Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Reggaeton - It's Gonna Move Ya
Quite a symbolistic music. One that has soul, rhythm, beat, and more. One could say the beat is quite iconic. A special breed to people listen to this kind of music. Of course, originating in Panama, it has quite a latin feel to it, with a bit of hip-hop, rap rhythms and rhymes, and other things.
Of course, when something is made and created, there are those that are there to make it better, and came along.... PUERTO RICO! Yes, my favorite place on Earth, the land of my birth comes along and steals the thunder! Daddy Yankee, Vico C, DJ Playero, El General, and other stars hit the show room, and really hit the shelves on stores.
The music became associated in urban neighborhoods all over the world to Puerto Rico, and boy, it was exciting. A change of music is always in good faith (or usually), but this time we had ablend of several kinds. A seamless blend of that bass, high snare on the up-beats, and some young male/female voice singing (or attempting to) at the top of the beat. Then comes the transition. Around 2004, we see a different kind of Reggaeton come into place.This is when the bid names really started to show up, and Reggaeton became an internationally known music. Urban neighborhoods love the music.
In fact, I highly doubt that there is an urban neighborhood out there that has little to no Reggaeton involved in their neighboring lives. Now, the Hip Hop (republican) scene is in direct competition with Reggaeton, and in my opinion, the latter is on the rise and winning. Urban neighborhoods everywhere are accustomed to the music, and will keep on liking it in many ways. The best Reggaeton I have heard is the one made at home.
Go Reggaeton, go urban music, and of course, go Puerto Rico! (or is it Panama?)
Esteban G. Camacho was born in 1989 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. There he lived in a lower class family with his single mother for 11 years before moving to the contiguous states. Esteban became involved with politics when he reached his senior year of high school. When he got to college, he immediately pursued further education in the fields of government and economics. A staunch conservative and an advocate of the free market economies of the world, Esteban spends his time researching political backgrounds, economic titles such as Wealth of Nations, and strengthening his conservative base. Esteban believes in personal responsibility, individual liberty, equal opportunity, and in the American dream. Among his favorite quotes is: "What would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?" Esteban resides in Las Cruces, New Mexico and is currently pursuing a degree in Political Science.
HHR NOTE: Daddy Yankee the leader in this industry endorsed John McCain for Prez.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
HHR Radio Exclusive Interview with Brandon Brice
Combining his outstanding academic credentials, political experience, and personal experiences, Brandon Brice has emerged as an energetic force for change in Harlem and beyond, inspiring a focus on "social entrepreneurship" in urban communities. Don't miss out on what is guaranteed to be a stimulating, inspiring, and motivational interview.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/hhr
http://www.brandonbrice.com/
Brandon Brice has been a fighter for Harlem residents and the preservation of Harlem's history. This Howard University graduate is a former Rutgers University Eagleton Institute of Politics Fellow and surrogate for the Republican National Committee. Brandon is a long time active blogger and spokesperson for HipHopRepublican.com. Brandon has worked as a Policy Intern for the Honorable J. Dennis Hastert during his Congressional tenure as United States Speaker of the House. Mr. Brice served as a fellow with the United Nations, and has worked on policy issues with the Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C., and The National Urban League.
Mr. Brice has been featured on C-Span's Road to the White House 2004, Bet's What's At Stake", "The Truth", with BET Commentator Jeff Johnson and Hot 97 with Lisa Evers discussing the 2008 Presidential election. Brandon is a regular political contributor of Fox News Strategy Room and Fox & Friends. Brandon has given lectures on panel discussions at Baruch College, and has taught Economics at the undergraduate level.
Regarding Professor Gates
But it really all boils down to this to me: the police should have simply asked for his ID to confirm that he lived there and left. I can understand checking out a place in case there is a robbery, but the Cambridge police went overboard.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
CNN: Black In America 2: Colin Powell Exclusive
CNN continues its commitment to in-depth, comprehensive reportingon the african-american experience with Black in America 2, Today’sPioneers and Tomorrow’s Leaders.Both the dramatic, historic election of the nation’s first african-americanpresident and the passionate community dialogue that followed last year’sBlack in america helped inform the focus of this year’s documentaries.
Black in America 2 explores what african-americans are doing toconfront the most difficult and intransigent issues facing their community.soledad O’Brien takes you to neighborhoods all across america wherepeople are working everyday in innovative and unexpected ways totransform the black experience. July 22 & 23, 8pm etIn august, Cnn & essence Magazine present Reclaiming the Dream, aspecial co-production featuring leaders and community organizers thatwill be filmed in new Orleans at the essence Music Festival in July andbroadcast on Cnn.
