peter K
People died as a result. More will die.
My latest story: The CDC Buried a Measles Forecast That Stressed the Need for Vaccinations. The move — along with the CDC’s explanation — is a sign that the public health agency may be falling in line under HHS Secretary RFK Jr. www.propublica.org/article/meas...
The CDC Buried a Measles Forecast That Stressed the Need for Vaccinations
The move — along with the CDC’s explanation — is a sign that the nation’s top public health agency may be falling in line under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime critic of vaccines.
www.propublica.org
March 29, 2025 at 3:07 AM
People died as a result. More will die.
Reposted by Peter K
Doctors call it the Physiology of Poverty:
The stress of trying to survive every day breaks the mind and the body.
That's why working class people in America live SEVEN years shorter than the very wealthy.
The stress of trying to survive every day breaks the mind and the body.
That's why working class people in America live SEVEN years shorter than the very wealthy.
March 29, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Doctors call it the Physiology of Poverty:
The stress of trying to survive every day breaks the mind and the body.
That's why working class people in America live SEVEN years shorter than the very wealthy.
The stress of trying to survive every day breaks the mind and the body.
That's why working class people in America live SEVEN years shorter than the very wealthy.
Reposted by Peter K
Yes a shutdown would have consequences.
And a Republican President, Republican House, and Republican Senate would be responsible.
They have acted in a unilateral and unprecedented way.
Democrats cannot cave. They must fight back.
And a Republican President, Republican House, and Republican Senate would be responsible.
They have acted in a unilateral and unprecedented way.
Democrats cannot cave. They must fight back.
March 14, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Yes a shutdown would have consequences.
And a Republican President, Republican House, and Republican Senate would be responsible.
They have acted in a unilateral and unprecedented way.
Democrats cannot cave. They must fight back.
And a Republican President, Republican House, and Republican Senate would be responsible.
They have acted in a unilateral and unprecedented way.
Democrats cannot cave. They must fight back.
Reposted by Peter K
Musk says millions of dead people get Social Security. That's a lie. Here's the truth: 30,000 people die a year waiting for an understaffed Social Security to approve disability benefits. Musk's plan to cut Social Security's staff by 50% will make this tragic reality even worse.
March 7, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Musk says millions of dead people get Social Security. That's a lie. Here's the truth: 30,000 people die a year waiting for an understaffed Social Security to approve disability benefits. Musk's plan to cut Social Security's staff by 50% will make this tragic reality even worse.
Reposted by Peter K
We have been told no purchases for 30 days beyond those exceptions above.
Here is what is being lost:
-maintenance of critical infrastructure (e.g., water systems, dams, facilities, security features) that requires tools or supplies.
-payment for training for employees.
-heavy equipment repair.
Here is what is being lost:
-maintenance of critical infrastructure (e.g., water systems, dams, facilities, security features) that requires tools or supplies.
-payment for training for employees.
-heavy equipment repair.
March 2, 2025 at 7:38 PM
We have been told no purchases for 30 days beyond those exceptions above.
Here is what is being lost:
-maintenance of critical infrastructure (e.g., water systems, dams, facilities, security features) that requires tools or supplies.
-payment for training for employees.
-heavy equipment repair.
Here is what is being lost:
-maintenance of critical infrastructure (e.g., water systems, dams, facilities, security features) that requires tools or supplies.
-payment for training for employees.
-heavy equipment repair.
Reposted by Peter K
Hi @cantwell.senate.gov, @amyklobuchar.com, @schatz.bsky.social, @edmarkey.bsky.social, @peters.senate.gov, @baldwin.senate.gov, @duckworth.senate.gov, @kim.senate.gov, @lujan.senate.gov, don't you have jurisdiction over FAA via Commerce Committee?
