Politics | Medical Politics Database

State Votes Against Health Care

Ever since President Obama passed his health care reform bill, many have been up in arms over it. As of January 12th, the House passed a repeal – even if it was just a symbolic gesture, it did say a lot about where things may be heading. The second thing that the current administration may have reason to be concerned over is a multiple-state lawsuit that is likely to go as far as the Supreme Court. As of Tuesday, January 18th, twenty-eight states, including Kansas, Ohio, Maine, Wyoming, Iowa and Wisconsin, have joined in a collaborated movement against the new health care laws. The claim behind the suit is that the new laws violate constitutional rights of the American People.

On top of the collaborated movement, at least two other states have been considering individual law suits. The symbolic gesture of the House, on January 12th, may not have any real outcome, but it puts Republicans on the starting road to what is looking to be a real battle between sides. Even with the fruitless repeal, a lot of people are beginning to wonder if the reform will eventually be overturned. After the successful House repeal, the Republicans started to draw up their idea of health-care reform, while still yet Democrats will argue that the new laws will lower the national debt and that all the Republications are accomplishing is “symbolic nonsense.”

According to the Chairman, everyone will be working on their “new” health care ideas, and depending on jurisdictions each member will work on something that is being done. Even so, they did not give any realistic guideline as to when these new health care plans would hit the floor. Each side is presenting what could eventually be a completely different approach to the way health care is provided.

Filed Under: Politics Tagged With: Republican, United States

The House Repeal Meaningless?

On Wednesday January 12th, the House voted to repeal President Obama’s health care reform. The vote came out 242 to 189. Only three Democrats joined the Republican reform repeal, and some of those who were against it were the same men who were against the bill in the first place. Even this, however, won’t do much good as long as the Senate is majorly controlled by Democrats, and the White House held by one. The leaders of the Senate have said that they had no intentions of acting on the issue.
Even with their successful repeal, the Republicans in the house know that they have a very difficult road ahead of them. The new plan includes the same tactics that Obama has criticized the Republican Party for demonstrating, some of which include withholding money, and drawing up new legislation measures to altar the standing laws, specifically when it comes to the requirement of health insurance for every American. The same requirement has come under fire in the Supreme Court in a battle over constitutional rights.

The Democrats, who were biting at the bit with excitement, spoke about how some benefits have started to take effect. Such benefits include extending coverage to people who would normally be denied because of prior medical conditions, dependant children now being allowed to remain a part of a parent’s health insurance until the age of 26, and breaks given to small companies who give health coverage to their employees. The new health care laws, passed without even one Republican vote, look to give over thirty million people insurance by simply expanding Medicaid and federal aid to lower and middle income bracket citizens to help with private insurance costs.

Either way, one thing is for certain: the new health care laws that Obama and his administration have put into place are not going anywhere, at least not any time soon. Which for some is more than just a little bit relieving.

Filed Under: Politics Tagged With: Republicans, United States

Is Politics Only For Politicians? Adopt This Line Of Thought At Your Own Risk

Why is it important to be aware of one’s role and position in political society? Many persons presume that politics is merely a game that politicians play. They fail to realize that each and every person, including the ordinary man on the street, is deeply involved in politics. The politicians who play dirty politics and pander to their vote banks merely do so because the last man on the street supports them. Let us take the issue of abortion.

There are so many viewpoints and the general belief is that nobody wants the discord to continue. However, the truth is that nobody is prepared to compromise on his or her line of thought. That is where politicians gain their support from. When you hear a politician take a hard line stance on such an issue, keep in mind that he or she can do so only because voters are supporting such an approach. If majority voters are not in favor, then they are probably guilty of not caring enough about the issue to voice their opinions.

In such a scenario, you have the option of either joining the game or stepping out of it. You cannot participate and complain about the complexity of politics. Each and every person has an opinion on how the country should run.

Some try to create peace and harmony in the world. Others adopt a cynical approach and conclude that there is no point in trying to be peaceful with others. Some try to achieve power through consensus. Some try to achieve power through the barrel of the gun. You cannot delegate the task of protecting your ideals to somebody else.

Does this mean each and every individual should become a politician? There is a huge difference in having a political view or being politically mature and becoming a politician. The latter is simply the representative of the political will of the masses.

Filed Under: Politics Tagged With: Politician, Politics, United States, Voting

Technology In The Political Process – A Grey Area With No Clarity Yet

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How far is it advisable to rely on technology to simplify the logistical and administrative task of managing the political system? Recent instances have shown us good and bad effects of using technology in the political system. Use of the internet to collect donations during candidate campaigning reduced risk of money power dominating the candidate. This is definitely a good thing. However, the fiasco during the presidential election involving electronic voting machines bring a shudder every time somebody recommends complete reliance on tech to solve administrative problems.

The general consensus is that technological innovations should be encouraged as long as it does not play a significant role. It is a good slave but a poor master. Manual confirmation of electronic voting continues only because people are still not ready to trust the machines to tell the truth. There is fear that it may malfunction or that it may be manipulated. That is why people prefer to rely on humans to play the pivotal role in the political process.

