Joy has never been invited and she wants to point out that she is not inviting any of them to her daughter’s wedding- they are quite disappointed, I am sure.

While they think it is wonderful she is invited, neither Joy nor Rosie would go even if they were invited.

***

Joy: I would not go to the White House
Barbara: It’s the White House and the President- That’s wrong
Joy: I have my principles
Rosie: You wouldn’t go- interesting

***

They discuss how Joy wouldn’t go even to tell him what she thinks… and then Rosie chimes in:

***

Rosie: I don’t think I would go either. I hadn’t thought of it until you said it but I probably wouldn’t go either

***

Good news for the White House- It can save the money on the postage for their invitations.

Rosie got 6165 votes and was ranked number 82 on the list. Sanjaya, ranked number 3, received 164,151 votes. I am not sure what that might tell you about this particular list…

To see a great photo of Rosie and learn why Time thinks Rosie is the 82^nd most influential person in the world, click here.

***

Rosie: Well we have to take a break and I think for tomorrow’s show we should count how many times they use the word terrorist and war on terror are used to given the American public. We have been spoon fed it until we are all robotic zombies
Elisabeth: I am not a robotic zombie
Rosie: Listen – you’re afraid of terrorists. They’re phantom people to you
Elisabeth: No they’re not. They’re not phantom people at all. I see them slitting the throats of reporters on television

(Joy laughing)

****

Joy’s laughter is very disturbing. Is it funny that terrorists slit throats? Is it funny that the mainstream media ignores the slaughter of innocents by the terrorists?

This is not funny. There is nothing to laugh at.

She should be ashamed of herself.

Elisabeth, again the only voice of reason, accurately explains that the terrorists brainwash children while Rosie throws out her belief that Americans are terrorists, too:

***

Elisabeth: I see them taking prisoners
Rosie: When Americans do this in our country- when that guy we
Elisabeth: It’s horrible
Rosie: It’s horrible. There are horrible people in every country but there are people. Mothers and fathers
Elisabeth: Absolutely. But guess what- I’m just talking about the terrorist that people- that twelve year old that slit the throat last week of somebody. That was because he was brainwashed by terrorists
Rosie: six hundred and fifty
Elisabeth: Those are real people. Terrorists are real
Rosie: Listen, Elisabeth. Last comment. 655,000 Iraqis, innocent civilians killed
Elisabeth: That is completely unfortunate
Rosie: 655, 000
Elisabeth: That could be everybody in here. I am equating our civilians with their civilians. I am not equating terrorists with our civilians or their civilians
Rosie: 3000 of our civilians were killed by their terrorists and 600,000 of them are dead.And no one wants to say one life is worth more than the other. This is one world. One planet

***

Rosie refuses to accept the fact that the 600,000 people killed in Iraq did not die at the hands of the U.S. military. These poor people died at the hands of the same terrorists who killed the Americans in New York, Washington, DC and Pennsylvania.

This may be one world and one planet but that doesn’t mean that we all have one goal or one dream. Wake up, Rosie!

Terrorists are the problem, not the United States government and the people of this country who want the Iraqis to be free and the rest of us to remain free.

***

Joy: Its unbelievable how split everybody is about this. It’s like you can’t come to a conclusion about this- it’s impossible right now, until he is out of office and somebody else has a fresh idea about what to do with the Middle East

***

We’d all love to hear a fresh idea about the Middle East- there aren’t any fresh ideas, and George Bush leaving office will not solve the problems there. The problem in Iraq didn’t begin because of George Bush. Radical Muslims were attacking us and plotting against us well before the name George W. Bush had ever been uttered in the White House.

Thankfully, Bush has continued to stand his ground. His veto of the timelines sends the message that he stands with the Iraqi people. They need to know that we will not run away, leaving them to the terrorists, who will surely kill many of them if we leave.

