Re: On the future of Texas EMS

[Guest guest]

Gene,

Maybe we should pool our resources, and conor the market for chain-link

fince. There is sure to be much fince building in the near future. Maybe

even start breding guard dogs.

On the future of Texas EMS

>

> All Y'all:

>

> It's been too long since I have proclaimed a true screed, a rant of

> magnificent proportions, a politically suicidal self immolation. I've

tried to stop

> it, but just like when you've drunk a quart of Cuervo and things are

moving

> inside you in spite of everything you do, here it comes.

>

> Earlier this week there was presented by DSHS a marvelous demonstration of

> bureaucratic alchemy --- a video conference advertised as an opportunity

for

> all clients of the new and EVEN MORE Wonderful DSHS to have all their

questions

> answered.

>

> What resulted was a display of smoke and mirrors worthy of the best

political

> spinmeisters. Rove, Carville, Hillary and Rummy, eat your hearts out.

>

> The format was supposed to allow questions from around the state that

would

> be answered by the Commissioner and his deputies/assistants, and they

would

> explain how the new agency will address the needs of each stakeholder.

> " Satisfactory, " would the bretheren pronounce at the end.

>

> It was nicely arranged. Each region was given it's turn to ask questions,

> and the Commissioner received them and " answered " them or referred them to

> another person to " answer. "

>

> Trouble was, the answers were pure blather. Balderdash. It was all

quite

> nice, quite civilized, and quite meaningless. If the agency has a clue

what

> it's doing, it's keeping it a secret.

>

> Most questions were answered with one of the following. You may choose

any

> of these answers to any question you have of DSHS and it will apply

equally:

>

> The legislature made us do it

> We're doing the best we can

> We're really nice people and we like you

> We don't have a handle on that yet, but it's coming

> We'll have a task force working on that

> We'll get back to you on that

> The legislature made us do it

> Rick, can you answer that?

> We're going to be able to optimize our services in the best way

> possible given the mandate we've received

> We'll be firing 200 more people, but don't worry, it won't be you;

> well, maybe not.

> Even though I have the " deer in the headlights " look, I feel your

> pain. (I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about) and I'm

out of

> here in 15 more minutes, but thanks for coming, and we'll be doing more of

these.

>

> Thankya, thankya, ladies an gennulmun, thankya. (Elvis leaves the

> building).

>

> The only EMS related comment that was made was from an EMSAT Board

> member who questioned the wisdom of going with NREMT. The Commissioner

gave the

> Deer/Headlight Sign and deferred to Rick Bays, who dutifilly spouted the

party

> line: " I don't know much about the details of this, but " We Did The Best

> Thing For EMS " . Rick will get a medal for valor at the next EMS luncheon.

>

> This is what your state government is doing for you, or should I

say,

> to you. This is the product of the taxes you pay. This is what those you

> elected have given you. is not the villain here. He's just the

Provost.

> The real villains are the Governor and Legislature of Texas for failing

to

> enact a meaningful funding program for state government.

>

> First Incidental factoid: From EMS Magazine's last survey of state EMS

> programs, the budget for the Bureau of Emergency Management was around

$2.5 million

> dollars. The money spent on the redistricting special sessions would have

> paid for an EMS Commission second to none.

>

> Second incidental factoid: The next legislature will be wrestling with

> another 10 billion dollar short fall.

>

> Get your helmets on, hide the kids and the money.

>

> What can be said about the future of EMS in Texas?

>

> Well, in the immortal words of our President, " I think we agree, the past

is

> over. " —On his meeting with McCain, Dallas Morning News, May 10, 2000

>

> And, " Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They

never

> stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and

neither

> do we. " —Washington, D.C., Aug. 5, 2004

>

> So there you have it my friends. The future lies ahead.

>

> Best,

>

> Gene G.

>

> My opinions are my own.

>

>

>

>

> " One should think carefully before lecturing others, " he

lectured.

> I don't mean to lecture...well....yes I do.....of course I do. Get on

board.

> Stick your head out of the window and yell, " I'm mad as hell and I'm not

> going to take it anymore. "

>

> Texas EMS is on the verge of regulatory meltdown. Does anybody really

care?

