A tradition of service, charity, and compassion continues with hundreds of thousands of Americans setting aside every September 11 to volunteer, thanks in part to the efforts of One Day’s Pay.

One Day's Pay, a non-profit public benefit corporation, was founded in 2002 to honor the victims, family members, and survivors of the attacks on America, as well as the rescue and recovery workers and the thousands of volunteers who gave so much on and following September 11.  One Day’s Pay encouraging individuals, employers, and groups to permanently set aside time each September 11 to help others in need through service or other giving activities to help its goal of establishing September 11 as a national day of volunteering.  

“Instead of people thinking about the horror and the devastation of September 11, 2001, I would like them to focus on the beautiful things that they have thought of to do on behalf of their neighbors in honor of September 11,” said Alice Hoglan, mother of Mark Bingham who was on Flight 93, and Co-Founder of One Day’s Pay in a CNN interview.

For more information on how you or your organization can join the effort, go to www.onedayspay.org.

 

Partisan Politics and Rising Health Care Costs – HR’s Impact on the 2004 Elections, Part II:  The Democratic Point of View

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The current health care crisis continues to be a major campaign issue of the 2004 presidential election.  Last week, we took a look at the Republican viewpoint and how President George W. Bush envisions the future of health care in our country.  This week, we will take a look at Senator John Kerry’s health care plan.

The Democratic View

“(If elected) I will send to Congress a health care plan that stops spiraling costs, covers every child in America, and makes it possible for every American to get the same health care as any member of Congress. Making health care a right and not a privilege is something worth fighting for,” said Senator John Kerry during an Associated Press Q & A, on January 25, 2004.

Senator Kerry believes that it is possible to provide affordable health coverage to every American if certain steps are taken.  Highlights of Kerry’s plan include:

FEHBP offered to all

Allow all Americans access to the Federal Employees Health Care Benefits Program (FEHBP).  Tax credits to the self-employed, and retirees below age 65 and taxed based incentives to employers will help keep coverage affordable. To hold down premiums, the federal government will reimburse companies for 75 percent of catastrophic claims totaling more than $50,000, provided they pass the savings on to their policyholders.

Healthcare for every child

Have the Federal government pick up the cost of Medicaid coverage for children, in exchange for automatic enrollment of all eligible school children eligible for the Children's Health Insurance Program. Extend coverage to 300 percent of children whose parents’ incomes are below the poverty line, and to the six million single and childless adults who are uninsured and also live below the poverty line.

New Medical Research and More Effective Treatment Options

Find new treatments and prevention for our most devastating diseases through stem-cell research and other methods, improve our health care system to assure our providers and patients use and receive the most effective care, and ensure that there are no barriers that prevent patients from receiving appropriate care.

Lowering Costs with New Technology

New technology, especially digital record-keeping to avoid costly errors and excessive paperwork.  Offer a "technology bonus" as an incentive to health care providers and insurers to update their procedures and switch to electronic records.

Affordable Prescription Drugs

In addition to adding a prescription drug benefit to Medicare, use the federal government's purchasing power to force drug wholesalers to pass along to consumers the rebates they receive from the drug manufacturers.  Get generic drugs to the market, give states the flexibility to negotiate better deals, and allow people to buy medications through Canada.

Assuring Fairness for People with Mental Health Needs

Strengthen the Medicaid program by supporting $50 billion over the next two years in state relief, and ensure the coverage of mental illnesses.

Making Malpractice Insurance More Affordable

Keep malpractice premiums low by requiring an impartial review of a claim before filing suits and by eliminating punitive damages except in egregious cases. Do not put a cap on legitimate damage awards.

Be sure to tune into the presidential debates for live coverage of each candidate’s views on the issues affecting our nation’s future.  The first presidential debate is scheduled for Thursday, September 30, the second, Friday, October 8, and the third and last is set to air Wednesday, October 13.  The vice president debate will air Tuesday, October 5.  Each debate will begin at 9:00 p.m. EDT.

What do you see as the best solution to America’s healthcare situation? Be sure to vote in this week's on-line poll!