Elisabeth correctly assesses the situation:

***
Elisabeth: We’re going to see a consequence to that
Joy: We are in a checkmate right now
Elisabeth: We are and guess who’s laughing
Rosie: Who’s laughing?
Elisabeth: laughing all the way home
Rosie: the terrorists?
Elisabeth: I’m just telling you, absolutely they are. We can’t get our own act together in this country and that’s sad when you’re at war to be at a weakened state when you are at war with something so great and they are waiting. They are waiting for this next election

***

The terrorists are shaking their heads at the weakness many Americans show. They laugh at our lack of resolve. They laugh at how we have a press that shows little or no regard for what’s best for America, even though it is America that has secured the freedom of the press. They scoff at our notion of rights with no regard to responsibility. America, the greatest country on Earth, has a guilt complex that inhibits its ability to stand up and defend itself and the principles upon which the country was founded.

The terrorists are waiting for the next election, with high hopes that the next President will abandon the Iraqi people. A pullout in Iraq sends a message that America is weak and divided. A pullout will undermine our security and the security of vulnerable nations around the world.

While no one wants there to be evil in the world, there is evil in the world.  Evil will not dissipate on its own.  This war against fundamentalist Islam is the most difficult war the world has ever endured. This is not a geographical war. The enemy has landed in countries around the world. We must fight them where they are. We must be prepared, everywhere.

Whether the war was a good idea several years ago is no longer the issue. The issue is what do we need to do now, knowing what we know about this enemy?

All the energy wasted on the past isn't helping us move forward. This constant reevaluation of who said what, when did they say it, who did they say it to... is paralyzing and counterproductive.  Congress needs to wake up and help this country move forward in the war against terror. They need to stop trying to undermine this President to further their goal of winning the White House.  That is what much of this is really all about.

The women argue about why people are in the military:

***

Rosie: Wait. Can I say something? Why do people enlist in the army?
Lake: To get an education
Rosie: Thank you
Elisabeth: Actually the army
Rosie: The vast majority- Yes, Elisabeth, it’s true

***

So, basically, Rosie and Ricki Lake believe that the reason people join the military is to get an education that they can’t afford otherwise.

Newsflash: Anyone who graduates from high school with the ability to read can go to college. Poor people are actually in a pretty good position here because they will fill out their FAFSA form and then be told, based on the FAFSA, an amount of money they will be expected to pay. This figure will be respected by most school across the country but kids should shop around for the best deal available.

If people have no money, their contribution will generally be quite small. Between work study, student loans and summer employment, there are plenty of options for poor kids to go to school.
 
Kids in the middle class are another story- they often get stuck because their parents will have a parental contribution they may or may not be able to pay.  Kids in the middle class often have to spread their education out over a longer time in order to work more while attending school.  No one has to join the military to go to college. An education may be a nice perk available to enlistees, but the military is not their only option.

Then Rosie suggests she is a patriot because she loves the troops and wants the troops home, now. I wonder what her popularity ratings are amongst the troops. I’m thinking they are not feeling the love.

***

Rosie: Elisabeth, I do everything I can to support the troops- financially and emotionally. I love them as much as you do. I am as much of a patriot. I want them home.
Elisabeth: I want them home too
Rosie: I don’t want to see them with broken off bodies again.
Elisabeth: Do you understand that there are troops there that believe they should be there?
Rosie: I do yes- because its their job in the military to follow orders not to question. That’s their job. And they signed up because they believe in the American Dream. They can’t get to college unless they sign up. That’s why they do it. And do those children deserve to be killed because of George Bush’s money?

***

Not only has she implied that the new recruits are all felons, but she goes on to say that they are basically brainwashed and can't say what they really think about the war because it is their job to do whatever they are told.

She is really showing her respect for the troops now.

Her assessment of the situation: These poor chumps signed up for the military so they could go to college and now are stuck fighting a war that they don't agree with because they can't speak out. Oh, and they are sacrificing their lives so George Bush can make more money.

Wow- what can be said about her position?

There is a reason the members of our armed forces are more likely to vote conservatively. It is because they are conservative- not because they are directed to do so.  If she keeps talking about the troops in this way, she may become the best recruiting tool the military could get. 

