Health Employees Can Deny Care

Over the course of the Bush Administration, there has been an alarming rise of teenage pregnancies. Sure, they can blame Brittany or her little sister but the Administration has been systematically raising barriers for people to get the information and care they need. This would, no doubt, continue under McCain/ Palin.

In an editorial in today's NYTimes:
"...a proposed rule from the Department of Health and Human Services that would govern family planning. It would require that any health care entity that receives federal financing — whether it’s a physician in private practice, a hospital or a state government — certify in writing that none of its employees are required to assist in any way with medical services they find objectionable.

Laws that have been on the books for some 30 years already allow doctors to refuse to perform abortions. The new rule would go further, ensuring that all employees and volunteers for health care entities can refuse to aid in providing any treatment they object to, which could include not only abortion and sterilization but also contraception. Health and Human Services estimates that the rule, which would affect nearly 600,000 hospitals, clinics and other health care providers, would cost $44.5 million a year to administer...

Many circumstances unrelated to reproductive health could also fall under the umbrella of “other medical procedures.” Could physicians object to helping patients whose sexual orientation they find objectionable? Could a receptionist refuse to book an appointment for an H.I.V. test? What about an emergency room doctor who wishes to deny emergency contraception to a rape victim? Or a pharmacist who prefers not to refill a birth control prescription?"

I've sent a few emails to find out exactly how people can fight this rule during the comment period that lasts until 9/25. I'll get back to you.

In a way, this rule makes official - maybe even protects - people who work in the medical profession and act on their beliefs. I'm sure there are medical professionals throughout the country that recommend one treatment over another because they believe it is the "right" recommendation. People would like to think that they could just rely on their doctors but doctors are human, too. Plus, patients have their own needs and beliefs. So, while part of the onus is on medical professionals, people, in general, should be researching and thinking about their issues, what the options are and finding the best medical professionals who match their needs.

McCain on CEO Pay

In April of this year, Republican presidential candidate John McCain spoke out about lavish pay packages for corporate chiefs.

He does realize that his top economic advisor Carly Fiorina recieved $44 million after screwing up HP, right? And Ms. Fiorina herself, said that McCain and Palin weren't qualified to run a corporation.

Better

If I only read this article yesterday. I think it is kind of freaky that this article addresses all of my concerns. It seems that a lot of people feel the way I do. I'd like to think that I was different, had different thoughts and ideas. But, in many ways, it's nice to know that I'm part of a larger community of people who care about this world and want to make a difference.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/11/opinion/11collins.html?em

Different note: I heard a great little article in my WSJ podcast about how while green solutions in the US are optional and novelties, they are making a huge impact in developing nations. There's a stove that releases 75% less emissions. There are solar LED lights lighting up many poor neighborhoods. Really cool.

Sarah Palin: the short and the NO

Succinct summary from moveon.org:

"Yesterday was John McCain's 72nd birthday. If elected, he'd be the oldest president ever inaugurated. And after months of slamming Barack Obama for "inexperience," here's who John McCain has chosen to be one heartbeat away from the presidency: a right-wing religious conservative with no foreign policy experience, who until recently was mayor of a town of 9,000 people.

Who is Sarah Palin? Here's some basic background:
She was elected Alaska 's governor a little over a year and a half ago. Her previous office was mayor of Wasilla, a small town outside Anchorage.
She has no foreign policy experience.1
Palin is strongly anti-choice, opposing abortion even in the case of rape or incest.2
She supported right-wing extremist Pat Buchanan for president in 2000. 3
Palin thinks creationism should be taught in public schools.4
She's doesn't think humans are the cause of climate change.5
She's solidly in line with John McCain's "Big Oil first" energy policy. She's pushed hard for more oil drilling and says renewables won't be ready for years. She also sued the Bush administration for listing polar bears as an endangered species—she was worried it would interfere with more oil drilling in Alaska.6
How closely did John McCain vet this choice? He met Sarah Palin once at a meeting. They spoke a second time, last Sunday, when he called her about being vice-president. Then he offered her the position.7


1. "Sarah Palin," Wikipedia, Accessed August 29, 2008
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Palin
2. "McCain Selects Anti-Choice Sarah Palin as Running Mate," NARAL Pro-Choice America, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17515&id=13661-5536293-5_Mivtx&t=1
3. "Sarah Palin, Buchananite," The Nation, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17736&id=13661-5536293-5_Mivtx&t=2
4. "'Creation science' enters the race," Anchorage Daily News, October 27, 2006
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17737&id=13661-5536293-5_Mivtx&t=3
5. "Palin buys climate denial PR spin—ignores science," Huffington Post, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17517&id=13661-5536293-5_Mivtx&t=4
6. "McCain VP Pick Completes Shift to Bush Energy Policy," Sierra Club, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17518&id=13661-5536293-5_Mivtx&t=5
"Choice of Palin Promises Failed Energy Policies of the Past," League of Conservation Voters, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17519&id=13661-5536293-5_Mivtx&t=6
"Protecting polar bears gets in way of drilling for oil, says governor," The Times of London, May 23, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17520&id=13661-5536293-5_Mivtx&t=7
7 "McCain met Palin once before yesterday," MSNBC, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=21119&id=13661-5536293-5_Mivtx&t=8