It’s a really complicated world……all of us want to decrease the federal debt, but how can we when so much is needed? Increased spending on the borders and illegal immigration control is at the top of the “Rights” list, while taking care of our poor and disabled stay at the top of the “lefts” list. In my world it’s a no-brainer. Supporting people that are some of societies most vulnerable is the right thing to do and I am glad HR 1586 was signed into law yesterday.

The law included a six month extension of higher Medicaid federal matching funds for states – a major contribution towards some of the drastic slashes in mental health coverage in Arizona.

Recent budget slashes (I prefer that term over cuts as I feel it’s much more descriptive) in the state’s healthcare system for the poor have forced many people to search for alternatives to afford their medications. Some are going to Canada, while some have been fortunate to be able to get discounts directly from the pharmaceutical companies. I applaud the efforts of some of the drug companies to help and I wish they would all step up.

While illegal immigration and calls to enforce the border by sending in troops occupies the headlines, our state’s most vulnerable citizens are doing the best they can just to survive.  In my world they take priority over someone who has illegally crossed our borders to look for a better way of life.  Helping disabled and seriously mentally ill people is not only money well spent, it’s the “right” thing to do!

How Did Your Member Vote?

View the House roll call vote on final passage of HR 1586

Both McCain and Kyle voted no when the bill went through the senate.

Read further details on the provisions in HR 1586 designed to support state Medicaid programs into 2011.

I consider myself a pretty positive person.  I’ve faced plenty of tragedy in my life and still feel optimistic about the future.  Some people would call it “faith.”  I’m not sure what it is as I’m not necessarily a religious person, but I definitely believe in the greater good.

But, this catastrophic Gulf oil spill has gotten me down.  I can’t imagine what it must be like for people who live in the area affected. And that area is growing day by day.  If you listen to some doomsday “sayers” this is just the beginning of a global crisis that could change the world as we know it. One can’t help but get nostalgic thinking about the days most of us have spent frolicking on white sand and splashing in the ocean. Some of my favorite childhood memories are from family vacations spent on the beach.  Many times it was on a Gulf of Mexico beach.  Same is true for my daughter, except that it was usually the Sea of Cortez.

What I can say for a fact is that the Gulf of Mexico is experiencing the biggest threat to it’s environment in history and it makes me want to cry.  When I first heard of the oil spill, I had this sinking feeling in my stomach.  Some how I knew intuitively this wasn’t just another oil spill. Now, almost two months later most of the world knows it’s the worst environmental disaster in history.  Scary part is, we still don’t know how to stop it.

A few facts we do know:

• 11 people lost their lives in the initial explosion
• Efforts to cap it or plug it have been unsuccessful
• Relief well may or may not work
• Dispersant’s being used are toxic
• Skimming works in a very small area
• Small portion of the oil is being recaptured
• Thousands of people’s livelihoods have been disrupted

No one really knows how this will end. President Obama said in his speech on Tuesday that we should all pray.  Some made fun of that suggestion.  It reminded me of the bumper stickers that say “Visualize Peace,”  or the adage “the power of positive thinking.”  So,  I think we should all visualize a clean Gulf – it can’t hurt! Thinking about a clean beach and aqua blue seas can definitely lighten my mood!!

From an article on WebMD, the CDC reported on December 18th that Autism Disorders increased by 57% in just four years. What the heck is going on?
It says that by the end of 2006 one in 70 boys and one in 315 girls were diagnosed with an autism disorder. The new CDC report is vitually the same as the numbers at the end of 2007.
Even if you take into account the possiblity that the disorder is being diagnosed more than in the past and that reflects part of the increase, these numbers are staggering. What in the world is going on? And, why are males so much more affected?
Two decades ago one in 5000 children were known to have the disorder. I remember I had a friend back in the 70′s that had a little boy with autism……….I had never heard of it before.  Now, it seems we all know familes with someone who is living with this disorder. 
The National Institutes of Health needs the continued support from the federal government for the study of not only autism spectrum disorders, but all mental illnesses. Please let your legislators know you support continued and increased support to this valuable agency.