Saturday, November 30, 2019

Medicaid Fraud and Influence on Medical Services

Introduction Medicaid Fraud is one of the main issues that hamper provision of quality, reliable, and efficient medical services across the world.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Medicaid Fraud and Influence on Medical Services specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Medicaid is designed as a health insurance that offers the less fortunate in the society a chance to get affordable quality medical services; they are edible to children, the elderly, and persons with a disability and funded to a large extent by Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Medical Assistance Administration. The United States government medical department with collaboration of the office of the Attorney General has been on the fore front fighting the vice; however, the vice seems to be far from being won. As much as the practice is unethical and unaccepted in the medical fraternities, the efforts that the federal government has e nacted remain focused on corporate level but they seem to be un-reaching to the micro level practices. According to Steven Malanga, the rate of misuse of Medicaid Fraud has continued to increase with an estimated amount of 10% of the total cost nationwide, which translate to about loss of 30 billion per year from the federal government. Corporate compliance programs have focused on the corporate level but they have â€Å"allowed† the low practitioners like nurses, doctors and physicians to continue using Medicaid to defraud the economy. This leads to deteriorated economy or an economy with a huge medical bill to cover. Although the program had been made to benefit the society and offer quality medical services across the board, it has been misused and defrauded for individual benefits (Matusicky Cheryl, 1998). This paper discusses the problem of Medicaid Fraud and the interventions that federal and states governments should do to prevent the alarming state. Problem statement The main issue that is affecting the success of quality medical services to the less fortunate, children, and the elderly under the Medicaid program is fraud by medical practitioners for their benefits. The issue have an economic implication as the practitioners bill the U.S. Department of Health and Human amounts that does not commensurate with the service that they have offered to the patients or beneficiaries of the program.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More How Medicaid Fraud occurs Medicaid fraud takes different forms; however whichever the form they have some quality and financial implication to the beneficiary or the state government. The main ones are: Unnecessary billed services This occurs when a medical practitioner advices a beneficially of the program to undertake some medical services that are not really necessary; when doing this he or she is guided by the financial benefit that he will attain from the program. This kind of fraud is technical and hard to detect especially with non-medical practitioners. For instance, a patient may call in a facility with a certain condition say Malaria, then the doctor or the medical officer advices him to undergo a full tests of some other related diseases like Typhoid, although the above advice may be agued to be for the good of the patient, the motive that the doctor has is ill. None performed or are of a lower quality In some facilities that get their funding and financial benefit from Medicaid programs have been accused of having fewer attendants than the ones that derive direct benefit from the program. With such a move then the state government pays for services that were not rendered. Another form taken by medical practitioners is offering low quality services to the patients and billing them highly. When such an issue happens, the patient is left unattended while the practitioner gets un justified financial benefit from the scheme. When patients get low medical services, the likelihood of demanding for more services in the near future is high making the burden even higher to the state government. Prescribing costly programs One issue that the sector has had is how to know the best amount to prescribe for a certain medication; there is no standard set rules that can be used as the governing or guiding pricing unit. With such a loophole, the practitioners have seen a system to exploit the government. They may opt to bill very expensively, or prescribe some services that are overpriced so that at the end they will have more benefit that could be (Heeley Whitley, 1998).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Medicaid Fraud and Influence on Medical Services specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Purportedly covered items, which were not actually covered When billing the department, the practitioners are expected to offer a list of the services that they offered to a particular patient; the document is needed to have been signed by the patient in question or a caretaker. What the practitioners are doing is to ask the patient sign the document before they have been attended, then after attending them, they are left indicating the areas that they covered, and this is the point that they include some services that they never provided to the patient. This is formulae of exaggerating the medical bill to the loss of the state government. Recommendations on how to prevent Medicaid Fraud The issue facing the health care sector can be prevented and managed if stakeholders can combine their efforts and powers in that effect. The main stakeholders in the prevention program should be the government (through ministry of health and the office of the Attorney General), professional bodies, the practitioners, and patients (Meulemans, 2011). The government The government was the one that made the p rogram a success and it is the one that collects taxpayer’s funds and uses them in the sector, thus it should be in the forefront in providing leadership to prevent fraud. The government should install high-powered fraud-tracking computer programs to assist in getting the perpetrators of the illegal practice; such programs should be able to detect the risk areas and post audit the services that have been offered by the practitioners. The systems should be strong enough that they can prevent the intervention of unscrupulous licensed practitioners who have continued to defraud the system; it should be able to maintain sanity I the sector as well as reduce the chances of growth of such practices.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More So far, there are some states that have not yet criminalized the practice making it a green area that practitioners can use to benefit themselves; the â€Å"watchdogs â€Å" that have been used have played the role without enough legislative powers to prosecute those practitioners who have defrauded the system. This should be changed and have they empowered for the good of the sectors. When developing the penalties and punishments to be given to fraudsters, the state should support harsh punishments that are likely to deter them from defrauding in the future as well as threaten others who had such a thought. The penalties should be extended to the professional body that the fraudster comes from in the efforts of asking them to be more vibrant and careful with their members. The state should raise the bar that makes practitioners access the funds; service vendors and health-care practitioners have increasingly getting access to the funds opening a loophole of some unqualified pract itioners to access the funds. Some policies to make the process tough include having a probationary period to the practitioners, asking for certificate of good conduct and clearance from relevant professional bodies (United States Attorney Southern District of New York, 2011). Professional bodies Professional bodies have the mandate of creating sanity, professionalism, and dignity in their members; they have a major stake to play when it comes to the defraud and preventing it. To ensure that they have principled practitioners