From: owner-joni-digest@smoe.org (JMDL Digest) To: joni-digest@smoe.org Subject: JMDL Digest V2007 #581 Reply-To: joni@smoe.org Sender: owner-joni-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-joni-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk Unsubscribe: mailto:joni-digest-request@smoe.org?body=unsubscribe Archives: http://www.smoe.org/lists/joni Website: http://jonimitchell.com JMDL Digest Saturday, February 23 2008 Volume 2007 : Number 581 ========== TOPICS and authors in this Digest: -------- Re: "River" and other ramblings and ravings... (long) now smoke NJC [Cath] Re: "River" and other ramblings and ravings... (long) now smoke NJC [Vict] Re: "River" and other ramblings and ravings... (long) now smoke NJC [Moni] One last mention of Mojo [Monika Bogdanowicz ] Joni & JT, For Free [Patti Parlette ] Re: Joni Content: David Crosby on Tavis Smiley [Monika Bogdanowicz ] Re: "River" and other ramblings and ravings... (long) now smoke NJC ["Kay] NJC O&C debate in TX, and then onto McCain [Patti Parlette ] Herbie on Jay Leno tonight [RoseMJoy@aol.com] Re: salutations ["Mark Scott" ] from Rian njc Fw: Error Posts, offlist ["Mark Scott" ] Re: njc Health Care [] Re: njc Health Care [] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2008 19:25:16 -0500 (EST) From: Catherine McKay Subject: Re: "River" and other ramblings and ravings... (long) now smoke NJC Kay, it's good to hear your voice. I've had experience of die-hard smokers who are more Nazi-like than the non-smokers are supposed to be and I don't like to be considered a Nazi of any kind. There was a guy that wrote to our minister (health) several times threatening to shove a cigarette butt up his, well, butt. He very charmingly taped said butt (the tobacco one, not his arse) to his letter. Just lovely dealing with that shite. I used to smoke but I gave it up over 25 years ago. Now I suppose being an ex-smoker is kind of like being a born-again Christian and some of us get kind of righteous. But I've got allergies with a tendency to sinus infections and bronchitis and I really don't appreciate people smoking around me. I love my younger sisters dearly but do not like to spend a lot of time with them (especially one who seems to have a cigarette permanently attached to her lip, and her husband, nice guy but always coughs like he's going to lose a lung) because I really don't want or need another round of antibiotics. The bottom line is, a lot of us have bad habits but most of them don't affect other people. Smoking is a different story. Smoke 'em if you got 'em but do it elsewhere. Don't know why I got sucked into this argument that crops up from time to time. Oh yeah, the Nazi reference. Being anti-tobacco does not a Nazi make. And I'm staying the hell out of the health care debate. Been there, done that. Glad I live here and not in the US of A. Kay Ashley wrote:Oh, and just so you know, I'm not an anti-smoking nazi. I just have asthma and enjoy breathing. Go partake of the Leaf if ye must. :-) Catherine ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - --------------------------------- Looking for the perfect gift? Give the gift of Flickr! ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2008 19:50:24 -0500 From: Victor Johnson Subject: Re: "River" and other ramblings and ravings... (long) now smoke NJC On Feb 22, 2008, at 6:43 PM, Kay Ashley wrote: > Eric wrote: > > "O Kay, so you don't GET real jazz singing. That's OK, few do! > But it really pisses me off that everyone harps on Joni CONSTANTLY for > enjoying the very Breath Of The Great Spirit which she rightly calls > "a grounding herb." > The non-smoking nazis which originated in California some 20 years ago > & has swept the world with hypocritical BLAME makes me want to blow > tobacco just to purify the endless carbon we spew with our cars & > lightbulbs. > > The REAL factor in Joni's voice is that she is pushing 70 god damn it! > > Do fans actually expect her to sound the same 40 years later???" > > Oh, honey, I am so jazz that you wouldn't know what to do with me. > ;-D LOL No, really, I understand what you're saying. Most of the > time the changes in her voice don't bother me at all and I appreciate > the new timbres and the phrasings that have emerged later in her > career. I had just come off reading the Mojo piece when I posted that > long letter, and I'm just flabbergasted that she denies that smoking > has anything to do with the changes, that's all. Whether the changes > have "ruined" anything is obviously a matter of opinion. And yes, age > is a factor, but any singer will tell you that smoke absolutely > affects the voice. Interesting topic. I would agree, I think its silly of her to deny this as well. I'm actually taking a class in vocal pedagogy this semester and we're learning all about the muscles and nerves and inner workings of the larynx and pharynx, vocal cords, the vocal cavity, breaking down the whole process of singing, phonation, resonation, etc.......we actually got to see some video footage of actual vocal folds, some suffering from polyps and cysts, but I will say that is some damn delicate equipment and smoking certainly takes its toll on the vocal folds. You can joke about it all you want and get into discussions about who blames who and whether smoking should be allowed or banned and that is all very interesting but it really has nothing to do with the fact that continually smoking will do damage to the voice. Kay makes a good point also about how she appreciates the timbre and phrasing in her voice now and I would agree. I love the album "Both Sides Now" and her treatment of the jazz standards on that record. I think in many cases creative people tend to engage in some practices that could be considered destructive and if you think about it, it makes complete sense. Destruction is simply the opposite of creation so there is bound to be some passion involved in both. In a larger sense, life is built around creation and destruction and to some degree, I think a little destruction is a good thing. Though I try to eat healthy for the most part, sometimes I just crave some hot wings or that steak, egg, and cheese bagel from McDonalds. Now if that was all I ate, I think I would be in a boatload of trouble but it's more the occasional exception. In any case though, I think life would be pretty boring if you never did anything that might be considered destructive. What your vice is and to what degree you wish to partake of it is completely up to you. I don't think anyone should judge Joni for smoking...it's the choice she made. But she should accept the consequences, whatever they might be. Victor ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2008 18:55:55 -0800 (PST) From: Monika Bogdanowicz Subject: Re: "River" and other ramblings and ravings... (long) now smoke NJC I believe a wise, wise man once said "moderation is key." As for the smoking/singing discussion goes, I know someone personally who I talked to about this. I had talked to an acquaintance of mine recently (he was the singer in a rock-n-roll band I was in about 2 years ago) who said he had taken up smoking. Not knowing where he was going with this I didn't say anything and he went on a rant about how everyone was telling him that it's not a good idea to smoke when you're a singer and so forth. I simply said it does change your voice and he continued on now ranting about how he can hit more high notes now then before when we were in a band together. He even went as far a saying he thought the smoking did this. I just mentioned to him smoking won't affect your voice today or tomorrow but over time it does and he shut up about it. You see, people believe whatever they want to believe and make themselves think positively about most things they do (such as Joni with her smoking). I mean, afterall, (no offense to any of you smokers) does anyone pick up a cigarette and really think, "wow, I can't wait to inhale all this tar to blacken my lungs and increase my chance for lung cancer!" Nah. There really is no positive in smoking but if you want to smoke, there's nothing anyone can do about it, so go for it. If you don't want to smoke, then don't. -Monika Victor Johnson wrote: On Feb 22, 2008, at 6:43 PM, Kay Ashley wrote: degree, I think a little destruction is a good thing. Though I try to eat healthy for the most part, sometimes I just crave some hot wings or that steak, egg, and cheese bagel from McDonalds. Now if that was all I ate, I think I would be in a boatload of trouble but it's more the occasional exception. In any case though, I think life would be pretty boring if you never did anything that might be considered destructive. What your vice is and to what degree you wish to partake of it is completely up to you. I don't think anyone should judge Joni for smoking...it's the choice she made. But she should accept the consequences, whatever they might be. Victor - --------------------------------- Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2008 19:01:43 -0800 (PST) From: Monika Bogdanowicz Subject: One last mention of Mojo In all this time, nobody mentioned (here or anywhere in an article) what I consider to be the best part of Joni's interview in Mojo! This, more than anything she said, stuck out to me like a flower among the grass! Mojo asked Joni how she likes to think of her music and eloquently, very eloquently and accurately Joni said her music is "like a river, constantly changing." Of course she also said that sometimes it is still and deep and sometimes it is a raging waterfall. That is a perfect description of her music and a beautiful statement worthy of beaing quoted when anyone asks me what Joni's music is all about! Joni knows her own music man. -Monika - --------------------------------- Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 23 Feb 2008 03:08:30 +0000 From: Patti Parlette Subject: Joni & JT, For Free Bon soir, Joniamigos, and a round resounding welcome for you, David, way up there in NH! You will find the JMDL your best source for news, Joni and otherwise. It's a warm arrangement. Well there ain't nothin' to do And there's always room for more Fill it, light it, shut up And close the door Cuz we gonna lay around the shanty, mamas and papas And put a good Joni buzz on Joni has been in my blood like holy wine from her beginning, when my best friend gave me the just-released STAS when we were in between 8th and 9th grade. I've just been alerted to some Joni/JT free downloads from a site that most of you probably know about -- and most of you probably already have these fiery gems -- but for those who do not, voila: http://www.bigozine2.com/archive/ARrarities/ARjmjtroyal.html From the Royal Albert Hall. (Beatles' TIC: now they know how many holes it takes to fill the Albert Hall. I'd love to tur-urr-urr-urrnnnn you-you-you ah-ah-ahnnn to more Joni...) They are available for just a few more days, so get them quickly. "Nothing lasts for long, nothing lasts for long." Wanting to learn a little more about this site, a friend of spirit helped me find this: [started by Hejiraboy on Oct-23-2007 at 05:30:39 GMT-5] A tous les fans de Joni Mitchell / To all Joni Mitchell fans: Le site musical alternatif BIGOZINE, qui propose rigulihrement d'excellents bootlegs ` tilicharger gratuitement, ` mis en ligne l'un des bootlegs de Joni Mitchell (qui, on le sait, n'est pas trhs ginireuse en morceaux inidits, contrairement ` un Dylan ou un Neil Young...) les plus recherchis. (from http://jonimitchell.com/forum/fullthread.cfm?place=yes&threadid=824 ) Okay, c'est tout pour le moment. Bon weekend, tout le Jonimonde! Love & Peace, Patti P. in CT, watching the snow gather like bolts of lace underneath the streetlight _________________________________________________________________ Shed those extra pounds with MSN and The Biggest Loser! http://biggestloser.msn.com/ ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2008 19:10:53 -0800 (PST) From: Monika Bogdanowicz Subject: Re: Joni Content: David Crosby on Tavis Smiley Thanks for the link to this transcript! -Monika Patti Parlette wrote: So I *wasn't* dreaming! Here's the conversation between David Crosby and Tavis Smiley: http://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/archive/200802/20080219_crosby.html Beautiful Joni and Herbie talk at the end. Goosebumps! These two really "get" Joni. "I think it's so groovy now, that people are finally getting together" to extol the genius of Joni Mitchell. Her name's in the news, everything's first class. xo, pp _________________________________________________________________ Shed those extra pounds with MSN and The Biggest Loser! http://biggestloser.msn.com/ - --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2008 19:19:04 -0800 (PST) From: Rian Afriadi Subject: Healthcare, but not about HealthCare Anymore : Life Drama NJC [TABLE NOT SHOWN] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2008 22:23:00 -0500 (EST) From: Catherine McKay Subject: Re: "River" and other ramblings and ravings... (long) now smoke NJC Interesting theory and it makes sense to me. It's all about balance - day and night, yin and yang, black and white, high pressure and low pressure. When it comes to bad habits, I like smashing stuff. ;-) Victor Johnson wrote:I think in many cases creative people tend to engage in some practices that could be considered destructive and if you think about it, it makes complete sense. Destruction is simply the opposite of creation so there is bound to be some passion involved in both. In a larger sense, life is built around creation and destruction and to some degree, I think a little destruction is a good thing. Catherine ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - --------------------------------- All new Yahoo! Mail - - --------------------------------- Get a sneak peak at messages with a handy reading pane. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2008 22:39:27 -0500 From: "Kay Ashley" Subject: Re: njc Health Care Kakki wrote: "On another note, someone young without health insurance can get coverage for about the cost of a high speed combo cell phone internet connection. I have given information to two men in their 40s here on the list in the past where they got coverage for around $125 a month with $1,000 deductible regardless of pre-existing conditions. Maybe I just have a more optimistic view being from California - our laws are more often enlightened and I think they basically prohibited insurance carriers from disqualiying people based on pre-existing conditions many years ago. That was based on the premise of "bad faith" dealing. If people have paid in it would be bad faith (a legal violation) to then disqualify them arbitrarily." Kakki, I can guarantee you that this kind of insurance is exceedingly rare in this country. It is certainly not available in NY, as far as my extensive self-interested research revealed. And here in NY, even my current employer-sponsored, extremely posh insurance plan has a pre-existing condition clause. Personally, I would like to see the name of the insurance plan you refer to, because I have some friends here in NY who could really use it. I'm glad that you're more optimistic about this issue than many people; as you point out, CA's laws are often more enlightened. But do you see the irony here and the inconsistency in your anti-government control argument? Laws are enacted by the government. That means government control, so, clearly we already *have* government control. California has a better safety net than New York and has better consumer protection re: health insurance *because of laws passed by representative government.