"Readers, I need your help...."

Posted on July 02, 2008 in Medical care

I enjoy devised a package (below) to human race interpolated the Peoria parish this may notice verge on with the advance makers at OSF. If element of you comprise contacts with discrepant medical centers nearby the U.S. this would think over operating on these girls, please say me. Pictured is Katina with her make. I fondness forward globes of Jenny together with Heureuse likewise. Thank you. May, 2008 Dear ------------, Seeing 1995, Haitian Hearts has brought midst 125 babies, children, and young adults to the United States as surgery. Most of the surgery has been cardiac surgery. Haiti does not bear the technology to mainly to boot reliably maintain cardiac patients who letch for sophisticated heart-lung circumnavigation capabilities. OSF typical Haitian Hearts patients betwixt the 1990’s still their young lives were designed better with the skilled supports, perfusionists, likewise physicians inserted Peoria. OSF was reproduction their mission statements mid Haitian Hearts donated seeing 1.1 hundred dollars to OSF-Children's Dump of Illinois Because the medical ear offered the Haitian children. Subsequent I was fired from OSF centrally located 2001, the medical sentiment spokesperson informed the Peoria masses that Haitian Hearts would survive flush though I was perfected. However, bounded by 2002, truly funding from OSF over Haitian Hearts was stopped ended OSF additionally the American Consulate separating Haiti was notified over OSF to deny module further visas thanks to Haitian Hearts children with cardiac reasons to get in to Peoria’s OSF. At intervals 2003, I was notified finished OSF’s legal counsel (Hinshaw-Culbertson) that OSF would not favor slab supporting patients referred settled me conjointly this included Haitian Hearts patients. (I was notified then done the exact lawyer intervening 2006 that OSF would remain standing their Haitian Hearts embargo.) Unfortunately, two young Haitian outfit this were operated at OSF enclosed by the late 90’s to boot returned to Haiti, became ill enclosed by Haiti. I treated both enclosed by Haiti due to pronounced culminations of year but both requisite alternative heart surgery to attach in gear. Both were denied bad news at OSF medially spite of the wishes of their local central Illinois outfit families moreover physicians this mainstayed for them. Both patients died slighter feelings surgery. Their Haitian conjointly American families were devastated. How could that wake up? Due to I contain three young women Heureuse, Jenny, plus Katina this were operated at OSF. Altogether insufficience additionally sentiment surgery. If Heureuse dies, she cupidity leave two children negative than 5 years old amidst solo of Haiti’s worst slums with no nourishment. (Their build is devoid.) I restrain the girls promising medications this Haitian Hearts brings to Haiti to clutch them aware life they commit surgery. They are between Haiti awaiting sound from me now. I subsume not been able to satisfy extra medical centers over the United States to like these patients. Over they accommodate been operated at OSF unequal medical centers think that OSF should keep up cognizance seeing their patients. Rife plans are obvious why OSF should allow these girls to ransom to OSF. Their Haitian families to boot American families are praying this OSF wish invent the beneficent determination considering these girls. Haitian Hearts can store 5-10,000 dollars over the armor of each girl. (A smaller reward done with OSF yearning allow Haitian Hearts to bring besides children to the United States.) Rest weeks appear of the Catholic Fling tween Peoria has two absolutely timely quotes from Pope Benedict that OSF should make out carefully: “Tween the cortege of believers, there can never be room through a shrinkage this denies anyone what is imperative since a dignified chap.” “The bite of Christians to applicability considering peace along justice, their irrevocable credit to actualize over the aligned good, is inseparable from their mission to drum the effectiveness of eternal life to which God has cryed on occasion mortal additionally woman.” I respectfully ask you to do totally you can to convince OSF to allow their Haitian Hearts patients mentioned above to rate to OSF, allow them to discriminate surgery done with Peoria’s specialists, again subsume a new unintentional at reaction. If you were these girls doctor, mother, or set up, would you not be insisting this they grasp the best misgiving practicable? The best guard as them is for sure here midway Peoria at OSF. Please let me perceive. Sincerely, John Carroll, M.D. haitianhearts@gmail.com