> People at the BEM say privately to me that they're jumping ship as soon

as

> they can find another boat. People at BEM tell me that they're afraid to

say

> anything for fear of being dumped. TDSHS does not reward those who

question.

> The BEM won't even exist in three more days.

>

> Can EMS exist without governmental regulation? We're going to find out,

> because there may be NO meaningful governmental regulation of EMS after

> 09/01/2004.

>

> We're going to get a chance to see what free-market EMS can do. We know

what

> it did 30 years ago. That's why we went to carefully regulated EMS. Was

it

> perfect? Of course not? Was it responsive? Most of the time? Did it

> prevent unfettered exploitation of EMS markets, weed out the fly-by-night

operators,

> and keep it clean? For the most part, yes.

>

> We're already seeing the vultures landing. They've been circling and

> salivating now for some time, waiting for the right time to swoop in and

take a bite.

>

>

> We're seeing that with unregulated gurney cars, proliferations of services

> without adequate equipment, personnel, financial backing, and fiscal

> responsibility once again. County alone has somewhere around 120

EMS providers at

> last count, most of them private transfer services.

>

> You go to work in the morning and at noon find out that the company has

been

> sold. You're given a new uniform and continue. Your checks from both

> companies bounce.

> NAFTA has come to EMS.

>

> Arizona has closely regulated EMS and nobody can start a service without

> obtaining a Certificate of Necessity, which is difficult to obtain.

Should we

> consider implementation of a a CON program? Or let the market do its

work?

> Caveat Emptor?

>

> Should EMS be deregulated just as telephone service, electrical service,

and

> airlines have been?

>

>

>

> Best,

>

> Gene G.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Can you imagine the fun it has been for those who have to work for

the organization, or for the parent, Health and Human Services

Commission. We're crossing our fingers that we get paid!

> Gene,

> Maybe we should pool our resources, and conor the market for chain-

link

> fince. There is sure to be much fince building in the near

future. Maybe

> even start breding guard dogs.

>

>

> On the future of Texas EMS

>

>

> >

> > All Y'all:

> >

> > It's been too long since I have proclaimed a true screed, a rant

of

> > magnificent proportions, a politically suicidal self immolation.

I've

> tried to stop

> > it, but just like when you've drunk a quart of Cuervo and

things are

> moving

> > inside you in spite of everything you do, here it comes.

> >

> > Earlier this week there was presented by DSHS a marvelous

demonstration of

> > bureaucratic alchemy --- a video conference advertised as an

opportunity

> for

> > all clients of the new and EVEN MORE Wonderful DSHS to have all

their

> questions

> > answered.

> >

> > What resulted was a display of smoke and mirrors worthy of the

best

> political

> > spinmeisters. Rove, Carville, Hillary and Rummy, eat your hearts

out.

> >

> > The format was supposed to allow questions from around the state

that

> would

> > be answered by the Commissioner and his deputies/assistants, and

they

> would

> > explain how the new agency will address the needs of each

stakeholder.

> > " Satisfactory, " would the bretheren pronounce at the end.

> >

> > It was nicely arranged. Each region was given it's turn to ask

questions,

> > and the Commissioner received them and " answered " them or

referred them to

> > another person to " answer. "

> >

> > Trouble was, the answers were pure blather. Balderdash. It was

all

> quite

> > nice, quite civilized, and quite meaningless. If the agency has

a clue

> what

> > it's doing, it's keeping it a secret.

> >

> > Most questions were answered with one of the following. You may

choose

> any

> > of these answers to any question you have of DSHS and it will

apply

> equally:

> >

> > The legislature made us do it

> > We're doing the best we can

> > We're really nice people and we like you

> > We don't have a handle on that yet, but it's coming

> > We'll have a task force working on that

> > We'll get back to you on that

> > The legislature made us do it

> > Rick, can you answer that?

> > We're going to be able to optimize our services in the

best way

> > possible given the mandate we've received

> > We'll be firing 200 more people, but don't worry, it won't

be you;

> > well, maybe not.

> > Even though I have the " deer in the headlights " look, I

feel your

> > pain. (I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about)

and I'm

> out of

> > here in 15 more minutes, but thanks for coming, and we'll be

doing more of

> these.

> >

> > Thankya, thankya, ladies an gennulmun, thankya. (Elvis

leaves the

> > building).

