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New York Post
21-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
I'm a geriatric MD — Joe Biden's plight shows telltale signs of elder abuse
As a geriatric medical specialist, I am all too familiar with the telltale signs of elder abuse, which is disturbingly common among American seniors. So as an alarmed citizen, I have referred former President Joe Biden to the Adult Protective Services Division of Delaware's Department of Health and Social Services as a likely elder-abuse victim — naming Jill Biden, Dr. Kevin O'Connor and former Biden chief of staff Jeffrey Zients as possible perpetrators. The news of Biden's advanced prostate cancer diagnosis, the release of audio from special counsel Robert Hur's 2023 interview and the revelations of Biden's cognitive decline from the new book 'Original Sin' make it clear to me that we're seeing something even more malevolent than a political and media cover-up: The former president was, and likely still is, being victimized. Elder abuse is an intentional act or failure to act by a caregiver or another trusted person that causes or creates a risk of harm to an older adult. As this case tragically demonstrates, it can happen to anyone, committed by anyone. Visible bruising and other injuries from physical violence are obvious forms of abuse. Non-violent actions — like deprivation of food, causing weight loss, or intimidation, causing social withdrawal and personality changes — are also defined as abusive behavior. A more sinister type of elder abuse, however, involves the exploitation of an elderly individual for the abuser's financial, personal or — in this case — political gain. It seems apparent that those closest to Joe Biden, people upon whom he was and remains dependent, usurped the power and authority of his office for their own benefit, while professionals who had a duty to protect him failed to do so. Who can forget Jill Biden's gushing praise of her husband's humiliating performance during the presidential debate? What was behind her insistence that he run for office when she, above all others, had to be aware of his failing cognitive capacities and declining physical health? Is she a loving spouse or a master manipulator, using his dependency on her to control his decision-making? If the latter, she is engaged in elder abuse. What kind of medical professional could fail to recognize the profound deterioration of the president's physical and intellectual capabilities? How could a physician issue a clean bill of health for someone so obviously suffering from dementia, condoning the pursuit of another four-year stint in the most cognitively challenging job on the planet? How could any clinician fail to diagnose prostate cancer when it was still in an early, potentially curable stage? Either Dr. Kevin O'Connor failed to practice medicine at the professional standard of care, or he has actively participated in a cover-up — in which case he, too, was involved in elder abuse. The case against him is even more egregious since O'Connor, above all others, had a professional duty to protect his patient. Which person — or indeed, how many people — on the president's staff used his autopen to sign official documents, including the dozens of presidential pardons in his final days? Surely, they recognized the same limitations that Hur saw when he de facto acknowledged Biden's lack of cognitive capacity. But even if they blinded themselves to the truth, the Justice Department's website specifically defines as elder abuse the use of a senior's signature to execute monetary and other transactions the individual doesn't understand. Shame on Jeffrey Zients and all other staff members who literally stole the authority of a compromised, vulnerable old man for their own purposes. The referral I filed to the state of Delaware did not recommend Hur for investigation, but I find his actions both questionable and concerning. He declined to press criminal charges against Biden for illegally retaining classified documents, because he found the president to be 'a sympathetic, well-meaning elderly man with a poor memory.' As a trained attorney, however, Hur must have been aware that the American Bar Association recognizes the legal concept of 'undue influence' as it relates to elder abuse: the intentional use of social influence, deception and manipulation to gain control of the decision-making of another. Hur came to his conclusions regarding Biden's lack of capacity in October 2023, but failed to sound the alarm — despite being fully aware that the complex orders and documents being issued in the president's name exceeded his cognitive capabilities. Didn't he have a duty to do so, under his profession's stated standards? In our system, the final determination of whether an elder has been the victim of abuse is made by a state's Adult Protective Services agency, following its investigation of a credible allegation. We can only hope that the state of Delaware will function as it should — and give the former president the attention and scrutiny his tragic situation deserves. Elaine Healy, MD, FACP is a practicing geriatric physician and certified nursing-home medical director.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Audit finds Delaware is mostly compliant spending $4.2B in federal funds; Violations found