August 1 & 2, 8pm et® and © 2009 Cable News Network.
"Educational State Of Emergency"
Our nation has an epidemic of failing public schools. This is not confined to urban schools either. My alma mater, Shelbyville High School, in Shelbyville, Indiana was profiled in a Time Magazine article titled "Dropout Nation", as well as on 'The Oprah Winfrey Show'.
You can read that article here: http://bit.ly/S0QVx and the Oprah segment here http://bit.ly/IbcoT.
Shelbyville is a small town of roughly 18,000 people - about 30 miles Southeast of Indianapolis. In a town with over 95% of the population White, 1 of every 3 kids will not graduate High School. One in Three!!! This contradicts every major stereotype portrayed on TV and broadcast throughout society.
Sadly, too many people across this nation believe that the educational crisis is limited to the Urban, Black, or Latino populace. This couldn't be farther from the truth. This epidemic is a national catastrophe. We are in an Educational State Of Emergency.
I believe that we cannot pass legislation and laws to curb this outbreak. The cure starts in the home and in the school. It is imperative upon the parents of our children to take charge. If there are no parents available, then the responsibility falls upon aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, grandparents, and even teachers. These children
need role model to encourage, nurture, and help them succeed.
I understand that there are cases in which one or both parents did not complete high school or receive a GED. This is one case where I feel that governmental measures could be necessary and useful. Programs that aide and encourage parents to advance their education will create an environment where parents and children can learn together. Parents and children helping each other will create a bond between them that may not exist presently. This will strengthen the family bond in this nation along with the educational advancement of our citizens.
If you are an adult, find a child in need. Nurture that child, embrace that child, help that child. Do not say that you "do not have time", because you do. Turn off the TV, put down the video games, skip your 'night out', and pick up a book and a child. There is not one kid in this nation who "is a lost cause" - that attitude is what put us in this detrimental state.
I was one of the lucky kids who had Ms. Kris Schwickrath (Ms. S) as a Latin teacher at Shelbyville High School. In my four years in her class, I was a lazy student. I refused to do work, I was a punk, and I was difficult - as were others. In those four years, Ms. S never gave up. She continued her efforts to nurture and teach me. She retained that hope that I would prevail. Sadly, my immature attitude remained over four years time. (more on Ms. S http://bit.ly/krf8h) Now, as a 25 year old adult, she has my utmost respect, and is truly one of my heroes.
I maintain contact with her, and if I can get back into college, I will study to be a Latin teacher just as she is. I now see what it means and what it takes to be an educator. We need EVERYteacher in America to learn from Ms. Schwickrath.
Our teachers must look at their occupation as more than a paycheck. They must view their roles as a Duty To Their Country. They must not flee from inner-city schools because of difficulty, but instead rise up and fight for change. No matter how hard your life is inside the walls of the classroom, these children have a much harder life outside of the school.
An educated population can only advance the progress of our country. Educated people can make educated decisions about careers, finances, politics, etc. Knowledge is power. Together we can make this nation powerful once again.
I will close by simply reiterating Hon. Sonia Sotomayor's quote of her mother during her opening statement of her confirmation hearings:
"The key to success in America is a good education."
TJ Thompson is a new contributor to HHR Blog, he is 25 years old and live in Shelby County Indiana. He is currently running for Congress in Indiana's 6th Congressional District.
Any person may contact him at thompson.forcongress.2010@gmail.com
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Remarks of RNC Chairman Michael Steele at the NAACP Centennial Convention
Thank you for that warm welcome. I would like to thank the NAACP board of directors and Chairman Julian Bond for having me here to speak with you today. Also, President Jealous, Vice Chairman Roslyn M. Brock, and Assistant Treasurer Jesse Turner. Jr.
President Jealous and Vice Chairman Brock, I thank you for your willingness to seek out advocates in all circles. We are all interested in the educational, economic, political and social wealth of our community. I thank the board for their passion and dedication to serving the disadvantaged among us, for breaking down barriers and standing as leaders.
As a proud member of the Prince George’s county chapter of the NAACP, I am honored to be here to celebrate 100 years.