> >

> > The only EMS related comment that was made was from an

EMSAT Board

> > member who questioned the wisdom of going with NREMT. The

Commissioner

> gave the

> > Deer/Headlight Sign and deferred to Rick Bays, who dutifilly

spouted the

> party

> > line: " I don't know much about the details of this, but " We Did

The Best

> > Thing For EMS " . Rick will get a medal for valor at the next EMS

luncheon.

> >

> > This is what your state government is doing for you, or

should I

> say,

> > to you. This is the product of the taxes you pay. This is what

those you

> > elected have given you. is not the villain here. He's

just the

> Provost.

> > The real villains are the Governor and Legislature of Texas for

failing

> to

> > enact a meaningful funding program for state government.

> >

> > First Incidental factoid: From EMS Magazine's last survey of

state EMS

> > programs, the budget for the Bureau of Emergency Management was

around

> $2.5 million

> > dollars. The money spent on the redistricting special sessions

would have

> > paid for an EMS Commission second to none.

> >

> > Second incidental factoid: The next legislature will be

wrestling with

> > another 10 billion dollar short fall.

> >

> > Get your helmets on, hide the kids and the money.

> >

> > What can be said about the future of EMS in Texas?

> >

> > Well, in the immortal words of our President, " I think we agree,

the past

> is

> > over. " †" On his meeting with McCain, Dallas Morning News,

May 10, 2000

> >

> > And, " Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we.

They

> never

> > stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people,

and

> neither

> > do we. " †" Washington, D.C., Aug. 5, 2004

> >

> > So there you have it my friends. The future lies ahead.

> >

> > Best,

> >

> > Gene G.

> >

> > My opinions are my own.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > " One should think carefully before lecturing others, " he

> lectured.

> > I don't mean to lecture...well....yes I do.....of course I do.

Get on

> board.

> > Stick your head out of the window and yell, " I'm mad as hell and

I'm not

> > going to take it anymore. "

> >

> > Texas EMS is on the verge of regulatory meltdown. Does anybody

really

> care?

> > People at the BEM say privately to me that they're jumping

ship as soon

> as

> > they can find another boat. People at BEM tell me that they're

afraid to

> say

> > anything for fear of being dumped. TDSHS does not reward those

who

> question.

> > The BEM won't even exist in three more days.

> >

> > Can EMS exist without governmental regulation? We're going to

find out,

> > because there may be NO meaningful governmental regulation of EMS

after

> > 09/01/2004.

> >

> > We're going to get a chance to see what free-market EMS can do.

We know

> what

> > it did 30 years ago. That's why we went to carefully regulated

EMS. Was

> it

> > perfect? Of course not? Was it responsive? Most of the time?

Did it

> > prevent unfettered exploitation of EMS markets, weed out the fly-

by-night

> operators,

> > and keep it clean? For the most part, yes.

> >

> > We're already seeing the vultures landing. They've been circling

and

> > salivating now for some time, waiting for the right time to swoop

in and

> take a bite.

> >

> >

> > We're seeing that with unregulated gurney cars, proliferations of

services

> > without adequate equipment, personnel, financial backing, and

fiscal

> > responsibility once again. County alone has somewhere

around 120

> EMS providers at

> > last count, most of them private transfer services.

> >

> > You go to work in the morning and at noon find out that the

company has

> been

> > sold. You're given a new uniform and continue. Your checks from

both

> > companies bounce.

> > NAFTA has come to EMS.

> >

> > Arizona has closely regulated EMS and nobody can start a service

without

> > obtaining a Certificate of Necessity, which is difficult to

obtain.

> Should we

> > consider implementation of a a CON program? Or let the market do

its

> work?

> > Caveat Emptor?

> >

> > Should EMS be deregulated just as telephone service, electrical

service,

> and

> > airlines have been?

> >

> >

> >

> > Best,

> >

> > Gene G.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Can you imagine the fun it has been for those who have to work for

the organization, or for the parent, Health and Human Services

Commission. We're crossing our fingers that we get paid!

> Gene,

> Maybe we should pool our resources, and conor the market for chain-

link

> fince. There is sure to be much fince building in the near

future. Maybe

> even start breding guard dogs.