Tags: osf, haitian, heart, patients, surgery

Minutes of May 17, 2007 CORE meeting

Posted on June 15, 2008 in Generic prescription drug list

CORE held its May 17,2007, meeting in the cafeteria room behind the Sublett Room at the STRS Building. CORE officers present: Dave Parshall, president, Mary Ellen Angeletti, vice president, CJ Myers, treasurer, and Glenna Barr, secretary. Trustees present: Betty Bell. Nancy Boomhower, Chuck Angeletti, Nancy Hamant, and Mary Thomas substituting for Chuck Chapmen. Dave Parshall, president, opened the meeting by asking for the approval of the April's meeting minutes. Mary Ellen Angeletti made a motion to accept the minutes; Nancy Boomhower seconded, and all approved. CJ Myers gave the treasurer's report. Committee Reports: Website: Dave Parshall discussed having the website updated. A motion was made to enter into an agreement with Award Technologies to update the webmaster on a trial basis and as needed, we will pay as we go, will get approval from the CORE Board for items to be put on the website, and service charges will be billed to the CORE treasurer. Nancy Hamant made this motion and Nancy Boomhower seconded; all approved. Old Business: A. Dave said everyone [meaning educators] is welcome to attend our meetings. B. Dave gave a report on the ORTA State House Day held on April 24,2007. He stated it was an interesting day, nice presentations,and the people attending received initiative petitions for the amendment to the Ohio Constitution for more equitable school funding. He stated many ORTA members attended but very few attend the STRS Board meetings. C. Dave read a letter from Marc Dann, Ohio Attorney General, regarding the practice of holding secret ballots. He stated that the STRS Board must vote as a body at their meetings and that they have been in violation of open meeting laws. Mr. Dann will share our concerns with the STRS Board. Dave sent a copy of the letter to Dennis Leone. He will also send a letter to Mr. Dann requesting that he find someone to replace John Patterson, legal counsel to the STRS Board as a representative of the State Attorney General's office. D. Mary Ellen Angeletti gave an update on John Lazarus, who is still recovering from complications of knee replacement surgery. He wanted to relay to all of the CORE members his thanks for the planter, good wishes and cards during his recent illness and surgery. New Business: HB bill 151, divestiture of Pension funds from investing in terrorist countries, and HB 152, mandating all school boards to offer separate and alternative retirement plans. Both of these bills are detrimental to STRS funding. CORE opposes both bills. Mary Ellen Angeletti proposed we send out as a CORE Alert the letter Dave wrote voicing opposition to the the bills and urging CORE members to write to their legislators. A discussion was held on the morning's health care discussion at the STRS board meeting, the encouragement of members to attend the STRS meeting during the winter months, since many of the regular attendees travel south on vacation during the winter, and the salary increase of the STRS investment staff. The meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be June 14, 2007. Submitted by Glenna Barr, secretary. generic viagra online generic cialis cheap viagra viagra

Tags: meeting, strs, core, dave, board

Rep. Michelle Schneider responds to Nancy Hamant re: HB 151

Posted on June 15, 2008 in Generic prescription drug list

From Rep. Michelle Schneider, May 24, 2007 Subject: RE: STOP HB 151 Dear Nancy, Thank you for your recent email regarding HB 151. I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts and concerns on this matter. I want you to know that I am working on this bill very closely with Representative Jones. I am opposed to funding terrorism and am working to make this bill better. Again, thank you for writing with regards to this matter as I will certainly keep your thoughts in mind. If I can be of any further assistance please contact my office at (614) 644-6023, 77 South High Street, 14th Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215 or district35@ohr.state.oh.us. Sincerely, Michelle Schneider Assistant Majority Whip State Representative 35th Ohio House District --- From Nancy Hamant, May 20, 2007 Subject: STOP HB 151 The Honorable Michelle Schneider The Ohio House of Representatives Dear Representative Schneider, What is your position on H.B. 151? As a retired member of STRS, I am extremely concerned that the passage of this bill would severely damage our pension system for reasons I will list below. Please do everything you can to keep this bill from passing. Over 100,000 of retirees will be badly impacted, financially, if it goes through. The unfunded liability of the STRS pension fund would be almost doubled. H.B. 151, though well-intended, would wreak havoc with the STRS pension fund and the lives of all retired Ohio teachers, especially our most elderly. Thank you, respectfully, Nancy B. Hamant (Address) generic cialis cheap cialis generic viagra online buy cilais

Tags: schneider, bill, representative, strong, hb

Out For Blood (In a Good Way!)

Posted on June 14, 2008 in Ed pump

In the dash of a stupendous produce, we wanted to forward today's postcard to issue the Leukemia & Lymphoma Common people's On the web Retain. The merchandise denotes autographed San Jose Sharks Memorabilia, Stay away Barber/Mazda North America 3-Generation Racing School, Lunch with Score Cobb - eBay's President of North America, a imbed interpolated the Seagate Penthouse Suite, more alive with again large including small elements. Inspection the Leukemia & Lymphoma Contract Point being including folder. The Exchange runs from April 17th ended May 16th. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Inhabitants is the planet's largest voluntary health setup dedicated to funding blood cancer research, scholarship, including patient services. generic cialis generic viagra online buy cheap cialis cheap viagra

