Where I Stand — Ruthe Deskin: Nevadans victimized by growing insurance fraud problem

Tuesday, May 12, 1998 | 10:11 a.m.

"INSURANCE FRAUD continues to be a growing problem in Nevada, and the citizens of this state are paying the price for this crime through the increased cost of obtaining and maintaining their insurance policies."

Nevada Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa made that statement about the same time USA Today and a major television program revealed the extent that we are being victimized by insurance fraud.

Staged auto accidents are on the rise and the perpetrators use all kinds of ingenious methods to accomplish their goal -- defrauding insurance companies with phony reports of stolen cars, phony injuries and accidents that didn't happen.

According to Del Papa, law-enforcement officials are convinced that heavily armed and dangerous criminal groups have recently moved into the state to profit from insurance fraud.

USA Today reports that insurance-fraud schemes have spread from the freeways of California to big cities such as Houston and Phoenix and even smaller towns such as Fair Lawn, N.J. Millions of dollars have been paid out in phony claims.

To her credit, the attorney general has expanded the Insurance Fraud Unit to include four prosecutors and five investigators.

If you feel you have been victimized by any type of insurance fraud, report your concern to the attorney general's toll-free fraud hotline at 1-800-266-8688.

President Clinton has had a respite from the headlines thanks to Viagra and Jerry Seinfeld.

The airwaves were overburdened with news of the wonder drug that promises to rejuvenate the sex life of males frustrated with impotence.

And, if it wasn't Viagra, it was the hype about the Seinfeld show, some of which lost a bit of luster over the brouhaha occurring when Puerto Ricans took offense at the recent segment that found the Seinfeld characters involved in a Puerto Rican celebration and parade.

Not since "M*A*S*H" has the public been stirred into such a frenzy over the final episode of a television show.

For my money, nothing can ever top the last episode of "Barney Miller," which brought to an end one of my favorite shows of all time.

As the world waits the touted demise of Seinfeld, public officials in many states are agonizing over whether Medicaid programs should pay to enhance the performance of men who don't have $10 to shell out for the magic pill.

Without naming names, I do know one fellow who gave Viagra a try. "All it did," he claimed, "was give me a headache and keep me awake all night."

With news that Nevada's teen-pregnancy rate dropped in 1997, our state still ranks second in the nation in that category.

Whenever I read the stats on teen pregnancy, I recall a 15-year-old girl I met at Child Haven. She was sitting in a chair, staring off into space with a sad and bewildered expression. She was almost ready to give birth to a baby, and she was just a baby herself.

I've often wondered whatever happened to that little girl.

I tell this story as a reminder that Gov. Bob Miller has declared May "Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month" in Nevada to bring attention to the issue.

As we wander through life, we meet thousands of people along the way. Some are quickly forgotten, others make an indelible impression.

Such is the case with Cranford Crawford, whom I was fortunate to meet years ago in my work with the Clark County Juvenile Probation Committee. I was impressed then and have continued to be impressed through the years with this man's quiet competence and never-failing good humor.

Cranford Crawford is retiring from his position with the Clark County Department of Family and Youth Services.

He will be missed.

Basketball comments:

The Lakers are looking better all the time.

Larry Bird has molded a solid, game-wise crew with his Indiana Pacers.

When that extra something is needed, there's always Michael Jordan.

Bet on the Bulls for their last hurrah.

Is there anything sweeter than a Stockton-to-Malone pass?

Patrick Ewing's return came a little too late.

Where will George Karl be next year? He's a good coach, and any team would be lucky to have him.

I'm becoming a couch potato watching the games -- will it ever end?

Some people think that if medical costs keep rising, hospitalization plans will be sending out "get well or else" cards.