>

>

> On the future of Texas EMS

>

>

> >

> > All Y'all:

> >

> > It's been too long since I have proclaimed a true screed, a rant

of

> > magnificent proportions, a politically suicidal self immolation.

I've

> tried to stop

> > it, but just like when you've drunk a quart of Cuervo and

things are

> moving

> > inside you in spite of everything you do, here it comes.

> >

> > Earlier this week there was presented by DSHS a marvelous

demonstration of

> > bureaucratic alchemy --- a video conference advertised as an

opportunity

> for

> > all clients of the new and EVEN MORE Wonderful DSHS to have all

their

> questions

> > answered.

> >

> > What resulted was a display of smoke and mirrors worthy of the

best

> political

> > spinmeisters. Rove, Carville, Hillary and Rummy, eat your hearts

out.

> >

> > The format was supposed to allow questions from around the state

that

> would

> > be answered by the Commissioner and his deputies/assistants, and

they

> would

> > explain how the new agency will address the needs of each

stakeholder.

> > " Satisfactory, " would the bretheren pronounce at the end.

> >

> > It was nicely arranged. Each region was given it's turn to ask

questions,

> > and the Commissioner received them and " answered " them or

referred them to

> > another person to " answer. "

> >

> > Trouble was, the answers were pure blather. Balderdash. It was

all

> quite

> > nice, quite civilized, and quite meaningless. If the agency has

a clue

> what

> > it's doing, it's keeping it a secret.

> >

> > Most questions were answered with one of the following. You may

choose

> any

> > of these answers to any question you have of DSHS and it will

apply

> equally:

> >

> > The legislature made us do it

> > We're doing the best we can

> > We're really nice people and we like you

> > We don't have a handle on that yet, but it's coming

> > We'll have a task force working on that

> > We'll get back to you on that

> > The legislature made us do it

> > Rick, can you answer that?

> > We're going to be able to optimize our services in the

best way

> > possible given the mandate we've received

> > We'll be firing 200 more people, but don't worry, it won't

be you;

> > well, maybe not.

> > Even though I have the " deer in the headlights " look, I

feel your

> > pain. (I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about)

and I'm

> out of

> > here in 15 more minutes, but thanks for coming, and we'll be

doing more of

> these.

> >

> > Thankya, thankya, ladies an gennulmun, thankya. (Elvis

leaves the

> > building).

> >

> > The only EMS related comment that was made was from an

EMSAT Board

> > member who questioned the wisdom of going with NREMT. The

Commissioner

> gave the

> > Deer/Headlight Sign and deferred to Rick Bays, who dutifilly

spouted the

> party

> > line: " I don't know much about the details of this, but " We Did

The Best

> > Thing For EMS " . Rick will get a medal for valor at the next EMS

luncheon.

> >

> > This is what your state government is doing for you, or

should I

> say,

> > to you. This is the product of the taxes you pay. This is what

those you

> > elected have given you. is not the villain here. He's

just the

> Provost.

> > The real villains are the Governor and Legislature of Texas for

failing

> to

> > enact a meaningful funding program for state government.

> >

> > First Incidental factoid: From EMS Magazine's last survey of

state EMS

> > programs, the budget for the Bureau of Emergency Management was

around

> $2.5 million

> > dollars. The money spent on the redistricting special sessions

would have

> > paid for an EMS Commission second to none.

> >

> > Second incidental factoid: The next legislature will be

wrestling with

> > another 10 billion dollar short fall.

> >

> > Get your helmets on, hide the kids and the money.

> >

> > What can be said about the future of EMS in Texas?

> >

> > Well, in the immortal words of our President, " I think we agree,

the past

> is

> > over. " †" On his meeting with McCain, Dallas Morning News,

May 10, 2000

> >

> > And, " Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we.

They

> never

> > stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people,

and

> neither

> > do we. " †" Washington, D.C., Aug. 5, 2004

> >

> > So there you have it my friends. The future lies ahead.

> >

> > Best,

> >

> > Gene G.

> >

> > My opinions are my own.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > " One should think carefully before lecturing others, " he

> lectured.

> > I don't mean to lecture...well....yes I do.....of course I do.

Get on

> board.

> > Stick your head out of the window and yell, " I'm mad as hell and

I'm not

> > going to take it anymore. "

> >

> > Texas EMS is on the verge of regulatory meltdown. Does anybody

really

> care?