Lot of bad shit happening there. Like this 👇🏼
Lot of bad shit happening there. Like this 👇🏼
FAA officials ordered staff on Friday to find tens of millions of dollars for a Starlink deal, sources tell us, and most or all of these directives came verbally, which we are told is highly unusual.
w/ @swin24.bsky.social @rollingstone.com www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
w/ @swin24.bsky.social @rollingstone.com www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
FAA Officials Ordered Staff to Find Funding for Elon Musk's Starlink
After Trump and Musk gutted the Federal Aviation Administration, the agency directed staff to locate tens of millions of dollars for a Starlink deal.
www.rollingstone.com
March 2, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Hi @cantwell.senate.gov, @amyklobuchar.com, @schatz.bsky.social, @edmarkey.bsky.social, @peters.senate.gov, @baldwin.senate.gov, @duckworth.senate.gov, @kim.senate.gov, @lujan.senate.gov, don't you have jurisdiction over FAA via Commerce Committee?
Lot of bad shit happening there. Like this 👇🏼
Lot of bad shit happening there. Like this 👇🏼
Reposted by Peter K
NEW: Senator Marshall (R-KS) RUNS AWAY, fleeing his own town hall after being asked about DOGE firing Veterans. MAKE HIM GO VIRAL.
March 1, 2025 at 6:21 PM
NEW: Senator Marshall (R-KS) RUNS AWAY, fleeing his own town hall after being asked about DOGE firing Veterans. MAKE HIM GO VIRAL.
Reposted by Peter K
If DOGE is a federal agency, it can’t shield its records from the public.
If it’s not an agency, then its tens of millions of dollars in funding weren’t legally allocated and should be returned, some contend.
If it’s not an agency, then its tens of millions of dollars in funding weren’t legally allocated and should be returned, some contend.
DOGE’s Millions: As Musk and Trump Gut Government, Their Ax-Cutting Agency Gets Cash Infusion
The Department of Government Efficiency is funded — and acts — like a federal agency. But the White House has shielded DOGE from the rules that govern such agencies, ProPublica found as it examines…
propub.li
March 2, 2025 at 2:00 AM
If DOGE is a federal agency, it can’t shield its records from the public.
If it’s not an agency, then its tens of millions of dollars in funding weren’t legally allocated and should be returned, some contend.
If it’s not an agency, then its tens of millions of dollars in funding weren’t legally allocated and should be returned, some contend.
This is a fascinating read.
"What Trump and his backers want is to transform the FBI into a more overt gestapo serving their interests,... They want masks off and knives out.
...
They – all of them – are coming for America, and truth is the first line of defense."
"What Trump and his backers want is to transform the FBI into a more overt gestapo serving their interests,... They want masks off and knives out.
...
They – all of them – are coming for America, and truth is the first line of defense."
Servants of the Mafia State
Merrick Garland, Jamie Gorelick, and the truth
sarahkendzior.substack.com
March 2, 2025 at 2:23 AM
This is a fascinating read.
"What Trump and his backers want is to transform the FBI into a more overt gestapo serving their interests,... They want masks off and knives out.
...
They – all of them – are coming for America, and truth is the first line of defense."
"What Trump and his backers want is to transform the FBI into a more overt gestapo serving their interests,... They want masks off and knives out.
...
They – all of them – are coming for America, and truth is the first line of defense."
Reposted by Peter K
If the IRS were forced to disclose taxpayer information in violation of Section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code, it would set a dangerous precedent that could, in theory, be used to justify the release of anyone’s tax records—including those of high-profile individuals like Musk and Trump.
March 1, 2025 at 3:22 AM
If the IRS were forced to disclose taxpayer information in violation of Section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code, it would set a dangerous precedent that could, in theory, be used to justify the release of anyone’s tax records—including those of high-profile individuals like Musk and Trump.
Reposted by Peter K
Remember when Churchill came to the United States and FDR and Truman dressed him down for not accepting a Nazi ceasefire proposal or wanting peace enough or saying 'thank you' enough?
Yeah, I don't remember it either.
Yeah, I don't remember it either.
ZELENSKYY: Putin broke the ceasefire. What kind of diplomacy, JD, are you speaking about?
VANCE: I think it's disrespectful to come into the Oval Office and try to litigate this in front of the American media
VANCE: I think it's disrespectful to come into the Oval Office and try to litigate this in front of the American media
March 1, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Remember when Churchill came to the United States and FDR and Truman dressed him down for not accepting a Nazi ceasefire proposal or wanting peace enough or saying 'thank you' enough?
Yeah, I don't remember it either.
