| On Iraq, Bush shows a more restrained optimism
President George W. Bush left his comments on Iraq until nearly halfway through his final State of the Union address on Monday night, after his discussion of domestic issues like the economy, health care and education, even though the war is one of the two most important factors shaping the American agenda, along with the economy. Most of his assertions about the war were modest, in contrast to some of his more optimistic past remarks promising victory. He avoided any promise of a timetable for withdrawal and, if anything, appeared to be preparing the country for a long stay in Iraq. "General Petraeus has warned that too fast a drawdown could result in the 'disintegration of the Iraqi security forces, Al Qaeda-Iraq regaining lost ground,' and a marked increase in violence," he said, according to the notes for his written speech.
United Way contributes funds to Mental Health and Substance Abuse ...
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers of Southern Oklahoma, located at 111 E. 12th St., has been providing services for the Ada area since the 1950s. "We provide behavioral health services, counseling - individual and group, rehab - individual and group. We have a medication clinic which is where we have a psychiatrist that comes in and provides psychotropic medication for those who need them. Our psychiatric rehabilitation program is a day program from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. This program enables individuals to learn new living and social skills," said Terry Goodwin, executive director of MHSACSO.MHSACSO is a non-profit agency that provides mental health care and chemical dependency treatment to nine counties in South Central Oklahoma. Other services include screening and assessment, emergency crisis intervention, outpatient treatment, inpatient treatment, case management, day treatment, children/adolescent programs, aging programs, chemical dependency treatment, consultation, education, and prevention.
Schwarzenegger's Lottery Idea Questioned
Schwarzenegger introduced the idea last year, and at times he has pitched it as a financial godsend, capable of reducing state debts, boosting education funding or helping to bankroll universal health care. If the deal comes to pass, it will be the first time a state has privatized its lottery. But several Wall Street investment banks that have analyzed the idea for Schwarzenegger's administration say the estimate he touts is wildly optimistic. The documents were obtained by The Associated Press through a public records request. The governor is employing the rosiest of projections from Lehman Brothers, which pegged the value of California's lottery at $16.1 billion to $37 billion over 40 years. Other Wall Street investment banks , Bear Stearns, Citibank, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase, Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley , were more conservative.
Let us invest in health education - Yamson
Accra, Nov. 18, GNA - Mr Ishmael Yamson, Chairman of University of Ghana Council has called on corporate institutions and organisations to invest in health education to ensure the development of the required human resource base for quality health care delivery in the country. He noted that knowledge acquired by health personnel would save the lives of many Ghanaians. Mr Yamson made the call at a fund-raising dinner and awards night organised by College of Health Sciences of the University of Ghana in Accra at the weekend. It was to support its Post Graduate Endowment Fund and reward individuals, institutions and organisations that had contributed to the fund. Mr Yamson said most corporate institutions and organisations, used most of their funds to support beauty pageants and it would be appropriate to channel these funds in health education.
Crist propose cheap health insurance
Gov. Charlie Crist announced Tuesday plans to help the uninsured with a new, low-cost health insurance, vastly expanded coverage for children and a pilot program offering low-cost primary care in 14 counties, including Miami-Dade and Broward. Two weeks before the start of the 2008 legislative session, the governor said his top three priorities were healthcare, education and energy/economic development. Healthcare was at the top of the list. His proposal for cheap health insurance would eliminate all of the 50-plus mandates now required, such as including chiropractors and acupuncturists in any plan. The plans would be required to guarantee coverage to all uninsured Floridians age 19 to 64. Crist said the cost would be $150 a month. Insurers disagree.
Massachusetts Group Launches Campaign To Regulate Drug Maker Marketing
The newly formed Massachusetts Prescription Reform Coalition on Thursday announced an effort to curb pharmaceutical industry marketing in an attempt to bring down drug costs and health spending, the Boston Globe reports. The group contends that rapid drug spending growth is putting Massachusetts' health care law in jeopardy and hindering other initiatives to expand health insurance in the state.
The coalition has three objectives:
Prohibit gifts from drug makers to health care professionals who prescribe drugs;
Ban data-mining; and
Create a drug education program to provide unbiased information to physicians.The coalition was created by Health Care for All, and its members include AARP, the Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group, the American Heart Association, the American Stroke Association, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts and Neighborhood Health Plan.
Hawaii's values, traditions can inspire a nation
When I set out to achieve universal health care as first lady back in 1993, I knew I needed to learn from Hawaii's pioneering example. So I traveled to your state and met with health care professionals and community leaders to discuss how Hawaii's approach to health care could be a model for America. I was greatly impressed by what I saw. I was impressed by your passionate belief that health care is not a luxury -- but a fundamental right. I was impressed by this state's proud progressive tradition and firm commitment to caring for all its citizens. And I was impressed by Hawaii's rich cultural heritage and breathtaking natural beauty. But I know Hawaii also faces unique challenges -- from education to energy to the economy. And the people of Hawaii deserve a president who won't just talk about solutions to those problems -- but will actually deliver.
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