513 online
 
Most Popular Choices
Share on Facebook 58 Printer Friendly Page More Sharing Summarizing
OpEdNews Op Eds   

Googling Through the Senate

By       (Page 2 of 2 pages) Become a premium member to see this article and all articles as one long page.   2 comments

Margaret Bassett
Message Margaret Bassett
Become a Fan
  (30 fans)
To give a snapshot of Wyoming's health care landscape, we have only 26 hospitals spread over nearly 100,000 square miles. With vast distances, complex medical cases, and increased demand for technology and advanced medical care, the rural health care delivery system is not a one-size-fits-all system. I have fought, and will continue to fight each and every day, to protect Wyoming's hospitals, providers, and the patients they serve. This is one of my top legislative priorities. That is why I am an active member of the Senate rural health caucus. For decades the caucus has built a reputation of bipartisan and bicameral collaboration and cooperation. Each Congress we come together to design rural and frontier-specific health care legislation. These efforts have produced incredible results.

The Senators mentioned here have one common interest.  They must serve their rural constituents.  Does the Washington Post have a point  about red/blue?  Recalling analyses from the aftermath of 2004's election, I remember the map someone configured.  Essentially blue states meant where they lived close to bodies of water--two oceans and around the Great Lakes.  The vast middle was almost solidly read.  

It's elementary.  Where there were waterways, there was a chance for settlements in Early American history.  As people migrated inland, they were attracted to land for agriculture or mining.  Now, in an attempt to fashion a national health system, we see that the demographic which counts greatly is, "How far is it to the nearest hospital?"  The question is personal with this writer.  My brother was not yet in school when his appendix broke.  The trip to surgery took 35 miles over gravelled roads and another 100 miles by train.  He lives in Casper now and is so glad there are good doctors there.  And being a Senior Citizen, he had little expense for what has happened to him later in life.  

Besides liking Tom Daschle as a gritty Senator, I was sorely disappointed when he was not permitted to become the healthcare czar.  In his book, where he described his last two years in the Senate, he  includes the phrase (His counterpart Trent Lott is given credit for authorship.) to describe the Senate--"like herding cats."   Barrack Obama, a shorttimer in that august body, had his sights set on the former South Dakota Senator.  As it turns out, maybe a governor from a rural state is the next best choice.    

Personally, I believe there will be a public option.  But to make that happen I'll keep an eye on Congress, visiting webpages of those making pronouncements in MSM news, then writing letters to the editors of their hometown papers.  

As a citizen I can do no less.  

Next Page  1  |  2

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).

Rate It | View Ratings

Margaret Bassett Social Media Pages: Facebook page url on login Profile not filled in       Twitter page url on login Profile not filled in       Linkedin page url on login Profile not filled in       Instagram page url on login Profile not filled in

Margaret Bassett passed away August 21, 2011. She was a treasured member of the Opednews.com editorial team for four years.

Margaret Bassett--OEN editor--is an 89-year old, currently living in senior housing, with a lifelong interest in political philosophy. Bachelors from State University of Iowa (1944) and Masters from Roosevelt University (1975) help to unravel important requirements for modern communication. Early introduction to computer science (1966) trumps them. It's payback time. She's been "entitled" so long she hopes to find some good coming off the keyboard into the lives of those who come after her.
Go To Commenting
The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Writers Guidelines

 
Contact AuthorContact Author Contact EditorContact Editor Author PageView Authors' Articles
Support OpEdNews

OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help.

If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership.

STAY IN THE KNOW
If you've enjoyed this, sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter to get lots of great progressive content.
Daily Weekly     OpEd News Newsletter

Name
Email
   (Opens new browser window)
 

Most Popular Articles by this Author:     (View All Most Popular Articles by this Author)

Thank you, Ann Wright and Susan Dixon

Whatever Became of Dick Cheney?

Speaking of the Unspeakable

British Petroleum and Macondo Well

How are you making out?

To View Comments or Join the Conversation:

Tell A Friend