***

Rosie: It’s interesting. Elisabeth- we shouldn’t be fighting this war because we were not attacked by either of the nations we invaded. 19 Saudis were on those planes and we invaded Afghanistan and Iraq
Elisabeth: Do you think Al Qaeda d you believe Al Qaeda is alive and working and planning in Iraq
Rosie: I think there might be some guy on dialysis in a cave- but I don’t think he is really a threat

***

Apparently Osama Bin Laden is no threat.  Why don't we just leave the poor guy alone and let him die in peace? Maybe Rosie should try to interview him for the show before she leaves.  She can ask him about his positions on homicide bombers, Israel, democracy, religious freedom, women's rights...

Fighting a war is tricky business because the bad guys often aren’t in their own country. For example, I’m sure the French would have loved it if the war could have been contained in Germany. The problem: the Germans had invaded France. (Invasion meaning in the country for the purpose of taking it over.  The U.S. has not "invaded" Iraq or Afghanistan. We have no desire to take over these countries. If we leave either of these countries, their citizens will be begging us to come back.)

If only the terrorists would go back to Iran and Syria and let Iraq rebuild in peace.

Dream on…

***

Joy: And the war has gone on longer than World War II

***

World War II started in 1939. The U.S. officially entered the war in December, 1941. The war ended in May, 1945.

Perhaps had the U.S. fought the war in Iraq in a manner similar to the World War II approach, we would have ended the war by now.

Elisabeth seems to be the only woman on the View to understand this:

***

Elisabeth: Anyone who thinks you’re going to enter a war and no one is going to die is not understanding that war means unfortunately death. The problem is here that if we remove those troops, even slowly, what we do to our troops three not only just on an emotional level but leaving just a few areas of troops not even in action- we’re just creating targets. And then once we removed, who’s going to benefit from that removal? Iran- the number one funder of terrorism right now. So who’s going to benefit? Would you want to fight a war from a position of power or a position of weakness?

***

Every American life lost is a tragedy. Every innocent civilian who dies is a tragedy. Every terrorist death and every insurgent death is a necessity.

Hundreds of thousands of people were murdered by Saddam Hussein during his reign of terror over the Iraqi people. There are estimates that a total of nearly 100,000 people have died in Iraq since the U.S. entered the war in Iraq. (Iraq refuses to give the UN a number of casualties because there is a fear the numbers will be used to undermine the country’s efforts to push for freedom.) These civilian deaths have NOT been at the hands of the U.S. These deaths have been the result of insurgent bombing, after insurgent bombing. The insurgents are believed to come from bordering countries like Iran and Syria. Their goal is to undermine the spread of freedom to Iraq.

Over 50 MILLION people died either fighting for freedom as a part of the Allied forces or at the hands of the axis powers in WWII. Approximately 14 million soldiers and 36,000,000 died in the war. Contrast this with 12 million deaths on the side of evil.

This war is not a simple boundary dispute- the terrorists want to destroy those who don’t agree with their way of life. This is not an “If we leave them alone, they’ll leave us alone.” This is an “If they leave us alone, we’ll leave them alone.” They have clearly said they will not leave us alone.

Who is “they”? They are fundamentalist Islamic militants. They are the leaders of Syria and Iran. They are in the Sudan. They are in Somalia. They are spreading their hatred around the world and we must try to contain their venom at the source- the Middle East.

They are a threat to all who disagree with their beliefs, including non-fundamentalist Muslim people.

As the casualties mount, we have to remember what is at stake. We will not solve this problem by putting our heads in the sand, like Rosie would like us to do,.

We must fight them. We must win this war, no matter the cost. If we don't fight it now, we will fight it later.

Now today she claims that we should be out of Iraq because there have been more soldiers killed in Iraq than were killed by the terrorists:

***

Rosie: How many more years? How many more dead kids? It’s way over the amount of people killed on September 11^th. We’ve killed more Americans than any terrorist ever did in this war

***

This is truly unbelievable. I think she might be quoting media reports that the U.S. death toll in Iraq is now 2974. The official number of people murdered by the terrorists on September 11^th is 2973 people.

The terrorists are not only responsible for killing the innocent people on September 11^th,

THE TERRORISTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WAR IN IRAQ AND ALL OF THE RESULTING DEATHS!

To say that the United States has killed the 2974 soldiers who have lost their lives is irresponsible, insensitive and just plain ignorant.

