MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'arizona'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:52:03 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4848022&cid=t_102435_113_f&fid=34625&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FNeilVerselsHealthcareItBlog%2F%7E3%2F2dCY8-XWSbI%2F It’s Friday afternoon, and I realize it’s been days since I’ve posted here. (Make sure you catch my posts on EMR and HIPAA every Thursday, including my latest on Dr. Larry Weed and his critiques of current health IT systems.) I think it’s time for a rundown of some interesting developments this week. Weed apparently is not the only one who’s disappointed in the pace of change in healthcare. Dr. Bill Crounse, senior director of worldwide health for Microsoft, was at the World of Health IT conference in Budapest, Hungary, to deliver some scathing remarks at about North American health IT. According to Canadian Healthcare Technology, Crounse called the U.S. and Canada the “worst of the worst in the industrialized world in the use of IT in healthcare.”... Neil Versel's Healthcare IT Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4848022 Fri, 20 May 2011 19:32:13 +0100 4848022 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4803043&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FSwr6hChLi_g%2F By Ilya ShapiroUtah’s done it (great editorial in the WSJ): Passed by the state’s GOP legislature and signed by Republican Governor Gary Herbert in March, Utah’s plan is notable because it’s the first in the country that would allow undocumented immigrants to get a permit and work legally, after paying a fine of up to $2500 and meeting other conditions. The program is part of a larger package that includes increased scrutiny of immigrants who break the law. The compromise allows the state to address the economy’s demand for workers—thus reducing the incentive for illegal immigration—while satisfying voters who don’t want to reward those who arrived illegally. Of course, states can’t just announce their own guest-worker programs — the fed... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4803043 Mon, 09 May 2011 12:51:13 +0100 4803043 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4704620&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F24L-ViQ4CWI%2F By Ilya ShapiroThe legal battle over SB 1070 is far from over, so neither side should cheer or despair. The upshot of the Ninth Circuit’s splintered and highly technical opinion is merely that the district court did not abuse its discretion in enjoining four provisions. The court could not and did not rule on the legislation’s ultimate constitutionality and, of course, SB 1070’s remaining provisions—the ten that weren’t challenged and the two on which Judge Bolton rejected the government’s argument—remain in effect. But the legal machinations are only half the story. While I personally think that all or almost all of the Arizona law is constitutional, at least as written (abuses in application are always possible), it’s bad policy because it harms the state’s economy and ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4704620 Tue, 12 Apr 2011 16:04:59 +0100 4704620 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4704623&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FqcSF7vmhmLw%2F By Andrew J. CoulsonRhee, the former chancellor of DC Public Schools, and Moskowitz, head of a NYC charter school, were asked at an event last week what they thought of the Supreme Court decision upholding  Arizona’s K-12 scholarship donation tax credit program. The program offers a dollar-for-dollar tax cut to anyone who donates to a non-profit Scholarship Tuition Organization (and the STOs then help families pay for private school tuition). Children’s Scholarship Fund president Darla Romfo asked the question, and here’s the answer she received. Michelle Rhee and Eva Moskowitz on School Choice is a post from Cato @ Liberty - Cato Institute Blog (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4704623 Tue, 12 Apr 2011 14:45:15 +0100 4704623 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4684275&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FSsyvt4Ux5TU%2F By Andrew J. CoulsonJustice Kagan's dissent yesterday in the Supreme Court ruling upholding Arizona's education tax credits seems to me so obviously mistaken on both the facts and the law that I feel I must be missing something. I offer my initial analysis briefly below, and if anyone can tell me if/where I'm going wrong, my e-mail address is just a Google away. First, Kagan and her fellow dissenters express dismay at the putative novelty of the majority's distinction between tax credits and government spending. But, more than a decade ago, this very same distinction was acknowledged by the Arizona Supreme Court in Kotternman v. Killian, and that AZ Court ruling itself cites a string of precedents from around the country supporting it. Clearly, the majority's ruling is far from novel, and ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4684275 Tue, 05 Apr 2011 20:42:38 +0100 4684275 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4653315&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FFQQJv3QGBnk%2F By Ilya ShapiroYesterday the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the Arizona matching-public-campaign-funding case, McComish v. Bennett, spearheaded by our friends at the Goldwater Institute and the Institute for Justice. Here's the background:  In 1998, after years of scandals ranging from governors being indicted to legislators taking bribes, Arizona passed the Citizens Clean Elections Act. This law was intended to “clean up” state politics by creating a system for publicly funding campaigns.  Participation in the public funding is not mandatory, however, and those who do not participate are subject to rules that match their “excess” private funds with disbursals to their opponent from the public fund. In short, if a privately funded candidate spends more than his publicly f... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4653315 Tue, 29 Mar 2011 14:26:45 +0100 4653315 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4545255&cid=t_102435_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fj7-yb8Q-oVg%2F Rise and shine, everyone, another shiny day is on the way. What lies in store? Meetings and deadlines, no doubt, and we relate. To cope, we are brewing our mandatory cup of stimulation and invite you to join us. Meanwhile, we will pause to hustle one of the short people off to the local schoolhouse. So here are a few tidbits. Also, please note that we posted some items last night, but placed them above our morning greeting in the event some people did not see them. Have a great day and stay in touch… Traditional Drug Discovery Model Is Ripe For Reform (Nature) McKesson Fights $212M Pricing Fine Levied By Arizona (Courthouse News) Lilly To Outsource Bioanalytical Work (Pharma Times) Eisai To Cut 900 Jobs Over Five Years (Bloomberg News) Panel Told No Guarantees Against Unethical Resea... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4545255 Thu, 03 Mar 2011 12:00:30 +0100 4545255 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4411680&cid=t_102435_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2011%2F01%2F27%2Frep-gabrielle-giffords-the-state-of-the-union-and-the-empty-chair%2F Gabrielle Giffords My new post on Politics Daily / Woman Up. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, the State of the Union, and the Empty Chair. On display during the State of the Union speech was the vacant chair that would have been occupied by Ariz. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who could not attend because she was in a Houston hospital recovering from a bullet wound to the head. Recuperation could take as long as a year. The empty chair got to everyone, myself included. What got to me even more was the photograph of her husband, Mark Kelly, holding her hand in the hospital as the couple watched the speech on television. I could imagine what might be on the left side of that cropped photo. Nine years ago I lay in a hospital bed with a diagnosis of stage III ovarian cancer. Not the same kind of debilitatio... Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4411680 Fri, 28 Jan 2011 04:55:17 +0100 4411680 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4372194&cid=t_102435_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FJPHnQVJjY4k%2F The Arizona shootings on January 8 have put sharp focus on mental health; these are just some of the issues surfacing in light of the tragic event: Arizona Shooting Inspires New Kind of First Aid – The recent shootings in Tuscon have sparked interest in “mental health first aid” courses, to learn how to identify and assist individuals with mental illnesses. (Washington Post) Mental Health Warning Signs – In hindsight, Arizona shooter Jared Loughner was mentally unstable; here are six warning signs someone you know could suffer serious mental health issues. (TIME) Social Media Desensitizes Disaster Response – Online interactions and social media messages aren’t taken as seriously, in law and in life, but should they be? (Psychology Today) Changing Your Own Outlook �... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4372194 Wed, 19 Jan 2011 14:00:27 +0100 4372194 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4343201&cid=t_102435_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F01%2F13%2Fjared-loughner-an-example-of-our-broken-mental-health-system%2F Jared Loughner, the accused shooter in the Tuscon, Arizona murders of 6 people and dozens of others wounded — including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords — apparently had some issues. What exactly those “issues” were, we may not know until he is properly examined by a mental health professional. But his YouTube videos, combined with descriptions of the last few months of his life, suggests something serious was going on. I won’t play armchair psychologist here and make a diagnosis from afar. I think it’s a bit irresponsible when Kate Pickert and John Cloud writing over at TIME, suggest that among the 6 warning signs of mental illness, it includes things like smoking marijuana (sorry, this is not a sign of mental illness!), had five contacts with campus po... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4343201 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 17:12:30 +0100 4343201 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4343129&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fglaucoma-testing-through-the-eyelid%2F2011.01.13 Intraocular pressure is usually measured by applying a force on the cornea using a tonometer. Although sufficiently accurate, tonometers are only used in ophthalmologist offices and so don’t measure intra-day pressures. They also fail with people post cataract surgery that have a thicker cornea. Researchers at University of Arizona have developed a new device that measures intraocular pressure through the eyelid. From the University of Arizona College of Engineering: The self-test instrument has been designed in Eniko Enikov’s lab at the UA College of Engineering. Gone are the eye drops and need for a sterilized sensor. In their place is an easy-to-use probe that gently rubs the eyelid and can be used at home. “You simply close your eye and rub the eyelid like you might c... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4343129 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 16:00:03 +0100 4343129 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4343112&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F9tQhjWMDZi0%2F By Roger PilonToday POLITICO Arena asks: Post-Tucson will campaign trail rhetoric change in any discernible way? Should it change? What phrases or words should be considered out of bounds? Or is that approach a way of silencing legitimate criticism of political candidates? My response: Post-Tucson campaign trail rhetoric won’t change because, as Charles Krauthammer put it brilliantly in yesterday’s Washington Post, fighting and warfare are routine political metaphors for obvious reasons: “Historically speaking, all democratic politics is a sublimation of the ancient route to power — military conquest. That’s why the language persists,” why we speak of “battleground states” or “targeting” opponents. That doesn’t mean that no charge is “out of bounds.” It�... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4343112 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 15:42:55 +0100 4343112 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4338215&cid=t_102435_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2011%2F01%2F12%2Fthe-right-tones-down-the-rhetoric%2F New cartoon by Trussell & Trussell on Politics Daily. The Right Tones Down the Rhetoric. The medium is the meringue. Filed under: Politics Tagged: arizona shooting, fox news, Media, robert donna trussell, talk radio, tea party (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4338215 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 05:03:50 +0100 4338215 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4331056&cid=t_102435_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F01%2F11%2Fthe-arizona-shootings-a-recurrent-american-tragedy%2F For many of us in the mental health field, the January 8 shooting in Tucson, Arizona was like a darker version of the movie, “Groundhog Day.” Surely we had seen this all before: the “senseless, horrific attack” on innocent persons; the “mentally disturbed young man” charged with murder; the ever-recurring polemical arguments between supporters and opponents of gun control. While the facts are still unfolding, and the accused shooter’s motivations — Jared Lee Loughner — still unclear, the murders in Arizona have once again raised a number of troubling questions: what if any link is there between violence and mental illness? Which problems in our health care system may contribute to untreated or inadequately treated mental illness? How should we balance civil libert... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4331056 Tue, 11 Jan 2011 11:25:52 +0100 4331056 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4330949&cid=t_102435_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fgabrielle-giffords-trauma-surgeon-dr-peter-rhee-experienced-combat-surgeon%2F University of Arizona trauma surgeon is a highly experienced combat surgeon who treated hundreds of gunshot wounds while serving two tours of duty for the US Navy in Iraq and Afghanistan. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4330949 Tue, 11 Jan 2011 04:20:53 +0100 4330949 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4330998&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F69gsw3BvO6Q%2F By Jason KuznickiRadley Balko writes: [I]t’s worth remembering that the government initiates violence against its own citizens every day in this country, citizens who pose no threat or harm to anyone else. The particular policy that leads to the sort of violence… is supported by nearly all of the politicians and pundits decrying anti-government rhetoric on the news channels this morning. (It’s also supported by Sarah Palin, many Tea Party leaders, and other figures on the right that politicians and pundits are shaming this weekend.) I hope Rep. Giffords—and everyone wounded yesterday—makes a full recovery. It’s particularly tragic that she was shot while doing exactly what we want elected officials to do—she was making herself available to the people she serves. And of course... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4330998 Mon, 10 Jan 2011 17:16:11 +0100 4330998 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4327040&cid=t_102435_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F09%2Ftheres-enough-insanity-to-go-around%2F Even some of my best friends…can be described as having, at least, a nodding acquaintance with mental illness. While, as far as I know, a police check would not flag me as mentally ill, I probably owe that more to the fact that my only direct personal contact with police has been cordial and no [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4327040 Sun, 09 Jan 2011 21:21:13 +0100 4327040 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4327048&cid=t_102435_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2011%2F01%2F09%2Fchristina-taylor-greene-september-11-2001-january-8-2011%2F My new post on Politics Daily / Woman Up. Christina Taylor Green, September 11, 2001 – January 8, 2011. Christina Taylor Green Christina Taylor Green was born on September 11, 2001. She died in another public display of violence on January 8, 2011. She was shot in Tucson, along with 18 other people, including Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Five victims died at the scene. Of the six fatalities, only Christina died at the hospital. Her uncle Greg Segalini said she took a bullet in the chest… Read the rest on Politics Daily. Christina Taylor Green, September 11, 2001 – January 8, 2011. Filed under: Politics Tagged: arizona, christina taylor green, gabrielle giffords, greene, shooting, tucson (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4327048 Sun, 09 Jan 2011 16:45:41 +0100 4327048 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4327041&cid=t_102435_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F08%2Fsarah-palin-incites-stupidity-why-not-worse%2F “If a Muslim put a map on web w/crosshairs on 20 pols, then 1 of them got shot, where would he b sitting right now? Just asking.” (tweet from Michael Moore) I have nothing but best wishes for the victims and families of today’s gun madness in Tucson. Speaking from family experience, the first brain [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4327041 Sun, 09 Jan 2011 02:39:20 +0100 4327041 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4324780&cid=t_102435_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fprominent-hand-transplant-surgeon-dr-warren-breidenbach-accepts-position-arizona%2F Dr. Warren Breidenbach has accepted a position at the University of Arizona and will be leaving Jewish Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky. Breidenbach has performed hand transplants on six patients in the last thirteen years, including a double hand transplant on Dr. Rich Edwards. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4324780 Sat, 08 Jan 2011 18:46:22 +0100 4324780 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4253136&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Frationed-care-denied-treatment-and-%25e2%2580%259cdeath-panels%2F2010.12.13 One of the canards slung at the Affordable Care Act is that it creates “death panels” that would allow the government to deny patients lifesaving treatments, even though two independent and non-partisan fact-checking organizations found it would do no such thing. I don’t bring this up now to rehash the debate, but because the New York Times had a recent story on Arizona’s decision to deny certain transplants to Medicaid enrollees — “death by budget cuts” in the words of reporter Marc Lacey. His story profiles several patients who died when they were unable to raise money on their own to fund a transplant. Lacey quotes a physician expert on transplants who flatly states: “There’s no doubt that people aren’t going to make it because of this decision.” Arizona Medic... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4253136 Mon, 13 Dec 2010 15:00:00 +0100 4253136 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4237869&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FxX0pzhYgrJs%2F By Tad DeHavenIn-coming House Speaker John Boehner’s endorsement of Rep. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) for a seat on the chamber’s appropriations committee means that it’s probably a done deal. Flake is one of the few policymakers who actually lives up to the fiscal conservative label. Thus, Flake’s appointment to a committee that many members think only exists to increase spending on special interests would be welcome news. Boehner also endorsed a suggestion from Rep. Jeff Kingston (R-GA), who has mounted a dark-horse campaign to chair the appropriations committee, to create a subcommittee focused on investigating federal programs. Flake would chair this subcommittee, and according to a release on his website, he has already lined up worthy targets like Head Start and farm subsidies. How much... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4237869 Tue, 07 Dec 2010 20:47:18 +0100 4237869 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4190150&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-rationing-of-healthcare%2F2010.11.22 Do you recall the severe rationing of food and water the Chilean miners had to endure to survive? The rationing was done to stretch their limited resources. I would argue the state of Arizona’s new policy to not cover organ transplants for patients on Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) or their version of Medicaid is a similar form of rationing. AHCCCS, as many Medicaid programs, is underfunded. They are trying to operate on a limited budget. Something has to give. Sadly in this case, many (NPR reports 98) had already been granted approval for organ transplants which they may not receive. Francisco Felix, 32, who due to hepatitis-C needs a liver transplant, is reported to have made it to the operating room, prepped and ready for his life-saving liver transplant when d... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4190150 Mon, 22 Nov 2010 21:00:00 +0100 4190150 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4186881&cid=t_102435_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F11%2Farizona-begins-rationing-care-medicaid-patients-denying-coverage-transplants%2F Arizona’s Medicaid program has begun denying coverage for patients who need some types of heart and bone marrow transplants, lung transplants, pancreatic transplants, and liver transplants for patients with hepatitis C. Heart transplant waiting list patient Randy Shepherd tells his story when the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System told him he was being placed on the inactive list until he could raise the funds to pay for his own transplant. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4186881 Sat, 20 Nov 2010 01:33:48 +0100 4186881 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4065617&cid=t_102435_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F8k65uV-jRqU%2F Good morning, folks, and nice to see you again. This will be an unusual day for us, however, as we are being forced to vacate the Pharmalot corporate campus and schlep to the local courthouse for jury duty. So please excuse any absences. We hope to back as soon as justice is served. Meanwhile, here are some interesting tidbits. Hope your day goes well and see you soon… Pfizer Depression Drug Is Ineffective And Harmful (Reuters) Roche To Add 500 Jobs In Arizona (Arizona Daily Star) Titan Implantable Addiction Drug Beat Placebo (Bloomberg News) FDA Approves Alkermes Drug To Fight Opiate Addiction (CNN) Viagra TV Ad Schedule Is Published Online (Hollywood Reporter) Ipsen CEO Leaves Over Strategic Differences (PharmaTimes) Vaccine Liability And The Supreme Court (Pharmalot) Synosia Inks ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4065617 Wed, 13 Oct 2010 10:50:11 +0100 4065617 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4027151&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FVxq4Zjb-mkk%2F By Ilya ShapiroToday is the first Monday in October, the traditional start of the Supreme Court term.  While we have yet to see as many blockbuster constitutional cases on the docket as we did last term—which, despite the high profile 5-4 splits in McDonald v. Chicago and Citizens United actually produced fewer dissents than any in recent memory—we do look forward to: Two big free speech challenges, one over a statute prohibiting the sale of violent video games to minors, another the offensive protesting of a fallen soldier’s funeral; An Establishment Clause lawsuit against Arizona’s tax credit for private tuition funds (an alternative to educational voucher programs); Regulatory federalism (or “preemption”) cases involving: safety standards for seatbelts; an Arizona statute... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4027151 Mon, 04 Oct 2010 11:06:21 +0100 4027151 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3980814&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F_Ka9_i5F_44%2F By Ilya ShapiroIn 1998, after years of scandals ranging from governors being indicted to legislators taking bribes, Arizona passed the Citizens Clean Elections Act. This law was intended to “clean up” state politics by creating a system for publicly funding campaigns. Participation in the public funding is not mandatory, however, and those who do not participate are subject to rules that match their “excess” private funds with disbursals to their opponent from the public fund. In short, if a privately funded candidate spends more than his publicly funded opponent, then the publicly funded candidate receives public “matching funds.” Whatever the motivations behind the law, the effects have been to significantly chill political speech. Indeed, ample eviden... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3980814 Fri, 17 Sep 2010 15:49:35 +0100 3980814 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3880838&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FpvmkwTu3nsw%2F It is a premise of national identification policy that requiring proof of lawful presence to get an ID, then requiring the use of that ID for many essential functions of life, would make it more difficult to be an illegal immigrant in the United States. The natural result of having a national ID and routine identity checks would be suppression of illegal immigration. The premise is undoubtedly true. The question is how much influence it would have on illegal immigrants’ decision whether to come to, or remain in, this country. And how much it would cause illegal immigrants to take other steps, such as avoidance of ID checks? A recent article in the Arizona Republic illustrates that leaving the country isn’t the obvious step for illegal immigrants faced with the lawful presence r... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3880838 Tue, 17 Aug 2010 14:37:56 +0100 3880838 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3808822&cid=t_102435_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2010%2F08%2F02%2Farizona-mexico-border-2020%2F New cartoon by Trussell & Trussell on Politics Daily. Arizona-Mexico Border, 2020. Filed under: Politics Daily Tagged: arizona, border, comics, humor, illegal immigrants, immigration, mexico, political cartoon (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3808822 Mon, 02 Aug 2010 07:51:37 +0100 3808822 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790665&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fmaternity-line-at-forever-21-tacky-or-tasteful%2F Forever 21, the clothing shop known for its stylish, cheap, and arguably disposable clothing aimed at the 21-and-under set is introducing a new maternity line, “Love 21″. They’ll be launching it in five states – Texas, Utah, Alaska, Arizona and California. Hmmn. Though Forever 21 reps claim that the store locations are random, these states just happen to be the states with the highest teen pregnancy rates. We suppose it’s their right to sell clothing for moms-to-be, but we’re not so sure we believe that their locations are pure coincidence. What do you think – is it tacky or tasteful to market trendy clothing to teen moms? Photo from Eco Salon Via Eco Salon Post from: BlissTree Maternity Line at Forever 21: Tacky or Tasteful? (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790665 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 22:12:04 +0100 3790665 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3784242&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FTRRXlgKNm7U%2F By Tim LynchCato hosted a forum the other day about immigration policy and the controversial Arizona law that will be going into effect on July 29.   