I just got an email from Glenn Smith at DriveDemocracy.org.
Got migraines? Tennis elbow? No health insurance? If you're feeling left out and wish Congress would pass a law for you too, here's a suggestion. Call up Dr. Frist, who's demonstrated his phenomenal skill and acumen at diagnosing ailments from a distance, and you'll be on the road to recovery!
More top tips and action plan below the wrinkle ...
Dear DriveDemocracy Member,
Are you sick? Injured? Worried about a medical problem, but can't afford a physician? Well, worry no longer! Because Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, MD, doesn't even need to see you to make a diagnosis and prescribe care.
Speaking on the Senate floor "more as a physician than as a U.S. senator," Frist said he believed there was "insufficient information to conclude that Terri Schiavo is in a persistent vegetative state."
He didn't even need to examine the tragic Florida woman who has been fed artificially since she was brain damaged in 1990 -- he just looked at her on videotape.
Now, the LA Times reports that "critics say the majority leader...overstepped in giving an opinion on Terri Schiavo's condition." Apparently it's a bio-ethical no-no to diagnosis a patient you've never seen. And some people say it's arrogant for Dr. Frist to involve the U.S. Congress in the personal medical decisions of one family just to suck up to the religious right before the 2008 presidential primaries.
But we say, think of the opportunity!
Take a digital picture or video of your medical problem - tennis elbow, acne, runny nose, gout, or whatever ails you - and send it to the Doctor in charge of the US Senate and your health care.
Tell Dr. Frist you want him to diagnose it and get Congress to pass a law prescribing treatment.
We couldn't find Dr. Frist's email address, but we're sure his Health Policy Director, Dean Rosen, (Dean_rosen@frist.senate.gov) would be happy to pass along your pictures and videos. Health Policy Director? Is that like his nurse?
You can also try:
- andrea_becker@frist.senate.gov, his Legislative Director
- bob_stevens@frist.senate.gov, the Communications Director in the Majority Leader's office
- nick_smith@frist.senate.gov, his press secretary
- jim_hippe@frist.senate.gov or andy_olson@frist.senate.gov, his Legislative Counsels
Or feel free to mail to 509 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC, 20510, or fax to 202-228-1264.
thank you,
Glenn Smith, DriveDemocracy.org