And by the way, if the measuring stick to determine whether too many people have died in the war is linked to how many people were killed by the terrorists because of September 11, then don’t forget about all of those first responders dying slowly.

Rosie really is ridiculous.

The women had a discussion about the Bush approval ratings and Rosie has to exaggerate- which is sad, because no one could claim that he is the most popular guy around. She doesn’t need to make up numbers; they are, hopefully, as low as they can go:

***

Rosie: They say he has a 27% approval rating, which I would like to reverse that and say he has a 73% disapproval rating because that’s more appropriate to say. 73% of the American people do not support this President.

***

To see actual poll numbers click here. There have been two polls this year that have put the Bush approval ratings in the 20s- both CBS, by the way: January 18 -21 approval 28%, disapproval 64% and February 23 – 27 29% approval, 61% disapproval. His average approval rating for the last month: 35%, disapproval: 60%.

These numbers are important. If they weren’t she wouldn’t distort them

By the way- since she loves the Democrats, here’s how Congress fairs in the polls for the last month: Approval 37%, disapproval 55%. (click here to see polls)

Perhaps more interesting to Rosie would be the CBS poll (the Republicans usually fair the poorest here, so one might think the poll would then favor the Dems.) In a poll April 9 -12, only 34% polled approved of Congress’ performance. Most striking, however, was the party breakdown: only 43% of Democrats approved of how the democratic congress is performing. 42% of Dems disapprove of the Democratic congress.

The shocking conclusion: The Democrats don’t like Bush. The Republicans don’t like the Democratic Congress. Bush is doing better amongst conservatives then Congress is doing with the Democrats.

Ricki Lake, guest host, is promoting her documentary, “The Business of Being Born” which discusses the business of childbirth in America with the women of the View.

***

Rosie: In nearly every other civilized nation in the world, besides the United States, that is a normal thing to have a midwife. Not to go to the hospital, right?
Lake: Actually in Europe and Japan, most births, 70% of births are midwife attended
Joy: What makes them right, though? You don’t know that- What makes them right and us wrong?
Lake: It’s not right or wrong
Joy: But why, why do they
Rosie: Because it’s a business of being born. There’s money to be made and they’re just saying in other nations a large percentage of babies are born with midwives and / or at home
Lake: and having fewer infant deaths, newborn deaths and fewer maternal deaths so

***

The data on infant mortality is interesting but not necessarily conclusive. There are many reasons why the infant mortality rate may be higher in the U.S. than in other countries. Just for starters, many, many high risk pregnancies continue on to viability in the U.S. because women have access to better prenatal care. Every baby that dies is counted in these infant mortality stats. In most other countries, women have miscarriages that are not counted in these figures.

There is also a discrepancy in statistics based on socio-economic status. Many women who live in poverty do not seek prenatal care and often don’t ensure their baby has a healthy womb environment. Poor diet, use of chemicals (including drugs, alcohol and cigarettes) lack of sleep and increased stress all contribute to the increased risk of a baby being born pre-term. These factors also contribute to a higher rate of infant mortality.

Comparing the overall infant mortality statistics in the U.S. to other countries is comparing apples to oranges.

The women then discussed the increased rate of C-sections:

***

Elisabeth: And you expose something about big cities too- that there’s so many more c-sections- everyone that I talk to “oh you didn’t have a C- you didn’t have a c-section”
Lake: An elective C-section. There’s a big difference – necessary C-section It’s a major operation- major, major abdominal surgery. We’re just trying to get the information to the public about the risks of everything, you know so you can make your own informed choice

***

In January 2007 a study, designed to research brain development, was released by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The researchers were shocked when MRIs of the brains of 26% of the newborns who were delivered vaginally revealed bleeding in the brain. None of the babies born via c-section had brain bleeds.(Click here for information from University of NC at Chapel Hill)

As this study just occurred, there is no long term data to indicate the importance of these bleeds. Doctors have never considered this possibility- at least not publicly. Doctors will say there is no evidednce these bleeds cause any long term problems. There can not be evidence- no one has studied the issue. Until more study is done to verify or disprove the findings, doctors will ignore this first study- we wouldn't want to scare anyone.