The NAACP was born to fight for freedom, liberty, opportunity and fairness. Its founders were a group of brave visionaries from varying backgrounds, including black and white Republican men and women. Perhaps the most prominent African-American Republican of the group was James Weldon Johnson, the co-author of “Lift Ev’ry Voice And Sing.” Such a proud institution with an incredibly rich legacy.
I am proud to be here as the first African-American chairman of the Republican National Committee and on behalf of the RNC I bring you the warmest of greetings and congratulations!
I’ve been looking forward to this day for some time. It is for me, a particular honor to bring greetings in this 100th year. I spent some time looking at previous remarks by Republicans before this body and I was struck by the litany of phrases that republicans often cut and paste into a speech to this organization. “Party of Lincoln” four or five times … Reminders that Teddy Roosevelt was a Republican, and he invited Booker T. Washington to the White House … and the civil rights act was passed by a Republican congress over democrat filibusters … oh, and one of my favorites, Bull Connor was a democrat.
I decided instead, that today I would depart from “the complete Republican’s guide to speaking to African-Americans.”
Let me begin with something I read the other day - a look at the statistical averages of black babies versus whites:”The black baby born in America today, regardless of the section of the nation in which he is born, has about one-half as much chance of completing high school as a white baby born in the same place on the same day . . . One-third as much chance of completing college, one-third as much chance of becoming a professional man . . . Twice as much chance of becoming unemployed, a life expectancy which is 7 years shorter, and the prospect of earning only half as much.”
That is not a pretty picture. But here’s the really heart wrenching point: those words were spoken by President John F. Kennedy in 1963.
Nearly all of what we think of as “the civil rights era” has taken place since JFK gave that speech. And in that time, a lot of progress has been made in both the political and the cultural arenas. Many of you in this room have been the authors of that progress and many others of you have witnessed it.
Indeed, not far from the steps on which I was inaugurated the first African-American Lt. Governor of Maryland in 2002, Kunta Kinte was sold into slavery over 150 years ago. Moreover, not far from the very steps on which Barack Obama was inaugurated the nation’s first African-American president, black men and women could not drink from the same water fountain as whites.
But our standing on those steps was not just a testament to progress, but also a challenge to the idea that we have completed the journey.
As far as we’ve come since 1963, the amount of progress that has been made, while impressive, leaves us empty in the face of incarceration rates, unemployment rates, drop-out rates, aids infection rates, and the general rate of poverty for African-Americans.
For 46 years of these 100 years, we have carried a lot of water for others. And yet, the long odds faced by our children have changed very little. So it is time we start to carry that water for ourselves; or we will continue to fail our community, our children, and our ability to build legacy.
At the dawning of this century, most of the problems facing black America are rooted in diminished access to quality education and fewer and fewer opportunities to either work a job or own a business. On these points, a one-party agenda often fails to get the job done.
My friends, educational and economic upward mobility are the root source of empowerment, ownership and opportunity. You undermine those and you guarantee preservation of the status quo. But you and I know our legacy has never been about status quo - remember Attucks, Tubman, Douglass, Booker t., Dubois, Malcolm, Parks, King and so many others including those who founded this venerable organization.
We are the post-civil rights generation of African-Americans and for us the battle for civil rights in the latter half of the twentieth century has become a struggle for economic and educational opportunity at the dawning of this century.
Thurgood Marshall once said, “None of us has gotten where we are solely by pulling ourselves up from our bootstraps. We got here because somebody bent down and helped us.”
My purpose for coming here today, is simply to tell you face to face, that you are not alone in that struggle. The Republican Party, which has shared an inextricable link to the African-American community, has a way forward.
The Republican Party is prepared to bend down every day to help; but, we will do so with a different perspective-a 21st century perspective that pursues policies and advances principles that turns the hope of economic liberty and empowerment into action. True freedom is ill-served by diminishing educational choices, choking off entrepreneurial spirit, and empowering government more than the people.
As Chairman of the Republican National Committee, I recognize the efforts it took to get a seat at the lunch counter, but I also know what it will take for this and future generations to own the diner. So, I have come here today not only to bring greetings, but also to renew our relationship with the NAACP and the African-American community.
And I do this with a sense of purpose and not cliché because the GOP and NAACP have very often missed real opportunities to communicate and engage each other. Indeed, for the GOP and the NAACP “outreach” should mean more than a speech here and a pat on the back there. Genuine outreach must establish a relationship on common ground and build a partnership that will benefit all concerned.
