Denise Tiller, Midwest Voices Panelist 2008
I wish we would stop running the country by crisis. We've known almost since the Baby Boom ended that we would have problems with social security and healthcare as the Boomers aged. I don't think you needed to be an actuary to figure that out, and yet, we've done nothing.
Denise Tiller, Midwest Voices 2008
According to a study by the Commonwealth Fund, a foundation specializing in health care, 25 million adult Americans under the age of 65--one in 5-- is under-insured. In other words, they are paying more than 10% of their income for medical costs. This is a 60% increase in the number of under-insured people since 2000. The increase is coming from the Middle Class. They are hard-working people who have had their health benefits cut.
Glenda Stevens could not satisfactorily explain to a state investigator the reasons for her shaved head, the burn marks on her arm or the bruises on her arms and face.
When the investigator asked questions, the 70-year-old woman cowered and looked to her daughter, who was her caretaker, for direction.
By Denise Tiller, Midwest Voices columnist
What would you do if your healthy 22-year-old daughter had a stroke?
If you’re like me, once you finished freaking out, you would want to find the best medical care possible. But how would you pay for it?
What should be done about soaring health care costs? Leave your comments here.
By Debra Sapp-Yarwood, Midwest Voices Panelist 2008
My friend thinks she’s complimenting me when she says, “You have such a healthy lifestyle.” I mumble my thanks … then cringe.
The Kansas City Star is running an AP story today about a new breakthrough in science. Scientists have taken ordinary human skin cells and made something that would function like stem cells. The recent studies have shown promise, and it appears to be less complicated than embryonic stem cells, and less an ethical problem. Prolife groups like Focus on the Family are expressing excitement over the news.
So, debate's over, right? I mean, scientists will feel they no longer need to look into embryonic stem cells to save us from all life's horrible diseases, right? Not so fast. The article points out debate and legislation have slowed research on embryonic stem cells for about five years. Scientists don't know what they could have accomplished during this time, how promising stem cells could actually be, or if the cells will do no good at all. It is not likely that scientists already studying embryonic stem cells will stop trying. Public funding may be dampened at this time, but a new Congress is coming, and a new president. Who knows what the new group in Washington will think of embryonic stem cells and their value for science or value as tiny lives? Will the new Congress and president push for funding or try to restrict the research further? Either way, scientists still have questions about stem cells, and, by nature, will look for the answers. Besides, funding can come from the states, or from private companies. Scientists in other countries can work on embryonic stem cells without hinderance from debate in our country. I am sure that this new information will only pacify the prolife movement for a little while, and when it is obvious it has changed little, the debate will heat up once again.
"Studies have shown that nine out of ten pregnancies in which there is a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome end in termination."
Patricia E. Bauer--mother of a child with Down syndrome and journalist.
I find the above comment to be shocking and almost don't believe it, or don't want to believe it. I have seen a statistic as low as 85% are termintated. I actually believe even 50% is shockingly high.
I went through prenatal screening in several pregnancies, and my last pregnancy had my first "positive screen" for a trisomy. It so happened that my baby was born almost four weeks ago without any characteristics for chromosomal issues, and it is presumed she is going to grow up healthy.
