Chronic pain effects 80% of all seniors over the age of 65 with more than 70% of that group now require prescription meds
for treatment. But the bias and stigma attached to certain medications leads to the under treatment of conditions that greatly affect one's quality of life. In a letter from the Director of Oregon's Department of Human Services Dr Goldberg shows how out of touch the State is with the clients they serve,
Business News Page...
Technology News Page...
National News Page...
Elder Abuse On The Rise Under-reported but growing problem... OR State officials concerned that elder abuse may be a growing problem in Oregon as it is nationally. National studies estimate that over 3 million seniors age 65 and older nationwide have experienced abuse, but only 20% of abuse cases are reported.
Research shows age as a factor in making seniors easier targets...
With new medical research showing that more than a third of Americans over the age of 71 are particularly susceptible to investment swindles and other financial abuse.
You might call it the last running of the old bulls in Congress...
Earmarks... The end of an era of secrecy and unlimited cash flowing from doners with no record of origin. The race is on for what many on capital hill call the end of the secret business that goes on out of sight and mind of the regulators and keeps the special interest groups happy now that they can spend unlimited amounts of cash to secure what ever the clients goal may be and regardless of damage the deal may cause the nation or our workers. American corporations now enjoy all of the rights as a person except the right to be held accountable for the actions of their boards and executive staffs.
Capital News Page...
Narcotic Painkillers May Pose Danger to Elderly Patients, Study Shows... Older patients with arthritis who take narcotic-based drugs to relieve pain face a higher risk of bone fracture, heart attack and death when compared to those taking non-narcotic drugs, according to a government-financed study published Monday.
For Representative Dennis J. Kucinich And The Rest Of The Democrats Who Are At The Mercy Of Republicans, Ready With New Boundaries To Remove Their Rivals Completely.
The political jockeying over how to draw new Congressional districts began in earnest this week after new census data showed almost a dozen seats shifting to the South and West, leaving Republicans poised to build on their gains from November’s midterm elections and forcing several northern Democratic incumbents to begin plotting to save their jobs. Representative Dennis J. Kucinich, a Democrat from Ohio, may lose his seat when Republicans redraw the state’s district in their favor.
Intel is just one of the companies looking at the changing state of health care to create new markets and profit centers. In this issue the Oregon Nation begins an ongoing series of reports on technology, health care and their impact on quality of life issues for todays seniors, the Boomer Nation.
Technology is leaving it's mark on society and forever changing the way we practice medicine in America... By Jeffrey Stevens
Legislature "maxed out" the state's credit limit, but on what?
The majority party took the state credit card on a spin last session, racking up so much debt that State Treasurer Ted Wheeler (D) issued a strong warning against further borrowing on Friday. But what did the state get for all that spending?
“We said it two years ago and we will say it again, borrowing to continue the legislature’s addiction to spending is fiscal mismanagement,” said Senate Republican Leader Ted Ferrioli.
Kitzhaber names four "Budget Team" Group Leaders...
Gov. elect Kitzhaber named four "budget work teams" that will address specific budget-shaping challenges as the governor begins tackling budget questions. Oregon lawmakers must address an expected $3 billion-plus budget deficit during the 2011 session.
The Repeal To Replace? An insurance company whistle blower explains why the most controversial provisions of the law will survive...
Conservatives who voted for congressional candidates because they pledged to repeal and replace the health-care-reform law are in for a rude awakening. Once those newly elected members of Congress have a little talk with the insurance industry's lobbyists and executives, they will back off from that pledge. They will go through the motions, of course. They'll hold hearings and take to the floor of both Houses to rail against the new law, and they'll probably even introduce a bill to repeal it with much fanfare-but it will all be for show. That's because health insurers, one of Republican candidates' biggest and most reliable benefactors-the industry contributed three times as much money to Republicans as to Democrats since January-can't survive without it.
Debt Doomsday: Coming in May 2011...
America's debt ceiling currently stands at $14.3 trillion. This is the level that, by law, the government's debt is not allowed to exceed. Trouble is, the government's present debt has swelled to $13.7 trillion. This means that at the current rate, we're on course to break that $14.3 trillion ceiling around May 2011.
Penny Wise Or Pound Foolish? Oregon Health Authority uses purchasing power on questionable prescription drugs...
The Oregon Health Authority takes another huge step today in saving money for Oregonians. Under a newly negotiated contract with health insurer ODS, the state’s prescription drug program will even more dramatically lower the cost of prescription medications for hundreds of thousands of Oregonians.
The Governor Lays Out The Details For Rebuilding Oregon’s House...
Like all states Oregon is facing a serious fiscal crisis, in our case a projected budget deficit of $3.5 billion, or about 20% of the general fund. But if we look beyond this number we find that our fiscal crisis is being driven by some very disturbing trends. Today the percentage of Oregon tax dollars spent on prisons and the human cost of things like addiction, neglect and abuse is increasing. But the percentage we spend on educating our children and building a better economy is decreasing. And these trends are accelerating.
Feature Page...
Solar power panels for Ms. Ruto's hut in Kiptusuri, Kenya, improves the quality of life for her entire village... Solar power for Ms. Ruto's hut in Kiptusuri, Kenya, means her toddlers no longer risk burns from a smoky kerosene lamp.
A Fair Tax System that Matches Oregon Values...
This tax season, a minimum wage worker who was employed full-time last year and raising one child will pay about $321 in state income taxes. That’s equivalent to the cost of about a month’s worth of food based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Intel confirms it'll invest billions in new Hillsboro plants...
Kulongoski called expansion in Hillsboro "an investment in the citizens of this state." Intel renewed its long relationship with Oregon on Tuesday, unveiling plans for a new research factory that will inject thousands of jobs and billions of dollars into the state's besieged economy.
Oregon's Rural Technology Access and Employment Development Project...
This program evolved from a model Community Public Broadcasting staff and engineers created for a direct mail marketing and outreach campaign. The success of any effort to expand our communication services and broadcast network to rural communities throughout Oregon would depend on CPB knowing everything about the communities we plan to serve and selecting areas based on long term realistic goals.
