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Here's what readers said about two men fighting for public access to Oswego Lake ("Crooked Lake," WW, June 14, 2017).
Kevin Ferguson, via Facebook: "Can you blame 'em for wanting to keep people out? Look at what happens to Oneonta Gorge or the Clackamas River every year. Maybe if the all the nimrod transplants that claim to love nature didn't crap all over it."
Eric Hagen, in response: "How dare people use public land who aren't me and my friends!"
Troy Broders, via Facebook: "I hope Lake Oswego gets a toxic algae bloom and the entire lake has to be drained and/or poisoned. Then all the rich, selfish, elitist homeowners can look at an empty, muddy lake bottom."
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
The article entitled "A Rich Vein" (WW, June 14, 2017) asserts that the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems profits to the tune of $5.5 million annually from providing services relating to the Medicaid provider tax.
In fact, a separate affiliate organization, Apprise Health Insights, is contracted to do this work in a private party arrangement with the hospitals that are part of the program. This contract with the hospitals does not cost the state Medicaid program a dime. If the hospitals chose to cancel the contract, there would be no savings for the state or the Medicaid program.
Also misleading is the inference that hospital association CEO Andy Davidson's compensation is linked to an increase in the Medicaid provider tax program contracts which Apprise Health Insights services.
The Medicaid provider tax brings in $3.2 billion in federal matching funds, making hospitals one of the largest sources of funding for the state's Medicaid program. Every year since its inception in 2004, hospitals have supported the provider tax because of Medicaid's importance to the health of the patients and communities we serve.
Jim Mattes
Chairman
OAHHS Board of Trustees
WW responds: Mattes suggests that WW incorrectly described a contract between Oregon hospitals and their trade association. In fact, the story describes the contract correctly, stating that "for helping administer the Medicaid payments, the hospitals pay a for-profit affiliate of Davidson's association nearly $6 million a year."
Mattes says there is no connection between Davidson's compensation and the contract. WW's reporting simply stated that the hospital association's net assets nearly tripled since the contract was signed and Mr. Davidson's compensation doubled during the same period.
CORRECTIONS
Last week's Potlander column misstated the process by which medical marijuana became in Ohio. It was a law passed by state legislators and signed by the governor in June 2016.
A story about access to Oswego Lake ("Crooked Lake," WW, June 14, 2017) misidentified one of the parties to the lawsuit. Local attorney Mark Kramer is also a plaintiff while law professor Michael Blumm is an adviser to the suit.
WW regrets the errors.
Letters to the editor must include the author's street address and phone number for verification. Letters must be 250 or fewer words.
Submit to: 2220 NW Quimby St., Portland, OR 97210.
Email: mzusman@wweek.com