Better Health Care, Good Science, and More

By Ann Lewis on 03/24/2009 @ 04:00 PM

We have a lot to talk about this week: a likely health care vote in Congress this fall, good news for science, and a healthy planet; a women's health alert, and inspiring stories of courageous women around the world!

COULD CONGRESS VOTE ON HEALTH CARE THIS FALL?

"More than three-quarters of adult Americans who have health insurance say they still worry about paying more for their medical care, and almost 50 percent say they're "very" or "extremely" worried about the issue."
Harris Interactive/Health Day poll, reported by USNews March 18, 2009
The bottom line on health care is clear - and it's not pretty: the cost of health insurance has doubled since 2000, leaving more Americans to join the uninsured; while even those with health insurance worry about costs and coverage. Rising health care costs endanger our families' wellbeing; burden state budgets; and make it even harder for American manufacturers to compete.

That's why it's good news that we are starting to hear about a vote on health care as early as this fall. According to the Washington Post, House Democrats, in consultation with the White House, "will give Republicans until September to reach a compromise" on a health care reform bill.

The House leadership plans to include health care reform in their budget proposal, or budget reconciliation. According to congressional rules that means it requires a majority vote, but cannot be filibustered. The Senate will probably use a different procedure; whatever they decide, the goal of this strategy is to ensure that health care reform does get a vote this year.

So watch for the discussion of health care in the budget next week (and beyond!) And if you hear some talking heads on television complain that putting health care reform in the - budget reconciliation is somehow unfair - remind them that it will still require a majority vote. Isn't that what democracy is about?

MORE GOOD NEWS ABOUT SCIENCE - AND A HEALTHY PLANET!
After eight dismal years in which science was outweighed by ideology in Washington, how exciting to see the return of evidence-based decision making. Last month, we cheered President Obama's decision on stem cell research, which can make the difference in preventing and curing life threatening diseases.

Now we have more good news: the Senate has confirmed Harvard physicist John Holdren as head of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Oregon State ecologist Jane Lubchenco to head NOAA - the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which does much of our climate-change research. And the President named Jon Wellinghoff, who takes climate change seriously, as chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. He told the Washington Post: "From everything I've read, we're in big trouble, and we need to do everything we can to reduce our carbon footprint."
"There will be no muzzling or muffling or distortion of science, or delays in science in this administration," Jane Lubchenco said. "It boils down to clean beaches, safe and healthy seafood, abundant wildlife, stable fisheries and vibrant coastal communities - not just now but in the future, to share with our kids and grandkids..."
Serious science, clean beaches, a healthy future - elections do make a difference.

WOMEN'S HEALTH ALERT

Just 17 days to speak up about that last minute Bush regulation which adds more barriers to reproductive health care. This rule, in the name of "conscience" would allow health care providers not just to deny access to care of which they disapprove -such as emergency contraception to victims of sexual assault - but also refuse to give patients referrals or information on how they could get such care.

The Obama administration has proposed to repeal this anti-science, anti-women, anti-family rule, and now they want to hear what we think. Until April 9, they are asking for comments, including: "Information, including specific examples where feasible, supporting or refuting allegations that the December 19, 2008 final rule reduces access to information and health care services, particularly by low-income women; and comment on whether the objectives of the December 19, 2008 final rule might also be accomplished through non-regulatory means, such as outreach and education."
If you want to add your comment, click here to e-mail directly to HHS.

VITAL VOICES

A moving ceremony by Vital Voices in Washington this past week honored women leaders from around the world. Their powerful stories of courage and determination remind us of the difference that one individual can make - in our lives and on behalf of others:

Somaly Mam escaped from a brothel herself and now works to rescue other women and girls from sexual slavery, and provides them education and job training;

Sadiqa Basiri Saleem, of Afghanistan, founded the Oruj Learning Center providing education for more than 2,700 girls and 200 women.

Temituokpe Esisi, of Nigeria, started her own successful fashion company, using the skills she learned in business education, and now employs others;

Chouchou Namegebe Nabintu and Marceline Kongolo-Rice of the Democratic Republic of Congo, spoke movingly of the terrible situation in their country, where rape is being used as an instrument of war.

Vital Voices was first launched in 1997 by then First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, an example of her lifelong commitment to recognizing the human rights of women, and working to ensure opportunities for women and girls. After eight years of serving as Honorary Co-Chair of Vital Voices, Hillary stepped down to become Secretary of State. How appropriate that she was honored on this occasion with the Global Trailblazer Award!

A ST. PATRICK’S DAY MESSAGE

Photo courtesy of DipNote, U.S. Department of State Official Blog
On St. Patrick's Day, Hillary welcomed First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.
"It's an incredible good fortune for all of us on the island of Ireland and the north that Hillary Clinton has been appointed the new Secretary of State" said Deputy First Minister McGuinness. "She has for many, many years, alongside her husband, been a true friend of all of us, a true friend of the peace process, contributing tremendously to the transformation that has taken place over the course of the last number of years."

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