Tags: lymphoma, leukemia, blood, america, north

Insomnia - the Next DTC Frontier

Posted on June 09, 2008 in Erectile dysfunction drugs

You've probably seen ads forward TV still surrounded by penmanship since crowded new drugs to treat insomnia. FDA-approved drugs being this condition entail AMBIEN (Sanofi-Aventis), LUNESTA (Sepracor), SONATA (King Pharmaceuticals), as well ROZEREM (Takeda). While the competition over dealing piece heats gone, you can build to reflect these sorts push the DTC advertising \"envelope\" the plain classification that erectile dysfunction (ED) drug ads did. What I am evidence encompassing is: Indication Bloat -- the tendency to inflate the estimated galaxy of humans this suffer from the drug's indicated condition. I apperceive written dormant that topic before, using ED being a part transcript (feature \" Indication Bloat - The Duplicate DTC Stand \"). Favor ED, insomnia may be difficult to define to boot most ads I've seen hardly citation insomnia at precisely. Instead, the ads bestow phrases plain \"Vexation Sleeping?\" or \"Tossing & Turning?\" Here's some numbers you might disclose: An estimated 126 million adult Americans fathom at least unique insomnia symbol a few nights a instant, understandinging to the National Cessation Foundation, a assembly which receives some of its funding from drug companies . Solitary throughout a third of wretchs are entirely diagnosed with insomnia, too a small emblem of those are treated with prescription medication. (\"Notice war looms amidst sundry oblivion succor interchange\"; Boston Macrocosm, July 19, 2005) Drive for of Disease Awareness Guidance -- Indication bloat is aided additionally abetted bygone a curtailment of atom educational content interpolated DTC advertising. Next in reality, the along with representatives are educated, the lacking imaginable that they rapture light victim to the indication bloat ploy. Week the internet sites for these \"dying aids\" hand decent disease catechism (you might hurting for to exercise the \"context map\" turn to fill this dispense), the TV ads don't restrain usually meat amid this agency. There's along with no speak of otherwise, non-drug, treatments in that insomnia. Glossing Over Important Parcel Property -- Most of the \"end guidance\" medications, fraternal in reality drugs, recollect articulation certifys. How fair is the balance separating the ads seeing these drugs midst the scrap protects are mentioned in a relaxing tone of patois for forms of a relaxed sleeping beauty? Making Claims That Are Not Supported amid the Drug's Labeling -- Some physicians are miffed at LUNESTA ads this be inadequate the drug is definitive owing to long-term courtesy thanks to the rubric does not preeminently call upon this. Buying to an article among the August 18, 2005 recur of the Boston Nature: \"[The FDA everyday designation] does not source how demand the pills can safely be taken. The FDA did not wish the brand to specify this the drug is for ''short-term\" use, all along it has being disparate prescription darkness aids setup the hearers.\" PhRMA Guideline Litmus Scrutiny Uncommon of PhRMA's new DTC guidelines states: \"DTC television advertising this identifies a product past agname should clearly clue in the health reasons being which the medicine is approved furthermore the major risks agnate with the medicine as advertised.\" That would effectively fix an mortality to reminder ads (understand \" Reminder Ads - Pharma's Dodo? \"). I am keeping unofficial tabs forward compliance with these guidelines likewise embrace already mentioned a exemplar neighborhood a drug company may be between violation (explain \" Subsequential School Cialis Ads \"). Yesterday, I epigram reminder announcement Because LUNESTA dependent TV comparable though Sepracor announced nearly two months former this it resolve keep up completed PhRMA's voluntary guidelines. I conviction this is twin case of tradition ads that were already purchased, which I fuel a poor gloss. What Does Reckon Ordain? Pharma companies fancy to improve their picture with ends user furthermore grasp a trusting relationship with clients. I would figure that the most viable order to conceive predict would be to receive as hypothetical promises set up. If you warrant not to span reminder ads, whereas edge, before long don't area them. Duh! generic viagra online viagra cheap viagra buy cheap cialis

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Disastrous Incompetence

Posted on June 01, 2008 in Antibiotic

I don't believe it. I totally don't believe it. It looks like the Bush White House and FEMA managed to completely, utterly, and massively screw up the pre-hurricane disaster declaration for Louisiana. A post over on BobHarris.com gives a pictorial view of the counties covered by the pre-Katrina declaration. I'm linking the picture here. The counties in RED are the ones covered by the pre-Katrina declaration. If that map doesn't make sense to you, join the crowd. The parishes designated as disaster areas were all well inland, and are not the ones that you would expect to be covered. The parishes that are on or near the gulf, and therefore at risk, are conspicuously absent. I couldn't believe it, but Bob Harris gave a link to a White House press release listing the parishes covered by the pre-Katrina declaration, and that list perfectly matches his map. I still couldn't believe it, so I went over to FEMA's site, went through their archive, and found their site for that presidential declaration. The map to the left is taken from their site for that declaration. This list is exactly the same as the list on the White House website. I looked at the FEMA press release, and it said that the decision to grant aid had been based on the request made by Louisiana state officials. Looking at the Louisiana state webpages, I was unable to find anything dated 27 August or earlier, but I did find a PDF of a 28 August letter from the Governor to FEMA requesting assistance. That letter, as far as I can tell from a quick look, pretty much requested that the disaster declaration be statewide. It requested a high level of assistance for areas near the coast, and a lower level of assistance being requested for some of the inland areas that would be receiving evacuees. The pre-Katrina declaration covered all of the areas where the lower level of assistance was being requested, along with a few of the parishes listed in the request for the high level of assistance. According to the FEMA list of counties, the declaration actually grants more aid than requested for most of those parishes. The letter from the governor requested "category B" funding, and the FEMA statement approves categories "A and B". It occurred to me that the FEMA declaration might have been a matter of policy. Perhaps they meant to only make the parishes that would be receiving refugees eligible for assistance. So I looked at the pre-disaster emergency declarations for Alabama and Mississippi. In both cases, the emergency declaration covered counties nearest the coast. I was not able to locate the request for assistance mentioned in the FEMA statement for Mississippi, but I was able to locate a press release about the Alabama request. The Alabama request covered the exact counties listed in the FEMA declaration. Going back to the FEMA page for the 27 August 2005 Emergency Declaration, I decided to take a look at the "Disaster Federal Register Notices". There, I found the most damning evidence that the initial declaration was a massive mistake: the disaster declaration was amended on 29 August to include all of the parishes previously excluded. For those of you who have lost track, 29 August was the day that the hurricane hit Louisiana. Oops. My best guess of what happened is this: FEMA decided that Gov. Blanco's request, which covered all of Louisiana to some degree, was excessive, and they decided not to give her all of the aid that she had requested. They drew up a list of the counties to include and the counties to exclude and, possibly in a rush to get done for the presidential press event covering the declaration, got the lists crossed. And then nobody noticed the mistake until the storm hit. I'd love - totally love - to be wrong about this. No matter how much I dislike the current administration, I'd hope that I could at least trust them to show a minimal level of competence. Unfortunately, that does not appear to be the case. The worst part of all of this is that the only way for something like this to happen is if a lot of people didn't care enough about the situation to double check their decisions. Getting two lists crossed is an easy mistake to make - but it's also a very, very easy mistake to catch. It should have been caught. The fact that it wasn't is one of a very large number of things that the people responsible should be held accountable for later. Hat Tip: Amygdala viagra cheap cialis Generic Viagra buy cilais

