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Should Healthcare Be Funded As A Basic Human Right?
This article looks at funding healthcare as a basic human right. It examines what is a basic human right. It looks at the need for re-examinaton of the health care system in the United States. Is health care a right or a privilege? By looking at the number of uninsured and who they are, we ask if everyone has the same access to health care. We examine traditional methods of funding and use the Medicare model as a framework.The United States of America is a nation known and heralded worldwide for its democracy, freedom, and wealth. Through our commerce, we have become a prosperous nation. Through our commonalities we stand united. Through our shared citizenship, we establish our community. Through our voices, we are heard. So why is it, our nation has been divided against the idea of health care being funded as a basic human right?
U.S. Senator, Ted Kennedy, once said,
Health care is not just another commodity. It is not a gift to be rationed based on the ability to pay. It is time to make universal health insurance a national priority, so that the basic right to health care can finally become a reality for every American. (2003)
Society has a moral obligation to provide basic health care to all people, yet in the U.S., health care is not a human right despite the fact that many leading documents and institutions of international law closely associated with the United States have publicly declared this important right. Instead, it is viewed as a product, something to be bought and sold, and remains unobtainable for anyone who lacks access or the means to purchase the services.
During the last century, U.S. policies have come closer to funding health care for all through new programs. Medicare and Medicaid brought access to health care to some of the most vulnerable population: the elderly, disabled, and low-income people. Still many Americans are prevented adequate access to health care, largely because they do not have health insurance and it is too costly.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act(PPACA) of 2010 is being phased in over the next few years and through its policies, it will provide health care access to millions of Americans who had previously been left out of the system. The PPACA moves the U.S. towards social justice and funding health care as a basic human right, but it does not fully address the issue of funding health care as a basic human right
Funding health care as a basic human right assumes that medical services are viewed as a natural right of all people and not a privilege of some fortunate individuals. It also assumes certain responsibilities of a nation. Foremost, the government must recognize the human right to health care and apply principles of social justice in legislation at the state and national level to support this right. Secondly, a national strategy on health care, including principles of accessibility, equality, and universality must be adopted. Finally, an awareness that being uninsured and lacking access to care leads to poor health outcomes for a society must drive a nation to develop a plan of action. These factors should serve as guiding components of any health care system modeled under the premise of a human right to health care for all.
The history of health care as a right is important to our position on funding these services as a basic human right. It provides the definition of a right and the timeline for establishing current policy on health care as a right by several credible global organizations. The following historical timeline details how the world has quickly moved to this stance during the last century.
Human rights are rights that are inherent to all human beings. They are commonly understood to be universal and equalitarian, meaning they apply to everyone, regardless of their race, gender, cultural or ethnic background, religious views, or place of residence. It is by virtue of being human, alone, that every person is entitled to human rights equally and without discrimination. Additionally, these rights are inalienable, interdependent, and indivisible. They are inalienable because a person's rights can never be taken away. They are indivisible and interdependent because all rights are equal in importance and none can be fully enjoyed without the others.
A human right is based on the dignity and worth of human beings and is derived from the ideology of natural law which seeks to uphold universally accepted moral principles. Determination of the present global definition of human rights and affirmation of health care as a basic human right has been supported by distinguished institutions and declared in several renowned documents.
After the atrocities of World War II, the United Nations (UN) and its associated institutions, one being the World Health Organization (WHO), were established. An especially noteworthy development for human rights and health policy was the UN's adoption in 1948 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which listed a total of 30 internationally agreed upon human rights. It formed a comprehensive common vision of inalienable rights. Though not law, this document laid the framework for human rights policy throughout the world and is referred to today when human rights are called into question.
Article 25 of the UDHR states, "Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing, and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control." (UDHR, 2009)
In 1966, almost 20 years after the UDHR, the UN legislatively embodied the economic and social parameters of the document's adopted rights in the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) (Meier, 2007), which elaborates the right to health in Article 12, "The States parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health" (ICESCR, 2000). This core treaty emerged to convert the UDHR into binding treaties. It sets forth the responsibility of the States to protect and further its citizens' economic, social, and cultural rights, all of which have been determined to be equally essential to human dignity.
These UN documents defined and supported human rights for the international community and laid the framework for the idea that health care is a basic human right. Additional backing from the 1978 International Conference on Primary Health Care (PHC), came in the form of the Declaration of Alma-Ata (DAA), which in Article 1, upheld the WHO's affirmation of health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity" (DAA, 1984). However, the DAA expanded on that definition to include the impact of social and economic factors within the capacity of attaining health.
Article 1 continues by declaring health "... a fundamental human right and that the attainment of the highest possible level of health is a most important world-wide social goal whose realization requires the action of many other social and economic sectors in addition to the health sector" (DAA, 1984). Virtually all member nations of the WHO and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) attended the International Conference on Primary Health Care and supported its right to health initiative. During this conference, the WHO Director-General, Halfdan Mahler, launched a social and political goal, called Health for All, which provided a policy framework for globally linking primary care to all humans by the year 2000 (Tervonen-Goncalves, 2004). This was thirty years after UDHR defined human rights, including the right to health care.
In 2000, the UN Economic and Social Council's Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights published a General Comment in regards to the earlier approved ICESCR Article 12. In this comment, the Committee further explained their position on the right to the highest attainable standard of health by reaffirming that, "Health is a fundamental human right indispensable for the exercise of other human rights. Every human being is entitled to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health conducive to living a life in dignity. The realization of the right to health may be pursued through numerous, complementary approaches, such as the formulation of health policies, or the implementation of health programs developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), or the adoption of specific legal instruments. Moreover, the right to health includes certain components which are legally enforceable." (United Nations, 2000)
This General Comment again reinforces health care as a basic human right, one that must be applied to all people around the world simply because they are human.
Through global institutions, such as the United Nations, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the International Conference on Primary Health Care, the international society has endorsed the concept of human rights, and more specifically, the right of all individuals to health care. Documents, such as the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, the 1978 Declaration of Alma-Ata, and the 2000 UN Economic and Social Council's Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights General Comment, all uphold the global position of health care as a basic human right. Though at various times in history, individual States have followed practices or policies that have not supported the view of the international community, the policy of the world on human rights and health care has been clearly stated and continuously maintained. Our position that health care should be funded as a basic human right emanates from these global policies.
Counter Arguments
Some opponents to funding health care as a basic human right argue that people only have a negative right to health care, which "imposes a negative duty on the states institutions not to harm people's health by its actions" (Ram-Tiktin, 2012). They claim that negative rights do not place an obligation on society or individuals to provide goods to other people. In addition, keeping the rewards of one's labor is an individual's right and should be respected. They assert that health care is a negative right or duty, similar to the negative rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness listed in the U.S. Constitution (Ram-Tiktin, 2012). However, proponents of funding health care as a basic human right, refute their claims stating health care falls into the category of positive rights since its delivery by the government requires taxation and redistribution (Rubin, 2012). They support "natural law theory grounds a duty to promote the flourishing of others, and because others also have a right to our promoting their flourishing this subsumes a right to health" (MacDougal &Trotter, 2011). Although, negative rights are easy to satisfy and are essentially unbreakable, a positive right cannot be understood as an unbreakable right, rather only an apparent right; therefore, an apparent right to health results "from the duty of others to contribute to our flourishing" (MacDougal & Trotter, 2011). Their assumption is "a right to health care follows, subsequently, from the right to health" (MacDougal &Trotter, 2011). Following this reasoning, policies enacted through Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act all promote health care as a positive human right.
Opponents also claim that funding health care for all U.S. residents is too costly and unsustainable and while it may be an ideal position to support every person having the right to receive health care, it is simply not feasible. They argue that providing health care to all Americans would greatly decrease the quality of health care for those who currently work hard and pay for medical coverage. Opponents also believe the availability of health care services would be severely and negatively impacted by adding millions of additional Americans to our current fragmented system, resulting in long delays for care and rationing of services. They argue that using tax revenue to provide all residents with health care and installing a universal health system amounts to socialism which goes against the founding principles of the United States (Paton, 1997). They refer to establishing such a system equal to the development of a welfare state chalk full of entitlements. Finally, opponents question the efficiency of a government run health care system by comparing it to other nationally managed establishments stating, "Do the people of this country really want a health care service with the regulatory simplicity of the tax law, the frugality of the Pentagon, the efficiency of the Post Office, and the compassion of the IRS" (Burton, 1994). While it is true that many government run organizations are overrun by regulations and red tape, the private sector is not adequately regulated to ensure that profiteering does not interfere with the ability of all Americans to equally access quality care. In the final analysis, it may well be that considerations of efficiency and fairness "may ultimately pull the society toward a single-payer arrangement for providing universal access" (Menzel, 2011).
Government Recognition of Right to Health Care with Legislated Social Justice
On a national level, our health care system is economically draining. The United States is already the world's biggest health care spender, surpassing countries that provide universal health care access. It spends the highest percentage of its gross domestic product (GDP) on health care, more than any other developed country. This amounted to 17.9% of GDP in 2011 and means we now spend nearly $1 out of every $5 on health care (Santerre & Neunn, 2013). Spending on this sector of the U.S. economy is expected to grow 5.5% in 2013 and 8.3% in 2014 (Shi & Singh, 2013). Yet last year, 48.6 million Americans did not have access to health services (DeNavas-Walt et al., 2012). This is unacceptable. It is society's ethical obligation to provide health care to everyone; however, the U.S. has failed to recognize a human right to health care or apply principles of social justice through legislation. One of the reasons for inaction is that Americans have a strong sense "of reliance on individual responsibility and a commitment to limiting the power of the national government" (Shi & Singh, 2013). Historically, instead of the U.S. government leading the charge of health care delivery, it has been the private sector that has fulfilled this role and the principles of market justice largely have been the status quo. A market justice approach is based on individualism, personal effort, and voluntary behavior.
According to Budetti, "In the United States, health care competes for consumers with other items in the marketplace. Individual resources and choices determine the distribution of health care, with little sense of collective obligation or a role for government" (2008).
Social justice is the contrasting ideology. Under this approach, goods and services are allocated based on need. It stems from principles of shared responsibility and the valuing of collectivism over individualism, with government acting as the agent for safeguarding equity (Budetti, 2008; Drevdahl, 2002). The idea of a right to health care is deeply rooted in social justice, but since the U.S. was established on a capitalistic foundation, Americans have typically supported a market approach to health care and government has stayed out of the way. However, in the late twentieth century, social justice has been entering the picture through government enacted legislation. In 1965, adoption of the Medicare and Medicaid legislation expanded the health sector by providing publicly subsidized health insurance to the elderly and indigent Americans (Shi & Singh, 2013). Implementation of these two wide sweeping programs was an early step toward enacting health care as a basic human right, but it still did not provide access to all Americans. However, the government did initiate principles of social justice through redistribution allocation tools, where resources are taken from one group and given to another (Shi & Singh, 2013, p. 314). This action was an effort toward funding health care for all. The PPACA of 2010 also includes legislated social justice policies that are moving the U.S. closer to funding health care as a basic human right.
Supporting Human Right to Health Care by Providing Accessibility
In health care, access to care is a commonly used term, but it is a complex concept with numerous aspects to consider. Health care delivery is dependent on people being able to enter the system and in the current U.S. structure, health insurance is the golden ticket to ensuring an individual timely access to medical care.
Gulliford et al. (2002) explained accessibility as,
If services are available and there is an adequate supply of services, then the opportunity to obtain health care exists, and a population may 'have access' to services. The extent to which a population 'gains access' also depends on financial, organizational and social or cultural barriers that limit the utilization of services. Thus access measured in terms of utilization is dependent on the affordability, physical accessibility and acceptability of services and not merely adequacy of supply. Services available must be relevant and effective if the population is to 'gain access to satisfactory health outcomes'. The availability of services, and barriers to access, have to be considered in the context of the differing perspectives, health needs, and material and cultural settings of diverse groups in society. To realize funding health care as a basic human right, individuals must have accessibility to services, yet in the U.S., this has been a significant reason for lack of health care. Substantial barriers exist at both the individual and system levels with three factors, race, income, and occupation, predicting who has health care access (Shi & Singh, 2013, p. 299). However, the method of funding health care plays a major role in who has access to care and it is directly related to race, income, and occupation.
To understand health care access for Americans, it is important to look at how it is currently funded through third party payers and insurance since this largely dictates who has accessibility. Presently, health care insurance coverage is categorized as private or public. Private insurance is provided through employer-sponsored and direct purchase plans, while public insurance is provided by the government through Medicaid, Medicare, and the Department of Defense health care program, Tri-Care. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce (USDC) 2011 Current Population Report, of those with insurance, 63.9% are covered with private plans and 32.2% have government or public health insurance (DeNavas-Walt, Proctor, & Smith, 2012). The majority of insured Americans are covered by employer-sponsored insurance, which is insurance available to employees through their work place. In 2011, this amounted to 55.1% or 170.1 million of those included in private insurance (DeNavas-Walt et al., 2012). Those accounted for in direct purchase plans include 9.8% of the privately insured or 30.2 million (DeNavas-Walt et al., 2012). One significant change in the recent USDC census report was that the number of people covered by government health insurance, increased from 95.5 million in 2010 to 99.5 million in 2011; this accounted for the percentage of the U.S. population in public plans, with 16.5% denoted as Medicaid recipients, 15.2% receiving Medicare, and 4.4% on military health care benefits (DeNavas-Walt et al., 2012). It is important to note that the census report estimates for type of coverage are not mutually exclusive since people may be covered by more than one type of health insurance in the year surveyed.
