Comments for District 8 Blog Spot http://nurses.shrinking-world.net/blog Nurses discussing things of interest to Nurses Tue, 07 Sep 2010 12:00:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 Comment on Health Reform in Massachusetts – How is it working? by Bret http://nurses.shrinking-world.net/blog/?p=14#comment-23 Bret Sat, 25 Oct 2008 22:39:12 +0000 http://nurses.shrinking-world.net/blog/?p=14#comment-23 Shared responsibility, awareness, and involvement is a critical part of making any healthcare reform work. Whether we are playing the role of patient, provider, insurer, or advocate, we can choose to be part of the problem or part of the solution. Our silence in the face of proposed changes in healthcare may be the most powerful statement we make. When we do not participate in the discussions about healthcare reform, our silence stands as a vote in support of whatever those in power have proposed. In silence, we effectively sacrifice the right we have to be involved and empowered citizens and participants in the healthcare system. As healthcare providers who know the struggles of our patient and the challenges facing healthcare today, we have more than a "right" to be heard and represented by our legislators, it is our duty. As these discussions about healthcare continue, I hope we can all be informed and actively involved in the process. Shared responsibility, awareness, and involvement is a critical part of making any healthcare reform work. Whether we are playing the role of patient, provider, insurer, or advocate, we can choose to be part of the problem or part of the solution.

Our silence in the face of proposed changes in healthcare may be the most powerful statement we make. When we do not participate in the discussions about healthcare reform, our silence stands as a vote in support of whatever those in power have proposed. In silence, we effectively sacrifice the right we have to be involved and empowered citizens and participants in the healthcare system.

As healthcare providers who know the struggles of our patient and the challenges facing healthcare today, we have more than a “right” to be heard and represented by our legislators, it is our duty. As these discussions about healthcare continue, I hope we can all be informed and actively involved in the process.

]]> Comment on Health Education in the Community by Tamara Dobson http://nurses.shrinking-world.net/blog/?p=13#comment-22 Tamara Dobson Sat, 25 Oct 2008 22:30:45 +0000 http://nurses.shrinking-world.net/blog/?p=13#comment-22 There are many ways to reach the community regarding health education. I think that it is important to bring this knowledge into the school systems but I feel like getting an earlier start by providing classes to new parents would be very beneficial. Initiating health education from the beginning with new parents paralleled with classes on what to expect with pregnancy, labor, and post labor can offer a valuable source for the community. Information including the importance of vaccines, common childhood illnesses, and any other concerning issues can be provided by a nurse/organization that works with the hospitals and schools to form a resource bridge for parents within the community. There are many ways to reach the community regarding health education. I think that it is important to bring this knowledge into the school systems but I feel like getting an earlier start by providing classes to new parents would be very beneficial. Initiating health education from the beginning with new parents paralleled with classes on what to expect with pregnancy, labor, and post labor can offer a valuable source for the community. Information including the importance of vaccines, common childhood illnesses, and any other concerning issues can be provided by a nurse/organization that works with the hospitals and schools to form a resource bridge for parents within the community.

]]> Comment on Health Education in the Community by Viola Vigil http://nurses.shrinking-world.net/blog/?p=13#comment-21 Viola Vigil Sat, 25 Oct 2008 22:18:10 +0000 http://nurses.shrinking-world.net/blog/?p=13#comment-21 In support of the health education in the schools, I agree with Susie that more health education needs to be provided to all of the students in the school district. With health insurance being one of the major topics of this election, our schools need to take a preventative approach in the best interest of the health our our children. If we can teach them the importance of exercise and eating more nutritionally, we can reduce the numbers of children with Diabetes Mellitus Type II, amongst other health conditions. A great emphasis is put on education, therefore, we need to make the importance of nutrition and exercise part of the curriculum. In support of the health education in the schools, I agree with Susie that more health education needs to be provided to all of the students in the school district. With health insurance being one of the major topics of this election, our schools need to take a preventative approach in the best interest of the health our our children. If we can teach them the importance of exercise and eating more nutritionally, we can reduce the numbers of children with Diabetes Mellitus Type II, amongst other health conditions. A great emphasis is put on education, therefore, we need to make the importance of nutrition and exercise part of the curriculum.