who practice professionalism, they should deploy only those people who have proven track record of ethical behavior. On the other hand, the state government should empower the bodies that they only offer an operating certificate to those who have successfully been cleared by the professional body. Periodically, the bodies should work with the government to audit the program and offer quality and specialized advices to the state government regarding the prices t hat have been quoted by practitioners. In their capacity as professional bodies, they should have stick method of punishing those people who are not acting ethically or not providing professional services to the communities (Media Center, 2011). The practitioners Although the program has been misused by some practitioners, the truth of the matter is that there are people who have been successful in the sector and are willing to offer professional services; such professionals should be used to advice the state and professional bodies on the right billing. On the other hand, practitioners should understand that the main aim of medical care provision is offering quality services and not defrauding the state. Cost of medication can be reduced if practitioners can perform their duties with professionalism: some costs that can directly be controlled by practitioners on how he/she uses the available resources. Practitioners should be in the forefront guiding the cost management programs in stead of enacting policies to defraud the state; they should devise cost management strategies to the benefit of their department. Managing finances effectively in a hospital is a vital function that requires collaboration of both patient care units and administrative units. The nursing unit is one costing point of hospitals where they have a budget they want financed, the department should be given an appropriate allocation of hospital finances according to their needs, when the resources have been allocated, they need to be managed professionally and effectively. Practitioners should oversee the effective management of funds and ensure that all operations are managed in a cost effective way; they need support of other nurses to attain this noble goal. For example when making financing budgets, nurses should be consulted since they have direct interaction with medical staffs and the patients, thus they can offer sound ideas and information for decision-making (Yai Network., 2011). Practitioners should be occasionally trained on the best working ethics and how to offer professional services, when undergoing the trainings; they should be encouraged to give their observations on how they can improve the services of the problems they are encountering (Lovitky Ahern, 1999). The patients or public Practitioners get a chance to exploit the system when they offer services to patients; the patients are to some extent reluctant to know what goes behind the scenes as they believe that the government will cater for the service they have received. They need to be trained that the right they have been given can be exploited by some unethical practitioners thus they need to monitor them. Some of the methods that the patients can use are to ensure they know the exact bill that they have been billed by the practitioner and given a copy of the bill, in case there is something that they don’t understand, they should ask for clarification from the practitioner. The pract itioner should append their signature on the copy to ensure that the patient can enforce the document against the practitioner incase need be. Anytime that a practitioner feels that the bill was exaggerated, there should be a direct calling line, most likely a toll free line, that they can enquire form the Medicaid managers. When conducting compliance audits, patients should be called in as witnesses of a fraud case, this should be set as a condition of using the card. Patients can offer quality information on which facility is expensive and why, such information is important to know the exploiting facilities; from the information offered, then the government can be able to act (Malanga, 2006). Implementation strategy To implement the above possible solutions, the government and professional bodies are in the center stage, they should start by enacting policies and laws that criminalize the act and offer harsh penalties to the offenders. After the volume of legislation and the punis hment has been made, then the government should lead a campaign that train practitioners on the law and how it will impact on those people who do not follow them. This can be done through the media, the professional body, in schools among other places. With the programs, the last focus should be on the public and the role they can play, they should be trained on their rights and the role they have in the entire prevention process. When the practitioners and the people have known the best way, the next important thing is to see the law enforced (Kutz, 2010). Consideration of success measurement techniques The measurement parameters that the state should use to ensure that the programs are working on well include: Continuous assessment of quality of health care services; the services should be seen improving Reducing of the Medicaid budget bill Harmonization of costs of similar services Affordability and accessibility of the medical care service. The above are the parameters that sh ould be seen improving (Office of Medicaid Inspector General, 2011). Conclusion Medicaid Fraud has continued to be a challenge to federal and states government, however with collaboration of all stakeholders, the vice can be solved. The main stakeholders in the prevention program should be the government (through ministry of health and the office of the Attorney General), professional bodies, the practitioners, and patients. Each of them should be well empowered and willing to play its part to prevent the growth of the vice. References Heeley, L., Whitley, G. (1998). Beyond Compliace. Retrieved from HealthCare Executive. Lovitky, J. A., Ahern, J. (1999). Designing compliance programs that foster ethical behavior. Retrieved from Healthcare Financial Management. Malanga, S. (2006). How to Stop Medicaid Fraud. Retrieved from http://www.city-journal.org/html/16_2_medicaid_fraud.html Matusicky, F., Cheryl, C. (1998). Building an effective corporate compliance program – General H ealth System – Special Section: Fraud and Abuse. Healthcare Financial Management. Retrieved from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3257/is_n4_v52/ai_20628500 Meulemans, M. (2011). Major Medicaid Uncovered: APS Healthcare Pays13 milliom Settlement. Retrieved from About.com. Kutz, D. (2010). Medicaid: Fraud and Abuse Related to Controlled Substances Identified in Selected States: Congressional Testimony. New York: DIANE Publishing, Media Center. (2011). Attorney General Schneiderman Announces $18 Million Medicaid Fraud Settlement With State’s Largest Residential Service Provider. Retrieved from http://www.ag.ny.gov/media_center/2011/jan/jan18a_11.html Office of Medicaid Inspector General.(2011). Corporate Integrity Agreement between the NewYork office of Medicaid and YAI. Retrieved from http://www.omig.ny.gov/data/images/stories/cia/cia_for_yai_12111.pdf Scott’s, R. (2011). Daphne Campbell faces Medicaid-fraud investigation. Retrieved from http://miamiherald. typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2011/07/video-daphne-campbell-runs-away-from-medicaid-fraud-questions.html United States Attorney Southern District of New York.(2011). Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces $18 Million Civil Fraud Settlement with New York’s Largest Operator of Facilities for Adults with Developmental Disabilities. Retrieved from http://www.justice.gov/usao/nys/pressreleases/January11/yaisettlementpr.pdf Yai Network. (2011). Serving People with Disabilities and their Families. Retrieved from http://www.yai.org/ This research paper on Medicaid Fraud and Influence on Medical Services was written and submitted by user Alissa P. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