The remaining group represents the share of the U.S. population who face greater barriers to accessing health care, the uninsured. On September 12, 2012, the U.S. Census Bureau released the 2011 data on health care coverage which reported the percentage of uninsured at 15.7% of the total population. While this may not seem like a huge number, currently it represents nearly 48.6 million Americans without insurance (Todd & Sommers, 2012).
So who are the uninsured and why are they without health insurance? The answers to these questions might be surprising. A common misconception is that the uninsured are lazy and unemployed, which is frequently inaccurate. In 2011, one in seven full-time employees was uninsured, representing 15.3% of U.S. full-time workers (Todd & Sommers, 2012). Often, the reason these Americans find themselves uninsured is because they fall between qualifying for Medicaid and being able to afford their employer-sponsored insurance, if they even have access to workplace health insurance at all. Other common reasons for being uninsured include, being employed be a small business, having less education than the insured population, and working part-time (Shi & Singh, 2013). And this is not a dilemma of only those in the lowest socioeconomic class. Many middle-class families find themselves uninsured; a staggering 32% of the 48.6 million U.S. uninsured population had a household income of $25,000-$49,000 in 2011 (Todd & Sommers, 2012). That number is roughly similar to the 31% of uninsured households making under $25,000 (DeNavas-Walt et al., 2012; Todd & Sommers, 2012). Additionally, an astounding 18% of households with incomes over $75,000 per year were left uninsured in 2011 (Todd & Sommers, 2012). This increase in uninsured among the middle-class is frequently due to the cost of health insurance escalating faster than salaries. According to a study released by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation and the Chicago-based Health Research and Educational Trust, "the average annual premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance in 2012 are $5,615 for single coverage and $15,745 for family coverage" (Kaiser & HRET, 2012). The cost of employer-based health insurance has almost doubled in the last decade severely out pricing attainment for many households with middle and lower incomes.
While people of all ages and ethnic groups are represented by the uninsured, certain groups have a higher incidence. For example, in 2011, 27% of the 19-34 year old age group lacked health care access (DeNavas-Walt et al., 2012). In the same year, 30% of Hispanics, 19% of Blacks, 16% of Asians, and 11% of Caucasians were uninsured (Todd & Sommers, 2012).
Accessibility to health care is a major factor that must be addressed if a nation is to operate under the perspective of social justice and it is critical to any system supporting the human right to health care. Dependence on mostly private employer-sponsored insurance to provide access to care, such is the practice in the U.S., excludes many people from exercising their right to health care. Additionally, while it disproportionally affects minorities, the poor, and uninsured, it is increasingly affecting those in higher socioeconomic classes. To provide health care to all Americans new methods of funding must be developed.
Poor Health Outcomes for Individuals and Society
Studies suggest that providing universal care not only improves health, but also may be cost effective (Wilper et al., 2009). This is because being uninsured or having inadequate insurance has serious consequences for individuals, families, and the United States. Statistics have shown that the uninsured are more likely to die than the insured; approximately 44,789 Americans between the ages of 25-64, die every year due to lack of health insurance (Wilper et al., 2009). However, just having insurance is not always the solution; nearly 16 million Americans, representing 12% of insured adults, are underinsured (Riedel, 2009). These underinsured individuals have such insufficient health insurance that they tend to delay medical care because of costs. This issue affects all income levels; "...median household income of those who were underinsured was $58,950 and 22% lived in households making more than $100,000 per year" (Riedel, 2009).
A study by the National Center for Health Statistics analyzing data from the National Health Interview Survey determined that a substantial percentage of U.S. adults aged 18-64 years have experienced disruptions in access to health care during the last 10 years, including some of the most vulnerable population, those with chronic illnesses (Schiller, Lucas, Ward, & Peregoy, 2010) . This study also found that residents in this same group who were underinsured or uninsured for more than a year were "approximately six times as likely (55.2% versus 9.3%) not to have a usual source of care, compared to those who were continuously insured" (Schiller et al., 2010). Additionally, the uninsured were seven times as likely as those with insurance to skip needed health care, including preventative care, because of the expense (Schiller et al., 2010); therefore, they often receive not enough medical care too late and as a result they are sicker when first seen by a provider. They also tend to use the emergency department as their point of entrance into the medical system causing long waits and excessive burden on the department. In general, delaying care leads to poorer health and increased medical expenditures in the long run, issues that affect everyone through cost shifting.
On an individual level, being uninsured or underinsured can be financially devastating. Unfortunate circumstances like "corporate restructuring, outsourcing, divorce, family crises, chronic illness, and serious accidents" are just a few examples of situations that often lead to lose of health care, frequently with disastrous results, both physically and financially (Sered & Fernandopulle, 2006, p.6-7). Financial burden of illness contributes to bankruptcy. Currently, about half of all personal bankruptcies are related to medical problems and those who declare bankruptcy often cite unaffordable premiums, inability to obtain coverage due to preexisting medical conditions, and employment issues, including job loss or ineligibility for employer-sponsored coverage as reasons for filing (Riedel, 2010). Medical bills have put financial strains on millions of families; 62.1% of all bankruptcies are related to serious health issues that have caused financial hardships that families could not afford (Himmelstein, Thorne, Warren, & Woolhandler, 2009). Most medical debtors were well educated and middle class; three quarters had health insurance.
Himmelstein et al (2009) concluded, 62.1 percent of the bankruptcies were medically related because the individuals had more than $5,000 (or 10 percent of their pretax income) in medical bills, mortgaged their home to pay for medical bills, or lost significant income due to an illness. On average, medically bankrupt families had $17,943 in out-of-pocket expenses, including $26,971 for those who lacked insurance and $17,749 who had insurance at some point. So the cost of health care in this country is not just a problem for the uninsured, it is a problem for every resident. Everyone should have the right to health care and families should not lose everything they own due to someone getting sick and being unable to pay costly medical expenses.
Medical debt is remarkably common, affecting about 1 out of 6 nonelderly adults or about twenty-nine million Americans (Seifert & Rukavina, 2006). Though the risk of medical debt is greater for the uninsured, even those with insurance are vulnerable; "15% of those who had insurance for all the past twelve months reported having medical debt and 70% of all those with debt said that they were insured at the time the debt was incurred" (Seifert & Rukavina, 2006). Just having medical debt tends to create access to care barriers, even for the insured. This is because people who carry medical debt are much less likely than those without unpaid medical bills to obtain health care services. They do not "fill prescriptions, see a specialist when needed, or visit a doctor or clinic for a medical problem, and they are more likely to skip a needed test, treatment, or follow-up" (Seifert & Rukavina, 2006). Interestingly, a recent study found that over one-quarter medical debtors "changed primary care doctors because of the money they owed for care" (Seifert & Rukavina, 2006). Regardless of the level of medical bankruptcy, "it is now documented that medical debt resulting from being uninsured or having inadequate insurance reduces access to care and undermines the financial security of American families" (Seifert & Rukavina, 2006).
It could be argued that on many levels, the lack of properly funded universal health care, affects not only the health of the American people, but also the economic strength of the nation. The high and escalating out-of-pocket costs of medical care are forcing families to delay mortgage payments, sell their homes, and cut back on normal household expenses. Retired families are forced to spend their savings for health care expenses. "Surging health care costs slow the rate of job growth by making it more expensive for companies to add new workers" (Riedel, 2009). By driving up total employee compensation costs, wages are suppressed and companies are becoming unable to fund current pension levels and health benefits.
As healthcare costs rise, corporate operating margins are cut, which reduces the capacity of firms to grow by investing in research, plant and equipment. This puts American firms at a steep disadvantage in world markets, where they have to compete against companies with much lower health care costs in the nations where they operate. Rapidly escalating costs are producing severe long-term budgetary problems in the public sector and are affecting the solvency of federal and state health insurance programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid. (Riedel, 2009) These are major concerns for a nation known and heralded worldwide for its democracy, freedom, and wealth. The unwillingness to acknowledge health care as a basic human right and provide appropriate funding for all Americans will devastate our future prosperity as a nation, however, it is already shattering the lives of many individuals and their families.
Current Health Policy and Modifications
It is obvious that significant changes in U.S. policy are required to support our position of funding health care as a basic human right and the Medicare program is an ideal starting point for delivery system reform. With its roots deeply entrenched in the concept of national health insurance since the Progressive Era, Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, better known as Medicare, has been the forerunner of a publicly funded health insurance plan.
Medicare was initially established to provide health insurance to people aged 65 and older. It later expanded its coverage to include people under the age of 65, who received Social Security Disability Insurance and those with End-Stage Renal disease (Friedland, 2005). According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) (2012), "the program is paid for through two trust fund accounts held by the U.S. Treasury. These funds can only be used by Medicare". The first trust, called Hospital Insurance (HI), or Medicare Part A, is funded through the payroll taxes of employees, employers and the self-employed. Services covered by Hospital Insurance include inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, home health care, and hospice care (CMS, 2012). The second trust, called Supplementary Medical Insurance [SMI], or Medicare Part B, is funded through premiums deducted from the social security benefits of those beneficiaries who choose to enroll. Services covered by SMI include: physician visits, outpatient hospital care, home health care services not covered by Medicare Part A, and selective preventative services (CMS, 2012).
In the forty seven years since its enactment, the plan has undergone several legislative modifications. These changes have provided Medicare beneficiaries the option of appointing private insurance carriers to manage their health plans and prescription drug coverage.
Schlesinger and Hacker (2007) state,
It's because Medicare has become a public-private hybrid, it is uniquely situated to become the vehicle for serious efforts to universalize health coverage. While the combination of public and private insurance may irritate ideological purists, it bolsters Medicare's public legitimacy. While these dualistic features have been challenging to administer in an even-handed fashion, they give the program sufficient flexibility to effectively address the needs of a diverse population and perform under the heterogeneous circumstances in which health care is delivered in the United States... Indeed, as improbable as it may seem at first, Medicare may be the only practical avenue for achieving health security for all Americans. In addition to the many options available for choice, Medicare beneficiaries are much more satisfied with their overall health care coverage, access to services, and protection from medical bill financial hardship than the non-elderly population is with their private coverage (Davis, 2006).
In her report in Health Care Financing Review, Davis (2006) found, 87 % of aged Medicare beneficiaries report being very or somewhat satisfied with the quality of health care received in the past 12 months, compared to 81% of those with employer coverage, 79% of those with individual coverage, 87% of those under age 65 with Medicaid coverage, 80% of the Medicare disabled, and less than one-half of the uninsured (48%).
Furthermore, when compared to non-elderly adults, Medicare beneficiaries believe they have more choice in where to go for medical care, are confident they will receive the best care possible, and therefore, "are much more likely to rate their insurance as excellent or very good, than are those covered by employer plans or individual coverage" (Davis, 2006). Personal satisfaction is an important factor for health care beneficiaries, but so is not stressing over problems due to cost. Care access issues related to expense, "such as not going to a doctor when needing medical attention, not filling a prescription, skipping a medical test, treatment, or follow-up visit recommended by a doctor, or not seeing a specialist when a doctor thought it was needed" (Davis, 2006) occurred less frequently for Medicare beneficiaries than for non-elderly adults covered by employer plan or individual coverage.
What is the cost for all these great benefits? According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (2012), most people get premium-free Part A coverage. There is no cost for Part A Inpatient Hospitalization coverage if the individual or their spouse paid Medicare taxes while employed, or receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits. Additionally, those who do not qualify for premium-free coverage can purchase Part A for $441.00 per month in 2013 (CMS, 2012). Medicare's Part A deductible, whether earned through payroll taxes or purchased separately, is $1,156.00 per benefit period (CMS, 2012). The Part B medical premiums are determined by income level, with the lowest 2012 premium set at $99.90 and the highest at $259.70 per month; the 2012 annual deductible for Medicare Part B is currently $140 (Davis, 2006).
According to Shi and Singh (2013), "the most credible argument for policy intervention begins with the identification of situations in which markets fail or do not function efficiently" (p. 315). This accurately represents the U.S. health care system. Furthermore, health policies often come as a by-product of public social policies enacted by the government and a relevant example is the expansion of health insurance coverage. This is an important step to funding health care as a basic human right. Perhaps Medicare is NOT a 'one size fits all' health care option, but it certainly offers a framework for the public funding of health insurance as a basic human right, aimed at providing coverage to all American citizens, regulating health care costs and eliminating personal and financial loss due to medical expenditures. With some modifications, it could offer a feasible solution.
In order to address these issues and move the U.S. to funding Health care as a basic human right, we propose using the Medicare policy as a framework to establishing true single-payer health care for all Americans. Congressman John Conyers introduced this idea of expanding Medicare in the U.S. Congress in 2007 through HR 676. The bill was coauthored by Ohio U.S. Representative Dennis Kucinich and is called the ''Expanded & Improved Medicare for All Act'' (S. 676, 2009).
The bill, establishes the United States National Health Care (USNHC) Program to provide all individuals residing in the United States and U.S. territories with free health care that includes all medically necessary care, such as primary care and prevention, prescription drugs, emergency care, long-term care, mental health services, dental services, and vision care (S. 676, 2009).
The bill proposed no cost-sharing among participants (S. 676, 2009); there are no premiums, deductibles, co-pays, deductibles, or major medical bills, like those resulting from coinsurance under the current U.S. health care model, that could potentially cause individuals or families financial hardship.
HR. 676 (2009) proposes funding for Medicare for All by depositing existing government health care funding sources into the USNHC Trust Fund. The bill also recommends increasing the personal income tax for the top 5% of income earners, placing a progressive excise tax on payroll and self-employment income and introduces small taxes on stock/bond transactions and unearned income. Only public and nonprofit institutions are allowed to participate in the program, however it does allow "nonprofit health maintenance organizations (HMOs) that deliver care in their own facilities to participate", but "prohibits financial incentives between HMOs and physicians based on utilization" (S. 676, 2009).
