Category: Health Care

Priests HHS Mandate Case Advances

By Father Frank Pavone

The lawsuit of Priests for Life against the Obama Administration’s HHS mandate continues to move forward in the nation’s second highest court. We filed earlier this month a supplemental brief with the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals addressing two key developments that have occurred since oral arguments were heard by that court in May. The brief declares that the religious freedom violations inflicted by the HHS mandate are not eliminated by the government’s new regulations, but rather perpetuated. It also states that rather than help the government’s case, the Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby decision strengthens the arguments contained in Priests for Life’s lawsuit.

The filing in Priests for Life v. HHS argues that the latest government “accommodation” to Obamacare’s HHS mandate offers no actual change in policy and, therefore, does nothing to alleviate the mandate’s harm to Priests for Life and other religious groups.

At issue in Priests for Life’s lawsuit is whether the federal government can compel a religious non-profit organization to violate the faith upon which it exists and operates. Even more to the point is the question of whether the government can force such a violation of faith when its purported policy goal can be achieved easily in other ways.

Before its latest regulations were issued, the Department of Health and Human Services had required religious non-profit groups to file a form with their insurance companies authorizing that their employees be provided with coverage for sterilization and birth control drugs and devices, including those which can cause abortions. The authorization of such drugs and devices would directly violate the teaching of the Catholic Church.

After two recent Supreme Court actions related to the HHS mandate went against the government, the Obama administration apparently realized that its so-called “accommodation” for non-profit religious groups would not withstand legal scrutiny. It issued yet another version of this accommodation. As stated in Priests for Life’s latest brief, though, “The new regulations… continue the Government’s pattern of attempting to create the illusion of accommodation while coercing religious organizations to act contrary to their beliefs.”

Call it a smokescreen, call it a ruse, the government’s latest scheme still would require Priests for Life and other religious organizations to violate their faith. Under the new regulations, Priests for Life would be mandated to send authorization for abortifacient, contraceptive, and sterilization coverage for its employees to the government instead of to an insurance carrier. In the words of Priests for Life’s latest brief, “the new regulations do nothing more than provide Plaintiffs with another avenue for violating their religion.”

Referring to the Hobby Lobby decision, the brief also pointed out that the Supreme Court, in effect, reaffirms the arguments that Priests for Life is making. Hobby Lobby made it clear that the government cannot force a believer to act against his or her faith, and that when a believer identifies an action as contrary to his or her faith, it is not up to the government to judge whether that is unreasonable. Mr. David Green, CEO of Hobby Lobby, has stated, “The religious freedom of believers of all denominations is under attack. Our family therefore joins in prayerful support of the Priests for Life case against the HHS mandate. As our Hobby Lobby case represents the concerns of businesses, so the Priests for Life case represents the concerns of the religious non-profit groups. Together, we stand against this injustice, and for the law of God.”

Father Frank Pavone is national director of Priests for Life

Priests HHS Mandate Case Advances

Act 12 Adjusts PACE Eligibility

Senior citizens  enrolled in PACE and PACENET may retain their benefits even if their income may exceed certain income guidelines under legislation under Act 12 of 2014, says State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129)

The law started as House Bill 777.

The new law allows any individual enrolled in PACE or PACENET as of Dec. 31, 2012, to remain eligible if his or her maximum income limit is exceeded solely due to a Social Security cost-of-living adjustment until such eligibility expires on Dec. 31, 2015.

This adjustment was required after the Social Security Administration issued a cost-of-living increase that put many seniors just beyond the eligible income threshold, potentially costing them valuable prescription drug assistance.

PACE, PACENET and PACE plus Medicare are Pennsylvania’s prescription assistance programs for older adults, offering low-cost prescription medication to qualified residents, age 65 and older.

For more information on PACE, PACENET and other programs, visit the Department of Aging’s website  or call 1-800-225-7223.

 

Act 12 Adjusts PACE Eligibility

HB 2461 Addresses Suicide Prevention

House Bill 2461 was introduced to enhance suicide prevention efforts across Pennsylvania, says State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129). This legislation, known as the Matt Adler Suicide Prevention Continuing Education Act, would require the State Board of Psychology and the State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors to have at least one hour of continuing education in the assessment, treatment and management of suicide. The bill is in the House Professional Licensure Committee awaiting consideration.

This legislation enhances efforts by the House, which adopted Act 71 of 2014 to require school entities to adopt a youth suicide awareness and prevention policy, and require educators in Pennsylvania’s public and charter schools who teach sixth through 12th grade to receive four hours of training on suicide prevention every five years.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 39,000 Americans end their own lives, nearly 500,000 people are treated in U.S. emergency departments for self-inflicted injuries, and 1 million adults report making a suicide attempt. Many more people struggle with thoughts of suicide.

Sept. 10 marked World Suicide Prevention Day to raise awareness of this serious public health problem that affects people of all ages.

HB 2461 Addresses Suicide Prevention

HB 2461 Addresses Suicide Prevention

Welfare Takers Outnumber Workers

Mish’s Global Economic Trend Analysis is reporting that 40 percent of the U.S. is on welfare which is more than those who are full-time employed.