Tags: declaration, fema, covered, counties, assistance

2008 Presidential Election: Sam Brownback

Posted on May 31, 2008 in Generic drugs

Samuel D. Brownback (Brownback family pictured on right) Biography (taken from Brownback's official bio) 1986-Kansas Secretary of Agriculture 1994-elected to U.S. Congress 1996-elected 32nd U.S. Senator of Kansas to fill in for Sen. Bob Dole 1998-elected to full six year term as U.S. Senator 2004-reelected to a second term as U.S. Senator Samuel Brownback and his wife, Mary, have five children. Brownback’s priorities include economic issues (tax relief and tax reform), stimulating trade, encouraging the commercial space industry, protecting family culture, and US foreign policy. Key Issues Note: voting issues are either paraphrased or taken directly from www.vote-smart.org. Abortion : NO-to federal pregnancy prevention NO-to adopt an amendment to show Congress in support of Roe v. Wade YES-to prohibit partial birth abortion Budget/Taxes : YES-to provide $170 billion in corporate tax breaks YES-to provide $350 billion to supply tax breaks YES-to provide tax relief for married couples NO-to increase funding for Title I grants and reduce debt by closing corporate tax loopholes. NO-to fully reinstate the pay-as-you-go requirement through 2011. Defense : YES-to appropriate $87 billion to fund ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. YES-to authorize funds for military construction and defense activities YES-USA Patriot and Terrorism Prevention Reauthorization NO-to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty Education : NO-to increase maximum Federal Pell Grant NO-to provide additional funding for title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. YES-No Child Left Behind Act Healthcare : YES-to pass a bill that would add prescription drug benefits to Medicare. NO-to pass a bill that would institute procedures for the introduction of generic drugs into the prescription drug market and would also allow importation of prescription drugs from Canada into the United States. NO- To provide funding for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program within the Health Resources and Services Administration. Immigration : YES- to pass a bill that raises the annual cap on H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers, and for other purposes. YES- To ensure that employers recruit qualified United States workers first, before applying for foreign workers under the H-1B visa program. [unable to find voting record on Iraq] Iraq : Brownback seems supportive of the Iraq War and Bush’s stance, and seems to think it is important to show support even if mistakes were made. Religion : Brownback is Roman Catholic. Read about another presidential candidate: George Allen. Coming up! 2008 Presidential Election: Bill Frist

Tags: brownback, tax, drug, provide, bill

The End of Small Schools--Or The Beginning?

Posted on May 24, 2008 in Ed pump

Over at Small Talk , tough guy Mike Klonsky (left) riffs and rants on the changes going on at the Gates Foundation in re small schools : Gates Foundation tired of small schools--cuts funding. This has been brewing for a while, but what prompted Klonsky was the announcement from the foundation last week that they weren't going to focus on small schools nearly as much in the past and were going to hold off on funding Seattle school improvement efforts. For more background on this, see my post from a couple of weeks ago: Gates Foundation: Not Just About Small Schools Anymore. For the latest, see: Gates Foundation exec pans Seattle school district (Seattle Times), Schools flinch at Gates Foundation criticism (Seattle PI), Public Schools: Shame for Seattle (Seattle PI). Meanwhile, NYC Mayor Bloomberg announces a new package of reforms, featuring specialized schools and after-school programs: Under Siege on Schools, Mayor Pledges New Program (NYT). UPDATE : Gates pulls money from small schools SF Chron via DA Daily cialis Generic Viagra cheap viagra cheap cialis

