Hey, all,

Terrierhead wanted me to send the word out that she’s been hospitalized again. From what the doctors are saying, she developed an infection after her c-section and it made itself very much known yesterday evening.

She’s stabilized and should be coming home in a few days. Please keep her in your thoughts. 5 years ago

I’ve talked a friend into reading up on the health care crisis. Yay for greater awareness! 5 years ago

My current excuse is that my new job is keeping me just about as busy as my old job combined with graduate school did. Nevertheless, I need to do something about this. Things aren’t getting any better out there. 7 years ago

I found a meeting to attend on this topic, which I hope will lead to making some new contacts. I’ve managed to get the day of the meeting off work and everything. 7 years ago

A recent article by Malcolm Gladwell and Uninsured in America: Life and Death in the Land of Opportunity brought me to this goal. The number of people in this country for whom routine health care is a luxury is a national shame. I’m too mad about it to sit idly by.

Two weeks ago, I talked with Dr. Georges Benjamin, the Executive Director of the American Public Health Association about his experiences in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. In a lecture at a conference I attended, he said that he was surprised that out of all of the services made available to evacuees, dental services were among the most in demand. After the lecture, I told him I was surprised he hadn’t been expecting the long lines for the dentist. For millions of Americans, dental care is out of financial reach – with serious consequences. The women I surveyed for my graduate project frequently noted bad teeth as a problem (sometimes broken teeth from assaults by romantic partners), saying that dental pain was constant and excruciating, and that bad looking teeth made it difficult for them to find work. Dr. Benjamin mentioned a task force within APHA that I need to look into. As soon as I get done with my thesis project, I’m there. 7 years ago