Delaware responsibly managed most of the more than $4.2 billion it received in federal funds during the 2024 fiscal year, according to a newly released audit from Delaware State Auditor Lydia E. York. The findings are part of the state's annual Delaware Uniform Guidance Single Audit. However, while the audit found widespread compliance, it also uncovered serious issues and violations in several major programs. The State Auditor's Office described the audit as a key tool for promoting transparency in how federal funds are used to deliver essential public services, especially in areas like public health, education and social welfare. The audit examined how state agencies handled federal funding streams across 17 major federal programs, including Medicaid, food assistance, disaster relief and public health efforts. Funding from these programs covers a broad range of areas, such as education, affordable housing, clean water, child care and pandemic recovery. Agencies included in the review were the Department of Labor, Department of Health and Social Services, Delaware Emergency Management Agency and the Office of the Governor. Some entities, such as the Delaware State Housing Authority and Delaware State University, were not part of this audit because they are subject to separate evaluations under the same federal guidelines. Despite overall compliance, auditors flagged material weaknesses, significant deficiencies and compliance-related issues in five key programs. The five programs with notable findings include: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program cluster Unemployment insurance Coronavirus state and local fiscal recovery funds Coronavirus capital projects fund Activities to support state, tribal, local and territorial health department response to public health or health care crises A total of nine programs were found to be out of compliance with federal audit standards, including major services such as the Children's Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, and Medicaid. The findings come as Congress debates possible budget cuts and legal battles continue over the future of federal aid programs. In a statement, York defended the federal funding supporting these programs, emphasizing that the required audit is meant to promote service improvement, rather than drastic reductions to vital public services and jobs. TBD: Medicaid funding battle threatens Delaware's health care system, local leaders warn One of the most critical findings involved the state's Unemployment Insurance program. Auditors were unable to verify how funds from the Unemployment Trust Fund were spent, due to a lack of documentation from the Delaware Department of Labor. As previously reported, former unemployment insurance administrator Michael Brittingham was found to have embezzled more than $181,000 from the trust fund, in 2023. He died by suicide shortly after an internal criminal investigation began in April of that year. Ahead of the audit's release, the Delaware Department of Labor acknowledged ongoing issues and pledged to take action to rebuild public trust. In a statement, Secretary of Labor Lakresha Moultrie announced the department is putting corrective measures in place to strengthen internal controls and ensure compliance with both state and federal standards. Officials also committed to providing regular public updates to maintain transparency throughout the improvement process. You can contact staff reporter Anitra Johnson at ajohnson@ This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: State audit report Delaware mostly compliant in managing federal funds
CBC
18-02-2025
- Health
- CBC
Building materials for long-delayed health centre in Tulı́t'a, N.W.T., now warped and mouldy
Building materials intended for use in a new health centre in Tulı́t'a, N.W.T. — already four years overdue — have been sitting unused in the community for so long they've become become mouldy and warped from weather and moisture damage. The construction materials were sent to Tulı́t'a before the COVID-19 pandemic. The new facility was first slated to open in 2021 but the Government of the Northwest Territories said that pandemic-related travel restrictions and supply chain challenges delayed the project. A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Services (HSS) said in an email that the damaged materials are still being assessed but if they're not usable for other public projects they may be sold or disposed of, depending on their condition. Spokesperson Andrew Wind noted that the damage made the materials unusable for a health-care facility but that they could potentially be used in other government projects, such as road construction. He that wood materials were particularly affected by mould and warping but that ducting materials were also exposed to dirt and debris — something that could later lead to the spread of bacteria and viruses through the air. He said the government doesn't yet know the value of the unusable materials but that will also be determined through the assessment. Replacement materials were both flown in and shipped on the winter road. Sahtu MLA Danny McNeely said that if the damaged materials can be made available to Tulı́t'a residents, the extra materials are good news. "Fifty per cent probably of that material is still usable for cabins and sheds and sidewalks and home decks," he said. "We're gonna make good use of it." He hopes community members will be able to buy the material for less than it would cost to buy from outside the region. McNeely said the new health centre will have much more space, including to house physicians. He also said the old facility for doctors was mouse-ridden. "And how can you attract physicians if you've got a mousetrap?" McNeely said. The community already has a new four-plex across from where the new health centre will be built, for staff. Each unit has two bedrooms and McNeely says there will be additional units in the health centre for out-of-town staff, once it's built. Construction on the facility resumed last May. HSS said it anticipates the health centre will open by the end of summer 2026, "provided no unforeseen circumstances take place."
