That's Fit

The U.S. Senate is expected to vote today on a Medicare package that includes a two-year extension on the Special Diabetes Programs.

According to the American Diabetes Association, these programs at the National Institutes of Heath and the Indian Health Service represent a major portion of the government's commitment to find a cure for diabetes. Earlier this week, the House voted 355-59 in support of the bill.

Despite the resounding support, now is not the time to let up on pressure to pass this legislation. Now is the time, however, to let your Senator know prevention of and finding a cure for diabetes should be a financial priority with the federal government for the sake of human health, as well as our ailing economy. Treatment and a cure will cost money, but denying crucial funding would be penny wise and pound foolish. That's my two cents for today.

The American Diabetes Association has put a shout out on the advocacy front and I'm passing it on. According to the announcement, the U.S. House of Representatives is about to consider one of the most important pieces of civil rights legislation for people with diabetes.

A vote on the ADA Amendments Act (formerly called the ADA Restoration Act) could happen as early as today.

This bill makes it clear that when Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, they intended the coverage to protect anyone who faces unfair discrimination because of a disability. The bill confirms for the courts that people should not lose their civil rights protections because they may have a disease that may be manageable with mediation.

It's not too late to send your letter of support to your representative. Please take a moment to do so on behalf of all people with diabetes.

Just when it seemed like things couldn't possibly get any more crazy in this year's election, this past weekend Ralph Nader decided to throw his hat into the ring.

The third-party, independent candidate made his announcement this past Sunday. If he is able to get enough signatures, Nader's name will once again appear on the presidential ballot. What does Nader bring to the table that the other candidate's don't? Well, according to Mr. Nader, there are several things. But, what many people find most intriguing is his proposed "Medicare for All" program.

Whereas all other candidates have not supported single payer health insurance, Nader is a proponent of such a system. On his website, www.votenader.org, he states that he supports a "Canadian style, free choice, Medicare for all health care system."

How do you feel about Mr. Nader's efforts to join the race for the presidency? And, do you think his Medicare for all program is a good idea?

I just overheard some women chatting at lunch today about the "hotness" of Governor Mitt Romney. Will that help him in this election? All of the polls and newscasters are predicting Senator John McCain to win the most delegates today, Super Tuesday. Hmmm. Maybe Mitt's sexiness will help him pull ahead.

I just bring up the question, because the chatty ladies put it in my head. I do agree though, that Romney is a looker. If I were a single lady and he were a single man.......I'd let him take me to lunch. But, that doesn't really sway me. I'm not that type of voter. I actually think extremely highly of both candidates. I do find it funny in fact, that Mitt's looks haven't been a topic.

It makes no sense, but it seems that as health care becomes a bigger and bigger issue in this country some of the people who should care about it the most, the doctors, are voting less and less. A study coming out of Johns Hopkins Medical School looked at different professions and much they participated in voting in presidential elections and found that although not at the very bottom of the list (laborers came in last) doctors are shockingly uninvolved in the political process. 1 in 4 doctors haven't bothered to vote in the last 3 presidential elections.

And guess who came in first, with the best turnout of all? Lawyers, of course.