quality of life

Long overdue but well done – hope it helps!!

Photo by PoPville flickr user Jim Havard

Last week the Washington Post reported:

“The National Park Service said Thursday that it wants to permanently close the grounds of the Washington Monument to recreational activities and increase reservation fees for use of its 28 athletic fields on the Mall and in Rock Creek Park.”

A petition has been started Don’t Ban Sports & Recreation on the National Mall:

“There are few things more uniquely American than playing a recreational sport in the shadow of the Washington Monument or the National Capitol Building.

Unfortunately, the National Park Service (NPS) has proposed a ban on all sporting and recreational activity along the National Mall from 3rd to 17th Streets. The ban includes eliminating currently permitted softball fields around the Washington Monument grounds and the first-come, first-served policy on the plots from 3rd-14th Streets. The proposed policy is an extreme position and massive change from long standing practice.

Among the NPS-cited concerns, their primary reason offered thus far for the total ban is the perceived impact sports and recreation might have on the recently installed grass turf.

Context: (more…)

Thanks to Scott sending:

“I just asked One Medical to respond to the Carefirst claims and this is what I got back:

Unlike larger health systems, One Medical is focused exclusively on primary care because we know it is an essential part of bringing down overall healthcare costs.

Because they treat many of their needs in the primary care setting, One Medical patients save more than the average patient by reducing unnecessary emergency room or specialty visits.

Even a meaningful increase to our reimbursement rates does not bring us into the top percentage of medical practices in the DC area.

Our goal is to build a practice that is sustainable and strong. We cannot do this without fair and equitable payment rates from our insurance partners. We believe that the rates we seek will simply get us to a fair rate for the quality, service-oriented care we provide–nothing more. (more…)

1827 Adams Mill Road, NW

Thanks to Alex for sending CareFirst’s response to the One Medical coverage situation:

“One Medical is seeking dramatic – egregious – increases in rates from CareFirst as well as additional mandatory charges from CareFirst members that would result in millions of dollars in additional costs to members. Such cost increases at a time when many are already struggling to pay for their healthcare are unconscionable. The sharply increased rates and fees One Medical seeks ultimately come directly out of the pockets of our members and the employer groups to which they belong and these costs have become harder and harder to bear.

The out of network status that One Medical seeks will place their service beyond the reach of many members. This will likely necessitate the need for members who use One Medical to re-establish their primary care relationships with other practices. We deeply regret this unilateral decision by One Medical. However, discussions to resolve this will continue.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr.TinDC

Thanks to a reader for passing on:

“Epic Twitter rant about Comcast service issues in Logan Circle at 15th and Q NW that started in December 2016 to today and it still isn’t fixed that has created a condo wide problem of failed cable and Internet service.”

Continues after the jump. (more…)