March 10, 2011: Our readers write

Questionable ayes for eyes
I have not heard of anyone who agrees with the passing of Senate Bill 110, which permits optometrists to perform eye surgery. Apparently they will not be permitted to perform cataract surgery, but who decides? Patients had better decide or we may be “blind” sided in more ways than one.
I wonder if there is any connection to our new U.S. senator who identified himself as an “eye surgeon.” As I recall it was reported that he was not accepted as a qualified ophthalmologist by the applicable medical approving agency, but after another agency was created, approval was granted.
Is this the creation of a situation that only Kentucky has been “bought” into? Thanks to Jimmie Lee and the other few who voted no and would not be bought.
This seems to be one example of insufficient federal government oversight which “we the people” need, to protect us from the powerful and greedy private sector.
In the process of preparing this response I found something interesting from my Blue Cross Blue Shield provider directory. Listed there are 27 optometrists in Hardin County, only six of these are listed in a local telephone directory. The remaining 21 not listed in the telephone directory have corporate names following the provider’s name in the provider directory. The corporate names are not in the telephone directory either.
There is a foul odor in the air. The Kentucky Legislature and governor should immediately suspend and cancel action on SB110 and deposit all money received into the Medicaid fund. Furthermore, they should unanimously request the federal government implement appropriate oversight regulations outlining procedures to protect “we the people” by ensuring that all medical specialists are fully qualified to perform specific medical services.
W.R. Morgan
Vine Grove

Are you paying attention?
Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, has proposed across-the-board cuts to state government, including cuts to the SEEK fund, education, corrections, health care, family and senior services, the judicial budget, public safety and a host of other areas.
These cuts would be imposed on top of  $1 billion this administration already has cut from state government over the past three years. Our own Rep. Jimmie Lee is fighting to prevent health care cuts.
Wake up Hardin County.
Jeannette Stephens
Radcliff

HOTLINE CALL
A lot more money could be generated for the state by continuing to protect sandhill cranes than by killing them. I traveled all the way to northern Indiana to watch them roost. I love watching them fly over my house during their spring and fall migration. No mention has been made of the endangered whooping cranes travelling with them. Are they going to allow (hunters) to shoot them too?
Mary Yunker
Radcliff