The Reiss

The Reiss The Reiss-Epstein-Gursky Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI-R) is the psychological assessment instrument which is used to measure such a variable as the anxiety sensitivity which can be explained as the fear of anxiety.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on The Reiss-Epstein-Gursky Anxiety Sensitivity Index specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Thus, the anxiety sensitivity is the fear of the anxiety-related factors which can lead to the negative and threatening physical, psychological, and social consequences. To have the opportunity to receive the important information on the patient’s level of the anxiety sensitivity, Reiss developed the ASI-R as the 16-item measurement which is rated on a 5-point scale. The original ASI-R was developed and improved with references to Epstein and Gursky’s researches. The ASI-R is used to determine whether the patient is characterized by the high anxiety sensitivity, and the t est is effective to identify the patients who suffer from the panic disorder and from the posttraumatic stress disorder (Barlow, 2004, p. 350; Reiss-Epstein-Gursky Anxiety Sensitivity Index, 2014). While choosing the appropriate and valid psychological assessment instrument, it is necessary to refer to the aspects of the decision theory and such indicators as the hit rate, miss rate, false positive errors, and false negative errors which can influence the test interpretation procedure and the overall validity of the psychological assessment instrument. Correct and incorrect decisions related to interpreting such a psychological assessment instrument as the ASI-R are based on discussing the hit rate, miss rate, false positive errors, and false negative errors, and they can affect the accuracy of the test interpretation and following diagnosis. It is also important to determine what type of errors can be discussed as acceptable while conducting measurements.Advertising Looking for assessment on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Definitions of Hits, Misses, False Positive Errors, and False Negative Errors in Relation to the ASI-R While interpreting the psychological assessment instrument such as the ASI-R, correct decision should be based on the analysis of the hit rate. From this point, the hit rate is the number of those persons who possess the qualities measured with the help of the analyzed assessment instrument (Cohen, Swerdlik, Sturman, 2012, p. 169). These identified people are discussed as having the definite characteristic or quality. Referring to the ASI-R, it is important to note that ‘hits’ are the measure which are related to those persons who are determined as characterized by the certain level of the anxiety sensitivity. The correctness of the decision made by the psychologist also depends on the miss rate. ‘Misses’ are the failures in identifyin g the patients who are characterized by the certain attribute or characteristic. The miss rate determines those people who were not identified appropriately as possessing the certain attribute or characteristic (Cohen et al., 2012, p. 169). The ASI-R is developed according to the principles of the self-report, and the test can be proposed for individuals and for the groups of people. That is why, the ‘misses’ can be identified only while focusing on the anxiety sensitivity examined in the group of clients. ‘Misses’ can also be discussed as false negative and false positive errors. False negative errors are the ‘misses’ which are associated with stating that the person possesses the definite attribute in spite of the fact that the person is not characterized by the certain quality (Cohen et al., 2012, p. 169). Referring to the ASI-R, it is possible to note that false positives occur when the persons who really do not have the high level of the a nxiety sensitivity are identified as possessing this quality.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on The Reiss-Epstein-Gursky Anxiety Sensitivity Index specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More False negative errors can be defined as the ‘misses’ which occur when those persons who possess certain qualities are identified as not having them (Cohen et al., 2012, p. 169). Discussing the case of the ASI-R assessment, it is important to note that false negatives and false positives are typical for the test because the ASI-R is based on the principle of the self-report, and the factor of subjectivity can prevent the psychologist from receiving the accurate results to conclude on the problem effectively. How Hits, Misses, False Positive Errors, and False Negative Errors Might Apply to Interpreting the Construct Measured by the ASI-R The ASI-R is discussed as the traditional psychological assessment instrument used to mea sure the patients’ fear of anxiety. The assessment tool is designed as the self-report that is why hits, ‘misses’, false positive and false negative errors can affect the process of interpreting the anxiety sensitivity measured by the ASI-R significantly. While focusing on the hits, it is important to pay attention to the fact that the ASI-R is the multidimensional psychological assessment instrument that is why it is necessary to determine the level according to which the anxiety sensitivity is characteristic for the person. On the contrary, it is rather difficult to determine the hit rate because the accurateness of the test results depends on the level of the observed anxiety sensitivity without references to the number of persons examined with the help of this psychological assessment instrument (Barlow, 2004, p. 350). As a result, the focus on hits and the hit rate is not reasonable for the ASI-R.Advertising Looking for assessment on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More However, while referring to the examination of the groups with the help of the ASI-R, it is important to state that the hits and misses play the important role in interpreting the anxiety sensitivity as the construct measured by the assessment tool. In spite of the fact that the ASI-R is based on the principle of the self-report, the percentage of persons who can be identified wrongly according to the ASI-R or the percentage of ‘misses’ cannot be rather high because of the people’s focus on their fears and anxiety while answering the proposed questions. There are situations when false positive and false negative errors can be observed in relation to measuring the anxiety sensitivity. Referring to the interpretation of the construct, it is important to note that false positive and false negative errors are closely associated with the factor of subjectivity and inadequate perception of the situation (Hunsley Mash, 2008, p. 236). Certain psychological problems and disorders can influence the persons’ data, and these factors can lead to false positive and false negative errors. In this case, false positive errors as the determined ‘misses’ can be discussed as acceptable types of errors in relation to the ASI-R because such results can stress on the persons’ other psychological problems and fears. How Hits, Misses, False Positive Errors, and False Negative Errors Can Affect the Evaluation of the ASI-R’s Validity While discussing the question of the ASI-R’s validity, it is important to note that hits, ‘misses’, false positive and false negative errors can affect the evaluation of this psychological assessment instrument. Validity can be defined as the test’s characteristic according to which the assessment tool can be discussed as measuring the certain construct effectively or non-effectively. Referring to the validity of the ASI-R, it is necessary to focus on the effectiveness of the assessment tool in relation to measuring the anxiety sensitivity. In spite of the fact that the ASI-R is usually discussed as characterized by the good internal consistency, such factors as the hits, ‘misses’, false positive and false negative errors can influence the general appropriateness of the ASI-R for measuring the level of the patients’ anxiety sensitivity. The hit rate is not appropriate to be discussed as influencing the validity of the ASI-R because the assessment is mainly used to measure the anxiety sensitivity in individual patients. The issue of ‘misses’ can affect the procedure of evaluating the test’s validity because of the necessity to decide on the test’s sensitivity and specificity (Barlow, 2004, p. 350). Nevertheless, the failure to identify the patients suffering from the high level of the anxiety sensitivity is minimal because of the test’s focus on determining the patients with panic disorders. The false positive and false negative errors’ role in discussing the validity of the ASI-R is also minimal because the percentage of false negatives and false positives is usually low while discussing the ASI-R results (Hunsley Mash, 2008, p. 236-237). Nevertheless, there are situations when the determined anxiety level makes the psychologists provide wrong conclusions about the psychological disorders. However, the ASI-R is discussed as useful to make decisions regarding the patients’ level of the anxiety sensitivity and associated psychological disorders. Conclusion Different correct and incorrect decisions can occur while interpreting the ASI-R because of the impact of the observed hits, ‘misses’, false positive and false negative errors. However, these issues can affect the psychologist’s decision regarding the patient’s state minimally because the ASI-R is designed appropriately, and it is characterized by the high validity. While referring to th e range of acceptable errors, it is possible to determine false positive errors as acceptable while interpreting the ASI-R results. References Barlow, D. (2004). Anxiety and its disorders: The nature and treatment of anxiety and panic. USA: Guilford Press. Cohen, R. J., Swerdlik, M., Sturman, E. (2012). Psychological testing and assessment: An introduction to tests and measurement. USA: McGraw-Hill Education. Hunsley, J., Mash, E. (2008) A Guide to Assessments That Work. USA: Oxford University Press. Reiss-Epstein-Gursky Anxiety Sensitivity Index. (2014). Web.