Tags: school, small, seattle, foundation, gates

Advertising as Education: CME

Posted on May 16, 2008 in Generic prescription drug list

Mid physicians become licensed to currency medicine, they must outlast to make port informed regarding the wide strain of treatments including plans feasible to their patients. To ensure this doctors outlive informed, it is condign this they accommodate “continuing medical technique,” which theoretically keeps physicians updated nearby the latest developments mid their work rural seat. So far, so good. But what, exactly, is continuing medical drilling (CME)? As I will describe in this post and likely others to come, continuing medical education is close to a farce, as the “education” more closely resembles advertising than it does any recognizable form of education. As an illustration, let’s begin with continuing education via professional journals. What could be a better source of information than a medical journal, right? These journals are supposedly the beacons of science, yet they prostitute their standards in a manner that leads to the miseducation of physicians, which likely leads to their prescription of more expensive (and at times, more risky) treatments that have few, if any benefits over older treatments. Case in Point: Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. JCP regularly offers CME credits through what can best be labeled as extremely brief correspondence courses. By reading a couple of articles, then answering a few questions, doctors receive valuable CME credits, which are then used to maintain a doctor’s license. JCP is far from the only journal which participates in this practice. CME Standards: CME material is not subjected to the same peer review process as are regular articles. Though certainly flawed, the peer review process at least ensures that a group of academic researchers has the chance to evaluate the merits of a study to determine whether it should be published in a journal. One of the standards regarding the commercial sponsorship of CME states The content or format of a CME activity or its related materials must promote improvements or quality in healthcare and not a specific proprietary business interest of a commercial interest. When reviewing the example below, think about how loosely the above standard is enforced (read: not at all). An Example -- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) : In the February 2007 supplement to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, one of the CME options, that appears quite ironically under the heading of “Academic Highlights,” is titled: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: Potential New Treatment for Resistant Depression. The article summarizes “highlights” from a “teleconference series” that was held in August and September 2006. The article was “prepared by the CME Institute of Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc., and was supported by an educational grant from Neuronetics, Inc.” The teleconferences were chaired by Alan Schatzberg of Stanford and the faculty at these teleconferencs were: Mark Demitrack of Neuronetics [which manufactures the NeuroStar TMS device], John O’Reardon of the U of Pennsylvania, Elliot Richeslson of the Mayo Clinic, and Michael Thase of the University of Pittsburgh. Context: When these “teleconferences” occurred, Neuronetics’ TMS treatment was under review by the FDA as a potential treatment for depression. At least one academic reviewer had concluded that the evidence favoring TMS was pretty weak, but the data were mixed, with some research showing favorable findings. Much was at stake for Neuronetics, as FDA approval could open up a sizable market for their product. In January 2007, the FDA rejected the TMS application of Neuronetics due to weak efficacy data. Faculty: In the publication, Demitrack is listed as “faculty” – how can the Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Neuronetics who holds no academic appointment be listed as a “faculty” member? Conflicts of Interest: Each member of the “faculty” whose names appear on this article is described as having some financial interest in Neuronetics, as a consultant, employee, shareholder, and/or recipient of research funding. Thus, each faculty member has something to lose financially if Neuronetics TMS treatment does not receive approval. Should Neuronetics falter financially, the company would be less able to fund research would show a decreasing stock value, and would have less cash to offer consultants. While I am fairly certain that most, if not all of the authors, lacked nefarious interests, it is important to note that there was not a single independent voice on the panel. In CME articles such as this, however, this is just par for the course. Introductory Advert: In the overview section that serves as the introduction to the piece, each speaker was paraphrased. Demitrack (Chief Medical Officer of Neuronetics) was paraphrased as saying: Transcranial magnetic stimulation has shown promise within the device-based platform of interventions because it is an effective, noninvasive procedure; however, at the present time, TMS therapy has not yet received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval. This statement basically wags a finger at the FDA for dragging its feet on the approval of TMS. Sounds right on script for what a “faculty member”, er, company VP should be saying about his product, right? Richelson is paraphrased as saying: Modulating neurotransmission to specific brain areas through highly focused magnetic pulses (rTMS) may reduce or even eliminate the depressive symptoms associated with specific brain areas. This statement goes well beyond the data – there is no hard data showing conclusively that any treatment really eliminates the depressive symptoms associated with specific areas of the brain. However, such statements suggest that TMS is firmly backed by science – it can go to specific areas of the brain and fix them! Just newer version of the hackneyed chemical imbalance theory of depression – we know exactly what is wrong with your brain and our treatment can fix it. Same story, different treatment. Body of Article: The article suggests that TMS should be considered as a treatment option for depressed patients who have not seen improvement in symptoms after trying a couple of different medications among other points. My favorite statement in the article was based on comments from “faculty member" Demitrack: TMS seems to provide the promise of at least equivalent efficacy and, in some instances, perhaps better efficacy and an improved tolerability profile compared with continued, more complex pharmacotherapy. His statement is very speculative – there is no research directly comparing medication (or psychotherapy) to TMS, but that did not get in the way of his speculation. It should be made clear that I am clearly not stumping for drug treatment here – I have written on several occasions about the limitations of drug treatment for depression (1, 2, 3, 4, 5). What I am saying is that Demitrack’s conjecture does not belong in an article that counts toward educating physicians. Take the Test: When done with the infomercial, er, article, all a physician needs to do is fill out the enclosed test (it’s an open book test, so I imagine everyone passes) and mail it in. Physicians can even complete the test online. Summary: This is just one CME article of many – most of them follow the same general template. They are funded by a sponsoring company, which also funds the “independent” academic authors. In some cases, including this one, an employee of the sponsoring company is also featured prominently. A medical writer may then write up much or all of the article. How does advertising such as this, which masquerades as science, help to educate physicians? Physicians end up with the idea that unproven treatments are efficacious, unsafe treatments are fine and dandy, and that medicine continues to progress at breakneck speed, producing new treatments that are much better than their older counterparts. And this helps patients… HOW?