Spread of video and audio on the internet has made the web a popular political campaigning tool. However, politicians were never interested in disseminating their views on the internet when text ruled the roost. Hence, the personal touch is always given priority and preference over all other solutions.

The biggest fear that people have when considering technology in political setup is the consequences of something going wrong. To appoint somebody who has not won the presidential race as the President of the country for four long years can have disastrous effect on sanctity of elections. Despite the fact that the country acted in a mature manner and moved ahead, there are doubts whether the system can withstand another such shock again. Till date, there is no happy solution to this conflict. Politicians are still struggling to find the right balance that will help them connect with masses without seeming like slaves of technology.

Filed Under: Politics Tagged With: Electronic voting, Politics, United States, Voting machine

Stem Cell Research Debate Goes On

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A recent federal court ruling stopped the government from funding research conducted on stem cells culled from human embryos. The effects of the judgement are not still not clear, and proponents of stem cell research say halting the research for even a few weeks would severely impede ongoing research.

Stem cells are cells that have the potential to grow into many different types of cells. and scientists think that they have the ability to cure many different types of conditions and diseases, from cancer to paralysis to Parkinson’s disease.

There is no ban on funding from state sources or from private donors, so most research centers are careful to designate which projects are federally funded and which are being funded from other sources.

The recent ban jeopardizes those scientists who were applying for grants from the National Institutes of Health, a federal agency. Researchers bemoan the fact that stopping these grants hampers moving discoveries into the marketplace where they can benefit patients. It is a long and expensive process to create therapies and drugs from research in the laboratory.

Researchers use stem cells from lines that already existed, and the embryos used were from embryos that were to be destroyed. Experts liken this to donations of organs.

Some scientists were hoping to use their research to begin the all-important clinical trials. With the ruling, these clinical trials will probably have to wait in the wings a bit longer because trials usually are funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Many celebrities endorse stem cell research, from those who are currently suffering from Parkinson’s disease to the families of those who have passed away from crippling diseases. Everyone wants to find cures for debilitating diseases, and the ban may not be enforced if scientists can convince the court that halting stem cell research would greatly harm America.

Filed Under: Medical Issues, Politics Tagged With: Biology, Biotechnology, Clinical trial, Embryo, National Institutes of Health, Parkinson's disease, Research, Stem cell

Appeal to Continue Stem Cell Research

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Stem cell research is too important to the United States and medical research to have a ban. That was basically was the court declared when it lifted a moratorium halting stem cell research from embryos.

Experts denounced the ban, claiming that a ban on stem cell research could delay much needed cures and therapies for chronic conditions and debilitating diseases. .

Up to 22 projects using stem cells were due to receive federal money in September, and if they most likely would have been forced to stop if the ban had not been rescinded.

Stem cells are cells that can become more specialized cells in the body. Scientists can get stem cells from human embryos — the cause of so much controversy — or from adult tissue. Both of these types of stem cells have the potential to grow into a variety of different types of cells, including nerve cells, muscle cells and skin cells. Pretty exciting stuff to those waiting for cures.

Researchers like embryonic stem cells, which usually are derived from embryos used for in vitro fertilization. Usually many cells are created in a test tube, but only one is used. Those not used are available for research purposes.

Stem cells from adults are found in all types of tissue, including in blood, the liver and the skeleton muscles. They do not divide until activated by an injury or disease.

Reports suggest that the adult stem cells are less useful than those from embryos because they cannot become any type of cell, but can only grow into cells in the tissue from which they derived.

Research on stem cells is ongoing, and hopes remain high for eventual therapies and drugs that can be derived from them. It is an exciting time in medical research, so revel in the possibilities and potential!

Filed Under: Medical Issues, Politics Tagged With: Adult stem cell, Biology, Embryo, Medical research, Research, Stem cell, Tissue (biology), United States

Treating Breast Cancer Early

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Breast cancer is sometimes referred as Stage 1 breast cancer. In such cases, the affected region is less than 2/2.5 centimetres in diameter. However, cancer does not spread inside the tissue of the breast. In fact, among all the women detected for breast cancer in the U.S, 63% of them suffer from “Early Stage” of Breast Cancer, as it is still localized to the tissue of the breast.

Today, Breast Cancer is considered to be one of the most deadly and emotional types of cancers occurring in women. However, it should be kept in mind that it is not only women, who are at a risk of having breast cancer. Men can also have such type of cancers, but most patients are female.

Early detection increases chances of survival
Detecting and treating breast cancer early on is the best way to treat the disease and survive.

Stage One breast cancer can be treated with success, according to researchers who have tracked patients. While breast cancer cannot always be eradicated and cured,if detected early on in the process, the chances of a cure are much greater.

Every year, women should have a checkup with their primary care physician or a gynecologist, who will check for any lumps in their breasts. If a woman detects a lump or anything out of the ordinary during a self-examination, she should immediately contact her physician.

In addition, once a woman reaches the age of 50, she should be sure to have a mammogram once a year.

