Tuesday, December 15, 1998

Letters to the Editor

The burning issues

I eagerly read the Opinion page each day. Often it is more humorous than the comics. Just this week I’ve read letters dealing with such burning issues as the local classical music station skipping an occasional beat.

The shocking story of swing dancing students at a local university made it to the page at least two or three times so far. I’ve worked in convenience stores just off of that campus, and apparently some people would be surprised by the volume of alcohol that is sold to clean-cut Christian college students.

One of my all time favorites was when the cellular phone tower was bothering some individuals because they could see it.

I wonder where and when some of the other issues are discussed or addressed, like a nationally ranked teen-pregnancy rate, institutional discrimination, people living under bridges, graduates of local high schools sitting in college classes unable to spell or write a complete paragraph.

Do these issues go away if they are ignored? Abilene likes to portray itself as a progressive city and a great place to raise kids. The potential is here, but it’s hard to advance and move forward around obstacles when you are wearing blinders.

TOM FRAZEE

Abilene

Via e-mail

Medicare fraud

The lead article on Medicare fraud in the Dec. 7 issue is noted. The examples of Medicare being defrauded are excellent. The issue of physicians and other health care providers being cheated by health insurance companies is not addressed.

We physicians and other health care providers are cheated out of millions of dollars annually. The insurance companies withhold or delay payment because of minor errors in filing. Many of these errors are due to the restrictive policies of the health insurance companies.

I know of one insurance clerk who cost at least four Abilene physicians more than $100,000 in insurance payments. The insurance companies were delighted that they did not have to pay for services rendered.

If Medicare is to punish us for improper filing, shouldn’t it also pay us when they make errors?

RODGER HAGLUND, M.D.

Abilene

Salt in the wound

In reference to Anthony Wilson’s Dec. 8 article: Mr. Rex Andrew, I was born in the dark, but it wasn’t last night. Ms. Landeros is making a fool out of the taxpayers with your blessings. Ms. Landeros said she just didn’t like the position she was at (in JP Sam Matta’s office). She said you are a good guy, and she was excited when you called her.

Isn’t this just rubbing salt in the wound of Judge Matta, a man who has never had the opportunity to face his accuser?

Rex, you have shown your true colors. Don’t even think about running for re-election.

MONTIE SHY

Abilene

Rex’s true colors

Your article of Dec. 8 said it all. We now know that Rex Andrew had a great part to do with Ms. Landeros. He called her, according to the paper. Rex, you have cheapened your office with our money. I wish I had my vote back.

JOSEPHENE MARTINEZ

Abilene

E-mail your vote

With the vote for impeachment coming up on the floor of the full House this week, this would be a good time to call or write to Mr. Charles Stenholm, our representative of the 17th District. I talked with his Abilene office last week and learned that he was still undecided as to how to vote. His e-mail address is texas17@mail.house.gov.

DORTHA GREENLEE

Abilene

Via e-mail