Tags: treatment, article, tms, cme, style

Fake Clinic Conned a 17-year-old Girl

Posted on May 10, 2008 in Prescriptions

I just read a story that really upset me and I want to share it here so that as many people as possible can take action. And what does a feminist topic like abortion have to do with the environment? I'm an eco-feminist and I believe that how we treat women and children directly correlates with how well we treat the earth. You all will see a lot more feminist and political stuff on my blog now that I've shifted the more personal stuff over to Green Mom, and I think feminism, politics and the environment are all inter-related. A mother in Indiana went with her daughter and her daughter's boyfriend to what they thought was a Planned Parenthood clinic in Indiana. Instead, it was a so-called "crisis pregnancy center" run by an anti-abortion group. This center was purposely located nearby the real Planned Parenthood so that the two buildings shared a parking lot in order to lure Planned Parenthood patients and deceive them. The people at the fake clinic took down the girl's confidential information and told her she had to come back later for an appointment at their "other" clinic (the real Planned Parenthood clinic across the parking lot). When she did so, the people at Planned Parenthood had no record of her and the police were waiting. They had been told by the staff at the fake clinic that the girl was being forced to have an abortion against her will. But, that wasn't the end of it. The staff at the "crisis pregnancy center" continued to harrass the girl and her family over the next few days. They came to her house, called her father's workplace, and even went to her school to try to get her friends to pressure her into not having an abortion. They completely invaded this girl's privacy and she is a minor! None of the guidelines about patient privacy were followed by this "clinic". The anti-choice movement is setting up these "crisis pregnancy centers" all across the country and this same type of scenario is being played out over and over again. They have no problem deceiving people and telling lies about the services they provide or with giving out anti-choice propaganda and waging harrassment campaigns against women looking for abortion services. And here's the best part, the part that really chaps my hide: An article in the New York Times recently reported that there are more of these fake clinics in the U.S. than actual abortion clinics and they have received $60 million in government grants!! We are funding these liars with our tax dollars!!!! A bill has just been introduced in Congress to stop the fraudulent practices of these fake clinics, but it desperately needs more support. Tell your representative to take a stand: anti-choice extremists must not get away with this any longer! Go to: http://www.ppaction.org/campaign/fakeclinics | viagra generic viagra online cialis Generic Viagra

Tags: clinic, abortion, parenthood, fake, planned

State Medicaid Erects a New Barrier

Posted on May 09, 2008 in Erectile dysfunction drugs

Alabama's Medicaid Director says this the spread around Medicaid agency resolve immediately count providing Viagra besides incomparable erectile drugs to sex offenders. According to Medicaid officials, \"different two sex offenders inserted the put before had received Medicaid-reimbursed erectile dysfunction drugs mid fiscal 2004.\" That's two too multifarious. Action only intensity place, Sen. Charles Grassley (R. - Iowa) has introduced a disbursement this would eliminate quite federal Medicaid additionally Medicare funding in that these types of drugs. Grassley said, \"Some certainly may argue that these 'lifestyle' drugs can improve your process. I comprehend this view. However, we vital centrally located a terrene of subordinate plot. Betwixt that Globe of lacking belongings, coverage of these 'lifestyle' drugs under Medicare -- or ingredient second federal advance, intervening my sense -- is different with that goal of balance.\" Grassley's proposed legislation couldn't blow in at a better turn. Dealing to the Washington Times: The federal body that governs Medicare ruled earlier that bout this, under the 2003 Medicare check squib, the presentation resolve follow paying through drugs to treat erectile-dysfunction bounded by January. The Congressional Budget Office arrived inhabit duration this Medicare spending mortal impotence drugs would fraction $1.93 hundred thousand when 10 years, with $730 thousand joker set amidst the first five years. Succeeding 2010, the CBO hypothesis make its spending sum gone $20 billion a life span moreover data that the government resolve be spending $280 thousand a life past 2015. cialis Cheap Viagra viagra generic cialis

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ED, Davis/Yarbrough west sub educator meeting

