Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Bucking the system not worth it

Ruthe Deskin

Thursday, May 8, 2003 | 8:16 a.m.

Talk about inflation.

Remember the old saying, "A penny for your thoughts"?

Well, how about a dollar?

When I opened some recent correspondence from an outfit called "American Lives Market Research and Innovation," a dollar bill fell out of the envelope, reminding me of those phony checks that offer huge discounts on merchandise -- usually on the purchase of an automobile.

But, this dollar was the real thing. All I had to do to earn it was to fill out a questionnaire.

That seemed a fair exchange, so I pocketed the buck and began my "evaluation of a new community idea." The development was proposed to be built on the south side of Interstate 215 near Summerlin, to include 250 homes, parks and other amenities.

The first question was, "How familiar are you with this area?" My answer would be, "Not at all."

At that point I should have felt obligated to return the dollar bill.

Instead, I read on. Six pages of questions, including every possible item that would affect a new community, followed.

At current prices, $1 was hardly enough to pay for the time spent on the questionnaire if you were an hourly employee.

To earn my dollar, I answered every question, even the one that misspelled my place of present abode.

Now if I can find the prepaid return envelope, I will have fulfilled my obligation to that research committee's "Dollar for your thoughts."

Life is kind of an alphabet soup.

Add a rather new one -- Protective Health Information, or PHI.

If you haven't received a notice regarding PHI, you are lucky. It means you are a mighty healthy specimen and have avoided hospitals, doctors, health-insurance plans, home care or any involvement with medical matters.

For most, providers are hastening to inform us about our PHI.

In a brochure provided by my own health insurance provider, I am reminded of when and how health information might be disclosed and one's individual right to request restrictions.

In case you don't know, PHI means information created or received by a health-care provider, health plan or employer that relates to your past, present or future physical, mental health or condition as well as what provisions have been made for payment of health care.

PHI is personal and protected. Different sources might have different policies, but in general the basics are the same.

If you haven't received information about Protected Health Information, check with your providers. It is important to know your rights and limitations.

What was once considered a shoo-in re-election for Councilman Michael McDonald turned into a horse race when nurse Janet Moncrief upset prognosticators and forced a showdown in the generals.

McDonald's forces seem desperate in efforts to derail Moncrief's campaign by filing complaints with the secretary of state's office regarding unaccounted-for campaign funds.

Political pundits are divided on how effective McDonald's strategy might be as he tries to overcome the negative publicity of his past ethical issues.

At least, the campaign has added a bit of excitement to an otherwise dull election.