]]> Comment on Mayors join those lined up behind national health care by Ashley and Trisha http://nurses.shrinking-world.net/blog/?p=10#comment-20 Ashley and Trisha Sat, 25 Oct 2008 22:08:35 +0000 http://nurses.shrinking-world.net/blog/?p=10#comment-20 We like the idea of a universal health care system because it will eliminate the middleman and make health care more affordable for everyone. We are wondering where the money for a universal health care system will come from. Is it going to raise taxes, and if so, how much? Also, how will it affect hospital's income? With the current economic status, there is no wonder that people are going without health care because if the exorbitant costs or lack of affordable insurance. With a universal health care system people will have a chance to get the health care that they need and should be able to access. At what point will the health status of people and quality of life become more important than the almighty dollar?? We like the idea of a universal health care system because it will eliminate the middleman and make health care more affordable for everyone. We are wondering where the money for a universal health care system will come from. Is it going to raise taxes, and if so, how much? Also, how will it affect hospital’s income?

With the current economic status, there is no wonder that people are going without health care because if the exorbitant costs or lack of affordable insurance. With a universal health care system people will have a chance to get the health care that they need and should be able to access. At what point will the health status of people and quality of life become more important than the almighty dollar??

]]> Comment on Mayors join those lined up behind national health care by Kristy http://nurses.shrinking-world.net/blog/?p=10#comment-18 Kristy Sat, 25 Oct 2008 21:54:06 +0000 http://nurses.shrinking-world.net/blog/?p=10#comment-18 There is no one more appropriate to speak out on health care than nurses. We are so well aware of the lack of equality in healthcare for Coloradoans and Americans. Uninsured citizens delay accessing care because of the cost and once they do access the system their illnesses are often catastrophic (and costly). Unfortunately the cost of preventative care, or wellness care, is seldom ever included in insurance coverage. As a nurse who works in the acute care setting, I can attest that there is no differentiation in care people based on ability to pay. However, healthcare costs continue to escalate in attempt to pay for the high cost of technology. Looking at a single payer health care system would provide an avenue of equality for all. It would provide access for all, not just when they are seriously ill, not only when the cost of a catastrophic hospital admission would be cost prohibitive. Additionally, coverage for preventive care needs to be a mandatory part of our health care system. The cost to prevent illnesses or to treat them in their early stages is much more affordable and can limit un-need hospital admissions. Nurses are ideal to work in the preventive health settings thereby increasing access to care. They assess and intervene appropriately and follow up by evaluating health care outcomes. Coverage for preventive health care programs, utilizing nurses, will positively impact health care in Colorado and America by decreasing private health care spending. There is no one more appropriate to speak out on health care than nurses. We are so well aware of the lack of equality in healthcare for Coloradoans and Americans. Uninsured citizens delay accessing care because of the cost and once they do access the system their illnesses are often catastrophic (and costly). Unfortunately the cost of preventative care, or wellness care, is seldom ever included in insurance coverage. As a nurse who works in the acute care setting, I can attest that there is no differentiation in care people based on ability to pay. However, healthcare costs continue to escalate in attempt to pay for the high cost of technology.
Looking at a single payer health care system would provide an avenue of equality for all. It would provide access for all, not just when they are seriously ill, not only when the cost of a catastrophic hospital admission would be cost prohibitive.
Additionally, coverage for preventive care needs to be a mandatory part of our health care system. The cost to prevent illnesses or to treat them in their early stages is much more affordable and can limit un-need hospital admissions. Nurses are ideal to work in the preventive health settings thereby increasing access to care. They assess and intervene appropriately and follow up by evaluating health care outcomes. Coverage for preventive health care programs, utilizing nurses, will positively impact health care in Colorado and America by decreasing private health care spending.

]]> Comment on Mayors join those lined up behind national health care by Erica & Kellie http://nurses.shrinking-world.net/blog/?p=10#comment-17 Erica & Kellie Sat, 25 Oct 2008 21:48:34 +0000 http://nurses.shrinking-world.net/blog/?p=10#comment-17 We have talked with people who have lived in other countries where universal health was in place and they appreciated how well it worked. We think it is a good idea. We still have some questions, like how will it impact the hospitals and their income? We think that healthcare shouldn't be helping insurance companies get richer. The middle man should be taken out. That way healthcare would no longer be dictated by money. Healthcare would be based on our community. Healthcare is a basic human need and should not be considered a privilege. We have talked with people who have lived in other countries where universal health was in place and they appreciated how well it worked. We think it is a good idea. We still have some questions, like how will it impact the hospitals and their income?
We think that healthcare shouldn’t be helping insurance companies get richer. The middle man should be taken out. That way healthcare would no longer be dictated by money. Healthcare would be based on our community. Healthcare is a basic human need and should not be considered a privilege.

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