The sane society—Last month, Daniel Provencio, a California prisoner, was released despite five months to go. He is brain dead and doctors see no hope of recovery. In January, Provencio, doing time for alleged parole violation, was shot in the head by a guard’s stun gun foam pellet. According to officials, the shooting was triggered when a fracas broke out between three inmates. There was no indication that Provencio was involved.

Since then, he’s been in a public hospital, and the prison was paying the bills. Also, regulations required that guards be posted near his bedside around the clock, even though he remained comatose. His family has refused to agree to pulling the plug. Gov. Schwarzenegger declared it was “ludicrous” for the state to be footing the bills. Now “free,” Provencio has qualified for Medicaid.

A grim note—“London—Two drugs often prescribed for patients with dementia are ineffective, and one of them actually speeds mental decline, a study shows. Quetiapine (sold as Serquel) and rivastigmine (Exelon) are prescribed to almost half of patients with dementia in residential homes.”—The Times, London.

Must be revos—Las Vegas, Nevada, has been sprouting like a weed patch. New casinos, hotels, condos—profits are rolling in. But for a significant sector of the work force, the profits aren’t coming their way. However, the Democrats in the state legislature have a radical plan. Follow this. If the boss refuses to provide health benefits, the minimum wage will soar from $5.15 an hour to $6.15. And if the boss does provide medical coverage, he won't have to pay the $1 minimum wage hike.

Speaking of HMO—Relatively, it’s surprising how little dental coverage is provided. Here’s an indication: In Salinas, Kansas, 2,000 volunteer dentists from across the state, spent a three-day weekend at a local clinic. For free, they pulled 3,700 teeth and filled 2,300 cavities.  
 
 
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