Therapies based on behavioral and developmental approaches effectively reduce and in some cases eliminate the symptoms of autism. Current funding for this type of therapy in MN is limited to public insurance. This coverage will come to an end if the DHS budget changes pass as currently written, leaving virtually no options for citizens of Minnesota who are living with autism. We must pass a bill currently being debated in the MN legislature requiring private insurance companies to cover treatment for autism. We must also protect coverage provided by public insurance. All Minnesota children deserve a bright future.

As a former DOE special education teacher, and a parent of a child with Autim, I can say with confidence that the public standard for sevices is neglectfully low. It is heartbreaking and frustrating, to be knowledgable of the evidence practices that will help my child, yet the very professionals employed to apply them do not have the training, staffing resources, administrative support or accountability. Stop the madness! Push for Health Care Reform that will help families access adequate therapies.

This legislation is a Health Freedom Bill gives practitioners and clients the freedom to seek and receive alternative therapies. • Currently, there are no laws giving a right to practice to Natural Health Practitioners. • There are over 1,500,000 Colorado citizens who receive health care services from complementary and alternative health care practitioners. Protect your freedom to choose.

Governor Phil Bryant has just appointed Terri Herring, a major Personhood proponent to the MS Board of Public Health, she now must be confirmed by the MS State Senate. Terri Herring, an extremist, who is out of touch with mainstream Mississippi and utterly unqualified in the field of public health should not be appointed to the MS Board of Public Health. This position is too important and her appoint to this board jeopardizes the health, safety, and welfare of the people of Mississippi who will be effected by the policies of this board. From the Jackson Free Press: "Gov. Phil Bryant has nominated staunch pro-life activist Terri Herring, national director for the Pro-Life America Network, to sit on the Mississippi Board of Public Health. The 11-member board, according to its website, provides policy direction for the Mississippi Department of Health, appoints a state health officer to operate the agency; approves the state health plan; and approves all rules and regulations of the agency. Most of the board members are doctors and nurses. All of them are gubernatorial appointees that serve for six years. Herring, who apparently has no medical background, would replace Dr. Ellen P. Williams. Last year, Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves blocked Gov. Haley Barbour's nomination to the board, OB/GYN Dr. Carl Reddix, because of Reddix' tenuous ties to the Jackson Women's Health Organization. The Senate will hold nominating hearings, which are open to the public, next week." http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/weblogs/jackblog/2013/mar/27/bryant-nominates-terri-herring/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From the Clarion Ledger: "Said Sen. Debbie Dawkins, D-Pass Christian: “I’m not sure if she knows what happens when a sperm and egg unite. I’m not unbiased. When I worked in the ER – I was a surgical technician – back before Roe vs. Wade, we would see people come in, with coat hanger situations or worse.” Dawkins said agency boards need people willing to compromise, not divisive figures. Her nomination comes one year after the ouster of State Board of Health member Dr. Carl Reddix, an OB-GYN, because of his loose affiliation with the Jackson Women’s Health Organization. Reddix was appointed by then-Gov. Haley Barbour and had been serving on the board since mid 2011. But when Barbour submitted his name for nomination in the 2012 session before leaving office, Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves blocked it. Reeves had cited concerns about Reddix’s association with the abortion clinic, saying he wanted a qualified physician instead. A Mississippi native, Reddix earned his medical degree from Tufts University, his master’s degree from Harvard, and did his residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He didn’t work for the clinic but provided emergency care for its patients in case of post-procedure difficulties. Herring’s qualfications weren’t immediately available, but she has been an ardent opponent of the abortion clinic and a staunch supporter of the Personhood amendment." http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20130327/NEWS/303270065/Bryant-nominates-abortion-foe-State-Board-Health

Mental illness is a serious medical issue. The Act will allow up to 1.5 million more Americans living with a behavioral disorder to get the care they need. This Act expands access to community mental health centers and improves the quality of mental health care for all Americans.

All across the country, employers are preparing for the Affordable Care Act by cutting the hours of their employees. This can easily be rectified by accurately defining "full-time" employment under the ACA as 35 or more hours per week. Congress must act NOW before the effects of these cuts impact our fragile economy. Please sign today!

A non-profit Community Hospital that has a history of Racism and Sexism ruled by a documented bully needs an independent investigation!. We need to stop bullies in the workplace and INVESTIGATE AND STOP racism and sexism in 2013! THEY USE OUR TAX DOLLARS TO BULLY AND DISCRIMINATE!

A Community Hospital that has a history of Racism and Sexism ruled by a documented bully. We need to stop bullies in the workplace and stop racism and sexism in 2013!

Montana legislators are trying to block federal family planning money from coming into the state! This is money serves over 25,000 low-income Montanans and saves taxpayer money by preventing unplanned pregnancy and STDs.

Currently Nevada does not have mandated nurse-to-patient ratios. SB 362 is a bill that will set a minimum standard for safe staffing in hospitals. Research has proven that setting safe nurse-to-patient ratios prevents patient deaths, decreases medication errors, and decreases hospital length of stay. Research has also shown that Registered Nurses are more effective in providing safe patient care when not overburdened by unmanageable patient assignments (NYSNA's Education, Practice and Research Program, 2013). This bill will improve patient outcomes, patient and nurse satisfaction, and contribute to the provision of superior care for our local community by our healthcare facilities. This bill affects everyone, not just nursing staff. We all know a family member or friend that is or has been in the hospital and they deserve the best care possible. Nevada nurses need your support to pass this bill. For more information regarding this bill, please go to the provided link below. http://legiscan.com/NV/text/SB362/2013 References NYSNA's Education, Practice and Research Program. (viewed 2013, 03 26). Role of the registered professional nurse in staffing effectiveness. Retrieved from http://www.nysna.org/practice/positions/position13_a.htm

With such a strong stigma attached to it mental illness has become a scapegoat for all that is wrong with the current debate on gun violence. Although the statistics show that the mentally ill are more than likely the victims of violence, those afflicted with this misunderstood condition are often blamed for those terrible incidents that have become more and more frequent in the American society. My feeling and belief is that the greater public needs to have a in depth discussion about this illness. To meet and hear from those affected by this little understood condition. It is my intention to create a forum where mentally ill patients can find support and am empathetic ear from people like them where they can not only express their perspective personal experiences so that others like them and the general public also will have a better understanding of what people afflicted with mental illness can provide the greater community. It is well known that many bi-polar people are some of the brightest artists, poets, writers, actors, musicians, playwrights and even very successful CEO's. There can be an evolution of understanding and I hope to be the vehicle to manifest this with the forum I propose. Very sincerely Paul LaBonte

Improve the ACA to include single payer and make it Medicare for all including Federal employees.