The bill in its current form has a lot of positives and sufficiently addresses many of the common problems found in current health care funding and delivery. For example, it proposes funding mental health coverage on the same basis as other medical conditions and eliminates being denied coverage due to pre-existing conditions. It also provides funds for continuing education for medical providers and allows patients to choose their own doctor from participating physicians (S. 676, 2009).
We support a few additional proposals in the area of staffing. Since the number of primary care physicians is decreasing, utilizing a teamlet model to deliver care, where a doctor, nurse practitioner (NP), or physician assistant (PA) is paired with an allied health professional would be beneficial for patients (Shi & Singh, 2013, p. 345). Offering incentives and loan forgiveness for primary care residents, NPs, and PAs would provide more practitioners to care for the large increase of U.S. residents that would be added to the system. For this same reason, we propose that the current 2015 mandate to increase NP credentialing to a doctorate level be delayed until 2020.
With the increasing cost of health care and the escalating demands of the United States
aging population, a solution to the current inefficient and unfair health care system is needed and the Expanded & Improved Medicare for All Act with a few additional provisions, offers a workable policy by modifying the current Medicare program framework. This bill received wide public support from groups, such as national nursing and teacher organizations, health worker, manufacturing, and automotive unions, and religious organizations (Participatory Politics Foundation, 2012); however, it has stalled in Congress since the enactment of the PPACA in 2010. We feel the Medicare for All Act offers more than the PPACA toward funding health care as a basic human right and should be revisited by Congress.
It is easy to see why the 'healthcare is a right' debate has become so contentious - people mean entirely different things when they use the word 'right'. Some believe it places an obligation on society or individuals to provide goods to other people, while others believe it means do no harm and no duty is required. Among developed nations, the U.S. stands nearly alone in our failure to accept healthcare as a human right largely due to characteristic American ideologies of individualism and self-determination, distrust of government, and reliance on the private sector to address social concerns. While the government does step in to provide a safety net for the gaps in private insurance through programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, CHIPS, the Military Health Services System, Department of Veterans Affairs, and workers' compensation, millions of other Americans are left out of the system. This goes against the human rights policies set forth by global institutions which the United States helped develop and is unacceptable.
Funding health care as a basic human right assumes that medical services are viewed as a natural right of all people and not a privilege of some fortunate individuals. It also assumes certain responsibilities of a nation. Foremost, the government must recognize the human right to health care and apply principles of social justice in legislation at the state and national level to support this right. Secondly, a national strategy on health care, including principles of accessibility, equality, and universality must be adopted. Finally, an awareness that being uninsured and lacking access to care leads to poor health outcomes for a society must drive a nation to develop a plan of action. These factors should serve as guiding components of any health care system modeled under the premise of a human right to health care for all. Health care policies must be developed that will address these points. Historically, U.S. health policies have been incremental and piecemeal. This does not effectively address the problem. Real reform is needed and the Expanded & Improved Medicare for All Act offers a practical framework to start the health care funding transformation.
In May 2009, during his final days of life, Senator Ted Kennedy wrote a letter to President Obama to be delivered posthumously. It was during the time of heated Congressional debate on legislation that would become the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
In the letter, Senator Kennedy (2009) wrote, There will be struggles - there always have been - and they are already underway again. But as we moved forward in these months, I learned that you will not yield to calls to retreat - that you will stay with the cause until it is won. I saw your conviction that the time is now and witnessed your unwavering commitment and understanding that health care is a decisive issue for our future prosperity. But you have also reminded all of us that it concerns more than material things; that what we face is above all a moral issue; that at stake are not just the details of policy, but fundamental principles of social justice and the character of our country. And so because of your vision and resolve, I came to believe that soon, very soon, affordable health coverage will be available to all, in an America where the state of a family's health will never again depend on the amount of a family's wealth. And while I will not see the victory, I was able to look forward and know that we will - yes, we will - fulfill the promise of health care in America as a right and not a privilege. (2009)
Senator Kennedy's words elicit the feelings of many in regards to health care; it is a right, not a privilege for those who can afford it. His words also offer hope that soon, this right will be attainable. As a nation, the United States must make funding health care as a basic human right a priority, a position we strongly support.
Funding Health Care as a Basic Human Right written by Jennifer Bergen, Jay Fultz, Sally Kessie, and Angela Osburn (Miami University).Last edit by Joe V on Apr 3, '18
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Joined: Nov '12; Posts: 1; Likes: 4Dec 3, '12Access to healthcare should be a basic human right, sure. But no. Funding of healthcare should not be. And please don't come back at me with something like "Well, we fund this or that..." because I don't care. We probably shouldn't be funding "This or that" either.
I swear, the sense of entitlement in this country is absolutely mind boggling. People.... An individual's insurance plan is supposed to fund their access to health care. And I don't want to hear that some people cant afford it. The ones who TRULY can't afford it qualify for medicaid. Hell, how many millions of our citizens cry poverty, yet they sure can afford to have 2 cars and damn cable TV! WITH PREMIUM CHANNELS AND HIGH SPEED INTERNET!
Incredible!!!Dec 3, '12Quote from PRICHARILLAisMISSEDThey have medicaid as long as they're willing to stay poor forever. Once they start trying to get out of poverty by getting a halfway decent job and going to school....they no longer qualify for it. Shouldn't the person who is working to get OFF medicaid have more access to healthcare than the person who has given up and decides it's easier to just be unemployed and take the medicaid/food stamp/free housing route?And I don't want to hear that some people cant afford it. The ones who TRULY can't afford it qualify for medicaid.
Many of the people who fall into the category of not qualifying for medicaid are single parents (particularly women) who are trying to better themselves. What's encouraging about going back to school and working when you find out that getting a job and registering for college means your kids are not going to be insured anymore?Dec 3, '12Quote from Ntheboat2Then don't worry, because most of them ARE perfectly willing to stay poor and take the free bees. And remember, medicaid IS a free bee. So "No," I don't feel bad when they lose it because they now make more money than the required minimum to qualify for it. Now THEY get to see what it's like to pay others' way while also paying their own. You know, like the rest of us.They have medicaid as long as they're willing to stay poor forever. Once they start trying to get out of poverty by getting a halfway decent job and going to school....they no longer qualify for it. Shouldn't the person who is working to get OFF medicaid have more access to healthcare than the person who has given up and decides it's easier to just be unemployed and take the medicaid/food stamp/free housing route?
Many of the people who fall into the category of not qualifying for medicaid are single parents (particularly women) who are trying to better themselves. What's encouraging about going back to school and working when you find out that getting a job and registering for college means your kids are not going to be insured anymore?
And as for these single parents bettering themselves and losing the benefits because of it, why don't we fix that problem instead adding to our already too long list of handouts...Dec 3, '12Quote from PRICHARILLAisMISSEDMost of them are? How do you know that? A source on that would be an interesting read.Then don't worry, because most of them ARE perfectly willing to stay poor and take the free bees. And remember, medicaid IS a free bee. So "No," I don't feel bad when they lose it because they now make more money than the required minimum to qualify for it. Now THEY get to see what it's like to pay others' way while also paying their own. You know, like the rest of us.
And as for these single parents bettering themselves and losing the benefits because of it, why don't we fix that problem instead adding to our already too long list of handouts...
How do they see what it's like to pay for others while paying for their own? They aren't paying for others when they don't even make enough to pay for their own.
Have you been a single parent? I would love to see your opinion on how it all works after taking care of a child (or two) by yourself, arranging childcare, paying for that, and paying for all the expenses including healthcare. It's a lot easier to say it than it is to do it.
Fixing the problem of people being single parents? Tell us how you'd do that, Mitt. The facts are still this:
As it remains, the way the system works makes it more appealing for those on Medicaid to stay on Medicaid, and even for those who don't qualify for Medicaid to stop trying vs. trying harder. You can blame it on whatever you want, but until and unless the benefits outweigh the costs, the poor are going to stay poor because people are "penalized" for improving.Dec 3, '12Quote from Ntheboat2You see this? The last part of your quote really says it all. But let me ask you this-Why should a grown adult even have to be coaxed to "Try harder" and take care of themselves vice having the rest of society take care of them? They are not being "Penalized" by losing a free bee. They are simply being taken off their cushion and being put on the same keel of others who do not qualify for the free bee.Most of them are? How do you know that? A source on that would be an interesting read.
I'm pretty sure it can be googled. I'll check into it later. But you also admit that it is more appealing for them to stay on medicaid, so it shouldn't take too much to completely convert you.
How do they see what it's like to pay for others while paying for their own? They aren't paying for others when they don't even make enough to pay for their own.
I was just saying that they can get a taste of how the rest of us live. Think about it-How many working people can't afford to pay for health insurance, yet make too much to qualify for medicaid? You're asking me to take pity on someone who was getting a "Free ride" for x amount of time and then having the "Free ride" stop, vs the one who never gets the "Free ride" to begin with yet their taxes contribute to the "Free ride" of others... They don't make enough to pay their own, but are still forced through taxes to pay for the rest.
Also please understand that I am not referring those in school bettering themselves as receiving a "Free ride" because they are working towards becoming tax payers, and will eventually be putting back into the pot. I consider them investments, for lack of better term.
Have you been a single parent? I would love to see your opinion on how it all works after taking care of a child (or two) by yourself, arranging childcare, paying for that, and paying for all the expenses including healthcare. It's a lot easier to say it than it is to do it.
I know it is a lot easier to say than do, I know that. But I also know that when someone has a child, that is the risk they personally decide to take. By having sex and rolling the dice, these are the possible outcomes. The rest of society didn't ask them to have the sex that resulted in the child. (I know that sounds cold, and I'm not blaming the children themselves. But you have to admit that what I'm saying is true). I feel especially bad for the single mothers that are single parents because of ****ing men who abandon their children.
Fixing the problem of people being single parents? Tell us how you'd do that, Mitt. The facts are still this:
As it remains, the way the system works makes it more appealing for those on Medicaid to stay on Medicaid, and even for those who don't qualify for Medicaid to stop trying vs. trying harder. You can blame it on whatever you want, but until and unless the benefits outweigh the costs, the poor are going to stay poor because people are "penalized" for improving.Last edit by PRICHARILLAisMISSED on Dec 4, '12Dec 4, '12Quote from Ntheboat2The key word highlighted above is "shouldn't". Is it smart to help your neighbor? Is it smart to encourage someone who is trying to make it? Yes to both. But "shouldn't" implies authority to *force* others to pay for it. Theft is theft, whether under the guise of government or not.They have medicaid as long as they're willing to stay poor forever. Once they start trying to get out of poverty by getting a halfway decent job and going to school....they no longer qualify for it. Shouldn't the person who is working to get OFF medicaid have more access to healthcare than the person who has given up and decides it's easier to just be unemployed and take the medicaid/food stamp/free housing route?
If *you* believe it helping with others' healthcare, pay more of your own money. And along the way, feel free to wheedle, cajole, and even guilt me into doing so as well. But do *not* steal from others to make it happen...to do so is immoral.
DC :-)Dec 4, '12Quote from Ntheboat21) In other words, they feel it is okay to keep stealing from others because it is easier to do so than not. Anyone else doing this would go to jail.You can blame it on whatever you want, but until and unless the benefits outweigh the costs, the poor are going to stay poor because people are "penalized" for improving.
2) But good point! Let's make the costs outweigh the benefits, or simply remove the benefits. Funny how people find a way to lift themselves up by their own bootstraps when nobody else is doing it.
DC :-)Dec 4, '12This topic was already discussed ad nauseum not to long ago and it got into a mud slinging match. Let's not go there again.Dec 4, '12Quote from loriangel14@ loriangel14This topic was already discussed ad nauseum not to long ago and it got into a mud slinging match. Let's not go there again.
But the topic actually IS about this. It is asking whether or not healthcare should be funded as a basic human right. There really is no way around it this time. I doubt even the "Peace keepers"
(Hi Admin ) would really want to step in on this one. That would be like interrupting a topic on specialty recommendations by telling posters that speaking of ICU and Nephrology is off limits.
Besides, these are the types of discussions that let some of the nurses speak up and give an actual opinion, unlike at work where they're expected to act like things are ok just because "they have always been done that way."Dec 4, '12As you discuss this topic, please do so keeping in mind the Terms of Service.
We promote the idea of lively debate. This means you are free to disagree with anyone on any type of subject matter as long as your criticism is constructive and polite. Additionally, please refrain from name-calling. This is divisive, rude, and derails the thread.
Our first priority is to the members that have come here because of the flame-free atmosphere we provide. There is a zero-tolerance policy here against personal attacks. We will not tolerate anyone insulting other's opinion nor name calling.Dec 4, '12Quote from PRICHARILLAisMISSEDI think it's difficult to discuss such a generalized terms as "healthcare". Most people might agree that erectile dysfunction treatment is not a "right", fewer might agree that an emergent cardiac cath for a STEMI is a not a "right", but I don't know too many who would say that the dying STEMI patient doesn't at least have the right to a little morphine while they die, most would call that basic human decency. I'm guessing you were over-exaggerating when you claimed there's no part of healthcare that could be considered a "right" by the vast majority of society.Access to healthcare should be a basic human right, sure. But no. Funding of healthcare should not be. And please don't come back at me with something like "Well, we fund this or that..." because I don't care. We probably shouldn't be funding "This or that" either.
Quote from PRICHARILLAisMISSEDAs with anything, there will be those who successfully work the system, but it's not "many millions". I have met many a medicaid patient and for most part these are good, responsible people. For instance having more than 1 car per family is typically an automatic reason to deny medicaid benefits. Total assets beyond clothes and other necessites cannot exceed usually around $6000 per family. Monthly income for a family of 4 usually cannot exceed about $650. Raising a family of 4 on $600 a month, now that's the high life.I swear, the sense of entitlement in this country is absolutely mind boggling. People.... An individual's insurance plan is supposed to fund their access to health care. And I don't want to hear that some people cant afford it. The ones who TRULY can't afford it qualify for medicaid. Hell, how many millions of our citizens cry poverty, yet they sure can afford to have 2 cars and damn cable TV! WITH PREMIUM CHANNELS AND HIGH SPEED INTERNET!
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Nonfiction books are a great alternative for children who aren't as interested in fictional stories. The Library's nonfiction books are not shelved with the picture books, but ask at the Youth Services desk and we would be happy to help you find books on topics that your child is interested in, such as firetrucks, outer space, dinosaurs, or sports. Choosing books based on children's interests helps to motivate them to want to read.
–Tip by Keary B., Youth Collection Specialist