The site claims that Obamacare has expanded welfare by 23 million.

The reasoning can be read here.

Hat tip Tom Coniglia

Welfare Takers Outnumber Workers

Welfare Takers Outnumber Workers

American Ebola Patients Released

Dr. Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol, the two Christian Missionaries who contracted ebola after treating patients in Liberia have been released from Emory University Hospital it has been announced.

“We are tremendously pleased with Dr. Brantly and Mrs. Writebol’s recovery,” said Dr. Bruce Ribner, director of Emory’s Infectious Disease Unit. He noted that the hospital is confident their discharges pose no public health threat.

Nearly half the patients receiving medical care in the current outbreak in West Africa are surviving, CNN reported.

For Dr. Brantly’s comments visit here.

American Ebola Patients Released

American Ebola Patients Released

August Immunization Month

The Pennsylvania House with House Resolution 938 declared August to be “National Immunizations Month” says State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129).

“The Pennsylvania Department of Health offers assistance to obtain vaccinations through the federally funded Vaccines for Children program, which provides access to immunizations for low-income and underinsured children up to age 18,” Cox said. “Additionally, uninsured children in Pennsylvania are eligible for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), regardless of income.”

For  details on how to qualify, for Vaccines for Children visit here.

For details on CHIP, visit here.

The resolution also encourages adults to review their immunizations with their physicians. Adult vaccination recommendations can be found here.

 

August Immunization Month

August Immunization Month

Adopt Swiss System

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit stuck down a significant part of Obamacare yesterday, July 22, in their ruling on Halbig v. Burwell ending federal subsidies to those who purchased insurance on the federal exchange.

Why?

Because the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act as written only allows subsidies for insurance bought on state-exchanges. This stipulation was an important reason why the law got passed as Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska insisted on it for his necessary vote.

What the D.C. court did was declare that the IRS had no power in passing an edict overturning these words written in law.

Since 34 states — including Pennsylvania — have refused to create health exchanges the cost for many who have bought Obamacare insurance will rise dramatically because of this quite right decision.

It should be noted that the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals also ruled on Halbig v. Burwell deciding in favor of the government and the case is bound for the Supreme Court.

Obamacare was poorly conceived and written with mind-boggling hubris. However, as the lollipop may be snatched away with Halbig resulting in crying until it is returned, it is imperative for the adults in Washington — namely the Tea Party Republicans — to act prophylactically  and not merely repeal the pollution but replace it.

A good model is the Swiss health care law.

It mandates the purchase by all of basic insurance to be used in the case of illness or accident or pregnancy and prohibits insurance companies from making a profit on this insurance.

The insured pays a premium of up to 8 percent of his income for this plan, and if the premium exceeds this the government gives him a cash subsidy to cover it.

Insurance companies can make a profit on supplemental policies covering things like birth control, private hospital rooms and routine dental care.

Notably businesses are not involved.  Switzerland has the highest life expectancy in the world. Healthcare costs there are 11.4 percent of GDP compared with 17.6 percent in the U.S.

Adopt Swiss System

Adopt Swiss System

 

 

HIV Explodes Says WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) released a warning, July 11, that HIV infections are “exploding” among gay men.

The group is  now 19 times more likely than the general population to be infected with HIV says Gottfreid Hirnschall of WHO.

The organization says that “transgender women” and injecting drug users are about 50 times more likely than the general population to get HIV.

WHO is recommending that all men who have sex with men to take antiretroviral drugs prophetically.

Here’s an outside-of-the-box suggestion: How about men just don’t have sex with men?

Hat tip Agence France Presse (AFP)

HIV Explodes Says WHO

 

HIV Explodes Says WHO

3D Printed Cast Heals Nearly Twice As Fast

3D Printed Cast Heals Nearly Twice As Fast

3D Printed Cast Heals Nearly Twice As Fast

A new cast cooked up by Deniz Karasahin of Turkey could heal broken bones 40 to 80 percent faster reports Techcrunch.com

The cast uses ultra-sonic vibrations, a proven therapy but not widespread  since the vibrations couldn’t penetrate the traditional plaster cast.

Using 3D printing technology — that’s where a computer images are sent to  devices for molding with plastics and other material rather than merely appearing as ink on paper — Karasahin has created a cast that would keep the bone in place while allowing ultra-sonic drivers to be placed directly on the skin.

Kudos Karasahin.

Lyme Disease Pa Leads

A bill has passed the Pennsylvania House and Senate that would establish a task force to address Lyme disease.

SB 177 calls for establishing a system of to issue public alerts from the Department of Health through the public school system, the Penn State Agricultural Extension system and on state game lands and state parks.

The program will also if funds should become available seek to develop an active tick collection, along with performing tests and surveillance, says State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129).

Pennsylvania leads the nation in Lyme disease with about 4,000 cases reported annually with the highest incidence being in the southeastern part of the state.

Lyme Disease Pa Leads

Lyme Disease Pa Leads