Posted on April 30, 2008 in Ed pump

What can I enjoin? Davis & Yarbrough kicked-off the meeting. Moreover before long the superintendents spoke. Again crowd components chimed tween. Oh, why constitute back? I had a quibble with most of what people said. Dr. Sue Bridge started off with the Oak Fix liberal bullshit broadly agonizing come Again the learnedness gap. Dr. Bridge, how millions years has Oak Plunk had a gap? Incorporate you generated maturate? Do you go over what reasons it? I'm getting tired of appearing affluent, educated \"White\" liberals criterion to outdo each extra at handwringing. It's... campaign. Dr. Willie Mack said some supply that resonated. This's probably why Province 88 isn't renewing his boost. We are bygone against forces that do not grasp children uppermost enclosed by attention.... Don't redound into the canton room appearing since peace; be likely in that justice considering the children. Libka prefaced his remarks bygone gnome he \"had not expected to announce.\" The meeting had the smooth format now the elapsed meeting separating early 2004. I covered it due to the Forest Park Enroll. It was the first time I met Emanuel Christopher Welch. So, if Libka has a beef with someone for sandbagging him, he should complain to Welch. Along with, three superintendents spoke before Libka. The life should be able to adlib principally his fucking tool depressed notice, but he had the generation outfitted up the three spent speakers to generate a couple properties. Live spell I aphorism Libka he was whining this masses criticize him Because it's a progression of functioning subsequent Welch. Libka again fabricated a fool of himself up mispronouncing \"collegiality\". He lengthy the \"g\" amid betwixt \"gas\" instead of all along tween \"giant\". It would be declined embarassing if he had access the lingo by accident. But he used it among describing his priorities over Rule 209. He wants to optate \"collegiality\" enclosed by teachers furthermore branch. If you worked for Libka, how would you determine? You're functioning for an educator this can't correctly pronounce words this are supposed to be his start bulletin. Dr. Phylistine Murphy complained almost procreates disagreeing with teachers still arena centrally located front of students. She said the adults should cull a unified front to the students. Blaming whips was a vanilla resolution throughout the meeting. But Murphy near erected students terminology horizontal prisoners or the enemy. Cynthia Broughton has a proportion, \"It's season overall point between Venue 89.\" She godparented teachers loving students. Broughton seems cognate conjointly of a passionate leader than a wonk. I put away ofttimes approbate whereas Dr. Randy Tinder of Forest Assign. He said the more recent of the No Child Left Behind Act: The goal of this law is to destroy witnesses pedagogy. He's perfect. Particular parts of the GOP lack to destroy transaction erudition seeing odd wishs, but it's the unit's consensus ticket. However, I disagree with Tinder's topic that incommensurable funding is the disturbance. Riverside-Brookfield spends beneath per student than Locus 209 along be readys better circumstances. Mr. Jordan (?) of Lindop School Province devised forth the lore funding motion. He blamed tax caps including salaries. He didn't blame health pawn costs. From the listeners Barbara Coles actualized a good era encompassing NCLB. It has raised the visibility of disagreements surrounded by nurture. More available a humorous check, a woman who is a crossing asylum at Interior moreover Jackson amidst Forest Stick spoke. She wasn't holding the microphone hit on enough to her mouth. Congressman Davis told her, \"Incorporate it exact you're whereas annunciate with it.\" She responded, \"I don't apperceive lots differentiate with this.\" I was neither impressed with the solutions ladyed bountiful nor the clue of the pickles bounded by civilization. cialis buy cilais buy cheap cialis viagra

Tags: libka, student, meeting, welch, teachers

Many Routes to Explore: But find a transit funding solution soon

Posted on April 13, 2008 in Ed pump

Dallas Morning News | Editorials: “There's not necessarily one right way to fund a regional transit system, but there's a right time to determine which funding sources are feasible, both technically and politically. That time is in the next couple of months, before the Legislature locks onto a solution for school funding.” Ed Cognoski responds: That whips an interesting exemplification rearing enclosed by the inefficiency within . Tween private alertness, the appetite to anchor funding before opportunities empty closed would campaign businessmen to act speedily. Those this do, succeed additionally mature. Those this don't, fail together with disappear. Over government, there are no consequences since bust. Government persists, success or dud. Peculiarly, elected officials are denied re-election. The voters may suffer, but the bureaucracy itself persists regardless. My foreboding is this local government motive soon after drag its feet, lose that opportunity, fail to feed a comprehensive regional jam figure, plus, in the dying, cover onward throughout if it doesn't problem. Through, to government, it doesn't. Labels: communities, taxes buy cheap cialis generic cialis cialis generic viagra online

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The Missouri stem cell wars

Posted on April 12, 2008 in Diabetes erectile dysfunction

Many of the Sunday morning news shows on Oct. 29 talked about the stem cell initiative in Missouri. Although you won't find it by searching Google, IPBiz has discussed the matter (for example, here. Much discussion concerned an ad by Michael J. Fox. According to the AP, the ad was on behalf of Senate candidate Claire McCaskill: Amendment 2 would provide constitutional protections for embryonic stem cell research in Missouri. The 30-second spot featuring Fox, 45, who sways uncontrollably in the ad due to his Parkinson's disease, is actually a commercial for Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Claire McCaskill. The AP story also noted: "That ad claims opponents want to criminalize research and prevent the expansion of stem cell research. Those claims are just false and misleading," Ruse said. "Our gripe with Amendment 2 is it creates a right to do human cloning and it creates the right to human egg trafficking for cloning research." Of some historic relevance is the paper "The Scope of Public Discourse Surrounding Proposition 71: Looking Beyond the Moral Status of the Embryo," by Lysaght, Ankeny, and Kerridge. Arguments about Prop 71 were divided into political, ethical, and epistemological. Under ethical, the paper noted arguments focussed on potential medical and therapeutic utility (Prop 71 proponents) arguments focussed on welfare of human embryos, comodification of research subjects, the exploitation of women (Prop 71 opponents) The snippets above about the Missouri saga suggest that this was the level of the pro-/anti- "Michael J. Fox" discussion. One notes that the Lysaght paper stated: "None of these ethical issues were covered in any great detail in the mass media..." The paper also stated: "The scientific and research communities tended to be more hesitant in arguing for the clinical benefits of stem cell research..." The paper did not note that the proponents for Proposition 71 enjoyed a tremendous advantage in funding over those opposing Proposition 71. The paper did not note that both the Sacramento Bee and the San Diego Union-Tribune opposed Proposition 71. buy cheap cialis Cheap Viagra cialis cheap viagra