So to that end, I have already reoriented the RNC away from “doing outreach” and towards building coalitions instead - moving beyond its comfort zone to create a relationship with diverse communities and constituencies. My goal: to advance freedom in the African-American community.
As the African-American middle class emerges and grows, the Republican Party wants to be a partner who works with you to put in place the tools necessary to sustain that growth and to bring out of poverty those so often left behind. I thank you for the opportunity to explain how my party is committed to continuing in that cause. And I thank you for your kind attention here today.
Certainly my visit here today does not represent some miraculous breakthrough in GOP-NAACP relations. This is the first baby step in many more baby steps to come. After all, we all know that old loyalties and attitudes die hard. But the question is, if the GOP is willing to take those steps, will the NAACP be willing to do the same?
As you start your second century, now is an opportune time for both the NAACP and Republicans to take hold of their political destinies and step together into a new partnership.
Think about it this way: if a black man can become chairman of the Republican National Committee, then anything is possible.
Congratulations; and may God continue his blessings upon your work
Friday, July 10, 2009
CNN Black In America 2
Airing on July 22 & 23 at 8PM (ET), host Soledad O'Brien focuses on emerging leaders, innovative community programs and business ventures that are addressing the most persistent and pressing issues and disparities facing African-Americans.
Here is the trailer and some brand new clips, as well as the episode summaries for both nights.
Clip 1: In this inner city school and against all odds, every graduating senior goes to college. So, what's their secret weapon?
Clip 2: John Rice grew up guided by high achievers who taught him how to succeed. Now, he passes the lessons on to tomorrow's leaders.
http://en.sevenload.com/videos/R45Wh4t-John-Rice-on-CNN-Black-In-America-2
On July 22, Black in America 2:
Today’s Pioneers will examine the programs and progress of people working in ways large and small to make a difference. This is the story of community organizers across the country and the progress and improvements that they are creating locally.
On July 23, Black in America 2:
Tomorrow’s Leaders will look at solutions aimed to developing leaders of tomorrow. We meet those that have already achieved heights of power, education and influence. And, we learn how others are reaching out to the next generation to ensure their success and achievement.
What are you thoughts aboout the upcoming CNN Black In America 2
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
JOHN MERCER LANGSTON: A PIONEER REPUBLICAN
John Mercer Langston was an early African-American Republican of whom it has been said he was instrumental in steering The Republican Party towards an anti-slavery position. Although he, himself, was born free and had a Caucasian father, Langston manifested a life-long aversion to slavery and worked towards the eradication of injustice and inequality for African-American people throughout his life.
John Mercer Langston was the youngest child of a plantation owner named Ralph Quarles and Lucy Jane Langston whom Quarles had had a twenty-five year relationship with. Lucy Jane Langston, who had been Quarles slave/mistress, was emancipated by Quarles in 1806 after the birth of the couples’ daughter named Maria.
Lucy Langston was of mixed-race ancestry being both African and Native-American. In addition to their oldest child together (Maria) and their youngest child together (John), the Quarles-Langston union produced two other children who were named Gideon Quarles and Charles Henry Langston. The Quarles children also had an older half brother named William Langston. John was born on December 14th, 1829 in Louisa County, Virginia.
Both Ralph Quarles and Lucy Jane Langston died in 1834 months apart from each other after brief illnesses. John was not yet five years old. He and his brothers then moved to Chillicothe, Ohio with William where they were raised by their father’s best friend named William Gooch. Although they were of African-American descent and had migrated from the south, Gideon, Charles, and John were economically independent since they had inherited their father’s wealth. It is not likely that Maria inherited anything from her mother or her father since women in The Ante-Bellum South had no rights to money and to property.
John Mercer Langston remained in Ohio, which was a free state by 1834, for fifteen years. When he was fourteen years old, young John enrolled in Oberlin College. His older brothers, Gideon and Charles , had enrolled in Oberlin in 1835 “where they were the first African-American students to be admitted.” By 1849, John had earned a Bachelor’s Degree, and a Master’s Degree in Theology in 1852. Despite having earned two such prestigious degrees, John Langston wanted to attend a Law School where he could receive a law degree. Unfortunately, however, because of his race, he was denied entry to the law schools of his choice. One such law school had reasoned that Langston could attend the law school if he at in the back of the classroom saying nothing. Another advised John Langston to deny his true heritage and to pretend to be French or Spanish. John Mercer found these conditions to be unacceptable and so studied law privately under a Republican Congressman and Attorney named Philemon Bliss. Langston was admitted to the Ohio State Bar in 1854.