Dan Griswold made the case for comprehensive immigration reform while I offered a critique of the Arizona law.  Mark Krikorian from the Center for Immigration Studies was invited to offer a contrary perspective, which is the type of event we like to host — where a civil exchange of views can take place.  Mr. Krikorian is continuing the debate now on his blog.  Since his blog post takes a shot at my remarks, I’ll offer a rejoinder here. By way of background, there are at least four problems with Arizona’s move to involve local police in immigration law enforcement.  First, crime victims will be more reluctant to call ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3784242 Fri, 23 Jul 2010 17:28:31 +0100 3784242 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3733067&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fcneq2LZfkO0%2F By Tim LynchYesterday, the Obama administration filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Arizona’s recently enacted law that is designed to curb illegal immigration. The Arizona law has not yet taken effect — that will occur on July 29.  To generate more discussion and debate, Cato will be hosting a policy forum on the legal challenge and related issues on July 21.  If the weather in DC continues to cooperate, it will feel like we are actually in Arizona. Go here for Cato work related to immigration policy. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3733067 Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:55:20 +0100 3733067 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3699460&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fwash-your-reusable-bags-duh-of-the-day%2F A study at the University of Arizona tested 84 reusable bags, and found that half of them were contaminated with bacteria. Researchers recommend washing your bags, especially if you use them to transport raw meat. Yes…insightful advice that we’d hope most of our readers don’t need. Maybe the researchers should have added, “If a raw egg cracks in your reusable bag, wash it.” It’s hard to imagine an adult that wouldn’t get this. Let’s just peg the 42 bacteria laden-bags on well-meaning but clueless University of Arizona freshman. via USA Today Post from: BlissTree Wash Your Reusable Bags: Duh of the Day (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3699460 Fri, 25 Jun 2010 19:35:58 +0100 3699460 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3695567&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fusing-ultrasound-to-zap-the-brain-back-into-action%2F2010.06.24 Scientists at Arizona State University have developed a new method of non-surgical brain stimulation using pulsed ultrasound that enhances cognitive function in mice, and may one day be used to non-invasively treat patients with mental retardation, Alzheimer’s disease and other central nervous system (CNS) dysfunctions. In intact motor cortex in mice, ultrasound was found to stimulate action potentials and elicit motor responses comparable to those only previously achieved with implanted electrodes and related techniques. It also activates meaningful brain wave patterns and the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus — one of the most potent regulators of brain plasticity. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Medgad... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3695567 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 22:00:01 +0100 3695567 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3679750&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FXsYCxScVoto%2F By David BoazDespite the claims of immigration opponents such as Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, the rate of violent crime at the border and across Arizona has been dropping in the past few years, the New York Times reports — a fact you could have read here at Cato@Liberty back on April 27 and May 25. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3679750 Sun, 20 Jun 2010 18:44:27 +0100 3679750 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3603576&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F-kewZWjtEQY%2F By Andrew J. CoulsonNRO editor Robert VerBruggen has weighed in a couple of times this week on the relative merits of school vouchers and education tax credits, raising interesting and important issues. In response to my earlier post today about an education tax credit case now before the U.S. Supreme Court, VerBruggen writes: If the Supreme Court buys this logic — which I suppose is sound on its face — it could lead to some very interesting programs. Any time it’s illegal for a government to fund something directly, it could simply make a dollar-for-dollar “tax credit” program for it, allowing sympathetic taxpayers to technically “donate” — but actually just redirect the taxes they’d otherwise have to pay — to the cause. This is actually an argument presented by critic... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3603576 Wed, 26 May 2010 19:15:06 +0100 3603576 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3603580&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FSQVG8IcVhbk%2F By Andrew J. CoulsonAn otherwise very good story in the Arizona Republic today begins badly: The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday agreed to review the constitutionality of an Arizona program that diverts state tax revenue into private-school scholarships. Here’s the thing: it doesn’t do that. No state tax revenue is used in Arizona’s program, which offers a tax cut (a.k.a. “credit”) to folks who donate to non-profit k-12 tuition assistance organizations. Those non-profits then subsidize private school tuition for families seeking financial help. Back in 1999, the Arizona Supreme Court made all this clear. Those who were trying to kill the program (at the time, the “petitioners”) claimed that the donated funds were “public money.” The Court... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3603580 Wed, 26 May 2010 15:56:35 +0100 3603580 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3599356&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FUpDZAjH541U%2F By Ilya ShapiroSince I provided my legal analysis of the new Arizona immigration law, I’ve become aware of a few interesting developments in that regard. First, it seems that I wasn’t working off the latest version of the bill — which I should add is awfully hard to find.  Indeed, perhaps we should excuse Attorney General Eric Holder and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano for not having read it; both the Arizona Senate’s website for SB 1070, and the Arizona House’s website for the amending legislation, HB 2162, list several different versions under their “Bill Versions” tabs that do not match the bills in the other.  As someone who typically plays in the federal sandbox, if someone can direct me to a verified true copy of the final operative bil... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3599356 Wed, 26 May 2010 12:51:36 +0100 3599356 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3599360&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FI4cGYzwK-YM%2F By Daniel GriswoldFBI crime figures reported in today’s Wall Street Journal challenge the perception that illegal immigrants have unleashed a crime wave in Arizona. One of the clinching arguments for Arizona’s tough new law aimed at illegal immigration has been the perception in that state that crime has been rising, and that undocumented workers are largely to blame. Yet the Journal reports that the incidence of violent crime in Phoenix last year plunged 16.6 percent compared to 2008, a rate of decline that was three times the national average. According to the Phoenix Police Department, the downward trend in crime has continued into 2010 even as the “illegal immigrant crime wave” story reverberates on cable TV and talk radio. As the Journal story reports: In Phoenix, police spoke... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3599360 Tue, 25 May 2010 16:22:20 +0100 3599360 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3595573&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FMKP8c2RUNw0%2F By Ilya ShapiroAs Andrew Coulson noted, the Supreme Court has agreed to hear Arizona Christian School Tuition Organization v. Winn, the education tax credit case whose cert petition Cato supported with an amicus brief.  So we didn’t get the summary reversal we optimistically hoped for but I’m confident that this means only that the Ninth Circuit’s reversal will have to wait 8-10 months.  Congratulations to Tim Keller, Dick Komer, and our friends at the Institute for Justice, which successfully litigated the Zelman v. Simmons-Harris case that is the pro-school choice precedent the Ninth Circuit so blithely ignored here.  I should note that ours was one of only three amicus briefs filed in this case, and studies have shown that the first few such briefs increase cha... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3595573 Mon, 24 May 2010 16:20:58 +0100 3595573 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3592195&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FIOLx3_kybto%2F By Andrew J. CoulsonThe SCOTUS Blog reports this morning that the United States Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal of the Ninth Circuit’s ruling in the Arizona k-12 scholarship tax credit case. This is great news, and paves the way for the Court to ultimately overturn the 9th Circuit’s credulity-straining legal misadventure. For the details, see the Cato brief in this case, which was joined by the American Federation for Children and Foundation for Educational Choice. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3592195 Mon, 24 May 2010 14:22:52 +0100 3592195 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3592198&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FWL-7FvrU19k%2F By Ilya ShapiroI’m a bit late to the immigration party — in part because I’ve been traveling on my Obamacare debate tour and in part because the Kagan Supreme Court nomination and end-of-term Supreme Court decisions have sucked away all my time.  Still, I do have a few things to add beyond Dan Griswold’s excellent points about what real immigration reform would look like and why Arizona’s new law, love it or hate it, at least has the benefit of raising the need for such fundamental reform into the national political discussion.  (Jeffrey Miron also offers some sensible suggestions, and Roger Pilon points out that doing nothing is simply not tenable as a matter of policy or politics.) First, the Arizona law — which I’ve actually read, unl... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3592198 Mon, 24 May 2010 11:48:31 +0100 3592198 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3585586&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fy4Y0jQ9JsD4%2F By Tim LynchMexican President Felipe Calderon comes to the United States and registers his objection to the recently enacted law in Arizona during a press conference and in a few sentences in an address to Congress. Bill Bennett calls Calderon’s actions a “catastrophe.” Neoconservatives like Bennett do not see the drug war and the Iraq war policies as catastrophes. Enough said. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3585586 Fri, 21 May 2010 15:10:56 +0100 3585586 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3581595&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FUFFBFxXOuno%2F By Andrew J. CoulsonThe Supreme Court is expected to decide tomorrow whether to summarily overturn a Ninth Circuit Court ruling, hear an appeal of that ruling, or let the Ninth Circuit’s decision stand. The case involves Arizona’s k-12 scholarship tax credit program that helps families afford private schooling, which the Ninth Circuit found last year to violate the First Amendment. Before the Ninth Circuit handed down its decision, I predicted that it would rule against the tax credit program, and that it would eventually be overturned by the Supreme Court. The first part of that prediction came to pass, and I still expect the second part to as well. For the reasons why SCOTUS will overturn the Ninth Circuit, see Cato’s brief in the case.  Ilya Shapiro (with whom I... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3581595 Wed, 19 May 2010 18:17:32 +0100 3581595 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3581598&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FJqoFb0obcIs%2F By Ilya ShapiroFriend-of-Cato and 2010 Milton Friedman Prize Dinner keynote speaker George Will published an excellent column today about a case under review at the Supreme Court, Arizona Christian School Tuition Organization v. Winn: The case concerns an Arizona school choice program that has been serving low- and middle-income families for 13 years. The state grants a tax credit to individuals who donate to nonprofit entities that award scholarships for children to attend private schools — including religious schools. Yes, here we go again. The question — if a question that has been redundantly answered remains a real question — is whether this violates the First Amendment proscription of any measure amounting to government “establishment of religion.” The i... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3581598 Wed, 19 May 2010 15:56:13 +0100 3581598 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3567886&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2F10-best-posts-on-thegloss-last-week%2F photo: Patricia Schlein/WENN.com Here are ten of our favorite posts from last week on our chic sister site, TheGloss. Click and enjoy. 1. The “Philosophy” of Overspending on Beauty Products 2. 11 Supremely Awesome Things for Under $10 3. If You Want to Boycott Arizona, You Need to Boycott Dial, Coldstone Creamery, and U-Haul 4. Derek Warburton on Growing Up Homeless – And Working With Bottomless Closet Now 5. Do You Want to Date Hot Men Reading Books? 6. Beauty Treatments of the Damned: The Derma Roller 7. Why I (Really, Seriously, Truly) Hate Carrie Bradshaw 8. Is This Hamburger Dress Hilarious or Horrible? 