Today marks the seventh anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the U.S. Many news reports today discuss the issue of healing, both emotionally and physically, of those affected by the events that took place. Because many people have since suffered from physical ailments such as asthma and respiratory illnesses, and mental health ailments such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a World Trade Center (WTC) Health Registry was created in 2002. Created by The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and the New York City Health Department, the intent of the registry was to monitor the physical and mental health of “people directly exposed to the WTC disaster” for 20 years. According to Lorna Thorpe, deputy commissioner... [Read more]

These Trigon Blue Cross Blue Shield commercials may have been around for a while, I’m not sure. It’s a dreary day where I live, though, and I could use a good laugh and thought maybe you could, too. Kids saying cute things seems to always be a good way to get a message across. Enjoy! Want to stay healthy? Trigon has the most doctors to choose from. So you can get one you like. Need a good doctor? **Be aware that this video contains the anatomically correct name for a male reproductive organ.** [Read more]

Research!America, a non-profit public education and advocacy alliance comprised of over 500 member organizations, has surveyed both presidential candidates, as well as former presidential candidates and congressional candidates about their stances on science and health. The organization’s president, Mary Woolley, spoke with Ira Flatow yesterday on National Public Radio’s (NPR) Science Friday program and stated that the survey sent to candidates asked them about “health, research for health, and science issues including global competiveness”. You can listen to the interview online here. NPR’s Science Friday host Ira Flatow Woolley went on to state that the questions on the survey were composed based on feedback... [Read more]

I watched both Cindy McCain and Senator John McCain’s speeches last night at the Republican National Convention (RNC). Cindy McCain did not discuss health care or her husband’s plans regarding health care at all. Senator McCain did touch on his health care plan by stating, “My health care plan will make it easier for more Americans to find and keep good health care insurance. His plan will force small businesses to cut jobs, reduce wages, and force families into a government run health care system where a bureaucrat stands between you and your doctor.” I was a bit disappointed that we didn’t hear more, but as I mentioned in a previous post, I realize that these conventions are not the place to lay out plans for... [Read more]

Though the Republican National Convention (RNC) got off to a different start than planned due to Hurricane Gustav in the gulf coast, it is in full swing now with plenty of high profile Republicans sounding off and supporting their nominees for president and vice-president, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and Governor Sarah Palin (R-AK). As I did with the DNC, I will be looking through the text and watching (live and videos) of some of the prime-time speeches at the convention for discussion of health care. Tuesday night speakers included Senator Joe Lieberman, and actor and former senator Fred Thompson. I actually had to veer from the RNC official web site to find the full text of Senator Lieberman’s speech, but I did find it and he made only... [Read more]