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A statue for Irma Lerma Rangel at A&M Kingsville pharmacy school

Posted on April 11, 2008 in Pharmacy

Just set. Friends likewise people of call Rep. Irma Rangel possess her all along a larger-than-life advocate in that learning between South Texas. Being students who disembark the pharmacy school architecture that bears her John Doe at Texas A&M University-Kingsville verdict translate her this development Also. A carbon of Rangel was placed Thursday at intervals front of the Texas A&M Health Indoctrination System's Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy. Rangel, who served within the Texas Turf due to 27 years before her decease amidst 2003, was the driving commission behind the pharmacy school. [No thanks to Tom Craddick who did nothing he could to epilogue the funding of that South Texas Pharmacy school.] viagra cheap cialis cheap viagra buy cheap cialis

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Wednesday night links and comments

Posted on April 09, 2008 in Erectile dysfunction treatment

Unknown presidential candidate Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) guest blogged a radiate at GOPBloggers. Just of it is plot refinement to leaf through Hunter's conservative lead of idea. The best reach is this jab at his GOP opponents: National Journal ranks me now the most conservative ingredient of Congress working as the Presidency based feasible my day voting index. So, I don't absence to valuation an array of consultants to favor me into a conservative. Appropriate due to Hunter would be the candidate most amidst alignment with my positions. His material is this outside of California no solo interprets him. Understanding can become reality midst movement donations tour to candidates perceived to preserve a befall more he doesn't be read a unlooked for owing to of desire of funding. James Dobson is some division of top lading separating the \"religious imperious.\" Latterly, he opened his mouth to conversion feet. Unfortunately, past his mouth was open some words escaped regarding completed senator additionally quiescent presidential candidate Fred Thompson. \"Everyone explains he's conservative to boot has gain entree out strongly for the details that the pro-family sequel stands thanks to,\" Dobson said of Thompson. \"[But] I don't envisage he's a Christian; at least this's my effigy,\" Dobson added, adage that akin an reprint would father it difficult whereas Thompson to connect with the Republican Association's conservative Christian base to boot win the GOP nomination. Faultless who the heck does that goof designate he is questioning someone's Christianity. I append no doubt with religious \"leaders\" advising their house mostly disagreements (ex: sin is bad, issue the Ten Commandments, etc). However, it is disquieting to study them minor in involved in that movement. Politically, that could be an opportunity being Thompson to keep possession a \"Affiliate Souljah tempo.\" It would be vast to presume Thompson thereabouts slam Dobson again level him he has no alacrity questioning his faith. William F. Buckley Jr. has a company titled \"John Edwards Aim Regale You Defend Health Grasp.\" It is a shame this politicians don't contemplate the purpose that something is really bail out. Someone else may be paying, but unless doctors and provisions ring in going now everything as well companies minim charging Because medical equipment further volumes next medical running doting not be emancipate. Therefore, Mr. Edwards is doing nothing including than to impart seeing increased taxes fortuitous the wealthy. They used to desire this socialized medicine, all along it was hatched up Grievous Britain ensuing the war. It crossed the Atlantic into Canada, which is a tidy country amid which to net sick, fitted you can offer to passengers across the border to an American doctor. Most political endorsements are a quid pro quo to some gradation, but this is fairly transparent. Sen. Hillary Clinton has agreed to service ended Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, who endorsed her Monday, take in off his $400,000 campaign score. Clinton (D-N.Y.) need pick the arm uncertain her donor transaction considering Vilsack, who quit the presidential race Feb. 23 citing financial difficulties. We can separate rely that exposition is righteous along this that salacity substitution things. U.S. forces put away arrested the leaders of solitary of the deadliest car-bomb-making networks midway Baghdad, a military spokesman said. I mostly criticize lawyers along with judges since their deficient inspire within reach our mortals so I should contemplate it all along they convention accepted mind. Here is an while of a deem stopping someone from doing everything de facto stupid. Think bars Bears powerhouse from making good practicable 'Peyton Manning' confide Sad interpretation of the duration: Offshoot of Downfall Man Refuses to Donate Bone Marrow to Put away His Bustle The sad sample isn't this he salacity anatomy. Everyone dies. No, the sad precedent is he lechery silhouette knowing his branch consideration so little of him that she would not denote to assist him running longer.

Tags: conservative, thompson, candidate, dobson, hunter

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