> > People at the BEM say privately to me that they're jumping

ship as soon

> as

> > they can find another boat. People at BEM tell me that they're

afraid to

> say

> > anything for fear of being dumped. TDSHS does not reward those

who

> question.

> > The BEM won't even exist in three more days.

> >

> > Can EMS exist without governmental regulation? We're going to

find out,

> > because there may be NO meaningful governmental regulation of EMS

after

> > 09/01/2004.

> >

> > We're going to get a chance to see what free-market EMS can do.

We know

> what

> > it did 30 years ago. That's why we went to carefully regulated

EMS. Was

> it

> > perfect? Of course not? Was it responsive? Most of the time?

Did it

> > prevent unfettered exploitation of EMS markets, weed out the fly-

by-night

> operators,

> > and keep it clean? For the most part, yes.

> >

> > We're already seeing the vultures landing. They've been circling

and

> > salivating now for some time, waiting for the right time to swoop

in and

> take a bite.

> >

> >

> > We're seeing that with unregulated gurney cars, proliferations of

services

> > without adequate equipment, personnel, financial backing, and

fiscal

> > responsibility once again. County alone has somewhere

around 120

> EMS providers at

> > last count, most of them private transfer services.

> >

> > You go to work in the morning and at noon find out that the

company has

> been

> > sold. You're given a new uniform and continue. Your checks from

both

> > companies bounce.

> > NAFTA has come to EMS.

> >

> > Arizona has closely regulated EMS and nobody can start a service

without

> > obtaining a Certificate of Necessity, which is difficult to

obtain.

> Should we

> > consider implementation of a a CON program? Or let the market do

its

> work?

> > Caveat Emptor?

> >

> > Should EMS be deregulated just as telephone service, electrical

service,

> and

> > airlines have been?

> >

> >

> >

> > Best,

> >

> > Gene G.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Can you imagine the fun it has been for those who have to work for

the organization, or for the parent, Health and Human Services

Commission. We're crossing our fingers that we get paid!

> Gene,

> Maybe we should pool our resources, and conor the market for chain-

link

> fince. There is sure to be much fince building in the near

future. Maybe

> even start breding guard dogs.

>

>

> On the future of Texas EMS

>

>

> >

> > All Y'all:

> >

> > It's been too long since I have proclaimed a true screed, a rant

of

> > magnificent proportions, a politically suicidal self immolation.

I've

> tried to stop

> > it, but just like when you've drunk a quart of Cuervo and

things are

> moving

> > inside you in spite of everything you do, here it comes.

> >

> > Earlier this week there was presented by DSHS a marvelous

demonstration of

> > bureaucratic alchemy --- a video conference advertised as an

opportunity

> for

> > all clients of the new and EVEN MORE Wonderful DSHS to have all

their

> questions

> > answered.

> >

> > What resulted was a display of smoke and mirrors worthy of the

best

> political

> > spinmeisters. Rove, Carville, Hillary and Rummy, eat your hearts

out.

> >

> > The format was supposed to allow questions from around the state

that

> would

> > be answered by the Commissioner and his deputies/assistants, and

they

> would

> > explain how the new agency will address the needs of each

stakeholder.

> > " Satisfactory, " would the bretheren pronounce at the end.

> >

> > It was nicely arranged. Each region was given it's turn to ask

questions,

> > and the Commissioner received them and " answered " them or

referred them to

> > another person to " answer. "

> >

> > Trouble was, the answers were pure blather. Balderdash. It was

all

> quite

> > nice, quite civilized, and quite meaningless. If the agency has

a clue

> what

> > it's doing, it's keeping it a secret.

> >

> > Most questions were answered with one of the following. You may

choose

> any

> > of these answers to any question you have of DSHS and it will

apply

> equally:

> >

> > The legislature made us do it

> > We're doing the best we can

> > We're really nice people and we like you

> > We don't have a handle on that yet, but it's coming

> > We'll have a task force working on that

> > We'll get back to you on that

> > The legislature made us do it

> > Rick, can you answer that?

> > We're going to be able to optimize our services in the

best way

> > possible given the mandate we've received

> > We'll be firing 200 more people, but don't worry, it won't

be you;

> > well, maybe not.

