restorARTively

The first question at Congessman Joe Sestak's Town Hall last night came from a man whose father was preventably injured by treatments at the VA hospital similiar to those that made the headlines a month ago in Philadelphia's VA Hospital. He and his family have not been able to find any resolution, compensation for his injuries, or assurances that improvements will be made to protect ailing consumers. His question: "I understand you are not for tort reform....but how will anyone get a fair day in court when the provider is the government [public option]." The congressman gave a full explanation to how the military works in those situations. He also added that he does not feel the government should not be in the business of deciding how much a person's life or another person's pain and suffering is worth (i.e, "caps"). The shouting out and interrupting from the audience had begun. Sitting directly behind this gentleman, I asked the next question: After...

I came back from the beach last night to exhibit PULSE of PA and Henry the Hand Foundation information at my state senator, Daylin Leach's, Kids Expo. On Saturday I was at Congressman Sestak's Working family Summit . Teaching families the importance of proper hand hygiene is the most basic way of preventing medical errors. It is so simple. On Saturday however people were more concerned with yelling their agreement or disagreement to the Congressman on how he voted for the Health Care Reform bill that made it through the house. Tonight, parents were more interested in getting as many freebies as possible for their children. "Oh we use hand sanitizer anyway." (Hand sanitizer is dangerous for children.) It was still important to be there and contribute to the prevention of illness and disease among young children. Selfishly it also helps me keep my son's memory alive. I was indulged by the conversation I shared with the gentleman from Haverford Township's Re...

I will be there with a variety of health care safety information including how to keep children and their families healthy as the school year begins. 7th Congressional District of Pennsylvania Working Family Resources Summit Saturday August 1, 2009 Interboro High School16th and Amousland Road, Prospect Park PA 19076 This venue is air conditioned and handicap accessible. Registration: 9:30 AM Event: 10:00AM – 1:00PM As the result of our Nation’s extraordinary economic recession, I have seen families throughout the 7th Congressional District struggle across three generations to cope with historically high unemployment, record foreclosure rates, loss of pension plans, devalued homes, rising costs of education, expensive health care, and the ever-present threat of increased energy prices. Although I am aggressively working with my colleagues in Congress to address these issues legislatively, and through my constituent office to engage the unique problems of individuals, I believe more mus...