9. Catholics Divorcing So Fast They Decided to Throw a Fair 10. Eau Is Me: My Favorite Scents for 2010 Post from: BlissTree 10 Best Posts on TheGloss Last Week (Source: B... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3567886 Sun, 16 May 2010 15:13:59 +0100 3567886 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3529769&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F0c_auXdTqak%2F By Daniel GriswoldIn a gutsy display for a newspaper, the Arizona Republic in a front-page editorial yesterday castigated the state’s top politicians for a failure of leadership on immigration. Prompting the editorial was the passage of Arizona’s tough new law making it a crime to be an illegal immigrant in the state. Under the banner headline, “STOP FAILING ARIZONA; START FIXING IMMIGRATION,” the state’s major newspaper fired with both barrels: We need leaders. The federal government is abdicating its duty on the border. Arizona politicians are pandering to public fear. The result is a state law that intimidates Latinos while doing nothing to curb illegal immigration. This represents years of failure. Years of politicians taking the easy way and allowing the debate to descend in... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3529769 Mon, 03 May 2010 19:51:02 +0100 3529769 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3529984&cid=t_102435_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2010%2F05%2F03%2Fusa-to-mexico-the-grass-is-always-greener%2F New cartoon by Trussell & Trussell on AOL’s Politics Daily. USA to Mexico: The Grass Is Always Greener. Filed under: Politics Daily Tagged: arizona, border, chaos theory, illegal immigrants, immigration, mexico, papers please, political cartoon (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3529984 Mon, 03 May 2010 17:01:56 +0100 3529984 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3508169&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FjzR2S_zYOqU%2F By Daniel GriswoldArizona’s harsh new law against illegal immigration is being justified in part as a measure to combat crime. The murder of an Arizona rancher in March, allegedly by somebody in the country without documentation, galvanized support for the bill. The death of the rancher was a tragedy, and drug-related violence along the border is a real problem, but it is a smear to blame low-skilled immigrant workers from Latin America for creating a crime problem in Arizona. The crime rate in Arizona in 2008 was the lowest it has been in four decades. In the past decade, as the number of illegal immigrants in the state grew rapidly, the violent crime rate dropped by 23 percent, the property crime rate by 28 percent. (You can check out the DoJ figures here.) Census data show that immigr... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3508169 Tue, 27 Apr 2010 15:38:47 +0100 3508169 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3505099&cid=t_102435_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2010%2F04%2F25%2Fimmigration-arizona-cracks-down-what-if-theyre-wrong%2F My new post on Politics Daily / Woman Up. Immigration: Arizona Cracks Down (What If They’re Wrong?) In memory of the women of Juarez who disappeared. As a native Texan who grew up around immigrants and believes they are the hope of our country, I’m appalled by this law. I understand the frustration of Arizonans, but as a nation we need to recognize the war taking place on our southern border. We can’t “wish away” organized crime. America had it in the 1930s, and Mexico has it now. It’s real, it’s powerful, and innocent people are rightfully terrified. America likes to think of itself as a civilized and generous nation. If that’s what we are, we should give Mexicans a legal way to immigrate quickly in massive numbers — with federal help to ... Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3505099 Sun, 25 Apr 2010 21:26:19 +0100 3505099 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3499059&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F4neGF9UCGYE%2F By Jim HarperThe Arizona legislature recently sent Senate Bill 1070 to the governor. According to this summary from the Arizona legislature, the bill would require Arizona officials and agencies to determine the immigration status of any person with whom they have “lawful contact” where reasonable suspicion exists regarding the immigration status of the person. Any person arrested in Arizona would also have to have their immigration status established and verified with the federal government before they were released. The documents that can be used to prove legal immigration status under the bill include a valid Arizona driver license, a valid Arizona nonoperating identification license, a valid tribal enrollment card or other tribal identification, or a valid federal-, state- ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3499059 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 17:46:24 +0100 3499059 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3395111&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FvGl1dTTGmxk%2F By Ilya ShapiroArizona grants income tax credits for contributions made to school tuition organizations (“STO”).  These STOs must these donations for scholarships that allow students to attend private schools.  This statutory scheme broadens the educational opportunities for thousands of students by enabling them to attend schools they would otherwise lack the means to attend.  The Ninth Circuit held that the tax credit program violated the Establishment Clause because many of the STOs — as it happens, a decreasing majority — provide scholarships for students to attend parochial schools.  Counsel for the defendants, including the Institute for Justice, asked the Supreme Court to review the case — and indeed to summarily reverse the Ninth Circuit, based in part on ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3395111 Mon, 22 Mar 2010 20:17:18 +0100 3395111 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3395268&cid=t_102435_123_f&fid=39041&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrnabong.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fnew-car-seat-recommendations.html The newest recommendation by the American Academy of Pediatrics is that the infant needs to be rear-facing in a car seat till they turn 2 years of age. Multiple studies have shown that infants survive the accident better with less injuries facing backwards than forwards.birth to 2 years of age up to 35 lbs rear-facing (get a rear-facing convertible seat for children up to 35 pounds)over 2 year of age forward facing car-seat with a harnessunder 4 feet 9 inches tall booster seatover 4 feet 9 inches tall-safety belt in the back seatAll children under the age of 13 years old should ride in the back seatWhat is the Arizona law?The Arizona Child Passenger Restraint Law says that children under 5 years of age need to be in a child passenger restraint device when in a moving vehicle.As you can... Dr Nabong's Pediatric Blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3395268 Mon, 22 Mar 2010 16:57:00 +0100 3395268 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3382912&cid=t_102435_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fstates-need-build-independent-consent-tools-hie A disturbing new trend is emerging when Americans find out that bio-data is being used for purposes they never agreed to: Lawsuits are being filed against state agencies and state universities when residents find out that sensitive health information is used in ways they never expected or gave permission for. Two examples: 1) the Texas agency that oversees the Newborn Bloodspot program was sued for using spots without consent. 2) the Arizona Havasupai Indian tribe sued ASU for using biosamples for research without consent. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3382912 Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:54:08 +0100 3382912 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3339773&cid=t_102435_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F06%2Fdietary-factors-influence-ovarian-cancer-survival-rates%2F University of Illinois at Chicago researchers identify relationship between healthy eating and prolonged ovarian cancer survival A study published in the March 2010 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association (JADA), is among the first to evaluate possible diet associations with ovarian cancer survival. Researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) determined [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3339773 Sat, 06 Mar 2010 23:52:34 +0100 3339773 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3236087&cid=t_102435_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F3FjQqgs_Rcw%2F Arizona is moving closer to excluding federally regulated research facilities from animal cruelty laws after a state Senate committee voted 4-to-3 in favor of a bill that would provide an exemption. The bill, 1159, would exclude both animal toxicology assessment and scientific experimentation, The Arizona Republic notes. You may recall that Covance, the big contract research organization, opened a facility in Arizona amid vociferous protest from animal rights groups (background). And Stephanie Nichols-Young, president of the Animal Defense League of Arizona, says Covance is lobbying in support of the bill. “Covance is new to our community and very different from the labs that have been in our state for decades,” she tells the paper. “Why would you give up this right for a... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3236087 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:41:34 +0100 3236087 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124517&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FIDxEvKmTmwA%2F By Ilya ShapiroThe point of our internship program is, of course, to spread the ideas of liberty in all the various realms of human endeavor these young people go on to pursue.  Well, it seems that one former Cato intern has gotten himself hired as the policy director to a congressional candidate who’s talking a good game with respect to limited government, bringing fiscal conservatism to the Republican Party, etc.  Adam Kwasman, who went on to study economics and law at George Mason University, worked for my boss, Roger Pilon, at our Center for Constitutional Studies several years ago, before I came to Cato.  I’ve gotten to know Adam socially and was intrigued to hear that he’s now working for Jesse Kelly, a young (thirty-something) Marine combat veteran and busine... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124517 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:20:45 +0100 3124517 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3075721&cid=t_102435_134_f&fid=35193&url=http%3A%2F%2Fannetics.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fironman-arizona-diabetes-details.html I thought I would give a description of diabetes-related details for Ironman Arizona for those who may be interested. This is not necessarily the best approach for anyone else or even myself, but is what I have been trying as of late. My strategy in training for past long triathlon events has been to do a lot of record-keeping, especially around key workouts that simulate aspects of the race. This time, for whatever reason, I didn't have the time or energy to be as diligent about that. Also, I was trying to cut back on calories during workouts, so it was a little harder to compare with race day. And furthermore, I really wasn't able to do any long runs so it was hard to simulate the conditions for the marathon.On Saturday, I pre-programmed my pump for the race the next day, based on my pre... Annetics blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3075721 Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:16:00 +0100 3075721 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3063430&cid=t_102435_134_f&fid=35193&url=http%3A%2F%2Fannetics.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Ftriabetes-and-ironman-arizona-2009-part.html Date: November 22, 2009, 7 AMRace: Ironman Arizona, Tempe, Arizona (2.4 mi swim, 112 bike, 26.2 run)Weather: cool, ~50 at the start to mid-70s during the day to cool again by the end.Teammates present: 15 teammates from Triabetes, a bunch of guys & gals from Team Pacific Bicycle and a whole host of Triabetes friends & familyGoals: to keep focused on finishing and enjoying celebrating the day; to stay comfortable during the swim and bike and to allow myself time as needed in transition; to manage IT band injury so I could finish without causing long-term consequences.Some races are about shooting for a new personal record (PR) or placing well; others are about making it to the starting line and doing one's best to finish. This race would be the latter.Before the StartSince I arrived... Annetics blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3063430 Mon, 07 Dec 2009 05:29:00 +0100 3063430 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3044955&cid=t_102435_134_f&fid=35193&url=http%3A%2F%2Fannetics.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Ftriabetes-ironman-arizona-2009-part-1.html I guess it was really when I bought some Ironman Arizona socks and a commemorative T-shirt that I knew I would do what I could to finish. But what erased that lingering doubt was meeting up with my Triabuddy Elisa, and then watching the documentary premiere in a theater overflowing with the many friends and supporters of Triabetes.I was happy to meet up with Elisa and to hear about her adventures sailing out to the Channel Islands, kayaking, exploring sea caves and hiking with her new friends. (Kayaking was her favorite, and I heard she was very brave!) Perhaps my favorite aspect of our conversation was that diabetes didn't even come up until I asked her about it; the weekend was about being a kid having fun, and realizing that diabetes didn't have to stop that from happening. I was so pro... Annetics blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3044955 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:21:00 +0100 3044955 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3004038&cid=t_102435_134_f&fid=35193&url=http%3A%2F%2Fannetics.