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Announced alongside the Droid RAZR HD and Droid RAZR HD MAXX this afternoon, the Droid RAZR M is Motorola's attempt at low-cost Android device that doesn't sacrifice specs to get there.
With a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, an 8 megapixel camera, Verizon LTE, global roaming capabilities, NFC and Android 4.0, the RAZR M is identical to the RAZR HD in specs, except for the display. Instead of a 4.7-inch 720p Super AMOLED HD display, the RAZR M comes with a 4.3-inch "edge-to-edge" qHD display. By taking the display down a notch size and resolution wise, Motorola and Verizon have managed to get the RAZR M down to as low as $99 on a new two-year contract.
Anyone content with the RAZR M's 4.3-inch display won't have to wait long to grab the device, as Verizon has already opened pre-orders with an official release date of September 13. The developer edition, featuring an unlockable bootloader, has been put up for preorder as well, but will cost you a pretty penny at $550. No word yet on when the international non-Droid branded RAZR M will be available.
What do you think of Motorola's new RAZR devices? Does the company have a portfolio of hits on its hands, or were you hoping for more?


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Most men have an occasional episode of being unable to get and keep an erection, which is often a result of stress, tiredness or anxiety.
Most men have an occasional episode of being unable to get and keep an erection. This can be caused by:
However, if you frequently have erection problems, you could have erectile dysfunction (ED), also known as impotence.
ED is when you regularly can't get and keep an erection. It may only happen in some situations – for example, you may be able to get an erection when masturbating, but not when you're with a partner.
It's important to identify the cause of your symptoms, because ED can be an early sign of other conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure or diabetes.
If you think you have symptoms of ED, it's important to see your GP or go to a genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic. They can assess whether you need any treatment.
Read more about erectile dysfunction.


