Just a few minutes after the story was posted online this morning, the first reader commented on Monroe Clinic receiving money for information technology work from the federal spending bill.
Good for the Clinic, but another example of the pork barrel reckless spending going on in Washington! How is this money going to stimulate job growth in our area? Remember, the stimulus money is our money! Nothing comes for free! the reader commented.
First, its important to note that this funding is coming not from the economic stimulus package, but from the spending bill signed earlier last month that keeps government services running. But that spending bill included thousands of earmarks, drawing much public debate.
It brings to mind the difficult question of whether earmarks, or pork, are good, bad or indifferent?
Earmark has become a dirty word in Washington. Earmarks are government funds that are allocated by a legislator for a particular pet project, often without proper review. Sen. Herb Kohl and Rep. Tammy Baldwin, both Democrats, have taken credit for including this particular earmark.
Now, I would argue that the information technology push being undertaken by Monroe Clinic is a very good thing for the Clinic and for its patients. I also would argue that a conversion to paperless records will ultimately contribute to reducing health care costs nationally.
The question I have for you is whether you think its OK for this funding to come from the federal government in the form of an earmark? Im interested in your answers.
Good for the Clinic, but another example of the pork barrel reckless spending going on in Washington! How is this money going to stimulate job growth in our area? Remember, the stimulus money is our money! Nothing comes for free! the reader commented.
First, its important to note that this funding is coming not from the economic stimulus package, but from the spending bill signed earlier last month that keeps government services running. But that spending bill included thousands of earmarks, drawing much public debate.
It brings to mind the difficult question of whether earmarks, or pork, are good, bad or indifferent?
Earmark has become a dirty word in Washington. Earmarks are government funds that are allocated by a legislator for a particular pet project, often without proper review. Sen. Herb Kohl and Rep. Tammy Baldwin, both Democrats, have taken credit for including this particular earmark.
Now, I would argue that the information technology push being undertaken by Monroe Clinic is a very good thing for the Clinic and for its patients. I also would argue that a conversion to paperless records will ultimately contribute to reducing health care costs nationally.
The question I have for you is whether you think its OK for this funding to come from the federal government in the form of an earmark? Im interested in your answers.
