Big bureaucracies are notoriously bad at adopting new technology and realizing its real potential. Those of us who have worked in CubicleLand could probably swap stories about how we were forced to use outdated computers and software long after newer, better options became available on store shelves. Insurance companies and government agencies are plagued with similar inertia when when approving assistive technology purchases for individuals with communication disabilities. The rapid spread of fast, cheap, and ridiculously portable computers has created a technological environment where functions like speech synthesis can be easily included as an application. But as the Times reports, insurers are refusing to cover low-cost devices like netbooks and smartphones in favor of proprietary computer systems that cost thousands of dollars. Insurers explain that they can only pay for devices that address a specific medical need. But this requirement leads to some pretty absurd outcomes. Manufacturers of these expensive computers actually disable the general-purpose functions of their systems so they can’t be used to browse the Web or send an e-mail.

These specialty manufacturers also benefit from the huge price markups they place on items that should be relatively inexpensive. Prentke Romich, the company behind the HeadMaster I use to access my computer, charges $250 for a Bluetooth adapter. Companies can get away with this kind of price gouging because most of the cost is picked up by insurers and, until recently, these companies didn’t have much competition from the general marketplace.

There will always be some need for highly specialized assistive technology, but insurers would be committing gross acts of negligence if they didn’t explore the merits of cheaper, smaller devices that can allow a person to communicate with ease and efficiency, even if they can also be used to as Internet or casual gaming devices. And manufacturers of specialized equipment would do well to remember that it’s now relatively to look up the street prices of computer components. Finally, mainstream device manufacturers might want to study how people with disabilities use their technology and make the necessary tweaks or add-ons that significantly expand their customer base.

It seems that the Internet managed to get along just fine in my absence. I took a sunlamp to the gremlins plaguing my computer (I’m dating myself with that reference) and I’m once again bathing in the screen’s comforting blue glow. A big thanks to my friend Derek for helping me swap motherboards and get everything back in working order, all for the very reasonable price of a six-pack of Newcastle. You won’t find that kind of deal from Geek Squad. Best of all, I didn’t even have to reinstall Windows. I was dreading spending all of this evening staring at progress bars and downloading patches. But I think I’m going to do a data backup just on general principles.

Anyway, it’s good to be blogging again. I’ve felt a bit cut off over the last few days. Somehow, talking to myself isn’t as satisfying as putting words to screen.

The song had it right; it really is a small world. I was just reading Matt Yglesias’ blog post about Liz Fowler, Senator Max Baucus’ chief health care counsel who likely played a major role in drafting the latest proposal to other members of the Senate Finance Committee. Politico named her as one of the five faces to watch in the health care debate. Liz is getting some flak on other liberal blogs because, before returning for a second stint as a Baucus staffer, she was a vice president for mega-insurer Wellpoint.

For what it’s worth, Liz and I were classmates in law school. We didn’t know each other well, but I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say that she was one of the smartest people in our class. I’m not surprised in the least that she’s become an influential voice at the national level. And while I can’t speak to Liz’s politics, it strikes me as unfair to criticize her for holding a previous job for an insurance company. Plenty of talented attorneys enter the private sector before returning to the public sector. We shouldn’t begrudge anyone for making a living or make baseless accusations of guilt by association.

Like a lot of progressives, I’m disappointed that Baucus’ proposal doesn’t include a public option. But let’s remember that the other House and Senate bills also provide substantial premium subsidies that would be paid to private insurers. What’s more, the President himself has negotiated with insurers to hold down costs. It’s perfectly legitimate to be wary of the insurers’ role in the process, but I don’t think Liz is whispering their bidding into her boss’s ear.

I was circling around Lake Calhoun yesterday when an older guy in a wheelchair passed me going the opposite direction. He raised his hand in greeting and I gave him a friendly flutter of the eyebrows. Afterwards, I glanced sideways at my nurse and said, “We all know each other, you know.” She laughed. As if she thought I was kidding.

Seriously, guys, you need to be more careful about acknowledging me in public. Planning for the revolution proceeds apace, but the authorities are beginning to suspect something is up. This blog is receiving a suspiciously high number of hits from government domains, which means I either suddenly have a lot of fans in the civil service or I’m being watched. Guess which theory I’m going with. So until Operation Poster Children is in full effect, the safest thing you can do is pretend you don’t me. And if you need to get me a message, use the usual drop point. And under the trash can, not in it. My nurses get really annoyed when they have to rummage through garbage. I don’t know how many times I have to say that.

It’s been a while since we’ve paid a visit to my Library of Tunes. Let’s say hello to the new arrivals.

“Nashville” by Gospel Gossip. This local band deserves all the airplay they’ve been getting on college radio over the summer months. They excel at infusing their with the experimentalism of punk and the tunefulness of pop. This song is awash in guitars and feedback, but it has a power pop sensibility that reminds me The New Pornographers. If there’s any justice in the musical world, Gospel Gossip will be playing on David Letterman within a year.

“Black Magic” by Magic Wands. This male-female duo somehow manages to sound bigger than the sum of their parts. That could be clever editing, but I have no problem using clever editing in the service of darkly atmospheric songs like this. I have no idea what they’re going on about when they sing “White light, my time has come”, but I don’t care.

“Dreaming” by Blondie. I know, I know, this song is almost as old as me. But Debbie Harry has one of the sexist voices ever, even when she’s singing about traffic and cups of tea. It’s a song so brimming with hope, but touched with a bit of world-weariness. I can’t help but smile whenever I hear it.