http://arthritis.about.com/b/2012/03/21/ask-your-lawmakers-to-co-sponsor-the-patients-access-to-treatment-act-h-r-4209.htm

Ask Your Lawmakers to Co-Sponsor the Patients' Access to Treatment Act (H.R. 4209)
By Carol Eustice, 
About.com Guide
March 21, 2012

Biologic drugs are not appropriate for every arthritis patient, but many have been helped by them. It's a sad situation when a patient can't be treated with biologics because, in their case, the drugs are unaffordable. Some health insurance companies place biologic drugs into "specialty tiers" that leave patients with high co-insurance or cost-sharing. Specialty tiers can require that patients pay 25% to 33% of drug cost which can amount to hundreds or even thousands of dollars each month, depending on the drug.

According to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), Representatives David McKinley (R-WV) and Lois Capps (D-CA) have introduced the Patients' Access to Treatment Act (H.R. 4209). The legislation would place specialty drugs within the same classification as Tier III non-preferred drugs. The biologic drugs would then become affordable for more patients. Want to help? Go here today and ask them to co-sponsor H.R. 4209, the Patient's Access to Treatment Act (H.R. 4209).

Friends,

I just created a petition: Eliminate Drug Plan Coinsurance, because I care deeply about this very important issue.

Here is a link to an article in the NY Times that gives a pretty good background on this new coverage dodge being used by insurance carriers: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/13/health/states-seek-to-curb-exorbitant-drug-costs-incurred-by-patients.html?pagewanted=all

And here is another article from the NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/13/health/states-seek-to-curb-exorbitant-drug-costs-incurred-by-patients.html?pagewanted=all

I'm trying to collect 100 signatures, and I could really use your help. Actually, I'd like to add a few 0's to the total number of signatures, but you've got to start somewhere!.

To read more about what I'm trying to do and to sign my petition, click here:
http://www.change.org/petitions/eliminate-drug-plan-coinsurance?share_id=uriDJMqVEMpe=d2e

It'll just take a minute!

Once you're done, please ask your friends to sign the petition as well. Grassroots movements succeed because people like you are willing to spread the word!

In the event you were unaware of this happening, there will surely be those that try to fault Health Care Reform for the occurance. Health Care Reform had nothing to do with the genisis of this insurance scheme. If you have got to blame something...blame the Medicare Drug Plan. It was after the Medicare Drug Plan that coinsurance came into vogue. Health Care Reform only made a bad situation worse as specialty drug makers inflated their prices markedly and without cause.

Frank

From: http://www.hc7seadevils.org/OrphansPt1.pdf

HC-7 Yankee Station CSAR Combat Search and Rescue: The Legacy

What was the key to HC-7’s success? One prime undoubtedly was each squadron member’s belief in the squadron’s missions, particularly the basic mission of CSAR, and its standing as the only dedicated practitioners of the craft. During the Vietnam War, Navy SAR forces rescued more than 250 downed Aircrew men from the Gulf of Tonkin and North Vietnam; and of these, HC-7 rescued more than 140. The price was high—in land rescue attempts, the Navy lost an average of two SAR aircraft for every three aircrew rescued and one SAR crewman killed or captured for every two aircrew rescued. Many more rescues were attempted than succeeded.

Despite this, the men of HC-7 approached the mission proudly, professionally and even perhaps eagerly, for they knew of its importance. The valor demonstrated during these rescues, successful or otherwise, will always be categorized as “above and beyond.” This is reflected in the squadron tally of one Medal of Honor, four Navy Crosses, several Silver Stars, and more than 50 Distinguished Flying Crosses. As one pilot later put it: “I didn’t really see anything ugly my whole time in Vietnam. I didn’t kill anyone or see anyone get killed. I got shot at a hell of a lot but it was all impersonal and detached. Besides, I was there to save lives. My mission was rescue.”

And for the point of view of those who most needed the expertise of the men of HC-7, we close with the comments of CDR John B. “Pirate” Nichols, in On Yankee Station (Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, Md., 1987):  Fixed-wing pilots generally, and jet jockeys particularly, adopted a “machoer-than-thou” attitude toward helo drivers. After all, it was hard for a “rotorhead” to generate enough speed to really hurt himself, and choppers seemed to adhere to the hang glider’s motto: Never fly higher than you’re willing to fall.

But the combat SAR folks, bless their torque, were always there when needed. They knew they had a corner on the market, and when some hot jet jock screwed up and found himself staring at a plate of pumpkin soup for dinner, the helos came motoring in at all of 140 knots to attempt the rescue. They weren’t always successful: Sometimes there simply wasn’t enough time, and often the flak was too thick. But the helos had the last word on the subject. After they’d endured the slings and arrows of the fast-movers, they’d unzip wry grins and say, “Yeah, right. Next time you’re down in the water and the sampans are coming to get you, call an F-4 to pick you up.”

In 1874 “Taps” was officially recognized by the U.S. Army. It became standard at military funeral ceremonies in 1891. There is something singularly beautiful and appropriate in the music of this wonderful call. Its strains are melancholy, yet full of rest and peace. Its echoes linger in the heart long after its tones have ceased to vibrate in the air.

The origin of the word "Taps" is thought to have come from the Dutch word for "Tattoo"- "Taptoe." More than likely, "Taps" comes from the the three drum taps that were played as a signal for "Extinguish Lights" when a bugle was not used. As with many other customs, the twenty-four notes that comprise this solemn tradition began long ago and continue to this day.

While there are no official lyrics for Taps, the following unofficial verse (author unknown) is often used:

Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.
From afar drawing nigh -- Falls the night.

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.

