tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30130444.post116463744859485627..comments2024-02-16T09:00:32.845-06:00Comments on FromDC2Iowa: UI President Search VIIIUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30130444.post-1166029401601553792006-12-13T11:03:00.000-06:002006-12-13T11:03:00.000-06:00Take a look at this e-mail exchange involving Mich...Take a look at this e-mail exchange involving Michael Gartner and a reporter posted on the Press-Citizen Web site.<BR/><BR/>http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061211/NEWS01/61210001/1079/NEWSAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30130444.post-1164731677620484402006-11-28T10:34:00.000-06:002006-11-28T10:34:00.000-06:00You have to give Gov Vilsack credit for doing some...You have to give Gov Vilsack credit for doing something. He averted a 'no confidence' vote by the faculty. He avoided having to fire the offending Regents. And he must feel like the great peacemaker.<BR/><BR/>However, he did change the subject. He is attempting to change perceptions of the problems by proposing yet another layer of bureaucracy be inserted into the administration.<BR/><BR/>The problem as I see it, is that Iowa is slowly suffering economic, educational, and professional deterioration.<BR/><BR/>Power has been consolidated with some power brokers in Des Moines, who appear to be quite comfortable. Those power brokers have included the health insurance industry as a way to enhance their profits.<BR/><BR/>Probably little attention is paid by the power brokers to the Dept of History, Home Ec, even to the law school (for example) at the Univ of Iowa. However, the one piece of the health insurance industry that is needed are hospital beds and medical professionals. For that the power needs the UIHC.<BR/><BR/>If the Spanish Dept closes down, I doubt Michael Gartner gives a damn. However, if Orthopedics melts down at UIHC, Gartner, and his friends at Wellmark care alot (apparently).<BR/><BR/>The recent meeting is simply a PR bandaid and does nothing to solve the underlying problem.<BR/><BR/>The underlying problem appears to be that the health care execs are far more clever and powerful than anyone in Govt (Vilsack included) or in academia. They will have their way. <BR/><BR/>This is simply a microcosm of Washington DC, where the heavy lobbies like Bigpharma, and the Health Industry block any kind of health reform.<BR/><BR/>An investigative reporter needs to dig like crazy to understand the mess. For years the UIHC has invented a myraid of 'products' with Wellmark that make a mafia gang's oraganization look mild in an attempt to hide the truth.<BR/><BR/>The current effort is nothing short of a coup, to topple the last obsticle to Wellmark's sweet deal. The coup started with David Skorton. It has yet to end.<BR/><BR/>A reporter needs to follow the money, and follow the conficts of interest to understand what's going on.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30130444.post-1164723312043760572006-11-28T08:15:00.000-06:002006-11-28T08:15:00.000-06:00My recollection was that the first VP for Health A...My recollection was that the first VP for Health Affairs<BR/>recommended that the job be eliminated when he retired. The second VP left to go to the U. of Michigan with Coleman and was not replaced. Proof by demonstration that the first VP was right.<BR/><BR/>Looks to me like the Gov and the BOR are trying to change the subject.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30130444.post-1164701528908161362006-11-28T02:12:00.000-06:002006-11-28T02:12:00.000-06:00So, Gov. Vilsack proposes to name a VP over health...So, Gov. Vilsack proposes to name a VP over health affairs. In times of 'fiscal restraint' he wants to spend 250,0000 a year (or more) so Wellmark can be less anxious about a new president interfering in a sweetheart deal with Univ Hospitals.<BR/><BR/>I am really happy the Governor of the state continues to ensure Wellmark execs are happy. That the salt mine known as Univ Hospitals produces 'products'for Wellmark to market.<BR/><BR/>Talk about letting the Foxes mind the chicken coop? Then appointing a bureaucrat to oversee the pillage.<BR/><BR/>Iowa's own version of Tammany Hall. Only these days rather than support 'family' members with concrete businesses, Iowa supports 'family' members with health care insurance businesses.<BR/><BR/>Human behavior never really changes does it?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30130444.post-1164656680936783772006-11-27T13:44:00.000-06:002006-11-27T13:44:00.000-06:00A key question that has to be answered is why was ...A key question that has to be answered is why was Debra Freund so attractive to the Board of Regents, over the other candidates.<BR/><BR/>What health care policies does she promote?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30130444.post-1164653100426508912006-11-27T12:45:00.000-06:002006-11-27T12:45:00.000-06:00My question is this: Who actually called off the ...My question is this: Who actually called off the search?<BR/><BR/>I doubt Michael Gartner, Teresa Walhert, Ruth Harkin, or Amir Arbisser, the Regents on the search committee actually have expertise to make this call.<BR/><BR/>Gartner: journalist, and owner of a baseball team.<BR/><BR/>Wahlert: Commericial development exec. Quest Exec.<BR/><BR/>Harkin: lawyer in DC, hasn't lived in Iowa in 20 years. Perhaps thru her husband she has knowledge, but I would doubt it.<BR/><BR/>Arbisser: MD, Pac boards, and married to a member of Wellmark's board. He possibly might have some expertise on this, but he has never served as an academic. He might know who is who in the insurance industy. Can he make this call. Doubt it.<BR/><BR/>Could Forsyth, CEO of Wellmark, former Head of the Univ Iowa Board of Regents, supporter of Tom Vilsack? Possibly. And possibly he has influence (with money) over the others. However, he has reportedly not met Freund.<BR/><BR/>That leaves Tom Vilsack. I do not think Vilsack has expertise to understand who should run the Univ of Iowa.<BR/><BR/>Then who?<BR/><BR/>Marvin Pomerantz, board member of Wellmark and big contributor to U of Iowa?<BR/><BR/>Or the one person Freund has said she met - John Colloton.<BR/><BR/>Colloton is the former CEO of the Univ fo Iowa Hosp, as well as current board member of Wellmark. He was known as an iron-handed manager. He would be in the best position to know who would be a 'friend of the program (insurance industry)'.<BR/>---<BR/>What is amazing the conficts of interest this gang have over the health care economics of Iowans. What an inbred cast of characters.<BR/><BR/>Maybe not amazing, maybe scandalous.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30130444.post-1164653048702042692006-11-27T12:44:00.000-06:002006-11-27T12:44:00.000-06:00I haven't been keeping up with all this, although ...I haven't been keeping up with all this, although I should...but is this Vice-Presidency in charge of UIHC et. al. really going to amount to a "co-presidency"? That seems to be how it's laying out.<BR/><BR/>Wow...Sounds like a shakedown of the board of regents is desperately needed.Sudiegirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16803331651685046953noreply@blogger.com