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Money for dental care for pregnant women missing from budget
Unfortunately, the funding to support SB1088 is missing from initial budget proposals. Officials estimate we need $359,700 from the general fund plus $818,000 in federal Medicaid dollars to fund the program. While not an insignificant amount, the public health implications of failing to provide expectant mothers with dental coverage have a far greater cost. This is why I encourage the legislature [...]
Arizona has opportunity to widen range of opioid addiction treatment
It’s too late for my brother, but there’s still time for countless other AHCCCS enrollees struggling with opioid addiction. They deserve the best possible chance of recovery. And their physicians are owed the broadest possible arsenal of medications to fight this battle.
First-time offenders shouldn’t be treated as career criminals
Arizona’s justice system is at a breaking point. In the last 20 years, our prison population has grown seven times faster than our general population, putting us in the unenviable position of having the fifth highest imprisonment rate in the country. Our prisons now cost taxpayers $1 billion a year.
New tax law triggers fewer donations to nonprofits
Our sincere hope is that our legislators continue on the path they’ve taken to adjust Arizona tax laws to benefit both the taxpayers and the nonprofit organizations they stand behind.
Medicare for all is actually quality health care for none
Democrats from across the country are uniting around a new legislative proposal, "Medicare for All." This Obamacare 2.0 reboot would in fact cripple and bankrupt our underfunded Medicare system, while denying crucial benefits for our seniors who have paid into it during their entire working lives.
Education inequality has impact on public health
Since this issue is consistently wrapped in politics, we find it important to view it from a different perspective: what is the public health implication of education inequality and how is the way we treat our teachers interconnected? Facts are nice, so let’s include those, particularly regarding large class sizes, classroom funding, and shortage of teachers and how these relate to education ine[...]
Mandatory testing of medical marijuana for toxins is needed
Nearly 10 years after Arizona approved the use of medical marijuana, the medicine remains a controversial topic for many. In fact, universal agreement related to almost anything to do with marijuana would seem incredibly unlikely.
Recent rebate rule benefits patients and pharmacists
Independent pharmacists and pharmacy owners witness Medicare Part D’s convoluted and opaque prescription drug rebate system in action every day. However, the true victims of this broken rebate distribution system, Medicare beneficiaries, are often unaware of the impact it has on them at the pharmacy counter. These beneficiaries are often the most vulnerable, relying on affordable access to presc[...]
Less enforcement of law could hurt Hispanic English learner students
Twenty years ago, a group of Hispanic parents and educators, known as English for the Children – Arizona, registered their initiative at the state Capitol with the intent of replacing... […]
Corporation Commission should advance a strong standard, not a goal
Don’t get me wrong. Elected officials should have vision. However, our leaders should also be pragmatic.
State needs to fund sexual assault services, crisis centers
A person is sexually assaulted every 98 seconds in the United States. Despite this, Arizona is one of few states that does not allocate state funding to sexual assault services such as rape crisis centers. This needs to change.
Latinos rely heavily on Colorado River water amid plans for cutbacks
The Colorado River in Arizona is an integral part of our communities, history and cultural heritage, and our way of life. We all have a moral obligation to take care of our natural resources and protect God’s creation. As we face a future of diminished water supplies we need to ask each other and those who govern to embrace an ethic of planning and collaboration to lead us into a sustainable wat[...]