text: French Wire (Bullion or Gimp) puts an attractive professional finish on your stringing projects. French wire protects your stringing material from abrasive metal findings. Cut between 1/4 to 1/2 inch length of french wire, pass your cord or cable strand through, then through the metal finding or clasp, then back through the ending beads or crimps. Be careful not to let your stringing material slip through the coils of the french wire. Also, check out our selection of wire guardians.


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Review | Author Bio | Read an Excerpt
Dandi Daley Mackall's Bio:
A professional writer for over 20 years, Dandi Daley Mackall has written dozens of articles for popular magazines and published around 400 books for children and adults alike, with sales of over 4 million. A frequent guest on radio and television talk shows, she lives in rural Ohio with her husband, three children, horses, dogs, & cats.
Visit Dandi Daley's website at www.dandibooks.com


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Uploaded. at Tuesday, December 26th 2017 06:50:23 AM under Chair by Dalia Gomez.
Dimension. 1000x819 pixels.
Resolution. High Resolution.
Category. Chair.
Total. 36 image Chair Design.
Choosing the right kind of chair for your body is crucial. When you choose a chair, do not just consider its appearance or how it will appear in your office. Some of us like having all things in our office or home matching each other. However, finding a chair that will aesthetically fit your office is not so easy. You are lucky if you can find one that is also comfortable at the same time. In choosing a chair, you have to test it by sitting on it. It is not enough that it may feel comfortable for just a few seconds.
Imagine how excellent your performance can be in the office when you are comfortable and the same thing can be said about your employees and colleges as well. The less the number of people, complaining constantly about aches and back pains etc, the better it will be for you to lead the team and everyone will be able to work in peace. So use some help if you have to, but make sure that the right chairs are chosen in order to increase the work efficiency.


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Kelli Grigsby, 25, Campbellsburg to James Puckett III, 31, Campbellsburg.
Morgan Colson, 18, Smithfield to Jeremy McClain, 19, Smithfield.
Richard Dryman, Sacramento, Calif., and Jamie Dryman, Henry County.
William Palmer, Lockport, and Charlotte Palmer, Lockport.
Property Transfers
Richard B. and Stephanie Putnam, Lexington, to Joshua Gene and Jade Danielle Longley, Pleasureville. Property in Henry County; $155,000.
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LIVINGSTON — The Livingston Parish School Board on Thursday approved a payment into a legal defense fund for costs associated with the state court challenge to the constitutionality of the funding mechanism supporting the state's voucher program.
The district joined 42 other school boards in the lawsuit against the state, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Louisiana Department of Education, challenging the use of Minimum Foundation Program funds to pay for vouchers.
Judge Tim Kelley, of the 19th Judicial District, ruled after a three-day hearing that the state unconstitutionally diverted those funds, which are dedicated to public elementary and secondary schools, to private schools and other course providers.
State officials have said they will appeal that ruling to the Louisiana Supreme Court.
The Louisiana School Boards Association estimated legal costs in the case will reach $125,000, according to a Nov. 14 letter to the district from association Executive Director Scott Richard.
The association calculated each district's share of the cost on a per-pupil basis, Superintendent John Watson said.
With a Feb. 1 student enrollment of 24,453, Livingston's share is $7,580, he said.
The School Board voted unanimously to pay that amount into the association's Act 2 Litigation Fund.
Act 2 is the so-called voucher bill. Under Act 2, students who attend public schools rated C, D or F under the state accountability system and who meet income rules can apply for state aid to attend private or parochial schools.
Other business before the School Board included:
PERSONNEL MOVES: Watson announced the promotion of Rick Wentzel from human resources supervisor to assistant superintendent.
Supervisor of Instruction Bruce Chaffin moved into the human resources position, and Lori Cothern was hired as instruction supervisor, Watson said.
Transportation Director Steve Vampran will help the human resources department by assuming responsibility for classified employees, increasing from 300 to 900 the number of personnel he oversees, Watson said.
LIVE OAK CONSTRUCTION: The board accepted as substantially complete the new Live Oak High School complex, pending a final inspection and certificate of occupancy by the state Fire Marshal's Office on Friday.
The school will hold an open house Sunday to help students and parents learn their way around campus before students begin classes there Monday, board member Kellee Hennessy Dickerson said.