Then good night, peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn shineth bright;
God is near, do not fear -- Friend, good night.

http://www.whas11.com/home/Fatal-accident-on-Dixie-Highway-152184285.html

Wheelchair-bound man hit, killed by car on Dixie Hwy.

by WHAS11
WHAS11.com
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 12:09 AM
Updated today at 9:47 AM

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) -- A double amputee in a motorized wheelchair died after he was struck by a car while crossing the street near the Thornton's at 8400 Dixie Highway Saturday evening.

Louisville Metro Police said Wallace Neighbors, 42, was operating a motorized wheelchair across Dixie Highway against the light at Pages Lane around 9:30 p.m. Saturday when he was struck by a maroon-colored Ford Focus.

The Jefferson County coroner said Neighbors died at University Hospital Sunday morning.  He was a double amputee.

Police say no charges will be filed and it appears that no alcohol was involved in the accident.

The driver was not injured in the crash.

The Mission:

On June 19, 1968, Lassen, then a 26-year-old Lieutenant, junior grade flying a UH-2 Seasprite, embarked on a mission to recover two downed naval aviators whose plane had been shot down deep in North Vietnamese territory. Upon reaching the hilly terrain where the aviators were hiding, Lassen made several attempts to recover the aviators, but dense tree cover, enemy weapons fire and intermittent illumination frustrated his efforts. Lassen turned on the landing lights of the helicopter, despite the danger of revealing his position to the enemy. After the pilots made their way to the helicopter and with his bullet-riddled helicopter dangerously low on fuel, Lassen evaded further antiaircraft fire before landing safely at sea onboard a guided missile destroyer with only five minutes of fuel left in the helicopter's fuel lines. The account of the rescue was logged as a successful, routine search and rescue mission.

LT Lassen became the first naval aviator and fifth Navy man to be awarded the Medal of Honor for bravery in Vietnam. He remained in the Navy for a career and retired in 1982 with the rank of Commander, residing in Pensacola, Florida until his death in 1994. In 2001, a destroyer was commissioned and named after him: the USS Lassen. An SH-60 Seahawk was painted to commemorate his actions.

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as pilot and aircraft commander of a search and rescue helicopter, attached to Helicopter Support Squadron 7, during operations against enemy forces in North Vietnam. Launched shortly after midnight to attempt the rescue of 2 downed aviators, Lt. (then Lt. (J.G.)) Lassen skillfully piloted his aircraft over unknown and hostile terrain to a steep, tree-covered hill on which the survivors had been located. Although enemy fire was being directed at the helicopter, he initially landed in a clear area near the base of the hill, but, due to the dense undergrowth, the survivors could not reach the helicopter. With the aid of flare illumination, Lt. Lassen successfully accomplished a hover between 2 trees at the survivors' position Illumination was abruptly lost as the last of the flares were expended, and the helicopter collided with a tree, commencing a sharp descent. Expertly righting his aircraft and maneuvering clear, Lt. Lassen remained in the area, determined to make another rescue attempt, and encouraged the downed aviators while awaiting resumption of flare illumination. After another unsuccessful, illuminated rescue attempt, and with his fuel dangerously low and his aircraft significantly damaged, he launched again and commenced another approach in the face of the continuing enemy opposition. When flare illumination was again lost, Lt. Lassen, fully aware of the dangers in clearly revealing his position to the enemy, turned on his landing lights and completed the landing. On this attempt, the survivors were able to make their way to the helicopter. En route to the coast he encountered and successfully evaded additional hostile antiaircraft fire and, with fuel for only 5 minutes of flight remaining, landed safely aboard U.S.S. Jouett (DLG-29).

Michael P. Murphy
Nickname "Murph"
Born (1976-05-07)May 7, 1976
Smithtown, New York
Died June 28, 2005(2005-06-28) (aged 29)
Kunar Province, Afghanistan

Rank Lieutenant

Michael Patrick Murphy (May 7, 1976 – June 28, 2005) was a United States Navy SEAL posthumously awarded the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in 2005 during the War in Afghanistan. He was the first person to be awarded the medal for actions in Afghanistan; and the first member of the U.S. Navy to receive the award since the Vietnam War.

Lt Murphy’s Medal of Honor Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as the leader of a special reconnaissance element with Naval Special Warfare Task Unit Afghanistan on 27 and 28 June 2005. While leading a mission to locate a high-level anti-coalition militia leader, Lieutenant Murphy demonstrated extraordinary heroism in the face of grave danger in the vicinity of Asadabad, Konar Province, Afghanistan. On 28 June 2005, operating in an extremely rugged enemy-controlled area, Lieutenant Murphy's team was discovered by anti-coalition militia sympathizers, who revealed their position to Taliban fighters. As a result, between 30 and 40 enemy fighters besieged his four-member team. Demonstrating exceptional resolve, Lieutenant Murphy valiantly led his men in engaging the large enemy force. The ensuing fierce firefight resulted in numerous enemy casualties, as well as the wounding of all four members of the team. Ignoring his own wounds and demonstrating exceptional composure, Lieutenant Murphy continued to lead and encourage his men. When the primary communicator fell mortally wounded, Lieutenant Murphy repeatedly attempted to call for assistance for his beleaguered teammates. Realizing the impossibility of communicating in the extreme terrain, and in the face of almost certain death, he fought his way into open terrain to gain a better position to transmit a call. This deliberate, heroic act deprived him of cover, exposing him to direct enemy fire. Finally achieving contact with his Headquarters, Lieutenant Murphy maintained his exposed position while he provided his location and requested immediate support for his team. In his final act of bravery, he continued to engage the enemy until he was mortally wounded, gallantly giving his life for his country and for the cause of freedom. By his selfless leadership, courageous actions, and extraordinary devotion to duty, Lieutenant Murphy reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.