Friday, November 22, 2019

The cheese slicer, invented by Thor Bjrklund of Norway

The cheese slicer, invented by Thor Bjrklund of Norway The cheese slicer, or cheese plane, is an ingenious invention developed by a Norwegian cabinet maker, Thor Bjà ¸rklund. Using a principle similar to that of the carpenter’s plane found in his workshop, Bjà ¸rklund perfected a device for making very thin, uniform slices from the hard cheeses favored in Norway, such as gouda and jarlsberg. Thor Bjà ¸rklund Invents the First Cheese Slicer Bjà ¸rklund invented and patented the cheese plane in 1925. He founded the company Thor Bjà ¸rklund Sà ¸nner AS in Lillehammer two years later, which was Norway’s only producer of the traditional Norwegian cheese slicer (ostehà ¸vel), and the first in the world. Since then, the company has produced over 50 million cheese slicers. Originally, it took an hour to produce each cheese slicer, while today, approximately 7,000 slicers can be made in an hour. Other Cheese Slicing Inventions The cheese plane is not the only invention dedicated to cheese, however.  The cheese knife itself is designed to combat the issue of very soft cheeses. With a serrated blade, the cheese knife reduces the amount of soft cheese stuck to the blade. Most blades will also have holes to reduce the likelihood of cheese sticking to the knife.  The cheese cutter features a board with a wire on a cutting arm. The wire is of a fine gauge, again designed to cut through soft cheese without sticking. The action of the cheese wire is like that of a garotte.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

The Afterlife and Heaven Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

The Afterlife and Heaven - Term Paper Example This essay considers the nature of heaven and the afterlife from the Catholic and the Jewish perspectives. The Catholic perception of heaven is well conceived and highly articulate. The Catholic version and understanding of heaven comes largely from the New Testament of the Bible, however it is referenced in the Old Testament. While there is no clearly defined version of heave, as the apostle writers of the Gospels all conceived it from slightly different perspectives, its clear that there are a number of unifying features. Physically heaven is said to the area that exists above the clouds in the blue firmament. As early as Genesis the Bible makes reference to this aspect of Heaven. Genesis indicates that the bird fly under the, â€Å"firmament of heaven† (Genesis, 1:20). In other books of the Bible there are slightly different connotations. For instance, in other areas of the Bible heaven is indicated to be the area of the sky where the stars reside. One notes in these definition the ancient understanding of the physical world, as the indications of heaven within these regions ar e now well explored and realized areas of the contemporary world. Still, one can begin to understand that the Catholic perspective of heaven presents it as a lofty and high region that is forever out of the reach and realization of earthly mortals. The interior envisionment of heaven has a number of characterizations as well. Within the Catholic religion one of the most pervasive elements of the interior aspects of heaven are that it is replete with angels. Another traditional articulation of heaven, including its containment of angels is that it houses the souls of just individuals. Indeed, this aspect of salvation is one of the cornerstone aspects of not merely the Catholic religion, but the Christian faith. In these regards, its historically been a much debated aspect within

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Mid-Term Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Mid-Term - Essay Example Despite all the pain, the issues of alcoholism, poverty and self-destruction came to an end. A drug called tradition depicts the picture of using hallucinogens, but the visions that these hallucinogens cause on the users in this story shows the culture of the Native American societies, showing how much people in the contemporary society has deviated from the natural ways, taking on to new ways. In this story, Alexie shows that despite the money the Indians were taking from the white man, the ancestors would still laugh at them because they were making a mistake and forsaking their traditions and assimilating the white man’s culture (12). A drug called tradition depicts how sweet life was back when Indians had traditions, comparing it to the feeling of being of high, a sweet and calm feeling, while the normal stressful life is a metaphor symbolizing, The use of Native Americans in advertisements is not justified in any given way since as much as people view it as a way to show zero-racism tolerance, it has its negative implications. For instance, showing that Native Americans have left their traditions and advocating for them to join westernization in the way the best find fit. As such, it is not justified to place the Native Americans on westernized advertisements, since it is an aspect of imperialism, which shows that the Native American way and tradition are inferior to more westernized

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Working time Essay Example for Free

Working time Essay Summary In this case, it describes what happened to a graduate of a prestigious business school during his time of work in the auditing division of Greenspan Company. The graduates name is, â€Å"Bill Church†, the situation is that he was relocated along with his family from the Mid-west to the East Coast. There he bought a home, a second car and did not worry about overextending financially because the company had huge plans for him. After months into the job Bill realized that he was working extra hours and the company did not want client’s billed for extra hours and that he needed to be more efficient. Now Bill was curious and ask a co-worker, Ann, how she get so efficient in auditing client records. Ann explained that she had the same problem a few years ago, but that she succeeded by not just being efficient but by doing what is needed to get ahead. She said that everyone needs to be Eating time, which meant not reporting all the hours required to complete a project and that would make everyone look good as a group. Bill then thought of going to ask the division manager for advice, but had only met Ann once and did not know anything about her. Questions Question1: What should Bill do? Answer: Bill should blow the whistle in his organization that some people are eating time rather than give full hours on his/her project. Question 2: Describe the process through which Bill might attempt to resolve his dilemma. Answer: There are few processes or options through which Bill might resolve his dilemma. First he should not put the overtime and work efficient as possible in his allotted time. Once management ask him why he is not doing well then that will be his to explain his dilemma. Second he has another option to resolve his dilemma by telling the problem direct to the manager. Question 3: Consider the impact of this company’s approach on young accountants. How could working long hours be an ethical problem? Answer: For the young accountant, long working hours are not having a good impact on them. As it affects the courage of the employees and doesn’t help in motivating them, for such type of company’s approach long working hours can cause some health issues and risk of job injury. The other thing is that, as the Bill faces the problem the other accountants will face the same problem.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Effects of Religious Education on Theme and Style of James Joyces The

