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Photo illustrated by DonkeyHotey
A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday, February 7, 2012, that seniors who receive Social Security cannot reject their legal right to Medicare benefits.
A federal appeals court ruled on Feb. 7, 2012 that senior citizens who receive Social Security cannot reject their legal rights to Medicare benefits. The five senior citizen plaintiffs—among whom is former House Majority Leader Dick Armey—argued that they prefer their private insurance plans, and that the policy compelling Social Security recipients to enroll in Medicare violates the fundamental right of the individual to choose his own form of health care without consequence. § Read the rest of this entry…
California State Capitol Building Sacramento - Photo illustrated by Steve Wilson
by Don Ingwerson
On Thursday, January 26th, Eric Nelson, Northern California Committee on Publication, and I visited legislative staff members in Sacramento and attended the Essential Benefit Board public hearing. Six legislative staff members who have been helpful with health care items in the past were once again contacted about the present status of health care legislation. Each contact was helpful and aided with planning next steps in obtaining the concept of spiritual care as part of California legislation.
During the public hearing section of the Essential Benefit Board meeting, there were an estimated 50 individuals waiting to present remarks or make requests. Their remarks, suggestions, and requests were varied and covered a broad range of subjects and the individuals represented most geographical areas of the state. Most testifiers were requesting to have some form of consideration in the essential Health Benefits List in the Affordable Health Care Act. § Read the rest of this entry…
Photo illustrated by Leslie Martindale
There is a great amount of information on the Federal Committee office web site and I encourage you to peruse it. The article below on insurance is just one of the many items that are presented on this web site. The comments from readers and the answers from the Federal office that follow this article are very informative.
Insurance Plans Covering Christian Science Care
Various federal, state, and private health insurance plans provide for the reimbursement of Christian Science nursing care and practitioner treatment. Additionally, 17 Christian Science nursing facilities across the country are Medicare providers, which means individuals who have Medicare Part A can receive reimbursement at those facilities. § Read the rest of this entry…
photo illustrated by Alison Jackson-Bass
The following are just a few of the current topics you’ll find on the Christian Science Committee on Publication Federal Office Web Site. If you would like to check it out click here.
We’ve fielded several questions asking how the Supreme Court’s involvement in determining the constitutionality of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) will affect the work of the Federal Office. In a Q&A session, Manager Gary Jones responds to some of these queries. The first question is: “How likely is it that the Supreme Court will rule on the constitutionality of the health care reform law?”
§ Read the rest of this entry…
Guest post written by Virginia Castor Early
The following blog by an intern provides some insight into how she felt working on the health bill in Washington D.C. I think you’ll enjoy the passion and understanding this intern has.
In many ways, I was exactly like every other college student in Washington, D.C., last summer. I interned on behalf of a cause that I care strongly about.
But unlike many other interns thronging the halls of the House and Senate office buildings, I didn’t work for an elected official or an agency, but rather for my church.
Why intern for my church on Capitol Hill, you might ask? What role does my Christian Science faith have in what is happening there? § Read the rest of this entry…
photo illustrated by Bev Sykes
by Don Ingwerson
This will be the second year for many health care bills currently on file – generally bills must be acted upon by the second year or they will automatically be rejected. Many of the bills introduced this past year were held over for the 2012 session because legislative members were waiting for more information from the federal government about what benefits could be offered within the guidelines of the new law. With the Supreme Court considering in March the legality of some aspects of the law, and additional information still needed from Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, it’s difficult to know which bills or amendments will be brought up for discussion and review.
According to information from Sacramento, there are 41 health bills that were introduced last year and are being held over for legislative action this year. It will be interesting to note if any bills addressing alternative or integrated care (spiritual care) will be introduced this year. In 2011 I noticed quite a few positive discussions concerning the effectiveness of alternative medicines, especially prayer and spirituality. § Read the rest of this entry…
Ever overlook something you were trying to find and it was in plain view all the time?
You might find that true of your Christian Science Committee on Publication Federal Office Web Site. If you would like to check it out click here.
The following are just a few of the current and up-to-date topics you’ll find on the web site. § Read the rest of this entry…
Senate Chamber - Photo illustrated by Paul
by Don Ingwerson
Successful organizations develop plans to further their commitments. Mary Baker Eddy wrote, “To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, today is big with blessings.” As we plan for the upcoming legislative year, your prayers will aid in giving wings to our duties in blessing all those concerned. We have attached a legislative calendar below to keep track of what our elected officials are doing. This calendar also allows us to develop meaningful input and understanding before bills or regulations are passed.
With this in mind, the two California Committees on Publication have already started planning meetings to be in Sacramento. During this legislative year, you may be contacted to participate in some of these discussions, as eligible voters living in your representative’s respective districts – making your comments very important to their tenure in office. If you have questions or input concerning the efforts of your Southern California Committee, please contact us. § Read the rest of this entry…
by Don Ingwerson
Whether its financial, family, or health, to be successful one needs to understand the issue. I have been an educator most of my life and I can remember all too well that there was a time in the 50’s when educators told parents that they should not get involved in their child’s curriculum. The school and primarily the teacher would teach the child because they didn’t want the child confused by trying to understand different methods. This was especially true in the field of mathematics. That approach was not successful and the same might be true in the area of antibiotics and health.
I was reminded of this when reading an article in the Los Angeles Times by Karen Kaplan titled “Antibiotic Use Has Grown Along With Obesity. Coincidence?” Antibiotics are usually viewed as helpful. However, Dr. Martin Blazer, microbiologist at New York University Langone Medical Center stated, “Antibiotics kill the bacteria we want, as well as those we don’t. Sometimes, our friendly flora never fully recovers.” The inference from this statement indicates that the use of some antibiotics may address one health problem but could create another health problem. § Read the rest of this entry…
by Don Ingwerson
As with most everything in life, how we begin something is very important. This includes how the California districts are drawn, which in turn affects who will be elected in each district. There has been heated debate over California’s redistricting process, and this year the state’s first independent redistricting commission (the California Citizens Redistricting Commission) approved new maps for 177 state legislative, congressional, and Board of Equalization districts.
Along with the debate, many interest groups have been working to influence the final maps. Why are these maps important to a candidate or an interested citizen? § Read the rest of this entry…
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