> > Even though I have the " deer in the headlights " look, I

feel your

> > pain. (I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about)

and I'm

> out of

> > here in 15 more minutes, but thanks for coming, and we'll be

doing more of

> these.

> >

> > Thankya, thankya, ladies an gennulmun, thankya. (Elvis

leaves the

> > building).

> >

> > The only EMS related comment that was made was from an

EMSAT Board

> > member who questioned the wisdom of going with NREMT. The

Commissioner

> gave the

> > Deer/Headlight Sign and deferred to Rick Bays, who dutifilly

spouted the

> party

> > line: " I don't know much about the details of this, but " We Did

The Best

> > Thing For EMS " . Rick will get a medal for valor at the next EMS

luncheon.

> >

> > This is what your state government is doing for you, or

should I

> say,

> > to you. This is the product of the taxes you pay. This is what

those you

> > elected have given you. is not the villain here. He's

just the

> Provost.

> > The real villains are the Governor and Legislature of Texas for

failing

> to

> > enact a meaningful funding program for state government.

> >

> > First Incidental factoid: From EMS Magazine's last survey of

state EMS

> > programs, the budget for the Bureau of Emergency Management was

around

> $2.5 million

> > dollars. The money spent on the redistricting special sessions

would have

> > paid for an EMS Commission second to none.

> >

> > Second incidental factoid: The next legislature will be

wrestling with

> > another 10 billion dollar short fall.

> >

> > Get your helmets on, hide the kids and the money.

> >

> > What can be said about the future of EMS in Texas?

> >

> > Well, in the immortal words of our President, " I think we agree,

the past

> is

> > over. " †" On his meeting with McCain, Dallas Morning News,

May 10, 2000

> >

> > And, " Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we.

They

> never

> > stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people,

and

> neither

> > do we. " †" Washington, D.C., Aug. 5, 2004

> >

> > So there you have it my friends. The future lies ahead.

> >

> > Best,

> >

> > Gene G.

> >

> > My opinions are my own.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > " One should think carefully before lecturing others, " he

> lectured.

> > I don't mean to lecture...well....yes I do.....of course I do.

Get on

> board.

> > Stick your head out of the window and yell, " I'm mad as hell and

I'm not

> > going to take it anymore. "

> >

> > Texas EMS is on the verge of regulatory meltdown. Does anybody

really

> care?

> > People at the BEM say privately to me that they're jumping

ship as soon

> as

> > they can find another boat. People at BEM tell me that they're

afraid to

> say

> > anything for fear of being dumped. TDSHS does not reward those

who

> question.

> > The BEM won't even exist in three more days.

> >

> > Can EMS exist without governmental regulation? We're going to

find out,

> > because there may be NO meaningful governmental regulation of EMS

after

> > 09/01/2004.

> >

> > We're going to get a chance to see what free-market EMS can do.

We know

> what

> > it did 30 years ago. That's why we went to carefully regulated

EMS. Was

> it

> > perfect? Of course not? Was it responsive? Most of the time?

Did it

> > prevent unfettered exploitation of EMS markets, weed out the fly-

by-night

> operators,

> > and keep it clean? For the most part, yes.

> >

> > We're already seeing the vultures landing. They've been circling

and

> > salivating now for some time, waiting for the right time to swoop

in and

> take a bite.

> >

> >

> > We're seeing that with unregulated gurney cars, proliferations of

services

> > without adequate equipment, personnel, financial backing, and

fiscal

> > responsibility once again. County alone has somewhere

around 120

> EMS providers at

> > last count, most of them private transfer services.

> >

> > You go to work in the morning and at noon find out that the

company has

> been

> > sold. You're given a new uniform and continue. Your checks from

both

> > companies bounce.

> > NAFTA has come to EMS.

> >

> > Arizona has closely regulated EMS and nobody can start a service

without

> > obtaining a Certificate of Necessity, which is difficult to

obtain.

> Should we

> > consider implementation of a a CON program? Or let the market do

its

> work?

> > Caveat Emptor?

> >

> > Should EMS be deregulated just as telephone service, electrical

service,

> and

> > airlines have been?

> >

> >

> >

> > Best,

> >

> > Gene G.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >