121. Penny Saved, Penny Earned

So how can my group contribute to the trillion dollars that some of my favorite experts claim can be cut from American healthcare expenses without cutting quality?

Starting this month, the trash cans in the doctor's offices will not be emptied nightly; twice a week if we're lucky.

Don't worry, though, the exam room waste will stil be cleared daily.

120: INS

Round One
At 30 weeks Ines asked me to write a letter to the INS asking that her husband be given a visa so that he could travel from Mexico to be with her for the delivery.  I have no problem with that, so letter composed and sent. I don't know her immigration status, but since she is openly petitioning the INS, I would assume she is a citizen, or has a green card.

Round Two
A few weeks later she tells me that the INS denied her request, observing that she could simply return to Mexico. So she asks me to write a second letter recommending against air travel. I agree, though I'm on shaky grounds; there is no generalized recommendation against air travel for pregnant women at any gestational age. Some airlines require a doctors note if past 36 weeks, and of course there can always be case by case exceptions, for example, a pregnancy at risk for preterm labor.

Round Three: stay tuned.