Or maybe we should ask: could the increased number of children with autism be even partially attributed to brain bleeds? What about the increased numbers of children with learning disabilities? Who knows what disabilities could be prevented if these brain bleeds could be eliminated.

Can it be a total coincidence that NONE of the babies delivered by c-section had a bleed. No doctor would ever say a bleed in the brain is nothing to worry about. If a doctor knew an infant had bleeding in the brain, they would order tests to follow up to ensure the matter had resolved. For most children, the bleeds probably do resolve with no or minimal complications.

26% chance of having a bleed with a vaginal delivery. 26%. Those are pretty high odds for parents hoping to have a healthy child. Most parents would do anything they could to reduce the risk of harming their child. A planned C-section poses very little risk to a mom. Most moms would gladly assume the risk to protect their child.

The businesses that benefit from the birthing process will be swimming in the dough if additional studies prove this first study to be true.

Senator Bill Bradley came on the View on Monday to promote his new book. If we addressed healthcare, education, social security and oil dependence we could solve all the problems of the world.

He tried to explain some theory about Republicans building a pyramid that leads to a cookie cutter presidential candidate and Democrats having an inverted pyramid that isn't working. Sounds interesting but made no sense, actually.

Barbara asked him to tell us what individuals can do to solve our problems.

First, he explained, they can read his book.

Then he says they need to get together with others to solve problems. People have to stop depending on politicians to fix problems because they aren't going to do it.

He hasn't been talking to Rosie because he thinks the greatest lie perpetrated on the American people over the last few decades has been the Red-Blue divide. How can he not think it is the lies about war and terror? Rosie must have had to bite her tongue.

He then talks about oil dependence. Its very easy. If we simply had the same mileage standards as they have in Europe- about 45 miles a gallon- we would import no oil from OPEC. Thats zero oil from OPEC.

Its all because of the lobbyists for the oil companies and car manufacturers. If it werent for those lobbyists, he explained, we would have 45 mile per gallon cars, easy.

Really? Easy! This guy is nuts!

We dont have this standard because it is not possible at this time to have cars that meet the needs of the American consumer get 45 miles per gallon. Americans can not all be driving around in little two seater cars with no storage for the hockey bags. Mini-vans and SUVs just dont get that kind of mileage and all the little battery-powered cars for sale today arent going to solve that problem in the near future. Making the cars of the future so lightweight they will crumple in a strong wind will also not satisfy the average mom in America.

Most Americans do a lot of driving on side roads in their neighborhoods. Hybrids might be neat, but they dont solve the problems people want to pretend they solve.

There is no easy answer to this problem. One of the best solutions to minimizing fuel consumption in America would be to offer tax credits to businesses that allow employees to computer commute to work.

Otherwise, buy Bradleys book if you have money to spare.

I, for one, doubt its worth 5 gallons of gas.

The women engaged in a brief discussion about the Democratic debate. About three people in the audience clapped when asked if they had watched it.

Nobody watched it, except the folks at MSNBC. (For a Media Matters analysis of the MSNBC analysis click here.)

Rosie was right, they looked ridiculous waving, pointing…

***

Joy: Hillary Clinton came out very good. We realized how short Kucinich is. Oh Yeah, he’s short.

Rosie: He’s Dukakis short

Joy: and if he were tall and better looking he’d have a shot. I hate to say it

Elisabeth: Are you kidding

Joy: I’m serious. I like him. I think he’s smart.

Rosie: I think he’s wild. That’s why I like him. He called for the impeachment of Cheney. That would get my vote right there.

And then they went to break

***

First, short people of America: UNITE! All this talk about short people can’t be President is wrong. It’s just wrong!

And now we know for sure, Rosie is a one issue gal. Who knew?!

Elisabeth is pregnant- lots of confetti. Congrats to her and her family.

Recap of last week:

Barbara and Rosie have been friends for years… the truth is the truth… the media and all the white ken dolls on Fox think they caused Rosie to be ousted… Anyways, Barbara and Rosie are friends and that’s that.

On the DC Madame:

***

Rosie: The Deputy Secretary of State Randall Tobias has resigned from his job before the Madame with the black book starts naming names. This is gonna be fun.