Effects of Religious Education on Theme and Style of James Joyce's The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man Although Joyce rejected Catholic beliefs, the influence of his early training and education is pervasive in his work. The parallels between Biblical text and The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man are abundant. As Cranly says to Stephen, "It is a curious thing, do you know, how your mind is supersaturated with the religion in which you say you disbelieve" (232). The novel progresses in a way that seems Biblical in nature; thematically it compares with the creation and fall of man and/or Lucifer. In addition, the style is at times similar to Biblical text, using familiar rhythm, repetition, phrasing and imagery. As with the Bible, Joyce begins his novel with the importance of the word. He then relates sensual impressions, as if a newly formed creature were experiencing the physical world. Then, as the center of his universe, Stephen also learns the meaning of words and the power of words. He is like Adam bringing order to things by giving them names. But Stephen's knowledge comes not only from the material world, he learns through a sudden-knowing, similar to spiritual understanding, a process Joyce calls intuitive or epiphany. His thirst for knowledge both intellectual and sensual brings him in conflict with his father (Jesuit and heavenly). He falls from grace and experiences hell (through the power of word and his very vivid imagination). Because of his terror of hell he responds at first with repentance, but after reflection, with defiance. At the end of the novel he leaves his homeland, his place of origin, and prepares to begin a new life in a new land. THE WORD In the beginning was the word. Throu... ...because of what has happened to him, but because of his response to those events. He was not the only young Irish boy to have a self-sacrificing saintly mother and an irresponsible drunkard father. He was one of hundreds if not thousands of boys to be indoctrinated and trained by the Jesuits. What made him different was his response and that response was unique to him, and that uniqueness was born in him. So, the ultimate conclusion of the novel is that the artist is born, not made by human ways, but created by the powers of nature and/or God. Works Cited: Joyce, James. The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. New York: The Viking Press, Inc., 1958. Joyce, Stanislaus. My Brother's Keeper James Joyce's Early Years. New York: The Viking Press, 1993. Levin, Harry. James Joyce, A Critical Introduction. New York: New Directions Publishing Corporation, 1960. Effects of Religious Education on Theme and Style of James Joyce's The Effects of Religious Education on Theme and Style of James Joyce's The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man Although Joyce rejected Catholic beliefs, the influence of his early training and education is pervasive in his work. The parallels between Biblical text and The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man are abundant. As Cranly says to Stephen, "It is a curious thing, do you know, how your mind is supersaturated with the religion in which you say you disbelieve" (232). The novel progresses in a way that seems Biblical in nature; thematically it compares with the creation and fall of man and/or Lucifer. In addition, the style is at times similar to Biblical text, using familiar rhythm, repetition, phrasing and imagery. As with the Bible, Joyce begins his novel with the importance of the word. He then relates sensual impressions, as if a newly formed creature were experiencing the physical world. Then, as the center of his universe, Stephen also learns the meaning of words and the power of words. He is like Adam bringing order to things by giving them names. But Stephen's knowledge comes not only from the material world, he learns through a sudden-knowing, similar to spiritual understanding, a process Joyce calls intuitive or epiphany. His thirst for knowledge both intellectual and sensual brings him in conflict with his father (Jesuit and heavenly). He falls from grace and experiences hell (through the power of word and his very vivid imagination). Because of his terror of hell he responds at first with repentance, but after reflection, with defiance. At the end of the novel he leaves his homeland, his place of origin, and prepares to begin a new life in a new land. THE WORD In the beginning was the word. Throu... ...because of what has happened to him, but because of his response to those events. He was not the only young Irish boy to have a self-sacrificing saintly mother and an irresponsible drunkard father. He was one of hundreds if not thousands of boys to be indoctrinated and trained by the Jesuits. What made him different was his response and that response was unique to him, and that uniqueness was born in him. So, the ultimate conclusion of the novel is that the artist is born, not made by human ways, but created by the powers of nature and/or God. Works Cited: Joyce, James. The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. New York: The Viking Press, Inc., 1958. Joyce, Stanislaus. My Brother's Keeper James Joyce's Early Years. New York: The Viking Press, 1993. Levin, Harry. James Joyce, A Critical Introduction. New York: New Directions Publishing Corporation, 1960.