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January 07, 2013 07:30 ET
LONGUEUIL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Jan. 7, 2013) - January 10 will be the first opportunity for media representatives to speak with Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield who will have spent 23 days in orbit.
ONLY THE MEDIA PRESENT ON-SITE at the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) will be able to ask questions. Interested media must call the CSA Media Relations team to reserve a place.
Journalists who cannot be on-site will be able to watch the event live on NASA TV.
To schedule interviews with CSA spokespersons, please contact CSA Media Relations.
For details on the mission, visit the Canadian Space Agency website at www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/missions/expedition34-35/.
Videos, animations and pictures are available at this address: ftp://ftp.asc-csa.gc.ca/users/expedition34-35/pub/.
About Expedition 34/35:
On December 19, 2012, CSA Astronaut Chris Hadfield launched aboard a Russian Soyuz vehicle. Two days later, he docked to the International Space Station (ISS), his new orbital home for a five-month period. During the second half of his mission, Chris Hadfield will become the first Canadian Commander of the ISS-a milestone for Canadian space exploration.
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text: Women of Pride is a student group made for women, by women, as a safe place to gather. We informally educate the campus community of cultural, political, and other social issues related to lesbians, bisexual women, and transgender people. One of our goals is to foster a sense of community among queer women and our allies. We do this by gathering weekly for discussions, workshops, and events on or off campus. We meet in the LGBT Resource Center (323 Illini Union) so that students become exposed to this resource on campus. Sundays at 6:30 PM. LGBT Resource Center. Contact: Sarah Mowitz firstname.lastname@example.com. Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Women-of-Pride/112846712103277?fref=pb


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8 Tasty Cut and Paste Recipes
Introduce your little chef to a safe and fun way to cook some of her favorite foods. These paper projects are perfect for first graders with big imaginations and even bigger appetites!Download All (8)
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Click on a worksheet in the set below to see more info or download the PDF.
Paper Macaroni and CheeseDownload Worksheet More info
Hungry for some macaroni and cheese? Play around with cooking the safe way with this special paper recipe.
Paper Peanut Butter and Jelly SandwichDownload Worksheet More info
It won't be long before your little first grader will be packing his own lunch! Help introduce him to the world of quick and easy meals with this PB&J sandwich.
Paper Vegetable StewDownload Worksheet More info
There's nothing like steaming vegetable stew to warm you up on a chilly day. Introduce your first grader to this snack with a recipe she can cut and paste.
Paper SaladDownload Worksheet More info
Invite your first grader to create a colorful paper salad with potatoes, carrots, celery, and bay leaves! She'll color, cut, and paste the salad ingredients.
Paper Spaghetti and MeatballsDownload Worksheet More info
Not many things go better together than spaghetti and meatballs! Have your first grader cut and paste the ingredients of the delicious duo onto the paper plate.
Paper Banana SplitDownload Worksheet More info
Does your child's crave a summer treat that won't melt in the sun? Let your first grader cut and paste the ingredients for a yummy banana split!
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Cut 'n' Paste PizzaDownload Worksheet More info
Mama mia! Have you ever seen such a yummy pizza that you couldn't eat? Let your first grader color, cut and paste the ingredients of this delicious pizza.
Paper BreakfastDownload Worksheet More info
A good morning starts with a good breakfast! Get your first grader familiar with some fantastic breakfst items with this cut and paste meal project.
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Hear a live concert every Friday at 12noon ET from WXPN and NPR Music
Broadcast live from the stage at World Cafe Live
Listen to the Concert Live on the Radio and Online at XPN.org/listen.
British Rock Veterans, James are touring the states in support of their new album The Morning After The Night Before, and play The Trocadero here in Philly this Friday night, September 24, 2010.
When Paul Gilbertson managed to league up with Jim Glennie and Gavin Whelan in Manchester, UK back in 1982, he didn't realize that his actions would create a framework for decades of music to follow. Sharing their music with fans, the group gigged extensively thorughout the 80's before becoming the popular hit band James in the 1990s. It was then that they teamed up with Brian Eno, who pushed them to expand on their brit pop-rock style with new and exciting experimentation in sound. And with that growth, they were able to accentuate their warm melodies and win over the hearts of millions.
Expanding their sound to feature vocals, guitars, keyboards, violin, percussion, bass and trumpet, James maneuvers between quiet intimate moments and rivoting blasts of sound. Their mastery of dynamics and catchy melodies has always proved to be a crowd winning formula, and their impact on modern rock is undeniable.
With 10 released studio albums and millions of internationally sold copies, the modern rockers decided to depart ways in 2001. Returning to the scene in 2007, James is proving to be as capturing as they were when they started. Their latest double feature is a two mini-album release, "The Morning After The Night Before," which were originally released as separate discs in the UK.
So take the time to explore the light and dark side of these new releases at this Friday's Free At Noon. This is one you don't want to miss.
Website: http://www.wearejames.com/
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/jamesisnotaperson
Recent Release: The Morning After The Night Before
Release Date: September 14, 2010
Label: Mercury
Origin: Manchester, UK
Free At Noon Setlist
1. Dust Motes
2. Rabbit Hole
3. Out To Get You
4. Laid
5. Getting Away With It
6. Crazy
7. Say Something
8. I Want To Go Home
Visit NPR Music to hear the concert.
PARKING NOTICE and Directions
Due to the construction in the area, free parking is no longer available for XPN Free At Noon shows. Metered parking on 31st street is no longer available, and metered parking on Walnut Street is extremely limited as a result of the closure and reconstruction of the South Street Bridge, and the rerouting of traffic onto Walnut Street.
Public transportation to XPN Free At Noon is recommended. For more information on parking in the area visit World Cafe Live.
Find more information on directions and public transportation here.
Serving People in Need - Help Drive Hunger from Our Communities
When you come to XPN's Free At Noon Concerts, bring a can of food to support Philabundance, Delaware Valley's hunger relief organization. We have drop-off boxes to collect canned goods for the needy. Current priority items include: canned pasta, chili, beef stew, tuna, mac & cheese, ready to eat cereal, pork & beans/ baked beans, green beans, corn, fruit cocktail, creamy peanut butter and/ or grape jelly (plastic containers only), and boxed sugar. Thanks!
WXPN and NPR Music Live Friday Free At Noon Concert Archives Include:
Dr. Dog, Carrie Rodriguez, Annuals, DeVotchKa, Adele, Angel Taylor, Winterpills, Sharon Little, Ollabelle, Andrew Lipke, The Low Anthem, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Sean Lennon, Chris Smith, California Guitar trio, Joan Osborne, Disco Biscuits, Damien Rice, Cold War Kids, Marc Broussard, The Slip, Arlo Guthrie, Alice Smith, The Dears, Barenaked Ladies, and more...
WXPN Free at Noon Photo Gallery at Flickr
Click to visit our gallery for photos of the Free At Noon Concerts! Previous concerts include Hall & Oates, O.A.R., Citizen Cope, Old Crow Medicine Show, Kaki King and many more!


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Leading Psychiatric and Mental Health Treatment Center & Hospital in Fayetteville, AR
Children and Teens
Our inpatient treatment program can help your child overcome their depression, behavioral issues or mental health disorders.
Inpatient treatment is often exactly what you or a loved one needs to work through life's issues and begin living a happy, healthy life.
Are you ready to start living again? Our inpatient program can help you find yourself & show you how to take one day at a time.
Why Choose Vantage Point?
Our caring staff and individualized treatment plans create the perfect environment for men, women, children & seniors to heal from their mental health issues & co-occurring disorders. We provide multiple levels of care for all age groups, allowing us to meet our patients where they are in their life. Through individual, group, and family therapy we are able to peel away the layers & triggers that have caused a person to seek treatment to ensure a long lasting, healthy recovery.
Welcome to Vantage Point.
Welcome! And thank you for taking the time to look over our available programs and treatment options. Our goal at Vantage Point is to provide the highest quality of care while meeting the needs of each individual patient. If you or a loved one is suffering from depression, bipolar, addiction or a co-occurring disorder, please do not hesitate to pick up the phone and call today. An admissions counselor is waiting to help you with a free, confidential screening. Learn about how we can help you regain a happy, healthy life.


text: Mallakhamb is an ancient Indian sport which originated as a complementary exercise for wrestling, but is now practiced as a sport in itself. The name is a combination of the words "malla", which means athlete or strong man, and "khamba", which means pole. Athletes perform a variety of yogic and gymnastic poses while suspended from a rope or on a pole. Practitioners say that the sport not only develops a healthy and strong body, but also strengthens willpower and helps compose the mind.