***

The women then have some discussion about the Madame’s book, which most likely includes Republicans, Democrats and people from all walks of life.

The women who worked for the Madame had to be college educated. Some were even professors. Perhaps the Madame felt that educated women would be more likely to keep secrets as they had more to lose. Maybe more educated women were better able to attend functions as credible dates because they were more able to fit in with and converse with other attendees. Maybe those who purchased services wanted to be able to talk to their “dates” so education played a role in their willingness to pay top dollar.

Clearly there will be many people in Washington on pins and needles over the next few weeks and months, waiting to learn if their name is made public. There will also be many wives waiting to see if their husband’s name is on the list. Wow- what fun! Children whose parent made a mistake will now be shamed by their parent’s behavior- even more fun!

I’m a little surprised that Rosie seems to think this situation is even a little bit funny. This is a tragic reminder that those who lead us are fallible.

While it is amazing that politicians and other public figures think they can get away with engaging in questionable behavior, even if it is legal, it is still unfortunate that news groups release some of this private information. They don’t publish these stories to benefit anyone- this is really all about the bottom line. Not that I am against people making money: I am not.  I just think it is unfortunate that reporting on positive situations and events can't be just as profitable.

The story about the rant Alec Baldwin directed at his daughter is a great example of this as well. That story is sad and personal, but people eat it up. TMZ, in this case, made the decision they thought best for their bottom line. I am sure their bottom line is thankful.

ABC and 20/20 now are faced with a similar decision: should they put private information out to the public? If the answer is “yes” they should, will they limit it at all? I am guessing that there will be more than a couple of careers and marriages headed south in the next few weeks.

Here's to hoping that those not named will learn a lesson from this situation.  No matter how enticing these women may seem, they are not worth the potential loss of a family and a career.

In the final segment, one of the first responders, Bonnie Giebfried, spoke about the far-reaching effects of the terrorist attack:

***

Giebfried: There was 258,000 toxins identified, which they are carcinogens. A carcinogen and a carcinogen make more death. They do not know what these chemicals combined do to us and it is wreaking havoc not only on us but our families are being dismembered. We have children cutting themselves because they can’t deal with it. We have children drinking and drugging, we have children committing suicide. We have members of families. When does the terror end?

Rosie: Ripple effect… For all of America I have to say thank you. These first responders deserve so much better treatment than they are given. Now anything you can do- please write and support for Dr. Jacqueline Moline. I wish there was more I could say or do. Next year that’s going to be a focus for me- helping the 9/11 first responders.

***

The situation facing the first responders is very tragic. There are many questions and unfortunately answers that don’t satisfy.

It is impossible to sort out whose ailments actually stem from the attack and whose would have occurred anyways. That being said, the ultimate cost of the terrorist attack won’t be known for decades, if ever.

The same is true of the mental health issues people are facing. In reference to Ms. Giebfried’s comments, many people use drugs or drink. Many kids and adults cut themselves. Some people commit suicide. So while there is no doubt these people seem to be at a higher risk than the general population, not every problem being faced by these individuals and their family members can be attributed to the terrorist attack.

Every day, people in America are faced with the tragic deaths or injuries or illness. Most people don’t have access to a federal program to pay for their care. In truth, people do feel better when they have something at which to target their anger and the terrorists are a good target. We should ensure that whatever insurance these people do carry covers all of the illnesses they now have. Beyond their personal coverage, the government should provide the care these individuals need.

Unfortunately the issues raised by the illnesses being reported by first responders should be triggering some very serious discussion about how our government organizations should respond to any possible future attacks.

If a similar situation occurs in the future, should we send in first responders immediately? Should we surround the area and wait to send people in when the dust settles and proper precautions can be taken to ensure the safety of first responders? Is risking the lives of thousands of people a legitimate course of action in response to the hope of finding a few survivors? Shouldn’t all first responders be required to carry health insurance and life insurance? To what extent should the government pay for health and life insurance for all first responders?