Monday, November 11, 2019

Life Shaping Experience Essay

More often than not motorcycle safety should be a major concern for riders and should be learned and practiced prior to the operation of any motorcycle. Motorcycle safety is a very important consideration not only to the operator but also for other individuals when sharing the road and should not be learned through adverse experiences. The Proper use of a D. O. T. , Department of Transportation, approved helmet insures that the possibility of serious head injuries or death can be greatly reduced. Current statistics, from 2008, from The Center For Disease Control @ www. cdc. gov. rg state that â€Å"A Proven Safety Measure. Helmets save motorcycle riders’ lives. Helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 69%. In a motorcycle crash, an unhelmeted rider is 40% more likely to die from a head injury than someone wearing a helmet. In 2008, helmets saved over 1,800 riders’ lives, but about 800 more lives could have been saved if all riders had worn helmets. † While operating a motorcycle one warm early summer evening I was involved in a traffic collision with a local elderly couple driving an earlier model 1970’s Cadillac. Not only was this Cadillac very large it was also very heavy. The gentleman that was driving was not paying very close attention as he continued straight through the very busy intersection from a left only turn lane. As I approached the intersection from the opposite direction I became aware that this monstrous chuck, of fast moving steel, was not turning nor was it slowing down. I decided it was best to smash on my breaks and discontinue my left hand turn attempt. This I believe is what saved my life that night. My bike straightened out and slowed just enough to prevent us both from winding up straight in front of our doom. The caddy and I grazed side by side. My left hand and handlebar smashing the caddy’s front windshield, back window and all other windows on the driver’s side. At that point in time everything that was anything turned into nothing but one big crash. The bike went its way and I went for a flight straight up into the air. Landing back to earth, after what seemed to be forever, on my hands and knees the only thing that came to mind was to find safety. Safety from all of the other traffic that needed to use that very same busy intersection that I was now no longer in need of. The only safety that I could think of was the comfort of getting next to that now dilapidated bike of mine. Why? I have no idea but it seemed like the right thing to do at that spinning point in time. So I crawled and I crawled until, finally, I was next to that that was going to protect me from getting run over. Three, kind, employees that worked at the filling station across the street came over and helped me to the side walk and began to take steps to see if I was physically alright. Beside from a few rocks being stuck in my aching knees and bleeding hands and apart from being really shook up these two, more than kind, individuals determined that I was going to live. This, needless to say, was comforting even coming from medically uncertified sources. It was then that motorcycle safety consideration came into being for me. I asked one of these gentlemen, â€Å"Could you please go back out into the intersection and get my eyeglasses and helmet for me? † The gentleman replied’† Yes I would be more than happy to get your glasses however you were not wearing a helmet. † As far as the condition of the elderly occupants of the Cadillac and their wellbeing, they were uninjured and doing fine all except for being really shook up and not wanting to speak to me at all. They had just almost killed me and did not want to take the effort ,that any caring citizen would take , to see if I was ok. That’s the last that I heard from them. It was now up to their insurance company to take care of business and wow did they ever have to. I made a couple of dollars on that life changing experience. Later that evening after recouping for an hour or so at home and a little self-medicating Lewis, a very close friend of mine at the time, came to my door and asked,† Is there anything that I can do to help? Lewis had gotten word through the proverbial circle of friends that we are all familiar with in the high school years of our lives, and hurried right over. We went cruising around the stomping grounds of El Toro California because it seemed like the thing to do after one of us had cheated death and could still talk to the other. As we cruised we meditated on and came to the conclusion of motorcycle helmets and how they will be a part of both of our lives from now on. We talked about how it was not luck having escaped serious injury or perhaps even death due to this accident. We both agreed that it was simple hysics that attributed to not having collided with any other objects during the actual event. Having agreed, that remaining friends was something that we both wanted and that riding bikes with our girlfriends was also something that we wanted to continue doing, we bought helmets for ourselves and our girlfriends. Once again I cannot stress enough the importance of motorcycle safety. How wearing a helmet at all times while riding is so important for operators protection. Again more often than not motorcycle safety should be a major concern for riders and should be learned and utilized by riders prior to operating a motorcycle.

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Immigrant Health in the United States

IntroductionThe understanding of the challenges facing immigrant health in the United States is vital to maximizing its trajectory towards transformation. As pointed out by Hall and Cuellar (2016), the negative impetus among the immigrant healthcare in the United States is greatly linked to the relationship between the immigration policies and immigration experiences. Even though the government has passed various legislations with an aim of providing affordable health care to its citizens, the socio-political environment, and its effects healthcare service provision remains a troubling affair. This study seeks to examine some of the pieces of evidence that lead to the limited access to quality health care in the United States of America, more so the immigrants. Some of the possible barriers include unfriendly immigration policies, bureaucracies in the health care system, and lack of capital to finance medical bills. Therefore, this study is significant in addressing the government and other stakeholders to come up with friendly measures that give immigrants easy access to health care services.Statement of the Study ProblemImmigrants in the United States are faced with substantial challenges in accessing healthcare, and this has a great toll on their general wellbeing. These challenges can be attributed to the healthcare system. For example, the insurance coverage varies from one state to another, which leads to an intricate insurance scheme in the country. As a result, the government faces a greater challenge to influence uniform reforms at the national level. Even in spite of the Congress passing the patient and Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010, the immigrant communities in the country are still not able to access good healthcare services. This implies that the political goodwill is necessary to promote the immigrants' rights in health care access. The country should implement sound and sustainable immigration policies access essential services in the country.Immigrant Health and Its ChallengesIt is obvious that the negative trajectory to healthcare accessibility by immigrant communities is propelled by the existing harsh policies. For instance, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) impedes many local, state, and federal health workers from supporting the undocumented immigrants (Hall ; Cuellar, 2016). Even though was sought as a tool to limit illegal immigration, such restrictions limit the immigrants to access publicly financed health services, and instead of serving the purpose of limiting illegal immigrants, (PRWORA) places deleterious effects on the immigrants' access to publicly funded health care service. Another matter of concern is how the implementation of ACA is possible when Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) conditions the immigrants to meet certain qualifications in order to access any form of federal assistance. Even if they have a chance to Medicaid benefits, their time to access such is restricted. According to Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act in 1996, federal benefits are only allowed for five years for the qualified immigrants and refugees. According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the policies governing the health care place open restrictions to the immigrant communities. The organization, therefore, maintains that social workers and healthcare service providers should be on the lookout to consider these social and legal statutes to deal with the barriers that limit the community wellbeing in the country. Besides these limiting policies, the immigrant communities are also faced with discrimination and prejudice whenever they visit any health facility. In fact, the problem of racism still remains a disturbing matter in the United States. As a result, some health professionals have been reluctant to attend to patients from other ethnic communities. Also, most of the immigrant families have low income, which affects their ability to pay the hospital bills. Therefore, they face a serious problem when it comes to health care access. What Has Been DoneVarious individuals and organization have made incredible endeavors to address the immigrant health challenges in the United States. For instance, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) has been active in calling their members and partners to deal with the policies that affect the immigrant communities (Haidar, 2018). On the same pedestal, the former president Barack Obama in 2014 made public his intention to allow the undocumented immigrants to live in the country without the constant threats of deportation. He similarly sought to allow them unrestricted access legal employment in different companies and organizations. Unfortunately, the Republicans in the Senate used their numerical strength to thwart the plan, and were later put on hold by one of the federal district judges in Texas. The argument was that when would be allowed in the country, the plan would place a strain on the health care system.In addition, lack of insurance coverage, poor political goodwill, lack of knowledge about health, screening, and prevention makes it difficult to influence changes in the health care to favor immigrants. This creates the likelihood of poor access to chronic infection management for the families that do not have health insurance coverage. According to the study done by Gushulak, Weekers and MacPherson (2009), positive health care outcome and health care-seeking behavior are greatly associated with the healthcare insurance. It is important to note that the government has tried to implement the Affordable Care Act, but still, the immigration policies need to be dealt with to attain the best results. The government and the policymakers must come up with better approaches that guarantee affordable health care for all people indiscriminately. Even though experts allude that the U.S. immigration integration policies are the best compared to other countries and is slightly favorable in regards to health policies, more efforts are needed to make this thought a conceivable reality. Since the election of Donald Trump as the president of the United States, various organizations concerned with the protection of the immigrants and refugees' rights have issued statements to fight the unfriendly policies. They seek to revoke the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and to pave ways for the immigrants' easy access to essential public services (Hall ; Cuellar, 2016). The government has also developed certain measures sought to defend the rights of the foreign-born individuals in the country. One of them is the Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS), which is used as a blueprint guide in giving health care service to different populations. This means that immigrants and refugees in the country also commit the government to ensuring proper access to health care service. However, more needs to be done to allow immigrants easy access to health care services. Potential ChallengesThere is an effort to make reforms in the health care service so that all people in the United States can access them. However, it is evident that there are still potential challenges to deal with, such as poor political goodwill to fast-track such (Kullgren, 2003). When President Obama tried to come up with plans to support the immigrant communities, the plan was thwarted not on the basis of the arguments that were presented, but due to political stands. The members of the Republican Party used their number to defeat the plan in the Congress. However, experts say that the barriers to health service for immigrant communities are vaster and go beyond the policies. They range from financial incapacities, fear of deportation and discrimination among the health care service providers. For example, within the health care system are external resource constraints, discrimination, the costs of the health care services and many procedures within the system that one has to keep up with. In fact, the bureaucratic procedures within the health care system is not only disadvantageous to immigrants, but to other citizens as well. On the other hand, there are individual challenges that impede health care access. These may include communication barriers, fear of deportation, stigma, financial incapacities and lack of knowledge about health care services. At the policy level, immigrants meet difficulties in trying to access health care insurance. The requirement that individuals have to provide their documents to access such insurances is a greater challenge, more so to the undocumented immigrants. Therefore, despite the efforts, the challenges are seriously raging.RecommendationsThe recommendations to address these challenges range from advocacy for policy transformation, more training for the health care providers to better understand their professional roles, more and better insurance options, and extension of the security net. In other words, the government should increase access to all citizens irrespective of their background and status. Also, the government should allow access to state-funded health care or provide subsidized insurance opportunities to all people living in the united states. Essentially, there is a need for all the stakeholders involved in the matter to take these points with greater interests to guarantee access to affordable health care between both the documented and undocumented immigrants. If allowed to continue on the same pedestal, the United States would end up being a bad example that would be used as a case study for poor immigration health policies. ConclusionThis study identifies some of the barriers to health care access by the immigrant communities. Some of the identified areas to be addressed include immigrant policies, the bureaucracies within the health care system as well as the expansion of health insurance options. The United States is celebrated in the world for having friendly blueprints that guide its health care policies. However, it is also apparent that those policies are not friendly to immigrants living in the country. Even though various stakeholders have tried to generate mitigating measures, there is still need to promote political goodwill for those options to succeed. In spite of the Congress passing the patient and Affordable Care Act (ACA) into law in 2010, the immigrant communities in the country are still not able to access good health care services due to poor political goodwill. It means that the government and policymakers must hasten their moves in coming up with proper measures to support immigrant health. Just as pointed out in this study, understanding the challenges that face immigrant health in the United States is vital to maximizing its path towards transformation.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Free Essays on Avon