* The problem is that government control doesn't go far enough and is inconsistent from state to state, and there isn't a federal standard to keep the states in line. Government control of access to health coverage already exists in the U.S., it just doesn't benefit everyone in its current form. And that's what needs to change. I stand by my opinion that expanding Medicaid is the best way to approach solving the healthcare crisis in this country, and my own experience living in another culture has absolutely convinced me that other countries do a much better job than we do. I don't see any reason whatsoever to be polite about the U.S. system. I've seen it from both sides now, and it sucks. And this isn't something I heard on Air America Radio; this is something I've experienced. As I said in my original post, if you haven't lived it, you just don't know. I believe that access to health care is an area where class lines should not exist. That doesn't mean killing the American Dream. It just means engineering it a little bit so that people don't get eaten alive. And I *seriously* doubt that such measures would result in a proliferation of state-run hospitals where smokers (sorry, Eric) and other money-sucking "undesirables" get euthanized. You can take me out back and shoot me if I turn out to be wrong. Sorry to be so snippy about this, but I feel compelled to present an alternate view of reality. Kay ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ KAY ASHLEY ~ Singer-Songwriter http://www.kayashley.com http://www.myspace.com/kayashley http://www.sonicbids.com/kayashley ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2008 22:49:34 -0500 From: "Kay Ashley" Subject: Re: "River" and other ramblings and ravings... (long) now smoke NJC Victor, that is such a cool take on the subject. Now I can view all my self-destructive tendencies -- like getting embroiled in political debates on public listserves -- ;-D as part of my creative process. And isn't the vocal anatomy stuff just amazing? I'm so happy for you that you're in music school. I'm thinking of going to grad school in a couple of years at NYU's music technology/film scoring program. It's a combo of composition, audio engineering, film scoring and conducting. I'll probably end up composing ring tones to pay off the loans, but hey, what the hell ;-) Kay On Fri, Feb 22, 2008 at 7:50 PM, Victor Johnson wrote: > > Interesting topic. I would agree, I think its silly of her to deny > this as well. I'm actually taking a class in vocal pedagogy this > semester and we're learning all about the muscles and nerves and inner > workings of the larynx and pharynx, vocal cords, the vocal cavity, > breaking down the whole process of singing, phonation, resonation, > etc.......we actually got to see some video footage of actual vocal > folds, some suffering from polyps and cysts, but I will say that is > some damn delicate equipment and smoking certainly takes its toll on > the vocal folds. You can joke about it all you want and get into > discussions about who blames who and whether smoking should be allowed > or banned and that is all very interesting but it really has nothing > to do with the fact that continually smoking will do damage to the > voice. Kay makes a good point also about how she appreciates the > timbre and phrasing in her voice now and I would agree. I love the > album "Both Sides Now" and her treatment of the jazz standards on that > record. > > I think in many cases creative people tend to engage in some practices > that could be considered destructive and if you think about it, it > makes complete sense. Destruction is simply the opposite of creation > so there is bound to be some passion involved in both. In a larger > sense, life is built around creation and destruction and to some > degree, I think a little destruction is a good thing. Though I try to > eat healthy for the most part, sometimes I just crave some hot wings > or that steak, egg, and cheese bagel from McDonalds. Now if that was > all I ate, I think I would be in a boatload of trouble but it's more > the occasional exception. In any case though, I think life would be > pretty boring if you never did anything that might be considered > destructive. What your vice is and to what degree you wish to partake > of it is completely up to you. I don't think anyone should judge Joni > for smoking...it's the choice she made. But she should accept the > consequences, whatever they might be. > > Victor ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 23 Feb 2008 04:11:47 +0000 From: Patti Parlette Subject: NJC O&C debate in TX, and then onto McCain Em and Bob wrote: I thought it was excellent - I think it helped people to see the distinction between being a Statesman vs. being a Politician. I did like the audience's response when Hillary took her awkward and silly "Xerox" cheap shot, and Obama's dismissal of it was great. That alone to me was evidence that she represents Washington business as usual. Now what I'm really looking forward to are the McCain - ___________? debates. They will almost be too painful to watch. **** Yeah, darn right on, brothers and sisters! And Richard wondered which writer wrote that dud. Funny how that came right after she said this: "If your candidacy is going to be about words, then they should be your own words." Silly season! "Maybe it's a woman, or a black man after all"....some of the crazy you get from too much choice....but I am "delusional" for Obama, too. If you had told me years ago that I would not be supporting a woman for President -- and one who named her daughter after a Joni Mitchell song, to boot! -- I would have told you you were nuts. But I did like the end. Hopefully we can unite, whoever comes out on top, for the common good against McCain, who has "never done anything unethical". (Why am I hearing Tricky Dick saying "I am not a crook" deja-vu all over again?) If you have a few seconds, check this out: http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/27350-john-mccain-is-dr-strangelove This man loves war. That's what his story is for. No more war! The economy is tanking because of the WAR, stupid! If they don't care about the human cost and consequences, you'd think they'd at least care about the money money money. ("Money trumps peace.", GWB 02/14/07) I'd better stop. Bon nuit! Looking for the Peace and the Star, Patti P. _________________________________________________________________ Need to know the score, the latest news, or you need your Hotmail.-get your "fix". http://www.msnmobilefix.com/Default.aspx ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2008 20:18:00 -0800 (PST) From: Em Subject: Re: "River" and ..snip...(long) now smoke NJC/ snow smashing - --- Catherine McKay wrote: > When it comes to bad habits, I like smashing stuff. ;-) > hahhahahahah...me too! "if you feel like china breaking, if you feel like laughing.. break china laughing, break china laughing laughing laughing" bup bup bup bup bup bup de bup bup...delicious bass etc.... Airplane.... smash on, Catherine.... SMASH ON WIT YA BAD SELF!!!!!!!!!!!!! Em :D ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2008 20:19:04 -0800 (PST) From: Em Subject: Re: "River" and ..snip...(long) now smoke NJC/ snow smashing - --- Catherine McKay wrote: > When it comes to bad habits, I like smashing stuff. ;-) > hahhahahahah...me too! "if you feel like china breaking, if you feel like laughing.. break china laughing, break china laughing laughing laughing" bup bup bup bup bup bup de bup bup...delicious bass etc.... Airplane.... smash on, Catherine.... SMASH ON WIT YA BAD SELF!!!!!!!!!!!!! Em :D ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2008 20:40:22 -0800 (PST) From: Laura Stanley Subject: Re: O&C debate in TX, njc Hi Ya'll, I thought the Xerox comment and Hillary's face when she said it were funny. Just as bizarre to me was Obama's response to the Cuban transition of leadership. Hillary answered first that she would go speak with the new leader on the condition that Cuba does things favorable for our country and for the Cuban people. Obama's reply was to the effect that he would personally go over there without any conditions so it wouldn't be like we are saying we are better than the rest of the world, that this idea we are better than the rest of the world is part of the problem we have with other countries. I don't agree that it is like saying we are better than other countries if we make it known that we aren't going to take abuse from another country nor support them in abusing their own people. I would have trouble voting for a person for president who doesn't think the country s/he is leading is the best country in the world or wouldn't strive to become the best because it might offend other countries. That comment from Obama actually made me think of voting for McCain. Love, Laura ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2008 23:53:45 EST From: RoseMJoy@aol.com Subject: Herbie on Jay Leno tonight Performance from the CD "River: The Joni Letters" rosie **************Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living. (http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/ 2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598) ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2008 20:19:00 -0800 From: "Mark Scott" Subject: Re: salutations - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kate Johnson" > But Joni continuously astounds my ears, as well. I have no > professional music training and cannot articulate my admiration for > what she does, but for me the songs, their lyrics and arrangements > along with her vocals and playing, are not only intelligent and > masterful but are beautifully realized evocations of life. Wish I > could explain! I think you explained it beautifully, Kate. Thank you for putting so succinctly and eloquently! Mark in Seattle ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2008 20:45:51 -0800 From: "Mark Scott" Subject: from Rian njc Fw: Error Posts, offlist - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rian Afriadi" To: "bob muller" ; "randy remote" ; "Mark Scott" Sent: Friday, February 22, 2008 7:45 PM Subject: Error Posts, offlist > So, i post 8 messages this months... But all of them ended with > : TABLE NOT SHOWN. > > This frustrates me. Do you know what's wrong with this? This > never happend before. > > > > Rian > > PS. If you have no idea, can you please forward this message to > the list? > > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2008 21:56:04 -0800 From: "Randy Remote" Subject: Re: Herbie on Jay Leno tonight Just saw it-they did "River"-didn't catch the vocalist's name but she weren't very good ...still glad for Herbie's success (and Joni's). RR > Performance from the CD "River: The Joni Letters" > rosie ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2008 23:45:04 -0800 From: Subject: Re: njc Health Care Jerry wroteL > Actually, significant Tort Reform was passed, Class Action Reform, > February > 17, 2005, and it was supported by 18 Democrat Senators Well good, may it continue! >(including that left wing, communist, evil hag from California Senator >Feinstein) and 50 Democrat > Congressmen. Oh Jerry LOL. Ms. Feinstein is essentially regarded as a San Francisco style Republican in Calif.! Seriously! She has always been pretty well regarded here and many, many Republicans have voted for her over the years. Kakki ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2008 23:42:32 -0800 From: Subject: Re: njc Health Care Hi Randy, > I've had some experience with Medi-Cal here in California, too. It's > great for emergency room visits, not so great for things like routine > dental work, since very few docs accept it. It's a good system for the > poor, but not for the working stiff-they will make you sell your second > car, any property you own, etc before they will help you. Your income > has to be very low. I quite agree that they make it very hard to obtain it and do think they should change the rules a bit on it. We are paying into it afterall. Seems it should be available based on need. I recall some stuff a few months back that Ahnold is trying to make some reforms with this but haven't heard anything lately. >I was also told that they now say you must have a child to get it >yourself-don't know if that's true, but if so, that's stupid. I used it years ago without any hassle. Have some friends who have used it in recent years and had not problem and had major surgeries performed by top doctors and were covered. On the other hand, another friend who recently tried for it told me she was given some crazy reason like you relate why she can't get it. I don't know. I told here to keep trying and talk to other MediCal specialists who are usually in house at most hospitals. > My wife gets Medicare, which we must pay $350/month for. I guess it's > good if you were going to be spending $4000/year for medical expenses > anyway. I will never be eligible for it. Medicare is a whole other subject! In addition to having an amount taken out every month for Medicare, my mom spends a large part of her fixed income on extra supplemental insurance which one must have in addition to Medicare. She must have it or risk being billed thousands over and above what Medicare provides. I am not impressed at all by it. She also finally signed up for the recent prescription drug program through the government and even that is not so great unless one is totally indigent. Her medicines cost several hundred dollars a month because they are special and not generic. She is lucky to have a good and kindly doctor who saves bags of samples for her and supplies her with them for free every few months. > Kakki, I would like to know more about the plan you mentioned that > cannot turn down people with pre-existing conditions. I'm not an expert and may need to do some research. I am not thinking of a plan per se but I believe California changed the law about 15 years ago or so where you cannot deny health coverage because of pre-existing conditions. Now it may be only for when one applies for company-provided health insurance but I don't think so (because the law should apply to all). I believe there were rulings that it was "bad faith" to deny based on pre-existing conditions and Calif. has always had fairly stringent laws against bad faith insurance dealings. I remember reading and hearing about this but it has been a long time. I do know that over 15 years ago I had to disclose pre-existing conditions when applying for health insurance at certain of my employers but have never encountered that again with subsequent employers. I'll try to find out and let you know. If a Calif. legal/insurance type lurker knows, please enlighten! ;-) Kakki ------------------------------ End of JMDL Digest V2007 #581 ***************************** ------- Post messages to the list by clicking here: mailto:joni@smoe.org Unsubscribe by clicking here: mailto:joni-digest-request@smoe.org?body=unsubscribe -------