John Mercer Langston had begun to develop his sense of social injustice as a student in Cincinnati at Oberlin College. In 1838 William Gooch moved to the slave state of Missouri. John did not follow him because his inheritance would have been confiscated if he had done so. Consequently, he moved from Chillicothe, Ohio to Cincinnati, Ohio. There, he became involved with a community of freedmen who resisted bigotry. As a student at Oberlin College, john also excelled at debate. He involved himself in “The Black Rights Movement.” Frederick Douglass, therefore, became impressed with him asking John Langston to address The National Black Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. In his speech, John admonished Americans to help fugitive slaves. Being the fifth Black Man to receive a Bachelor’s Degree in 1849, he was also the first black in the state of Ohio to pass the Bar and to become an attorney.
In the meantime, John, Charles, and Gideon organized antislavery societies at the local and at the state levels. They also aided fugitive slaves along The Ohio Line of The Underground Railroad. John Langston also addressed the need for Women’s Rights. He did not, however, support The American Colonization Society whose aim was to send Blacks back to Africa.
In 1854, John married Caroline Matilda Wall who had also attended and graduated from Oberlin College with a degree in Literature. She, also, had been the emancipated daughter of a slave mother and a wealthy, white Aristocratic (planter) father who had sent both of his daughters to the North to be educated. John’s wife Caroline, therefore, was his intellectual equal. They had five children together with only one of them dying in infancy. Shortly after the couple married, John Mercer Langston and Caroline Matilda Wall settled in Brown helm, Ohio where Langston established a law practice eventually becoming the first African-American elected to a public office in The United States.
John Langston also aided and abetted John Brown’s Raid on Harper’s Ferry. He also organized black soldiers for the Union Army and, consequently, created The Massachusetts 54th and 55th regiments as well as The Ohio 5th regiment. After the war ended, John Mercer Langston was instrumental in helping Black Men to secure for themselves the right to vote. From 1865 to 1867 he served as a city councilman. From 1867 to 1868 he served on the Board of Education. As the leader of The National Equal Rights League he carried out extensive suffrage campaigns for the vote for the black male. To this end, his dream was realized in 1867.
Langston also worked as an education inspector for The Freedman’s Bureau whose job it was to help the newly freed blacks to assimilate freedom. As an attorney, he represented an African-American Woman named Edmonia Lewis, who was accused of poisoning her white classmates. She was acquitted of this crime becoming a famous sculptress later in life. By 1868, John Langston had organized the law department at Howard University becoming its first department dean. He also served, for a period of time, as the acting President of The University. By 1888, after having served as consul-general to Haiti; and after having become The President of Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute in 1885, John Mercer Langston was once again catapulted into The National Spotlight when he won a seat in The United States House of Representatives. His victory was contested for eighteen months because he was the first African-American elected to Congress from Virginia. Eventually, however, he was able to take his seat.
After his retirement in 1894, Langston wrote his autobiography entitled: From the Virginia Plantation to the National Capitol. He died on November 15, 1897 at the age of sixty-seven years old. John Mercer Langston is also the great-uncle of The Harlem Renaissance Poet named Langston Hughes.
About the Author: Cleo E. Brown is also a Free Lance Writer and an Editor at HHR. Cleo is a moderate Republican who is the The Dean of Student Affairs in a GED Preparation Program in New York City. She holds a Master’s Degree in Contemporary African-American History from The University of California at Davis.
HHR Note: There is also a social networking group for young black Republicans & Libertarians called The John Langston Forum you can join that group here http://blackrepublicans.ning.com/
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Solving the Doctor Shortage - Forever
The United States faces a doctor shortage. And while the shortage didn't create the health care problems we have, it will certainly exacerbate them. Evidence is clear that not only has a plentiful supply of doctors been a driving influence for our health care innovations in the past but that without it the Obama administration will be unable to implement universal coverage or increase access to care - which is the linchpin of any substantive health reform, whether Republican or Democratic. But financing the education of doctors is almost as complicated as financing the system itself.
Any solution must be holistic and do the following three things:
(1) Increase the amount of medical residencies, (2) Increase enrollment in medical schools, and (3) Better manage the cost of medical school education.