Avon Author: Flem Email: francy91@yahoo.com In over a hundred countries, Avon is a leader in beauty and a trusted name in direct selling. But that's only the beginning. More and more, you'll find Avon in kiosks and corner stores, in fashion and in fitness, on the web and on your wavelength. Avon is a world-famous brand, but the â€Å"Let’s Talk† campaign that launched in the year of 2000 in over 20 international markets is the company’s first global advertising effort that was created by Avon’s own advertising department. â€Å"Let’s Talk†, was designed to reflect Avon’s corporate mission to be â€Å"the company for women†. The mission of the campaign is to gather a global network, it’s system for dealing with international marketing is though sales brochures, web sites, sales incentives, sampling initiatives and cause-related programs, all apart of the marketing mix. As a result of â€Å"Let’s Talk†, a positive response was received. In the two largest markets, Brazil and Mexico, as well as Venezuela the outcome was not only promising but also profitable. Worldwide sales grew up to 15 percent and profiting over 13 percent. The number of active Avon sales representatives grew 10 percent. In Brazil along, sales grew 14 percent and profiting 17 percent in 2000. In Mexico, Avon sales grew 18 percent and there was an 8 percent increase in the number of sales representatives in the country. In Argentina, sales and operating profit declined, as expected, due to continuing economic weakness. In the Pacific region, sales declined 7% in dollar terms but increased 5% in local currencies. Units rose 8% and active Representatives were up 12% in the quarter, with most major markets showing increases. China, which utilizes innovative forms of retail selling, continued to deliver excellent sales and unit growth in the quarter. Operating profit in the Pacific region declined 4% in dollar terms, but increased 10% ex... Free Essays on Avon Free Essays on Avon Avon Author: Flem Email: francy91@yahoo.com In over a hundred countries, Avon is a leader in beauty and a trusted name in direct selling. But that's only the beginning. More and more, you'll find Avon in kiosks and corner stores, in fashion and in fitness, on the web and on your wavelength. Avon is a world-famous brand, but the â€Å"Let’s Talk† campaign that launched in the year of 2000 in over 20 international markets is the company’s first global advertising effort that was created by Avon’s own advertising department. â€Å"Let’s Talk†, was designed to reflect Avon’s corporate mission to be â€Å"the company for women†. The mission of the campaign is to gather a global network, it’s system for dealing with international marketing is though sales brochures, web sites, sales incentives, sampling initiatives and cause-related programs, all apart of the marketing mix. As a result of â€Å"Let’s Talk†, a positive response was received. In the two largest markets, Brazil and Mexico, as well as Venezuela the outcome was not only promising but also profitable. Worldwide sales grew up to 15 percent and profiting over 13 percent. The number of active Avon sales representatives grew 10 percent. In Brazil along, sales grew 14 percent and profiting 17 percent in 2000. In Mexico, Avon sales grew 18 percent and there was an 8 percent increase in the number of sales representatives in the country. In Argentina, sales and operating profit declined, as expected, due to continuing economic weakness. In the Pacific region, sales declined 7% in dollar terms but increased 5% in local currencies. Units rose 8% and active Representatives were up 12% in the quarter, with most major markets showing increases. China, which utilizes innovative forms of retail selling, continued to deliver excellent sales and unit growth in the quarter. Operating profit in the Pacific region declined 4% in dollar terms, but increased 10% ex...