Filed Under: Medical Issues, Politics Tagged With: Awareness, Breast, Breast cancer, Cancer, Conditions and Diseases, Detection, Health, Mammography

Using Marijauna as Medicine

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Whether or not marijuana should be legalized and whether it is effective as medicine is an ongoing subject of debate.

The green weed has long been used as a pain killer, although the merits of this use are not proven. Physicians will prescribe the drug for a variety of symptoms associated with conditions as severe as cancer. Using marijuana — or cannabis — is thought to ameliorate the vomiting and nausea associated with chemotherapy. It is also thought to help increase appetite in those undergoing chemotherapy, as well as in individuals suffering from AIDS.

Some initial studies have shown that cannabis can also be effective in easing premenstrual syndrome and glaucoma. Other research indicates that the drug may be effective for patients with fibromyalgia and even multiple sclerosis. Debate is ongoing about why the drug would be effective in treating these conditions. Some say it may be because the drug relaxes the muscles, thus easing pain from swelling and inflammation.

In some countries, such as Canada and Mexico, synthetic compounds of marijuana are prescribed, such as Marinol and Cesamet.

People take the medicine in various ways. Some smoke it. Some drink or eat it, and some are able to take it in pills. The National Institutes of Health is comparing and contrasting these methods to see which is most effective. The jury is still out on what patients think!

Many countries allow the use of marijuana for medical reasons, including many countries in Europe. In the United States, even medical use is banned, but states have differing laws. In some states, the drug can be prescribed, while in others it is illegal. In those states where the drug is legal, it is distributed by licensed facilities that are monitored closely. Many private citizens will try to grow their own crops for distribution, but that is clearly illegal.

Filed Under: Medical Issues, Politics Tagged With: AIDS, Cannabis, Drug, Health, Mexico, National Institutes of Health, Tetrahydrocannabinol, United States

Multiple Sclerosis Has No Cure

A diagnosis of multiple sclerosis is not one that anyone wants to hear. The autoimmune disease affects the central nervous system, interfering with hard wiring of the brain and the spinal cord.

The condition can be particularly difficult to diagnose because symptoms vary greatly and can indicate many conditions, other than multiple sclerosis. Symptoms occur in various parts of the body, including the legs and back. Some indicators are difficulty walking and unexplained loss of balance, muscle weakness, loss of vision and numbness in the extremities.

Attacks vary in the severity and even in the length of time, causing the patient and physician difficult in diagnosis. An individual can have the condition for a long time and not even realize it because the symptoms last for only short bursts of time. Say a person trips over her feet for a period of a week, and then everything is back to normal.

As the disease progresses, the symptoms become more frequent and last longer. Often, a patient will get very tired and have little energy for every day tasks.

Unfortunately, multiple sclerosis has no cure, but effective treatment can help alleviate the symptoms and control the pain.

Women have the disease more then men, and usually surfaces before the age of 40 and after the age of 20. Since it is a progressive condition, so the damage to the nerves will worsen.

The damage to the nerves is caused by the deterioration of the mylein sheath covering that protects nerve cells. The medical field does not know why the damage occurs, although they do know that swelling and inflammation are the cause of the deterioration. Some research claim that a virus is the culprit, while other studies indicate a genetic mutation.

The condition seems to have a genetic component, as it runs in families. Researchers have also noted that certain geographical areas have a higher incidence of the condition.

Filed Under: Medical Issues, Politics Tagged With: Central nervous system, Conditions and Diseases, Demyelinating Diseases, Health, Multiple sclerosis, Neurological Disorders, Neuron, Spinal cord

Politicians Need to Take Care at Halloween

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In the United States, Halloween is a time for most to let their alter ego have center stage, whether that is dressing up as a ghost or a famous movie star.

Individuals already on center stage as politicians, however, have to take some care in choosing their Halloween costumes. If someone decides to dress up as a skinhead for instance, there will be many groups who will take offense.

Even if someone is contemplating throwing their hat into the political arena, careful selection of whom they stand next to during the traditional Halloween picture taking is important. If you decide to run for office in your city or town, your opponent may be on the lookout for any incriminating photos.

If a photo of you surfaces at a costume party with your arms around — oh say — a perosn with their face painted black? Not a good statement. While politicians should be entitled to a private life, especially before they even enter politics, the reality is that everything they do or say is fodder for the rumour mill.

And this may dissuade good and honest people from entering the fray. Who wants to live always having to look over their shoulders to see if some minor indiscretion in their past may show up on the Internet and be used against them?

Some politicians, including President Obama, have used honesty as the best policy. The president was upfront about his past behavior while young, disclosing drug use and drinking. This sharing of information certainly did not impede Obama’s rise to the top.

What matters then may not be the actual behavior, but keeping it a secret or lying about it. After all, everyone was young once, and everyone makes mistakes. If taking a picture next to someone dressed up as a Nazi is the worst mistake someone has made, then you might want to consider casting your vote for that person.

Filed Under: Medical Issues, Politics Tagged With: Barack Obama, Costume, Halloween, Halloween costume, Holiday, Parties, Recreation, United States