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Kenneth Gossard, 77
Kenneth Klor Gossard, 77, of Harrod, died at 6 a.m. Wednesday, March 13, 2013, at Lima Memorial Health Systems.
He was born May 3, 1945, in Wayne Township, Auglaize County, to Pansy Lucinda (Webb) and Charles Ercil Gossard. On June 29, 1957, he married Joan Beery, and she survives in Harrod.
Also surviving are a daughter, Sherri Lynn (David) Helling, of Bellbrook; a granddaughter, Kristin Helling, of Oxford; three brothers, Charles Gossard, of Massilon, Lowell (Vera) Gossard, of Delphos, and Michael (Kay) Gossard, of Sidney; a sister, Twyla Holmes, of Wapakoneta; a sister-in-law, Charlene Butterfield, of Cridersville.
Mr. Gossard had been a truck driver for Scot Lad, Roundy's and Nash Finch. He was a member of Lima Missionary Baptist Church and enjoyed fishing, watching the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Reds. He served in the U. S. Marines during the Korean Era.
The funeral service will begin 10:30 a.m., Saturday March 16 at Bayliff & Son Funeral Home in Cridersville, with the Rev. Terry Brock officiating. Burial will follow at St. Matthew Cemetery near Cridersville.
The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
The family would like to thank the nurses and staff who took such good care of Kenny at Lima Memorial Health Systems.
Memorial contributions may be given to The American Cancer Society, Lima Missionary Baptist Church or the Charity of the donor's choice.
Condolences may be shared at BayliffAndSon.com.


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Toll Free Number 1-866-541-5739
Captains Sherrie, Mike, Chance, & Tom Miller
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Tel: 907-331-3113 or 907-331-4040
Fax: 907-224-9197
Go on our 4 hour Early Morning or 4 Hour Evening Sightseeing and Fishing Cruise of Resurrection Bay: This runs from 6 - 10am, 12-4pm or 5 - 9pm and only takes 4 to 14 passengers. We go for Black Bass and/or Salmon (in season).More Information > Book Online Now
Take our amazing small boat tour option that leaves the Seward Harbor at 8am and returns at 4:30-5pm. Personalized touring at it's best - up to 16 passengers, knowledgeable captain/crew and a great platform at an amazing price! Trip includes lunch!More Information > Book Online Now
Ride along with us to pick up kayakers in the heart of the Kenai Fjords National Park. This option is only offered on water taxi trips when the boat isn't full. Fishing charters also have this option with different prices; call for a quote, but there are no reservations, just a 'stand-by' list.More Information > Book Online Now
Please note: Miller's Landing encourages only guaranteed prepaid reservations. Unlike many other states, Alaska has a very short tourist season which can make it difficult for us to rebook when we have cancellations without ample notice.
If you are booking a charter and lodging and your charter , water taxi or kayaking is cancelled due to weather you are still responsible for the lodging or camping reservations and the normal cancellation policy applies. All of our activities are possible during rain, so rain does not constitute a cancellation. Miller's Landing is not responsible for vehicle break downs, personal emergencies, flight delays, health issues or other unforeseen hardships.
Please understand that Miller's Landing also incurs a hefty financial merchant fee from our bank for the cost of charging your credit card and again for the cost of refunding it, and there is also a cost involved for the time involved in processing and refunding your reservation in employee costs. Our goal when taking your reservation is to have a solid, guaranteed prepaid reservation. We strongly discourage the practice of making reservations without having an airline ticket or making tentative reservations. Thank you for your understanding.


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Picnic Returns
NEW BREMEN — The 91st annual New Bremen Firemen's Picnic will return to Crown Pavilion on Saturday, with a lineup of activities that offers something for everyone.
"We've tried to structure the picnic and the day to provide something for all ages to come out and to enjoy what we've got to offer as far as activities," Jeff Utz, of the New Bremen-German Township Fire Department, said. "We try to make it fun for everybody."
Festivities kick off at 7 a.m. Saturday with the sign-up for the Memorial 5K. The one-mile fun walk begins at 8:30 a.m., and the 5K begins at 9 a.m. The Whiffle Ball Round Robin kicks off at 10 a.m.
"We have the whiffle ball tournament for some of the over 18 folks," Utz said, noting the tournament is open to both men and women over the age of 18.
The high school lift-a-thon starts at noon, followed by sign-up for the Junior Water Ball Tournament at 1 p.m.
"We are having the junior water ball this year," Utz said, noting the tournament begins at 1:30 p.m. "We're bringing it back this year after it was canceled last year due to the dry conditions. We're able to bring it back this year for the younger kids."
New to this year's event, a group of area bands will take the stage in Crown Pavilion from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
"We are actually going to have a student band showcase that will feature local bands," Utz said. "They are junior high-aged kids. There are four of them. They're going to take the stage at 3 o'clock, and they will be playing a few songs a piece. That's something new we've added."
Corn Hole begins at 4 p.m., and at 4:30 p.m., free pony and inflatable rides open. A barbecue chicken dinner by Perfect Party Catering will be served at 5 p.m.
Utz said Tim Kuenning will again be doing wood carving throughout the day, with the auction beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Chez-Cheese will perform from 8 p.m. to midnight.
"We will have Chez-Cheese, which is the same band that we've had the past couple years," Utz said.
A selection of food and beverages will be available throughout the day.
"We'll be cooking up hamburgers and hot dogs all day, and, of course, there's a lot of cold beverages for anybody that wants to come out and partake," Utz said.
The New Bremen-German Township Fire Department holds the Firemen's Picnic to raise money for various things needed at the department.
"It's something that we, as a fire department, use as a fundraiser for the year," he said. "It is our primary fundraiser, so we appreciate the support from the community."
Firefighters and their families organize the event.
"It's put on by the department and their families, so we use it not only as a fundraiser for us, but also as something fun for the community," Utz said. "We try to get everybody out to enjoy the nice weather and say thanks to the community for their support. We appreciate anybody that comes out and attends and helps support the department, and that's why we do it every year and that's why we put as much time and effort into it as we do."


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Take the steps to begin your journey:
Take the steps to begin your journey:
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If a student applies for one semester and does not attend, he/she must complete a new application and pay the application fee for his/her semester of choice.
The Freshman Summer and Fall 2019 applications open on Sunday, July 1.
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Good thinking about the material. Though if I remember correctly during a tiling course I did in Australia, the adhesive used will depend our your situation. Rubber based adhesive was for tiles in a area of high traffic, vibration (near building site), earthquake prone area etc.Bonkers2 wrote:Tiler Prices
Did the tiler say what adhesive they would use? According to my tiler in Australia it should be a rubber based adhesive. All my floors in Hua Hin house have started to pop so will need to be retiled at some time. Bit difficult to organise on holiday trips.
How long have your tiles been down?


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December 2011
New & Noteworthy
Engaging with the Common Core Standards
Is everyone in your district talking about Common Core Standards? Educators in 45 states plus the District of Columbia are. What are these standards and how do they relate to your classroom?
Think your students are too young for blogging? KidBlog offers a safe, commercial-free learning environment for setting up classroom blogs! Its simplicity allows students to concentrate more on writing and less on the technology platform. Read more.
Narratives of Slavery
How do we learn about slavery? How do we recover the voices of those who were enslaved? How did planters experience slavery? Watch as historian Richard Follett asks these questions about two conflicting accounts in order to understand the system of slavery. View here.
Pearl Harbor Spotlight
December 7 marks the 70th anniversary of the "date which will live in infamy," the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Visit our new spotlight page for lesson plan reviews, multimedia, and teaching ideas that explore America's entry into World War II. Learn more.
Primary Sources
Tech for Teachers
Diary of a Civil War Nurse
In April 1863, two years after the start of the Civil War, Amanda Akin left her New York home at the age of 35 to become a nurse at the Armory Square Hospital in Washington, DC. What was her life like as a nurse? To help explore this question, the Smithsonian created an interactive map of places Akin mentions in her diary. This map, along with photographs, advertisements, artwork, and quotes from Akin's journal, allows you to see Washington, DC, through her eyes. Learn more.
Mission U.S.: For Crown and Colony
In this digital game, students become 14-year-old Nat Wheeler, a printer's apprentice in 1770s Boston. While on errands for his master, Nat witnesses acts of violence between colonists and British soldiers and learns more from discussions with various Boston residents. Ultimately, Nat must decide whether to join the revolution, remain loyal to the crown, or be neutral. The game reminds students that the past was not inevitable and that the choices people made had consequences. Learn more.


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Hitler's systematic extermination of six million Jews was not a secret. Details of the Nazi death camps were known as early as December 1942. Yet the American media — especially The New York Times — refused to publicize the story.
Running time: 55 minutes
Screens at Noon and 4 p.m.
Comments are closed.


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Chicago Public Schools serves 402,000 students in 675 schools. It is the nation's third-largest school district.