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Presidents Who Were Masons

Presidents Who Were Masons There are at least 14 presidents who were Masons, or Freemasons, according to the secretive fraternal organization and presidential historians. The list of presidents who were Masons includes the likes of George Washington and Theodore Roosevelt to Harry S. Truman and Gerald Ford. Truman was one of two presidents- the other was Andrew Jackson- to achieve the rank of grandmaster, the highest ranking position in a Masonic lodge jurisdiction. Washington, meantime, earned the highest possible position, that of master, and has a Masonic memorial named after him in Alexandria, Virginia, whose mission is to highlight the contributions of Freemasons to the nation. American presidents were among many of the nations most powerful men who were members of the Freemasons. Joining the organization was seen as a rite of passage, even a civic duty, in the 1700s. It also got some presidents into trouble. Here is a complete list of presidents who were Masons, drawn from the organizations own records as well as the historians who chronicled its importance in American life. George Washington Washington, the nations first president, became a Mason in Fredericksburg, Virginia, in 1752. He has been quoted as saying, The object of Freemasonry is to promote the happiness of the human race. James Monroe Monroe, the nations fifth president, was initiated as a Freemason in 1775 before he was even 18 years old. He eventually became a member of the Masons lodge in Williamsburg, Virginia. Andrew Jackson Jackson, the nations seventh president, was considered a devout Mason who defended the lodge from critics. Andrew Jackson was loved by the Craft. He was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee and presided with masterly ability. He died as a Mason should die. He met the great Masonic foe and fell calmly beneath his silent blows, it was said of Jackson at the installation of a monument on his behalf in Memphis, Tennessee. James K. Polk Polk, the 11th president, began as a Mason in 1820 and achieved the rank of junior warden in his jurisdiction in Columbia, Tennessee, and earned the royal arch degree. In 1847, he helped in a Masonic ritual of laying a cornerstone at the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C., according to William L. Boyden. Boyden was a historian who wrote Masonic Presidents, Vice Presidents, and signers of the Declaration of Independence. James Buchanan Buchanan, our 15th president and only commander-in-chief to be a bachelor in the White House, joined the Masons in 1817 and achieved the rank of district deputy grand master in his home state of Pennsylvania. Andrew Johnson Johnson, the 17th president of the United States, was a loyal Mason. According to Boyden, At the cornerstone laying of the Baltimore Temple some one suggested that a chair be brought to the reviewing platform for him. Brother Johnson refused it, saying: We all meet on the level. James A. Garfield Garfield, the nations 20th president, was made a Mason in 1861in Columbus, Ohio. William McKinley McKinley, the nations 25th president, was made a Mason in 1865 in Winchester, Virginia. Todd E. Creason, founder of the Midnight Freemasons blog, wrote this about the understated McKinley: He was trusted. He listened much more than he spoke. He was willing to admit when he was wrong. But McKinley’s greatest character trait was his honesty and integrity. He twice turned down the nomination for President because he felt each time that the Republican Party had violated its own rules in nominating him. He squashed the nomination both times-something a politician today would probably view as an unthinkable act. William McKinley is a very good example of what a true and upright Mason should be. Theodore Roosevelt Roosevelt, the 26th president, was made a Freemason in New York in 1901. He was known for his virtue and refusal to use his status as a Mason for political gain. Wrote Roosevelt: If you are a mason you will of course understand that it is expressly forbidden in masonry to attempt to use the order in any way for anyone’s political advantage, and it must not be done. I should emphatically object to any effort so to use it. William Howard Taft Taft, the 27th president, was made a Mason in 1909, just before becoming president. He was made a Mason at sight by the grand master of Ohio, meaning he did not have to earn his acceptance into the lodge like most others do. Warren G. Harding Harding, the 29th president, first sought acceptance into the Masonic brotherhood in 1901 but was initially blackballed. He was eventually accepted and held no grudges, wrote John R. Tester of Vermont. While president, Harding took every opportunity to speak for Masonry and attend Lodge meetings when he could, he wrote. Franklin D. Roosevelt Roosevelt, the 32nd president, was a 32nd Degree Mason. Harry S. Truman Truman, the 33rd president, was grand master and 33rd degree Mason. Gerald R. Ford Ford, the 38th president, is the most recent to have been a Mason. He began with the fraternity in 1949. No president since Ford has been a Freemason.

Saturday, November 2, 2019

Criminal law Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Criminal law - Coursework Example Sally complies and provides information. Denise, using this information, robs Victoria and also accidently fires a gun shot on her shoulder. This paper will discuss the liabilities and defence for both the defendants- Denise and Sally. It is clear that Denise knowingly went to rob Victoria. She had the attention to rob Victoria and had gained the necessary information from Sally to commit the crime. Denise was self-motivated. Robbery is taking money or goods forcefully from a person without the owners consent in his presence1. Denise is guilty of this charge. Moreover, Denise also went to the alley carrying a gun. The gun was loaded and Denise pointed it at Victoria while committing the robbery. This constitutes as violence. In this case, Denise cannot avoid being charged with armed robbery and violence. She would have to plead guilty of this charge. During their encounter, Denise fired a gunshot at Victoria which struck her on the shoulder and wounded her. Thus, Denise would also be charged for carrying and using an offensive weapon. For this, Denise is liable to being sentenced to prison. Denise could use the defence that she had no intention of wounding Victoria. The gunshot wound was not premeditated and was not intentional. Even though, Denise would still be charged for robbery and also wounding Victoria, she may be able reduce her sentence when she pleads guilty of robbery and unintentional weapon discharge. Sally is an accessory to the crime. An accessory to the crime is a person who is not the chief actor the felony or present at the time of the felony but rather helped commit the felony in a certain capacity. In this case, Sally is an accessory before the fact. An accessory before the fact is someone who helps or commands the chief actor of the felony before the felony is committed. The accessory to the fact either aids or encourages the principal to commit the crime. Sally was aware that Denise was going to use the information to