The petition is to get Beth Harwell to bring Insure Tennessee to the floor of the state house for a full vote of the legislators of Tennessee. According to a poll 67 % of Tennesseans want Insure Tennessee. 280,000folks are without insurance in our state. Friends and neighbors are affected by this issue.

The mosquito-borne Zika virus has affected between 440,000 and 1.3 million people in Brazil. Although transmission has not been documented in the United States, the virus has struck returning travelers. Local cases also have emerged in Puerto Rico and 36 other countries or U.S. territories. In light of recent outbreaks, the number of travelers visiting or returning to the United States with the Zika virus is likely to increase. Short-term strategies for controlling its spread include killing mosquitoes, cleaning up habitats where they breed, encouraging women to consider the advisability of becoming pregnant and restricting travel to countries in Central and South America and the Caribbean. But options are slim for some of those who are most at risk. Women in countries with little to no reproductive rights are being told not to get pregnant for two years. In countries like El Salvador, fewer than 10 percent of the population uses birth control, which is hard to obtain and expensive. Abortion laws are so strict that women can be jailed for having a miscarriage. These same countries are placing a huge burden on women who have very little choice. This is a human rights issue and we must combat it. In the long term, we need an initiative for research, treatment and possible vaccine development. When Ebola broke out in the United States in 2014, it highlighted evidence of inadequate worker protections in a privatized health care system driven by profit. Funding to improve our health care infrastructure remains woefully inadequate, and budget cuts have weakened the ability of our universities and research institutions to develop vaccines and preventive measures. The Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and USAID have requested $1.9 billion in additional funding from Congress for education, research, development, and vector control efforts. Nevertheless, preparations for full protective measures and monitoring should begin immediately, including implementation of mechanical disinfection devices that help stop the spread of mosquitoes through aviation without utilizing harmful pesticides.

2015 Legislation authored by Sen. Fred Mills, SCR 19 passed a motion to make a single recommendation to the Louisiana Legislature that there is a CLEAR and obvious BENEFIT to removing the current restrictions tied to accessing a physical therapist's services by ALLOWING DIRECT PATIENT ACCESS TO A PHYSICAL THERAPIST'S SERVICES WITHOUT RESTRICTIONS. Unrestricted access to physical therapy treatment is safe, allows for patient self-referral, patient choice and is cost-effective for the patient and Louisiana. The citizens of Louisiana deserve the right to choose their provider and have easier access to physical therapy treatment.

As a physician and a human being, I am disgusted by governors refusing #MedicaidExpansion because the constituents affected are too poor and powerless to fight back.

To equalize health insurance premiums for all Coloradoans who rely on individual policies. Currently, rates vary as much as 50%, making health insurance unaffordable for many in higher cost areas.

On July 25th, the eyes of the nation will be on Philadelphia, a city with an HIV infection rate 3 times the national average. Activists from around the country will be demanding that the next president pledge an End to AIDS. They should make that announcement in a city and state that have pledged to do their part to end the AIDS epidemic. Prove that you believe Black lives matter, Trans* lives matter, Gay lives matter, Hispanic lives matter, Women's lives matter, and be strong leaders to end HIV infection.

DES was banned in 1971 but not before over 5 million people were exposed. This drug was used to prevent miscarriage or infertility. This question 'Were you exposed to DES' on patient intake forms should be asked as high blood pressure or diabetes is, It may save a life.

Heroin Addiction has plagued my life and I know personally that the users are not criminals. The use of Heroin is a disease that is a means to self-heal. With Heroin Health Reform, alternative methods for healing can occur and the structure of the Heroin trade can be undermined from within.

It drives me crazy that a faulty system is being used to mandate whether a child should be lumped into a category of weight at a time when they are extremely vulnerable and aware of their physical selves.

As a provider of case management services, I have experienced first hand how vital these services can be to members of our community. Case management services can prevent or shorten the time someone is homeless, ensure vulnerable members of our communities are fed and assist the recipients' of services so that they are able to develop the skills to live an independent and fulfilling life. The proposed changes to Section 17 would limit access to case management, skills development, day supports and other vital services. It is imperative that these services not be reduced to a specific vulnerable population and are available to those who need it.

The Medicare Telehealth Parity Act will remove geographic barriers and expand the list of health care providers eligible to provide reimbursable services for underserved communities in both rural and urban areas. Respiratory therapists will be able to apply best practices already being used in their hospitals to improve patient care and disease management, minimize wasteful and costly interventions and reduce hospital readmission rates via telehealth medicine.

OD'S continue daily with NO community intervention by the city. We were informed that 12 OD'S in one day happen last week. We see no Advocate on the city side to network in the community. No REAL PLAN.