Utah Health Care Information
Health care reform is emerging as a top issue nationally and in Utah. The presidential candidates all have health reform platforms and several proposals are floating around Congress. Meanwhile, several states, including Utah, are looking at health care reform at the state level.
The various components of health care reform proposals can be confusing and difficult to understand. To help leaders and citizens who want to better understand the healthcare system and why reform is needed, Intermountain Healthcare has launched an educational website linking visitors to independent research on medical costs, quality and access.
The site, UtahHealthFacts.org, was designed with business owners, legislators, journalists, citizens and community leaders in mind, according to a press release. It provides a one-stop source for research, studies, and other health policy information that will help reformers find local solutions to the challenges facing America's medical system.
Intermountain Healthcare compiled Utahhealthfacts.org, but the site's content comes primarily from outside sources, including the Kaiser Family Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Joint Commission, and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.
The press release notes that the site also offers a snapshot of organizations involved in Utah's healthcare system, with direct links to their websites. It provides links that compares the cost and quality at medical facilities around the state, and allows residents to more easily learn about local and national reform proposals.
Health care reform is expected to be one of the top issues addressed in the upcoming 2008 legislative session. Gov. Jon Huntsman and top legislative leaders are working on legislation that would provide comprehensive reform over two or three years.
Regional Politics
Nevada: Big $$ for Public Land
Lengthy New York Times article looks at how Nevada has learned how "to cash in on sales of federal land."
Washington Watch
Cannon NCLB Report
Rep. Chris Cannon's Education Advisory Committee has released its final report on NCLB. To read the report, click here. (See also related press release.)
George W. Bush and the Mormons
(Last in a series.)
Bush has been presented a Book of Mormon on several occasions, first in 1997 as governor of Texas. “We have referenced the church many times in our conversations,” noted his LDS cabinet member Mike Leavitt, who added regarding the Book of Mormon, “I know he has one, but I have no idea if he has read any of it.” (From Mike Winder’s Presidents and Prophets: The Story of America’s Presidents and the LDS Church)
Libertarian Signatures Needed
The Libertarian Party of Utah needs several hundred more signatures to get on the Utah ballot. Read Andrew McCullough’s blog posting to learn how you can help.
Today in Political History
Dec. 4, 1875: William Marcy “Boss” Tweed, notorious leader of New York City’s Tammany Hall political machine, escapes from prison and flees to Europe (National Journal 2007 political calendar).
Dec. 4, 1945: The Senate approves U.S. participation in the United Nations (New York Times).
Dec. 4, 2000: U.S. Supreme Court overturns the Florida Supreme Court's decision to extend the deadline for certifying the Florida presidential election results (Source: Perspicuity)
Wise Words
“Justice in the life and conduct of the State is possible only as first it resides in the hearts and souls of the citizens.”
– Plato (Source: Brainy Quote)
Communications Tip
The Secrets to Listening Well
It sounds simple, but listening is a powerful political tool. Successful political leaders demonstrate they care by really listening. "Listening is as powerful a means of communication and influence as to talk well," said John Marshall. Here are some tips:
-- Give 100% Attention: Prove you care by suspending all other activities.
-- Respond: Responses can be both verbal and nonverbal (nods, expressing interest) but must prove you received the message, and more importantly, prove it had an impact on you.
-- Prove understanding: To say "I understand" is not enough. People need some sort of evidence or proof of understanding. Occasionally restate the gist of their idea or by asking a question which shows you know the main idea.
-- Prove respect: Prove you take other views seriously. It seldom helps to tell people, "I appreciate your position" or "I know how you feel." You have to prove it by being willing to communicate with others at their level of understanding and attitude. We do this naturally by adjusting our tone of vice, rate of speech and choice of words to show that we are trying to imagine being where they are at the moment. (Source: The Par Group)
National Politics
Best Stories From . . .
-- The Hill: "The White House Monday touted the results of a National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) that found that Iran has stopped its nuclear weapons program."
-- Washington Post: "In the biggest surprise of the campaign so far, the election that almost everyone thought would be about Iraq is turning out not to be. ... The reason Iraq is fading is simple: Not as many people are dying there."
-- New York Times: "There has probably never been a presidential campaign quite as challenging to track as the 2008 race. ... But with less than a month to go before the voting starts, it's becoming clear that Iowa has become the prime battle ground for Democrats, while New Hampshire has become the main stage for Republicans."
-- FOX News: Columnist Susan Estrich explains why Mike Huckabee's rise in the polls reveals the GOP's weaknesses.
Blog Watch
-- At Salt Blog, Holly Mullen says of Mitt Romney's plans to give a JFK-style speech about his Mormon faith on Thursday: "The basics of the Mitt-as-Mormon debate will not be provided Thursday night, and so the questions about his religion will continue. The vast majority of voters don't have a clue about what Mormons believe. Even so, they see the religion as a cult, and no amount of 'splaining and diagramming and professing one's testimony at College Station, Texas is going to change that perception." (See also related posts at COL Takashi and KVNU's For The People.)
Lighter Side
History’s Regrettable Quotes
(Great Quotes)
“I’m sorry, Mr. Kipling, but you just don’t know how to use the English language.”
– The San Francisco Examiner, rejecting a submission by Rudyard Kipling in 1889
“Just so-so in center field.”
– New York Daily News after the premiere of Willie Mays, 1951
“You better get secretarial work or get married.”
– Emmeline Snively, director of the Blue Book Modeling Agency, advising would-be model Marilyn Monroe in 1944 |