Benefits of a Growing Supply
A growing supply of doctors makes prevention care more possible, and (coordinated with coverage) lessens emergency rooms visits and, most important, it also induces innovations in health care delivery. As far back as 1985, Jeffrey E. Harris, a professor of economics at M.I.T., noted in Health Affairs Journal that increasing the supply of doctors has led to:
1)trending the health care system toward increased cohesiveness between physicians and other medical providers.
4) incentivized doctors to relocate to small communities as to avoid the increased competition in bigger locales.
2) increased pressure for hospitals to compete with "nonhospital forms of care such as ambulatory surgical centers, walk-in emergency centers, and diagnostic centers."
3) amplified the number of medical faculty members and thus increased the level of scientific research being done.
What Has Disrupted Supply?
The Council on Graduate Medical Education (CGME), a panel created by Congress to assess the amount of physicians needed, has long stifled efforts to increase the supply of doctors. Miscalculations were made based on outdated information and a lack of consideration for the amount of increased health services baby boomers would consume.
The American Medical Association (AMA) didn't help by lobbying Congress for years on the issue, categorically stating "oversupply [of doctors] exists or is immediately expected." Lower supply meant doctors were more likely to be high demand thus keeping salaries high. The AMA was the proverbial fox watching the hen house (while they now represent less than 20% of practicing physicians, the ethos remains the same).
Another significant factor is the lack of medical residencies. All doctors, whether graduates of US or foreign medical schools, must complete a residency. Thus, an increase in residencies must correspond with any increase in medical school graduates. But the determinant to increase the amount of residencies is more political art than objective science.
The Government and Residencies
Medicare, a federally funded program, reimburses hospitals for the cost of residencies and accounts for 40% of total funding. The government typically spends "$11 billion annually on 100,000 medical residents, or roughly $110,000 per resident" according to the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. This level has been about the same for over a decade. Medicaid typically funds 10% and other federal agencies such as the Veterans Affairs Department (VA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), The Agency for Health Care Research and Quality, and the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, among other government actors provide funding as well.
The lack of residencies is so acute that hospitals have begun to fund additional residencies by other means. Some have used monies from state coffers or even private donors. While any growth in residencies helps to mitigate the supply issue, the specialty of residency is a better indicator of if access to care will be increased. Health care economists such as Thomas Getzen, PhD, executive director of the International Health Economics Assn., say "It's fair to say that the lucrative professions will grow, while the needed but less lucrative fields won't thrive."
The amount of primary care residencies must be increased. Adequate preventive care is contingent upon the supply of primary care doctors. Consumers without access to primary care doctors are on average more sick, disproportionately poor, and costlier to the system overall. Increasing access is the cornerstone of any proposal (and the reason why an individual mandate will likely be part of any reform) that highlights prevention.
Increasing Residencies
So how do we pay for the increased residencies? Medicaid is already under siege in most states. Medicare has unfunded liabilities of 1.2 trillion due to the prescription drug bill alone, according to former Medicare chief Mark B. McClellan. And the VA is reeling from the exorbitant costs associated with treating wounded and disabled veterans of the Iraq war.
In 2001, then-Senator Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) along with Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) proposed the "Medical Education Trust Fund Act of 2001". Modeled after previous legislation introduced by Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-N.Y.), the bill sought to overhaul the ineffective financing of residencies and graduate medical education by distributing costs among all health care actors, both private and public. The bill assessed all health care premiums a 1.5 percent tax, and divided such funds (including the previous contribution Medicare is already making) into five trust accounts categorized to fund teaching and non-teaching hospitals, primarily Medicare funded and non-Medicare funded hospitals.
A competing bill sponsored by Representative Ben Cardin (D-Md.) assessed a 1 percent tax. "A new per resident formula use[d] the national average of resident salaries and fringe benefits, adjusted for inflation and wage indices", according to the legislation.
Neither of these bills has progressed through their respective corridors of Congress. In fact, Congress has reduced the proportion of Medicare funding as part of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003. It is imperative that Congress revive and pass one of the aforementioned bills so residencies and graduate medical education is no longer a piecemeal effort reliant on the political winds of Congress.
Standardizing the process and resting acting authority with the nonpartisan panel created for this purpose, the CGME, lessens the influence of lobbyists and the watering down of recommendations. Like the AMA and others, the Council has made flawed assumptions in the past but is still the best authority to make recommendations to Congress.