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Press release 28/2014
4 February 2014
In the meeting, the ministers will prepare the budget for 2015 and discuss for the first time the priority areas of Denmark, the holder of the presidency next year. Other topics on the agenda will include the annual reports of the international operations conducted by the Council of Ministers, sustainable development, and cooperation among children and young people.In their meeting, the Ministers will also adopt the vision statement concerning Nordic cooperation, highlighting the focus areas for cooperation in the near future.
Additional information: Bo Lindroos, Head of the National Secretariat for Nordic Cooperation, tel. +358 295 350 643 or +358 40 158 5451, firstname.lastname@example.com
Updated 2/4/2014


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With all the running, climbing, and exploring kids do, it's no surprise that falls are common. Although many result in mild bumps, cuts, and bruises, some can cause serious injuries that need immediate medical attention.
Call 911 for emergency help and do not move your child if he or she:
If you think it's safe to move your child:
Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date Reviewed: 14-04-2014


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- Omschrijving
Princess Victoria of Kent secretly married Blind Prince George of Cumberland in 1834 and had a legitimate firstborn son.
Marcos Manoel was exiled in great secrecy to Portugal. As an orphan, he received a chest full of Royal Marks from Queen Victoria proving his birthright – the Vine Lineage of Kingship.
The Occult Royal Prince Marcos Manoel became the Rightful Heir to the Crown of England, Scotland, Ireland, of Hannover, and the Duke of Sachsen-Coburg und Gotha – the Hidden King of England.
He was crowned King John II of England in 1869.
- Aanvullende Informatie
Aanvullende Informatie
Author1 Joseph Gregory Hallett (Greg Hallett) author2 Nee Weight in g 688.0000 isbn_10 0985227834 isbn_13 978-0-9852278-3-8 edition 4th edition pages 224 Illustrations Colored illustrations and photos throughout publisher The World of Truth
- Reviews


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Apricot Bubble Ring
Both of our daughters received ribbons for this recipe at the 4-H fair. This bubble ring is perfect for serving a crowd at breakfast. —Lois Schlickau, Haven, Kansas
Total TimePrep: 25 min. + rising Bake: 30 min.
Makes20 servings
- 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
- 1/2 cup warm milk (110° to 115°)
- 1/3 cup butter, melted
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3-3/4 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup butter, melted and cooled
- 2/3 cup apricot preserves
- 3/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
- In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the milk, butter, sugar, eggs and salt; mix well. Add 2 cups flour; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
- Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
- For filling, combine the sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl; set aside. Punch dough down; cover and let rest for 10 minutes.
- On a lightly floured surface, divide dough into 20 pieces and form into balls. Dip each ball into melted butter, then roll in cinnamon-sugar. Place 10 balls in a greased 10-in. fluted tube pan. Spoon half of the apricot preserves between the balls; sprinkle with half of the walnuts. Repeat. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.
- Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until browned. Cool for 5 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate. Serve warm.
Nutrition Facts1 piece: 241 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 36mg cholesterol, 186mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.
Originally published as Apricot Bubble Balls in Holiday & Celebrations Cookbook 2005
Follow along as we show you how to make these fantastic recipes from our archive.


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Class of 2014 RB Jonathan Vickers of Jacksonville, FL adds Mississippi State to his offers from Clemson, Alabama, Ole Miss and Georgia Tech. He named Clemson and Alabama as his early favorites.
"(Clemson) is telling me to keep working hard and to keep my grades up," said Vickers. "They told me they want me to come there. They said they want me to come back up and visit and to bring my family with me this time." He plans to visit this spring.
Vickers is hearing from USC, Georgia and Notre Dame among others and would like to visit USC and Georgia. He is attending junior days at Ole Miss and UGA and would like to visit Columbia in the future.
"They've asked me to come to some games but I didn't really have time," he said. "I still want to get up there."
Vickers did not name a leader.


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Economics is not an exact science. It consists merely of laws of probability. The most prudent investor is one who pursues only a general course of action which is normally right and who avoids acts and policies which are normally wrong. - L. L. B. Angus.
The trick is to figure out "what is normally right" and "what is normally wrong." For example, I have received several calls and e-mails about what to do with 2004 harvested wheat that is still in storage and about pricing 2005 harvested wheat.
Since I do not know what wheat prices will do or what the June 20, 2005, wheat price will be, I listen to the producer and try to figure out what they want to do and what fits best with their situation. This requires obtaining information about their farm and business goals. Both psychological and emotional issues must be considered.
If I do not think that what they want to do will have disastrous results, I normally agree with the plan. If I think that the plan is flawed, I try to get them to evaluate alternatives and modify the plan.
Since last October, I have been predicting that the central Oklahoma and Texas Panhandle June 20 wheat price will be $2.60. I felt relatively confident about this prediction between late January and mid- February when the KCBT July wheat contract was near $3.05 and the basis offer was a minus offer ($3.05 - $0.40 = $2.65).
Now the KCBT July wheat contract price is $3.62 and the forward contract price is about $3.22. Should a producer sell wheat in storage or forward contract for harvest delivery or buy a put option contract?
We know that 2004/05 U.S. wheat ending stocks will be about 550 million bushels compared to 546 million bushels last year and 491 million bushels in 2002/03. The national marketing-year average prices were $3.56 in 2002/03, $3.40 in 2003/04 and are projected to be $3.40 in 2004/05. This indicates that 2005/06 marketing-year average wheat prices may be about the same as in 2002/03, 2003/04 and 2004/05.
While the average annual prices were about the same, there were differences in harvest prices and price trends. The average June prices for Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle were $2.91 in 2002, $2.82 in 2003 and $3.47 in 2004. In 2002/03, the monthly average price peaked in October at $4.51. In 2003/04, the monthly average price peaked in January at $3.80. And in 2004/05, the average monthly price was the highest in June at $3.47. The monthly average November 2004 price was $3.42.
United States wheat production only averages about 10 percent of world wheat production. World wheat production and ending stocks may have a major impact on U.S. wheat prices.
World wheat ending stocks are projected to be 5.4 billion bushels compared to 4.8 billion bushels last year (2003/04) and 6.2 billion bushels in 2002/03. Relatively low world wheat ending stocks last year (4.8 billion bushels) could have supported the average June wheat prices.
World ending stocks above last year and below 2002/04 and U.S. stocks about the same as last year imply that the harvest price should be below June 2004 ($3.47) and above June 2003 ($2.82). How much above $2.82 or below $3.47 will depend on the size of the U.S. winter wheat crop and expectations for foreign wheat production.
These numbers imply that it would be "normally right" to sell wheat that is in storage and that the odds are about 50/50 on forward contracting or hedging 2005 wheat.
The KCBT July wheat contract price is about $3.60. Using a minus 40-cent basis, the market is offering $3.20 for June delivered wheat.
The current cash price is about $3.40. The market believes that cash prices will fall about 20 cents between now and harvest.
Research has shown that writing down a marketing plan increases that odds that the decisions made will be normally right. Not having a written marketing plan increases the odds that the decisions will be normally wrong.


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Timothy P. Sette
Timothy P. Sette, 49, of 771 Washington Street, St. Marys, died unexpected at his residence on Saturday, June 22, 2013. He was born March 17, 1964, in St. Marys, son of the late Dominick "Nick" Sette and Beverly Klancer, who survives. He was a lifelong resident of the area and was a graduate of St. Marys Area High School, Class of 1983. He was employed by the Keystone Powered Metal Co.He was married to the former Katie Tornatore of Centre Hall, and she survives. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Church, was a former coach at St. Marys Area High School for basketball and baseball, umpired for Little League and high school sports, was a lifelong member of the St. Marys Moose, and he enjoyed baking, especially his chocolate chip cookies. In addition to his wife and mother, he is survived by a daughter, Sara Sette of Centre Hall; two sisters, Kathleen A. Sette of Mechanicsburg and Tina M. Whiting and her fiancee Joe Lorenzo of St. Marys; two brothers, Dominick P. "Nick" Sette (Tina Herbstritt) of St. Marys and John C. Sette (Lisa Challingsworth) of St. Marys; and buy many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father on December 9, 2011; a son, Frankie Sette in infancy; and by a brother, Francis M. "Frank" Sette on September 4, 1983. A Mass of Christian Burial for Timothy P. Sette will be celebrated in the Sacred Heart Church on Wednesday, June 26 at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Eric Vogt, OSB, pastor, as celebrant.Burial will follow in the St. Mary's Cemetery. Visitation is at the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.Memorials, if desired, can be made to the Sette Family Scholarship Fund, c/o Nick Sette, 178 Evers Ave., St. Marys, PA 15857. Online condolences may be offered at www.lynch-radkowski.com.


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Actress/singer Miley Cyrus has taken her mind off rumors her engagement is in trouble by getting inked by celebrity tattoo artist Kat Von D.
The former Hannah Montana star is sporting new skin art after visiting Kat Von D's studio High Voltage in Hollywood on Thursday (14Mar13).
Von D took to her Twitter.com page to share a photo of Cyrus' latest design, inspired by a Leonardo da Vinci drawing of a human heart.
She tweeted, "Just did the RADDEST tattoo on Miley Cyrus - a miniature rendition of a daVinci anatomical heart!"
Cyrus has been dogged by speculation her romance with fiance Liam Hemsworth is over, but she has denied the reports in a post on her own Twitter page, writing, "Lies took over the world... Facts don't really hold value anymore!"
The Party in the U.S.A. hitmaker has more than a dozen tattoos, including a dreamcatcher across her ribs, an anchor on her wrist, and a quote from former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt on her forearm - a tattoo Hemsworth also sports.