Wednesday, May 5, 2010

"Healthy Families" Cuts




The recession has devastated Tout Tou Bounthapanya and her family. She's an immigrant who graduated from college. But she lost her job and depends on state sponsored health care. Bounthapanya said, "Because I use to be independent. I use to not be in any programs. I use to be independent ... If I apply for public programs, I'm not qualified like Medicare. If I apply for private market, it's too expensive. I can not afford them."

Bounthapanya is a recipient of "Healthy Families", a state program that provides affordable health care to working families. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger wants to eliminate the program to help solve a $24-billion budget deficit.

Advocates like Reverend Sharon Stanley protested the cuts on Thursday in front of a West Fresno clinic. Stanely said, "We should not solve the budget crisis on the backs of the poorest we have in our county or any county around the state."

Doctors at Clinica Sierra Vista say "Healthy Families" actually saves money by providing preventative care and keeping people out of already crowded emergency rooms. Doctor Juan Carlos Ruvalcaba said, "It's a lot more expensive. I believe it's 10 times more expensive than coming to a primary care doctor ... They can wait up to 8-10 hours and take beds that real emergencies need to be taken care of."

Bounthapanya now wonders if her boys will lead healthy lives without the "Healthy families" program.

Dysfunctional Families and the Shame Cycle: Healthy Families

Taking the kids — and staying healthy

Sure the swine flu news is making us nervous — very nervous — just when millions of us are planning our much-needed summer vacations. But that doesn't mean we should grab the kids and huddle under the covers.

We just have to plan — and travel — smart. So far outbreaks have been reported in New York, California, Kansas, Ohio, Texas, Canada and even New Zealand with the first U.S. death reported Wednesday. The World Health Organization, which has upgraded the influenza alert level, says that given the widespread presence of the virus, current focus should be on "mitigation measures" and urges those who are ill to delay international travel and for those developing symptoms after an international trip to seek medical attention.

Of course, if we are smart, we're going to avoid "nonessential travel" to Mexico, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has now recommended. (For the latest information, visit www.cdc.gov/travel.)

No worries if you have already booked a trip to Mexico. The airlines are waiving change fees and cruise lines are temporarily diverting ships. You should be able to either reschedule or get a refund without penalty for your hotel too. (And if you can't, let me know!)

With every resort offering incredible deals this summer, you shouldn't have trouble finding an alternate destination for some fun in the sun with the kids. (Check www.takingthekids.com for daily deals.)

At the same time, it's unclear if everyone is heeding the advice of health experts. Tim Smith, spokesman for American Airlines, says so far the airline is continuing to operate its normal schedule of 42 daily flights to Mexico. "No agency has asked us to reduce our schedule, though we obviously will continue to monitor demand." Smith notes that, so far, the volume of calls from customers seeking to change their Mexico itineraries has been far less than during a severe weather event.

The most important thing, of course, is to do all you can to keep the gang healthy wherever you're going. "Watch the news, since swine flu is an international problem affecting numerous countries," urges Dr. David Tayloe, the president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, who has traveled widely with his own four children.

Strict hand washing — at least a minute — is key, Dr. Tayloe adds.

"Bring hand sanitizer," adds Atlanta pediatrician and parenting author Dr. Jennifer Shu, editor of the American Academy of Pediatrics' book on baby and child health. "Teach kids not to touch their faces and avoid sick people!"

"The goal is to avoid crowds and close contact," says Dr. Meg Fisher, the chairman of the department of pediatrics at the Children's Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center and an infectious disease expert for the Academy of Pediatrics.