Increasing Enrollment in and Lowering the Cost of Medical School
Over the past thirty years medical schools have been slow to increase enrollment. The Association of American Medical Colleges has called for an increase of 30% by 2015, which is estimated will produce 5,000 new M.D. students. Also, 3 new medical schools attained preliminary accreditation last year - Texas Tech, University of Central Florida, and Florida International University - and will matriculate students this fall.
In addition more undergraduate institutions are evaluating ways to shorten the length of study, and they must continue to do so. Currently 36 schools offer 6 year combined BS/MD programs. Doubling this number could increase enrollment substantially. To entice schools to participate the NIH, the agency tasked with doling out health-related research dollars to universities, could benchmark a percentage of those dollars to program participation and their amount of student enrollment.
The most efficacious way of managing the cost without the federal government subsidizing school loans - because it can't afford to - is to require lenders to offer loan deferrals to students completing their residency. While this wouldn't drive down the cost of loans, it would certainly make them more manageable.
The burden has been passed around for too long in respect to how many doctors we need and when we'll need them with nary a politician staking responsibility.
No longer should the funding of residencies be an issue; no longer should disparate care be doled out in rural communities and emergency rooms across this country due to market failure or inefficiencies; no longer should private industry stand more united than the United States; and no longer should the fox be the only one watching the hen house.
Bio - John is a senior at Virginia Commonwealth University pursuing a double major in sociology and women's studies. He blogs at policydiary.com.
To Those Who Have Fought for Our Independence
Though many are stuck on Goldwater and Reagan in the conservative battles for the heart and soul of America, I like “Ike” best. In his speech to the nation on January 17, 1961, Dwight David Eisenhower, 34thPresident of the United States of America, sent out the most prophetic words and warnings about ambitions and the use of power –”. . . we yet realize that America’s leadership and prestige depend, not merely upon our unmatched material progress, riches and military strength, but on how we use our power in the interests of world peace and human betterment.” It was Eisenhower who implemented the West Point ideals of duty, honor and country in building the citizen-soldier force which is the cornerstone of our concept of the “volunteer army.” It was Eisenhower who ensured the integration of the military and whose Supreme Court appointees struck down segregation in this nation furthering his concept of the necessary versus the desirable which must underlay national and military efforts.
As the Obama Administrations attempts to appease and placate those who are not interested in democracy fail, the need for an enhanced military force for this nation should be apparent. Now as the mother of one of our newest soldiers, my appreciation for the sacrifices we ask of our young men and women so engaged deepens as does my concern about going to war without clear missions, exit strategies and supports as our troops come home. Why is it okay to be in Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan but not in Iraq or in the Sudan and Darfur while genocide was being undertaken?
As a “Trekkie” I ask the question, while democracy is the ideal for us, in “going where none have gone before,” do we have the right to interfere in other cultures and change their internal order to suit our beliefs? But backing up a bit, I firmly believed that after the Korean Conflict, we as nation missed an intrinsic value of the military–as a place of opportunity, advancement and development of true citizenship based on character, devotion to duty and honor in serving our nation.
Though many in the military do not want to see it become the training ground for the unruly, the discontent and the disconnected that too has been one of its essential missions as it works to keep this nation safe and secure while helping to make us whole. Soldiers have accrued job skills which can’t always be taught and provided monies for homes as well as education thereby allowing those willing to serve to move to the middle class or higher.
In Tom Brokaw’s Greatest Generation, he speaks of WWII veterans many of whom fresh off the farm or out of poverty, got their first pair of new shoes or had an opportunity for three square meals and were so glad as well as thankful to get away from whence they came. Their horizons were expanded. This socialization process in the military has been undervalued, too long ignored and is now desperately needed.
One peg in needed Judicial Reformis to give those with recurrent petty crimes, non-violent felonies, etc. an opportunity to redeem themselves in alternate sentencing which allows them to serve our nation. My generation of thuggish classmates on their way to jail was given that option or enlistment in the service. Many did enlist and became better people for it. Unfortunately many also died in Vietnam, but that too is one of the prices of freedom. As the number of new enrollees for the military drop, why can’t military service become a way for those seeking a second chance to clear their records? In Proverbs 4:7 we are admonished, “. . . with all thy getting, get understanding.” You’d be surprised what military “boot camp” can do to enhance ones perspective and to help you get a little understanding.
Dr. Ada M. Fisher is NC Republican national Committee Woman and the Republican candidate for the NC House District 77 seat. Contact her at DrFisher@Fishernchousedistrict77.com.