A Nurse Practitioner's View

I recently decided to obtain auto insurance quotes from most of the major insurance companies websites. The quote process is generally very simple: enter your information and you get an instant on-line quote. As I feel it necessary to perform some due diligence and not just go with the least expensive quote, I Googled "auto insurance ratings." Well, what a frustrating experience. I wouldn't say that I am now more confused - only that it wasn't at all helpful. The Web is filled with a smattering of reviews and many of the negative ones seem that there is more to the story than what is written. In addition, we mostly know that an unsatisfied customer is much more likely to take their story to the Internet and post it as opposed to a satisfied customer with no issues. What's my point to this post? I have come across various articles and websites that give patients the opportunity to rate their health care provider. In fact, here is an example of such a site. One can...

The New York State Department of Health recently passed emergency regulations requiring all healthcare personnel working in hospital and nursing homes to receive mandatory influenza vaccinations or face termination of employment. I am a vaccine advocate and believe that vaccinations have decreased and in some cases eradicated some infectious illnesses. I do, however, worry about the mandate aspect of this law and how it will be truly be enforced. What do you think? Good idea? Cutting-edge? Violation of privacy? I'd love to hear your thoughts.