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fironman-arizonahere-it-comes.html This year has been one with many unexpected challenges, and I have never gone into a race with this much uncertainty. Because of a nagging IT band injury, I haven't been able to train as much as I would normally have done, especially with regards to running. As a result, I spent more time swimming; not only has this helped me to improve my stroke, but also I have come to enjoy swimming much more. Although my swim time probably won't be faster than last year, I am happy to be back to my pre-crash state (more or less). Because I have basically spent this whole year rehabbing, I do not want to set myself back in a major way. While some pain is to be expected in an Ironman, I am hoping I can know the line between enduring to the finish and risking permanent harm. At Lotoja in September, the le... Annetics blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3004038 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:17:00 +0100 3004038 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3003731&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F6kwyOyykia4%2F The latest fiscal impact review of Arizona’s scholarship tax credit programs estimates that they saved between $44 million and $186 million last year.  The programs offer individuals and businesses dollar-for-dollar tax credits if they make donations to non-profit K-12 scholarship-granting organizations. Those organizations, in turn, provide private school tuition assistance. This is much higher than the savings estimate offered by the Arizona Republic last month, as the AZ Republic story linked above is quick to point out. I deal with the reasons for the discrepancy below, but first, here’s the crucial fact that the Republic has missed yet again: if the tax credit programs were significantly expanded, such as by raising the donation caps, the state would undeniably save m... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3003731 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:30:34 +0100 3003731 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2939503&cid=t_102435_134_f&fid=35193&url=http%3A%2F%2Fannetics.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fblood-sugar-wrangling.html For those who don't live with diabetes, here are some reminders:basal rate = background insulin, usually fast-acting, delivered 24/7 by an insulin pumpbolus = equivalent of an injection of insulin, usually rapid-actingCGM = continuous glucose monitor, which gives glucose readings every 1 to 5 minutesBG = blood glucose, measured by a BG meter; aka "blood sugar." Normal is 70 to ~120 depending on various conditions. BG is affected by insulin concentration, stress, exercise, food, illness,...insulin = hormone that facilitates movement of BG from blood to cells; fast-acting insulin starts working fairly quickly, peaks in about an hour or so, and sticks around for 3-4+ hours (for me). Exercise makes insulin much, much more potent.The other night, I woke up around 1 AM feeling weak and hungry, a... Annetics blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2939503 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:44:00 +0100 2939503 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2923410&cid=t_102435_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FaidMFg-ao9w%2F ABC News reports that doctors have begun “firing” parents who decline to have thier children vaccinated. One California mom, who’s oldest child has been diagnosed with autism said her doctor said the presence of her and her child was “too much of a liability.” Doctors are apparently feeling more compelled to say “no” back to anti-vaccine parents. The issue surfaced this at the annual American Academy of Pediatrics meeting in Washington, D.C. Presenter Dr. Gary Marshall said there are some cases when it’s ethical and legal to refuse to continue to see, or treat, a child, especially if parents and the physician will never see “eye-to-eye” on a specific issue. Stipulations for such situations include written notice that the doctor... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2923410 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:12:58 +0100 2923410 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2912166&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FI-NioRvMZ9c%2F Last Wednesday, the Arizona Republic published a fiscal impact assessment of the state’s education tax credit programs for k-12 private school choice. While the story itself was a good faith effort, there were errors in both its data and assumptions. I wrote an op-ed intended for the Republic correcting those errors and e-mailed a copy to the story’s author, Ron Hansen, the same day his story was published. While the paper’s editorial page expressed no interest in printing my submission, the Republic published a correction today based on the accurate spending and savings figures I provided. In a phone call, Hansen indicated that the correction was precipitated by my e-mail, though he opted not to mention that in his story, saying that he didn’t think the source ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2912166 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:13:07 +0100 2912166 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2832371&cid=t_102435_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F24%2Fmodified-chemo-regime-increases-survival-in-advanced-ovarian-cancer-patients-but-adds-toxicity%2F Women with advanced ovarian cancer lived longer and without their tumors growing after receiving a modified regimen of a standard chemotherapy drug combination, Japanese researchers reported last week. In a large phase III clinical trial, women who received carboplatin every 3 weeks and a reduced dose of paclitaxel (Taxol®) once a week for 3 weeks [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2832371 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:44:57 +0100 2832371 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2820526&cid=t_102435_134_f&fid=35193&url=http%3A%2F%2Fannetics.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fhelp-put-triabetes-in-lights.html Just over a year ago, twelve teammates with type 1 diabetes woke up on a beautiful September morning to compete in Ironman Wisconsin. Our group had diverse backgrounds with respect to athletic experience and diabetes management, but were united in the goal to make it together to the race healthy and ready to give it our best.Not only did we race for each other and our own personal goals, but also we raced to show our Triabuddies (formerly called "IronKidz") and anyone else that diabetes does not need to keep them from dreaming big. The year of training and racing was captured on film by Ray and Nella of Andiamo Productions, their Emmy Award-winning company based in Madison, Wisconsin. Their lives have been greatly impacted by type 1 diabetes since their daughter was diagnosed in 2004; when... Annetics blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2820526 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 04:25:00 +0100 2820526 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2727354&cid=t_102435_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FdyVQIWg1i1g%2F Adult autism is bound to become a huge topic in coming years, and several institutions are moving to anticipate the need. Massachusetts General Hospital is creating a program to provide specialized medical care to adults with autism. The hospital expects to receive $29 million to help add “a major adult component to its pediatric autism program,” allowing the the hospital to expand services for children with autism. The hospital notes, not that many parents of the adult autistic needed to hear it, that some doctors are hesitant or unsure how to talk to and examine adult autistic patients. *   *    * Photo courtesy of gadgetdude (flickr.com) Arizona State University has added a master’s program in special education. Officials at the school claim that one of the motiv... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2727354 Sun, 23 Aug 2009 20:58:06 +0100 2727354 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2715918&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F9XBQ3cnpM3g%2F Last week, the governor of Arizona signed H.B. 2426, which bars the state from implementing the “enhanced” drivers license (EDL) program. If the federal REAL ID revival bill (PASS ID) becomes law, it will give congressional approval to EDLs, which up to now have been simply a creation of the federal security and state driver licensing bureaucracies. As governor of Arizona, the current Secretary of Homeland Security signed a memorandum of understanding with the DHS to implement EDLs, and she backs PASS ID even though she signed an anti-REAL ID bill as governor. As I said before, Secretary Napolitano seems to be taking the national ID tar baby in a loving embrace. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2715918 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 19:04:05 +0100 2715918 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2657876&cid=t_102435_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2009%2F07%2F31%2Flong-strange-trip-get-your-kicks%2F Cruiser's Cafe 66 in Williams, AZ [Ed. note: Continued from Long Strange Trip: Desperately Seeking Williams.] The bus driver was friendly, and that was a comfort in the desolate landscape in which my friend Linda, her son Danny, his friend Montana and I found ourselves when we got off the train in Williams Junction, Arizona. The bus headlights illuminated scrap heaps on both sides of the dirt road. “Mighty pretty country you got here,” I said. The bus driver laughed and said we were looking at the dumping ground for a construction company. Within ten minutes we entered the town of Williams, Arizona, population about 3,000 and location of our home for the night, a bordello turned B&B. The hotel stood right across the railroad tracks, but these days the Southwest Chief sk... Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2657876 Fri, 31 Jul 2009 08:16:38 +0100 2657876 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2588181&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fm-PJqMJp6ow%2F Rep. Jeff Flake of Arizona is one of the very few fiscal policy heroes in Congress. Last night, he was doing what he does best — offering amendments to cut funding from a wasteful appropriations bill moving through the House. Flake tried to strike spending earmarks slipped into the bill by both Republicans and Democrats. Watching the action on C-SPAN, I was struck by what a bunch of robots the big spenders defending the bill were. They said things like “this project is very important,” “it will help people,” and “it has a rate of return of 30-to-1 for every tax dollar spent.” Flake pointed out the simple logical flaws in the spenders’ arguments. If an earmarked project is so important, why doesn’t it get funding through the norma... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2588181 Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:16:03 +0100 2588181 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2570390&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FXPWvuVgcriA%2F Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has been all over the map on national ID issues. As governor of Arizona, she signed a memorandum of understanding with the Bush DHS to implement “enhanced driver’s licenses” in her state. These are licenses with long-range RFID chips built into them. But then she turned around and signed legislation barring implementation of the REAL ID Act in Arizona. Now, having taken federal office, she again favors REAL ID — or at least under its new name: PASS ID. (Her efforts to put distance between REAL ID and PASS ID have not borne fruit.) In some respects, PASS ID is worse than REAL ID. It would give congressional approval to the “enhanced driver’s license” program — invented by DHS and State... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2570390 Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:43:50 +0100 2570390 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2561211&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FwQbUhkJ-Das%2F Thomas Jefferson was an advocate of public schooling, after a fashion. He knew that an educated public was the only protection against government abuses, and he assumed that a state-run, state-funded school system would provide that essential education. If he could only see public schooling today.  The Arizona-based Goldwater Institute has just released a study on the civics knowledge of that state’s high school students. Matt Ladner, Goldwater’s head of research, administered the same trivial test that’s given to immigrants applying for citizenship, using the same trivial pass/fail threshold. [I know it's trivial, 'cause I took it a few years ago.] The results of Goldwater’s little experiment… Oh. My. God. Becky:      96.5 percent of AZ public high scho... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2561211 Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:40:04 +0100 2561211 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2517413&cid=t_102435_150_f&fid=38374&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FEPharmaSummit%2F%7E3%2FtPRGaZNkucs%2Fturning-online-for-health-information.html (Source: ePharma Summit) ePharma Summit blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2517413 Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:03:00 +0100 2517413 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2441183&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FBsnDc2QO91o%2F The AP reports on a plan unfolding in Arizona to help keep foster children and kids with disabilities in schools of their choice: Republican-backed legislation to create new tax credits to help hundreds of foster children and disabled children attend private schools is advancing in the Legislature. On a special session’s second day, Senate and House committees on Tuesday endorsed the bill creating new corporate and insurance premium tax credits for donations for private school tuition grants. Priority would go initially to foster and disabled children who received vouchers that have been ruled unconstitutional by the Arizona Supreme Court. The Arizona Supreme Court has specifically and emphatically upheld education tax credits, so this effort should succeed if passed and signed. The ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2441183 Wed, 27 May 2009 12:46:17 +0100 2441183 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2405572&cid=t_102435_113_f&fid=34625&url=http%3A%2F%2Fclinicalit.