The terrorist attack on September 11 was a horrible act of aggression that shocked our country. Thousands of people died immediately and many thousands more will die due to related injuries. It destroyed two very big buildings and some smaller buildings in the area. Homes and business were destroyed. This one attack will cost our country over a trillion dollars over the next several decades. In reality, it was a fairly small attack with limited impact.

While this was costly in many ways, think of the costs of potential future attacks. What if a dirty bomb was exploded in an urban center? What if several cities were attacked simultaneously? This war against terror, which is really a war against fundamentalist Islamic extremists, can not be minimized or ignored, as some on the left would like to do.

We need to do all we can to prevent future attacks on American soil, as the costs in life and resources of another major attack would be crippling in many ways. Our health, our psyche, our economy, our respect for freedom and our Constitution could all be jeopardized if the terrorists find a way to launch another attack in the United States.

And on the more cynical side, these new attacks on the lack of leadership in helping the first responders could be used as political fodder to go after Giuliani.  Watch out!

After the break the women continue their discussion with Dr. Moline. Interestingly, she is studying the effects of the toxin exposure on the first responders. She needs money to continue her studies.

***

Rosie: Dr. Moline you were saying that in order to continue your studies about the effects of the 9/11 rescue on people’s lungs you are going to need funding.
Moline: Right. Not only to continue to monitor their health, we’re going to need to monitor the health of these responders for the next 20-30 years. But we also need to treat them. We can’t just monitor their health, we need to treat them and now we finally received federal funding in the fall. That was a start

***

I have always thought that doctors who treated patients were also monitoring them as a part of their medical treatment. Who knew that a doctor needed a separate funding stream to do the monitoring?

Dr. Moline knows that she is going to need money for the next 20 -30 years to monitor the health of these first responders. That should pretty much take her clear through to her retirement.

The implication in her comments is that before there was federal funding to treat these first responders, they had no access to treatment. The federal funding meant they could now, finally, receive medical care.

Why didn’t these people have health insurance? If they did have health insurance, why isn’t it paying for their care? Even if the government had to come in and pick up co-pays, that would be far cheaper then paying for all of their care.

They go on:

***

Moline: In November. We started, we had some philanthropic funding that funding is now over. Federal funding is in place but that’s not going to last through the end of the year.
Joy: How much did you get?
Moline: We at Mt. Sinai got about $17 million but program wise about $50 million was given for funding and this was for fire department has a sister program to the Mount Sinai consortium and there are a number of medical centers that have programs to treat responders and also there is a national program

***

Just some quick calculations here: $50 million would be $2000 for each of the 25,000 first responders they think are sick. Obviously, some are seriously ill and others have a chronic cough. $2000 is an average.

She is only just getting started in the quest for dollars.

***

Rosie: Now wait a second. Are they treated for free or are they- is this covered by their insurance or do they pay out of pocket to try to get better from this?
Moline: Currently they are able to be covered under the federal program, totally covered. Everything is free- there is no co-pays, no out of pocket expenses for their World Trade Center related problems. That money is estimated to run out this year and possibly this fiscal year- the government fiscal year- so we’re concerned that we are not going to have enough money to continue to treat the patients that are now finally getting the care that they need. Man y of them couldn’t afford the care that they needed.
Joy: How much do you need?
Moline: There’s been a lot of number crunching and the numbers have estimated to be at $250 million a year to cover all responders for all of the World trade Center problems. In New York City, including the fire department and also those responders nationwide.
Rosie: And that money has been earned by every single person who went down there to help and I know the fire fighters talk about their metal boots burning through the fire fighter boots – they had to get new boots as they burned through those toxins that were ingested into your bodies. We have to stand up as a nation and support these men and women, we do

***

More number crunching is definitely necessary now.

$250 million breaks down into $10,000 per first responder person per year.

$250 million, every year for 20 – 30 years is $5 billion to $7.5 billion dollars, not adjusted for inflation or rising health care costs. This is $200,000 to $300,000 per person.

This is a tremendous amount of money and there needs to be some clear oversight. While Dr. Moline may be the most competent doctor in the world, she clearly has a financial stake in the outcome of the quest for dollars. As liberals always tell us, money corrupts.  She can't be unconditionally trusted unless we can verify all that she says to be in fact true.