Yeah, I don't remember it either.
Reposted by Peter K
Please read—this is becoming serious!
March 1, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Please read—this is becoming serious!
Reposted by Peter K
Uh, just to clarify, Nobel Peace Prize winners don’t:
-demand kickbacks for peace
-call war victims "propaganda"
-take sides with the invading aggressor
-demand public "thank yous"
-kick foreign leaders out of their home
-decide to walk away from peace negotiations because their feelings got hurt.
-demand kickbacks for peace
-call war victims "propaganda"
-take sides with the invading aggressor
-demand public "thank yous"
-kick foreign leaders out of their home
-decide to walk away from peace negotiations because their feelings got hurt.
March 1, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Uh, just to clarify, Nobel Peace Prize winners don’t:
-demand kickbacks for peace
-call war victims "propaganda"
-take sides with the invading aggressor
-demand public "thank yous"
-kick foreign leaders out of their home
-decide to walk away from peace negotiations because their feelings got hurt.
-demand kickbacks for peace
-call war victims "propaganda"
-take sides with the invading aggressor
-demand public "thank yous"
-kick foreign leaders out of their home
-decide to walk away from peace negotiations because their feelings got hurt.
Reposted by Peter K
There was a time, not very long ago, when pretty much the entire Republican Party - and pretty much all conservatives - sounded like @Liz_Cheney when it comes to Russia, Ukraine, etc. But not anymore, with Putin's puppets Trump and Vance in charge... bluevirginia.us/2025/02/reps...
March 1, 2025 at 1:38 PM
There was a time, not very long ago, when pretty much the entire Republican Party - and pretty much all conservatives - sounded like @Liz_Cheney when it comes to Russia, Ukraine, etc. But not anymore, with Putin's puppets Trump and Vance in charge... bluevirginia.us/2025/02/reps...
Reposted by Peter K
"This vague and clearly unconstitutional memo is a grave attack on students, our profession, and knowledge itself," said @aftunion.bsky.social president @rweingarten.bsky.social.
Teachers Sue Trump Administration for Trying to Weaponize Civil Rights Laws | Common Dreams
"This vague and clearly unconstitutional memo is a grave attack on students, our profession, and knowledge itself," said one union leader.
www.commondreams.org
February 26, 2025 at 12:52 AM
"This vague and clearly unconstitutional memo is a grave attack on students, our profession, and knowledge itself," said @aftunion.bsky.social president @rweingarten.bsky.social.
Reposted by Peter K
For the US to side with Russia and North Korea to oppose a UN resolution condemning the illegal invasion of Ukraine defies all common sense and adds insult to the countless injuries suffered by the brave Ukrainian people. edition.cnn.com/2025/02/24/p...
US joins Russia to vote against UN resolution condemning Russia’s war against Ukraine | CNN Politics
The United States joined Russia to vote against a UN General Assembly resolution condemning Russia’s war against Ukraine Monday in a stunning shift from years of US policy.
edition.cnn.com
February 25, 2025 at 9:29 AM
For the US to side with Russia and North Korea to oppose a UN resolution condemning the illegal invasion of Ukraine defies all common sense and adds insult to the countless injuries suffered by the brave Ukrainian people. edition.cnn.com/2025/02/24/p...
Reposted by Peter K
Every GOP U.S. House Member From Virginia Votes for Budget Resolution “that would pave the way for massive cuts to critical programs impacting Virginia families” ("...in order to pass...Trump’s tax plan, which would disproportionately benefit the ultra-wealthy") bluevirginia.us/2025/02/ever...
Every Republican U.S. House Member From Virginia Votes for Horrendous Budget Resolution “that would pave the way for massive cuts to critical programs impacting Virginia families”
See below for statements on the US House's passage this evening of an appalling "budget resolution that would pave the way for massive cuts to critical programs impacting Virginia families, including
bluevirginia.us
February 26, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Every GOP U.S. House Member From Virginia Votes for Budget Resolution “that would pave the way for massive cuts to critical programs impacting Virginia families” ("...in order to pass...Trump’s tax plan, which would disproportionately benefit the ultra-wealthy") bluevirginia.us/2025/02/ever...