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Flive-video-from-ambulance-to-ed.html Attention editors of technology and general-interest publications: Hospitals & Health Networks this month has a short InBox item I wrote about live video links from ambulances to emergency departments and trauma centers. Emergency medical services in Tucson, Ariz., and, more recently, Baton Rouge, La., make use of municipal Wi-Fi networks to triage and diagnose trauma cases before patients even arrive. This is a story I've known about for more than a year and a half and only recently, when Baton Rouge turned the first piece of what soon will be a parish-wide system, did any editor, HHN Senior Editor Matthew Weinstock, show interest in this story. All he had the room or budget for was this 450-word InBox item, though. If you believe the telemedicine experts I interviewed, this kind of techn... Neil Versel's Healthcare IT Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2405572 Mon, 11 May 2009 19:38:00 +0100 2405572 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2356878&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FtgyCtikjnIU%2F Last month, I warned that the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals would soon be handing the school choice movement a legal setback. Well, it’s here. As expected, the 9th Circuit has reinstated a lower court challenge to Arizona’s scholarship donation tax credit program. The program allows taxpayers to contribute to non-profit Scholarship Tuition Organizations (STOs) that provide financial assistance to families choosing private schools. The taxpayers can then claim a dollar for dollar credit for their donation. While this ruling leaves the program intact for the time being, it would almost surely require the tax credit program to be amended if it is allowed to stand. Fortunately, as I noted in my earlier post, the 9th Circuit is overturned as often as a caber at the Highland Games.... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2356878 Wed, 22 Apr 2009 06:04:28 +0100 2356878 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2349510&cid=t_102435_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F20%2Fpersonalized-medicine-helps-breast-colorectal-ovarian-cancer-patients-survive%2F “Cancer patients can survive longer under treatments based on their individual genetic profiles, according to a nationwide study released jointly today by Phoenix-area healthcare organizations. The study shows that molecular profiling of patients can identify specific treatments for individuals, helping keep their cancer in check for significantly longer periods, and in some cases even shrinking [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2349510 Mon, 20 Apr 2009 20:33:00 +0100 2349510 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2347784&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fwb3VZJFXVJw%2F The Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments today in a case that will affect how and at what cost English is taught to non-native speakers in U.S. public schools. On one side are Hispanic parents from southern Arizona who sued their school district for failing to properly teach their children English, and on the other are district and state officials who want the courts to butt out and let them teach students in whatever way, and at whatever cost, they choose. I understand what these parents are going through — I grew up in an English-speaking family in the French-speaking province of Quebec — but it really doesn’t matter who “wins” this case: the families will lose either way. Even if the parents “win,” and the Court orders their public school district to spend hundr... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2347784 Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:52:54 +0100 2347784 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2324272&cid=t_102435_133_f&fid=35094&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.autismstreet.org%2Fweblog%2F%3Fp%3D329 Discussion available at LeftBrain/RightBrain. (Source: Autism Street) Autism Street blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2324272 Thu, 02 Apr 2009 16:15:36 +0100 2324272 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2152851&cid=t_102435_125_f&fid=34820&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dentalblogs.com%2Farchives%2Flarry-emmott%2Ftechnology-on-the-rocks-with-dr-larry-emmott%2F May 28, 2009toMay 30, 2009Sedona, Arizona Join Dr. Larry Emmott, our DentalBlogs columnist and the nation’s top dental technology expert, on a three-day, high intensity continuing education vacation program. Each day, Dr. Emmott will lead a mountain biking group in the morning and a seminar in the afternoon. At the detnal technology seminar, Dr. Emmott will give you the tools you need to make wise choices for your dental practice - choices that will save you time and thousands of dollars. Plus, you’ll learn in one of the West’s most beautiful places - Sedona, Arizona. For non bikers, Sedona offers fabulous shopping, tours of ancient cliff dwellings, and golf or jeep rides to explore the area’s natural splendor. Local bike rental is available, as well. Visit Emmott on Techno... dental blog for dentists about dentistry blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2152851 Mon, 02 Feb 2009 14:59:40 +0100 2152851 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2141904&cid=t_102435_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sharpbrains.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F01%2F28%2Ften-reflections-on-cognitive-health-and-assessments%2F Let me summarize ten highlights and reflections from stimulating discussions on cognitive health and assessments I have had this month so far. January 8-9th: Symposium on Co-Adaptive Learning: Adaptive Technology for the Aging (details Here), organized by the Arizona State University's Center for Adaptive Neural Systems: 1. Cognitive health is a critical factor in overall healthcare, but is often approached in a fragmented, non-systematic way. Most speakers in the symposium did mention how cognitive health issues interact with their specific areas of focus (aging, Parkinson's Disease, traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer's...) but there was a lack of a common framework and taxonomy to define the problem and identify solutions and interventions to measure and help maintain cognitive health acr... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2141904 Thu, 29 Jan 2009 05:39:17 +0100 2141904 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2096156&cid=t_102435_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F508550112%2F My apologies for not having blogged in a few days. I landed back in San Francisco today after speaking and participating in a very stimulating event put together by the Arizona State University's Adaptive Neural Systems Center with funding from the National Science Foundation. The 2-day symposium was titled Co-Adaptive Learning: Adaptive Technology for the Aging (link opens a PDF with the agenda), featured impressive speakers and a highly qualified audience, and covered a wide array of current and future healthcare and aging applications of neuroscience. The one aspect that was very meaningful for me to observe how often we discussed cognitive abilities, cognitive deficits, cognitive assessments, cognitive enhancement tools (both invasive and non-invasive) in a variety of healthy aging and... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2096156 Sun, 11 Jan 2009 03:00:40 +0100 2096156 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2052841&cid=t_102435_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FpxZzVZ4JjYc%2F An Arizona man, Raymond G. Parenteau, was arrested on Wednesday on the charges of allegedly defrauding the Prescott Unified School District of almost $20,000, today’s Daily Courier reports. Parenteau had contracted with the school district for $55 an hour to homeschool his 12-year-old autistic son; he is alleged to have hired a certified special education instructor to work with his son for $25 an hour, and to have kept $30 for himself: During a nine-month period starting in January 2007, Parenteau allegedly charged the school district $36,258. He paid the special education assistant only $16,262 of the money he received from PUSD. Parenteau also allegedly billed the school district for hours not used for teaching his son and created false invoices. Says Parenteau, who has also advoc... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2052841 Fri, 19 Dec 2008 20:45:52 +0100 2052841 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2040118&cid=t_102435_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F7QBg4H8cu4U%2F While I’m contemplating where to locate twinkling bike lights and as it’s the holiday season, I thought I’d make a confession: Charlie’s never sat on Santa Claus’s lap. We have tried, when he was much younger and we found ourselves in a mall in New Jersey, the land of malls and mallrats. Or maybe we had gone to the mall that day for that sole purpose. Something about “mall air” and the deliberately smiling velvet-clad elves/Santa’s helpers, and the line of overly excited, bored, or wandering about children, led Jim to say, quite wisely: “Let’s get out of here.” We never really brought up the matter after that. Charlie was around 4 or 5 then and he wasn’t too inclined to sit on anyone’s lap for too long, and we wo... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2040118 Tue, 16 Dec 2008 06:48:34 +0100 2040118 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2035855&cid=t_102435_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F7CpE78ha8Ms%2F Sports “tap into an autistic person’s basic needs for social and physical interaction and participation in purpose-driven tasks,” according to Chantal Sicile-Kira, whose autistic son is an adult and who’s written three books on autism. Sicile-Kira is quoted in an article in today’s Orange County Register about the first school-district sponsored sports league for autistic children. The league was started by Kathy Murphy, a speech language pathologist at Harbor View Elementary in Newport Beach; soccer, T-ball, and track are offered. No one keeps score and, during a soccer game, “……everybody, no matter what team they were aligned with, cheered when a player found the back of the net.” My son Charlie’s been in Challenger league t-bal... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2035855 Sun, 14 Dec 2008 22:04:29 +0100 2035855 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2033263&cid=t_102435_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FRj1cEpmQOdo%2F A review of special needs education in the UK has found that “parents feel the system is not on their side,” today’s BBC reports: [Inquiry chairman] Brian Lamb wrote: “A major concern for parents is the lack of transparency and lack of information about school and local authority SEN policies”. And he said no-one discussed with parents what their hopes and aspirations were for their children. I suspect the situation is not so different for parents in the US…… Tags: arizona, asd, asperger, autism blog, bbc, disabilities blog, disability, education autism, Health, parenthood, special education, special needsShare This (Source: Autism Vox) Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2033263 Fri, 12 Dec 2008 01:00:14 +0100 2033263 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2033264&cid=t_102435_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FarDyYzTlSrY%2F Life 101: That’s how the University of Arizona’s Chapel Haven West program is referred to in a story on yesterday’s ABC News. The program helps young adults with autism learn “to live independent and productive lives.” “Just friendships, job interviews, actually filling out resumes and bringing them to a job, having a roommate,” said Betsey Parlato, president of Chapel Haven. “These are all things that you and I take for granted, but for someone with autism it’s a monumental challenge.” In a social skills class, University of Arizona teaching assistants show the students the “hidden rules” that help them navigate their surroundings and interpret changing social cues. “Not to stare inappropriately and that kind of... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2033264 Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:06:47 +0100 2033264 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2027194&cid=t_102435_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FKYZXtFhvO64%2F All That Noise Is Damaging Children’s Hearing, said an article in yesterday’s New York Times—noise from headphones, video games, computers, TVs, “power mowers, leaf blowers, snow blowers, car and house alarms, sirens, motorcycles, Jet Skis, loudspeakers, even movie previews,” not to mention music from weddings, parties, rock concerts…………………. All of which falls rather ironically on my ears since the only reason Charlie is wearing headphones is because he’s become so sound-sensitive and needs to block out noise…………………. Tags: alarms, arizona, asd, asperger, autism, autism blog, cars, disabilities blog, disability, Education, headpones, Health, hearing, hearing loss, lawnmowers, ... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2027194 Thu, 11 Dec 2008 02:19:02 +0100 2027194 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2027197&cid=t_102435_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2Fn1WgatgCdvs%2F I grow old … I grow old … I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled. I write fairly frequently here about Charlie growing up. Of course, he’s not the only one around here getting older: It’s my birthday today, and I’m 40. Fout-ohmygod, as one my mom-blog-friend puts it. Like the narrator in T.S. Eliot’s poem, I grow old, I do grow old, and I actually do roll the bottoms of my trousers (ok, pants), because I’m too lazy to get out a needle and thread and hem them. My mother did teach me to hem, years ago, and it really is years ago, due to this birthday thing. She taught us the basics; I think my first “creation” was a pocket made of fabric from the scraps of the Halloween costumes and jumpers and curtains and pillows she used to mak... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2027197 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 07:08:38 +0100 2027197 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2027199&cid=t_102435_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FMPYmCT5kYLs%2F Charlie’s bus ride home from school seems to take some 15 minutes, hence my daily rush from work to get to home. The December 8th Newsday reports that more than 1000 special needs children are”sent off Long Island for education and sometimes housing, costing schools and the state millions of dollars.” Two New York state lawmakers and parents are calling on education officials to change regulations that currently limit how many children can be educated at “special sites” on Long Island. How far does your child—or do you—travel to school? (Not, it’s hoped, two hours.) Tags: arizona, asd, asperger, autism, autism blog, disabilities blog, disability, Education, Health, long island, new york, parenthood, Schoolbus, special needsShare This (Source:... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2027199 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 20:54:13 +0100 2027199 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2027201&cid=t_102435_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FKfyGG7tbK7Q%2F One of my students is writing her senior thesis on environmental psychology and classrooms for special needs students. This is the fourth year I’ve known her; she’s an education major and has a special needs sibling, and I’ve long shared stories with her about Charlie and found her a sympathetic and supportive presence. Early yesterday afternoon, she stopped by my office and she asked me a series of questions, as research for her thesis, and I’ve been reflecting on her questions and my answers to them. What do you worry most about for Charlie? I’m afraid this one was too easy to answer: A job and a place to live, I said. And paused. I said: What happens to Charlie when we’re gone……. The other questions evoked less overtly existential sorts of... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2027201 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 10:05:26 +0100 2027201 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2021577&cid=t_102435_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FhAHohdak74s%2F A 5-year-old Arizona boy was bound at his hands and feet with duct tape by his father, as reported in today’s AZFamily.com. Jasper Smalley has been diagnosed with “Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Bi-polar Disorder and Asperger’s Syndrome.” Here’s what allegedly occurred: [Jasper’s mother, April Smalley] says one day her ex-husband found out Jasper was caught hitting other children at daycare. “He called me after he had taped him up and told me he had duct-taped our son. I asked him to remove the tape immediately, and he said he wouldn’t. He said he was being punished.” It was a punishment that made its mark in Jasper who was bound at his wrists and ankles. April explains, “There were red abrasions on his wrists. It looked almost like where the tap... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2021577 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 03:04:35 +0100 2021577 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1879946&cid=t_102435_133_f&fid=35094&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.autismstreet.org%2Fweblog%2F%3Fp%3D205 In the third presidential debate, autism was mentioned a couple of times. Arizona’s own, Senator John McCain has seemingly parroted anti-vaccination rhetoric in the past, and didn’t hesitate to apparently do it again. McCain was asked to explain why the country would be better off if his running mate became president. Here’s part of McCain’s response: She’ll be my partner. She understands reform. And, by the way, she also understands special-needs families. She understands that autism is on the rise, that we’ve got to find out what’s causing it, and we’ve got to reach out to these families, and help them, and give them the help they need as they raise these very special needs children. She understands that autism is on the rise? Really? Can... Autism Street blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1879946 Thu, 16 Oct 2008 05:30:52 +0100 1879946 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1856122&cid=t_102435_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F-4LvwbWExlE%2F The October 6th Arizona Republic describes a program developed by the Phoenix-based Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center to help autistic children “successfully fit into the often intimidating social mix of recess.” Autistic students are first taught board games or tag or other games and other students are brought in to learn to play with them: “You are then positively impacting both the child with autism and the typical children because you’re getting these kids to be compassionate toward each other,” [Karen[ Donmoyer said. “It’s not rocket science.” [Donmoyer has 9-year-old twin daughters who are autistic.] …… ……many were surprised that most kids preferred organized games during recess over free play, said D... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1856122 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:31:02 +0100 1856122 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1791660&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=35052&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FWomensBioethicsBlog%2F%7E3%2F391993617%2Fwill-you-be-in-phoenix-on-tuesday.html If the answer to that question is yes, come hear WBP Founding Director and Board President Kathryn Hinsch speak at the Women's Empowerment Luncheon sponsored by the Maricopa County YWCA. More information is available in this article from the Arizona Republic's website, or from this post--and you can register online here. The luncheon will be held at the Arizona Biltmore from 11:30 - 1:30 on September 16.We're nonpartisan here on the blog, but the role of women in governance and policymaking, as well as how policies in healthcare, research, and social services affect women and families, is something we should all be thinking about as we roll toward November.Kathryn's remarks are sure to provide food for thought, regardless of your political leanings. We hope you can join us! (Source: Women'... Women's Bioethics Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1791660 Sun, 14 Sep 2008 02:12:39 +0100 1791660 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1632000&cid=t_102435_133_f&fid=37107&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aspieweb.net%2Faspergers-autism-and-college-a-new-source-of-help%2F I found a great article in the Arizona Republic on a new programstarting up at The University of Arizona - Chapel Hill that is aimed to help Autistic People with the overwhelming situation of leaving home and going to college. Chapel Haven West, a two-year residential program for young adults with autism-spectrum disorders, launched June 30 [...] (Source: AspieWeb.net) AspieWeb.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1632000 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:47:12 +0100 1632000 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1373543&cid=t_102435_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F270863977%2F The April 14th St. Louis Post-Dispatch makes a case for the need for insurance coverage for autism treatment. SB 1122 would allow for insurance coverage “for the treatment of autism under certain conditions”: Autistic children who are “less than 16 years of age” would qualify for up to $50,000 per year of behavior therapy. St. Louis Post-Dispatch notes that one family, Molly and Steve Schad whose 7-year-old son Harry is autistic, have spent about $60,000 in treatments over the past 5 years. They have refinanced their home “several times,” borrowed from Molly Schad’s parents, and may have to sell her engagement ring. Dr. Wayne Meyer, medical director of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Missouri, is interviewed: …….Studies that show benef... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1373543 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:47:20 +0100 1373543 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1338052&cid=t_102435_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F261456852%2F Up to 80 percent of autistic children could hold jobs and become independent, according to Sandra Hastings, a certified behavioral analyst, who has worked with autistic children since 1989 and is now working in the Santa Rosa County schools in Florida. Hastings is quoted in an article in the Northwest Florida Daily News about the costs of autism and specifically for intensive therapy using Applied Behavior Analysis. A new piece of legislation in Florida, “The Window of Opportunity Act,” would require large group health insurance plans to provide diagnostic screening, intervention and treatment of autism. It would prohibit insurance companies from denying autistic children therapy. Two separate bills, SB 2654 and HB 1291, are working their way through House and Senate committees. The Au... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1338052 Mon, 31 Mar 2008 19:00:50 +0100 1338052 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1321127&cid=t_102435_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F256114285%2F Yesterday Governor Janet Napolitano signed legislation that will eventually require insurance companies in Arizone to provide coverage for autism, the Yuma Sun reports. Only companies with at least 50 works and with employer-purchased insurance for companies will have to provide the coverage, and children up to the age of 8 can receive up to $50,000 in coverage per year, while children aged 9-16 would benefits capped at $25,000. Gretchen Jacobs, who has a 4-year-old autistic daughter, says that the “higher figure for younger children makes sense as there is evidence that early and intense intervention can make a difference.” Being the parent of an older child, I’m inclined to think that parents with older children might feel somewhat shortchanged by the distinction. Thera... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1321127 Sat, 22 Mar 2008 16:49:45 +0100 1321127 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1304978&cid=t_102435_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F251690785%2F “I don’t understand why it has to be so adversarial…..”Why can’t they listen to these parents and get a clue that maybe they have some merit?” So Melissa Van Hook, who has two boys on the autism spectrum, says about the Gilbert School District in today’s Arizona Republic. Van Hook and a former special education teacher, Holly Reycraft, who has a 10-year-old son, have filed formal complaints against the district. State officials have found “no violations.” Van Hook says that she and her husband were not given “given the opportunity to provide input on their son’s plan,” while Reycraft states that “school district failed to ensure she and her ex-husband were both present at the planning meeting.” Other parent... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1304978 Fri, 14 Mar 2008 23:51:56 +0100 1304978 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1108550&cid=t_102435_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F12%2Fsupport-mountaineers.html The last week has been tough for all West Virginians with the untimely departure of Rich Rodriguez for what he believes is greener grass in Michigan.Today I got the email below from my partner and friend, Chris Brumley, loyal Mountaineer Fan and all around good guy.He is heading up a grassroots effort to allow all Mountaineer Fans to show their support for the players and the program and do something great for kids in the Glendale, Arizona area. Think back to the first time you got to go to (old or new) Mountaineer Stadium and watch the Mountaineers. Think about giving that experience away to a kid in Arizona. Photo to the right is my son's first trip to watch the Mountaineers in 2003.After reading the message below if you are interested in supporting the effort by buying a ticket please n... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1108550 Thu, 20 Dec 2007 12:47:00 +0100 1108550 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=933200&cid=t_102435_133_f&fid=35094&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.autismstreet.org%2Fweblog%2F%3Fp%3D151   The desert nights have cooled off Like a willful child finally giving-in to a good night’s sleep (Source: Autism Street) Autism Street blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=933200 Sun, 07 Oct 2007 19:00:19 +0100 933200 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=932999&cid=t_102435_133_f&fid=35094&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.autismstreet.org%2Fweblog%2F%3Fp%3D150 Discussion at Left Brain/Right Brain (Source: Autism Street) Autism Street blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=932999 Sun, 07 Oct 2007 07:02:39 +0100 932999 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=869589&cid=t_102435_151_f&fid=35797&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewrecovery.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Fanother-court-rules-that-aana-are.html A recent court case ruled that a parolee can sue a parole officer for damages if the parole officer requires the parolee to attend 12-step groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous when this violates the parolee's religious or non-religious beliefs.The case is titled Inouye v. Kemna, issued Sept. 7, 2007. The full text of the opinion is here. The court that issued the decision is the Ninth Circuit of the United States Courts of Appeal. The court's ruling is the law in California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Montana, Idaho, Nevada, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Ricky Inouye was imprisoned in Hawaii after conviction on drug charges, and served his time. As a Buddhist, he objected to participating in 12-step treatment programs because of their relig... New Recovery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=869589 Thu, 13 Sep 2007 14:49:00 +0100 869589 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=806588&cid=t_102435_133_f&fid=35094&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.autismstreet.org%2Fweblog%2F%3Fp%3D141 “We are happy to announce that Dr. Bradstreet is now licensed in Arizona and scheduling appointments in his Phoenix office.” That fresh in from Dr. Jeff Bradstreet’s ICDRC website. Hmm, a search for licensed MD’s in Arizona with the last name of “Bradstreet” turns up zero results. http://www.azmd.gov/ (Click on “Doctor Search”, type in “Bradstreet” in the “Last Name” field, and click on the “Name Search” button). A search for licensed DO’s in Arizona with the last name of “Bradstreet” turns up zero results too. http://www.azosteoboard.org/profile/getlicense.asp (Type in “Bradstreet” in the “Last Name” field, and click on the “Name Search” button). How ca... Autism Street blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=806588 Sat, 18 Aug 2007 06:26:07 +0100 806588 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=806576&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F18%2Fworthy-wisdom-what-i-learned-at-canyon-ranch%2F Filed under: Worthy Wisdom"What one thing did you learn at Canyon Ranch?" my dad asked me the other day. We hadn't yet fully discussed my April trip to this Arizona health and healing destination and so he wanted to know what I had absorbed during my four days in the desert. I couldn't possibly name just one lesson I'd learned. But I could sum up all of my lessons in one broad category. This is what I told him: I learned how to change my lifestyle.I learned how to change the way I live while at Canyon Ranch. I've since come to realize this is what most of us need to do to rid ourselves of our bad habits, our unhealthy ruts. There's nothing temporary about getting healthy. It's takes a lifetime commitment. I lacked commitment before Canyon Ranch. I have commitment now.I'm committed to eatin... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=806576 Sat, 18 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 806576 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=727325&cid=t_102435_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F132663659%2F Brent Hunter is a college student at Arizona State University. In My Turn: Redefinining Normal in the June 21st Newsweek, he describes his life with Arthrogryposis, a rare congenetial disorder that causes multiple joint contractures, and is characterized by muscle weakness and fibrosis. Says Hunter: After experiencing what I have throughout my life, I have made peace with my disability. I know I am not an abnormal human being. I am just simply more unique, and this is how I live my life. “More unique”: My son Charlie for sure. Share This (Source: Autism Vox) Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=727325 Wed, 11 Jul 2007 15:00:49 +0100 727325 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=691317&cid=t_102435_133_f&fid=35094&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.autismstreet.org%2Fweblog%2F%3Fp%3D129 It’s been a very interesting couple of weeks at the Omnibus Autism Proceedings. While I haven’t had time to read many of the transcripts, I have been keeping up with the coverage and commentary from a couple of my favorite autism bloggers: Autism Diva and Kevin Leitch. I’ve been pretty busy - away from the blogosphere lately. And, I really don’t want to draw any attention away from the “not mercury and measles” transcripts of the OAP, but something I saw in an e-mail, reminded me that it has been one year since Dateline NBC seems to have done any follow-up to their story on the Arizona chelation study. Remember? The one Jim Adams conducted through the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine? I had heard, and thought I remembered seeing that the stud... Autism Street blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=691317 Sat, 23 Jun 2007 02:58:00 +0100 691317 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=691252&cid=t_102435_133_f&fid=35452&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.graphictruth.com%2F2007%2F06%2Faz-school-district-recognizes-heroic.html S/T Special Education Teachers Will Receive $1,000 StipendThe Snowflake School District is suffering a shortage of certified special education teachers, partly due to a shortage in the marketplace, so the school board approved a stipend for each in an effort to retain those they have and attract new ones.Superintendent Monte Silk advised the school board June 14 that the shortage is disproportionate to regular teachers. The district chose not to renew one special education teacher’s contract, three others have resigned and the supply of applicants is low.In an effort to compete with the demand and provide support for current employees who have stayed with the district, Silk recommended a stipend for all case managers within the district.The case managers’ workloads are heavy, and their... Graphictruth blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=691252 Fri, 22 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0100 691252 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=650895&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F06%2F01%2Frecipe-healthy-living-fruit-and-nut-bars%2F Filed under: Nutrition, Recipe Healthy LivingI haven't yet made these Fruit and Nut Bars, but I managed to consume several of them during my stay at Canyon Ranch in Tucson, Arizona. Besides bowls of apples, oranges, and bananas provided at every location at the Ranch, guests of this health and healing destination can request additional healthy snacks at dining areas. Of everything offered, this was my favorite. Ingredients1/2 cup chopped pecans, lightly toasted1/2 cup chopped almonds, lightly toasted3/4 cup honey2 3/4 cups rolled oats1/2 cup dried cranberries3/4 cup dried chopped apples1/2 cup raisins1/2 cup sliced dates, about 10 medium1 teaspoon cinnamonInstructions Preheat oven to 325º. Lightly coat a 9 x 13 x 1/2-inch baking sheet with canola oil. Spread nuts on baking sheet an... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=650895 Fri, 01 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0100 650895 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=638254&cid=t_102435_133_f&fid=35094&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.autismstreet.org%2Fweblog%2F%3Fp%3D121 The following notes about a recent DAN! conference were broadcast to the greater Phoenix area via the Greater Phoenix Chapter of the Autism Society of America’s website, and apparently mailed out in a May-July 2007 newsletter. Click the picture to read the original points without questions (science questions embedded below). (more…) (Source: Autism Street) Autism Street blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=638254 Sat, 26 May 2007 20:31:43 +0100 638254 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=620222&cid=t_102435_133_f&fid=35094&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.autismstreet.org%2Fweblog%2F%3Fp%3D119 A Journal Last year I opined that SCNM’s Arizona chelation study being published in a peer-reviewed mainstream medical journal indexed on Pubmed in the future would seem a real challenge. “Will this research land back with the parents in a publication that is not a peer-reviewed mainstream medical journal indexed on Pubmed? Or, will it really “fly” and land with acceptance in the scientific community? At this point, the latter would seem a real challenge.” Although I still see acceptance in the scientific community as a non-starter, I could have been very wrong about where such a study might be published. In fact there seems to be at least one journal that might welcome it (if it’s forthcoming). The journal I’m thinking of as a possibility? Journal of To... Autism Street blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=620222 Thu, 17 May 2007 17:22:30 +0100 620222 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=587876&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F05%2F03%2Fworthy-wisdom%2F Filed under: All Cancers, Environment, Diets, Stress Reduction, Exercise, Nutrition, Vitamins and nutrients, Worthy WisdomI am just back from four days at Canyon Ranch in Tucson. They were exhilarating, empowering, renewing, healthy, healing days. They were just as I'd imagined they'd be. And more.Founders Mel and Enid Zuckerman say their commitment -- Canyon Ranch has been serving guests for 25 years and features destinations all over the country -- has set the standard for what has become a very large spa and health and wellness industry. With a focus on nutrition, stress management, preventative care, fitness, and a whole lot of pampering, the Zuckermans have inspired thousands of guests. I'm one of them.I am spilling over with insight and motivation and wisdom I gathered at the Ranch. ... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=587876 Thu, 03 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 587876 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=478749&cid=t_102435_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F03%2F08%2Farizona-infant-diagnosed-with-rare-form-of-diabetes%2F Filed under: Type 1, Childhood, Daily NewsI once saw a two-headed turtle in a National Geographic magazine. Strange? You bet. Rare? Absolutely. But, when it comes to something being rare, it doesn't always have to be something that people make a face at. It doesn't always have to have two heads, either. In fact, it could be something with one, cute head, with the faces made at it being those of joy and pride. Such is the case with a very fortunate infant, recently born in Arizona, with an extremely rare form of diabetes. Within four days of birth, Jose Luis Acia was diagnosed with diabetes. But, what makes Jose's diagnosis so rare is that he is only one of less than a dozen people in the United States who will be able to treat his diabetes with pills rather than a regimen of insulin. This... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=478749 Thu, 08 Mar 2007 05:00:00 +0100 478749 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=552245&cid=t_102435_140_f&fid=35465&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychlaws.blogspot.com%2F2006%2F06%2Fscotus-ruling.html The Court ruled Arizona's law on the insanity defense does not violate constitutional due process and upheld Arizona's definition of the insanity defense. Resources for reporters on U.S. Supreme Court: Clark v. Arizona.The Treatment Advocacy Center (www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org) is a national nonprofit dedicated to eliminating barriers to the timely and effective treatment of severe mental illnesses. TAC promotes laws, policies, and practices for the delivery of psychiatric care and supports the development of innovative treatments for and research into the causes of severe and persistent psychiatric illnesses, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. (Source: Treatment Advocacy Center) Treatment Advocacy Center blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=552245 Thu, 29 Jun 2006 20:50:00 +0100 552245 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=552288&cid=t_102435_140_f&fid=35465&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychlaws.blogspot.com%2F2006%2F04%2Fwrapup-on-supreme-court-case.html SCOTUS blog on the arguments in today’s insanity defense case Clark v. Arizona …More: NPR story TAC’s brief to the Court AP story on the Clark caseThe Treatment Advocacy Center (www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org) is a national nonprofit dedicated to eliminating barriers to the timely and effective treatment of severe mental illnesses. TAC promotes laws, policies, and practices for the delivery of psychiatric care and supports the development of innovative treatments for and research into the causes of severe and persistent psychiatric illnesses, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. (Source: Treatment Advocacy Center) Treatment Advocacy Center blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=552288 Wed, 19 Apr 2006 20:34:00 +0100 552288 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=552285&cid=t_102435_140_f&fid=35465&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychlaws.blogspot.com%2F2006%2F04%2Fnpr-on-supreme-court-case.html On NPR’s “Morning Edition” this morning ...Legal Affairs: High Court Takes on Case Questioning Insanity Defenseby Nina TotenbergMorning Edition, April 19, 2006 · The Supreme Court is reviewing a challenge to the insanity defense. A young Arizona man killed a police officer and his parents want him declared guilty but insane. But the state does not want the defendant's mental state considered in court. The case of Clark v. Arizona could end up making it more difficult for criminal defendants to prove insanity.LISTEN NOW ...The Treatment Advocacy Center (www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org) is a national nonprofit dedicated to eliminating barriers to the timely and effective treatment of severe mental illnesses. TAC promotes laws, policies, and practices for the delivery of psychiatric ca... Treatment Advocacy Center blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=552285 Wed, 19 Apr 2006 13:11:00 +0100 552285