1999 Op-ed Archives
Americans Deserve A Strong Patients' Bill Of Rights
November 12, 1999, by Bart Gordon -- A recent decision by UnitedHealth Group, the nation's second-largest health insurer, shows a more practical approach at providing health-care coverage: let the doctor and the patient have the final say in medical treatment. Too often, though, some bookkeeper makes that decision based on a manual.
A Grateful Nation Thanks Its Veterans
November 5, 1999, by Bart Gordon -- Freedoms we all enjoy as citizens of the United States did not come without sacrifice from the brave men and women who served and are serving in the nation's armed forces. That's why a grateful nation pays homage to its veterans each November 11.
Bill Provides Rights For Patients
October 12, 1999, by Bart Gordon -- Anyone covered by a managed-care health plan should be pleased that the U.S. House of Representatives passed a Patients' Bill of Rights designed to make sweeping reforms in health coverage.
Early Detection Key To Fight Against Breast Cancer
October 5, 1999, by Bart Gordon -- This year alone an estimated 3,900 Tennessee women will learn for the first time that they have breast cancer, and 1,000 women in the state will die from the disease. Early detection and prompt treatment, however, can significantly reduce the suffering and deaths caused by the disease. Just ask my mother, she's a breast cancer survivor.
Congress Must Shore Up Medicare
August 27, 1999, by Bart Gordon -- Understanding the financial burden senior citizens often face when trying to get quality health care, the federal government established the Medicare program. But deep cuts in Medicare spending recently have jeopardized quality of life for senior citizens by threatening the very institutions providing many of them with the health care they need. Nursing homes, home health-care agencies and even hospitals have reported serious financial difficulties, attributing that to the Medicare cuts.
Keeping Your Children Safe
June 4, 1999, by Bart Gordon -- All parents want to protect their children from harm. That's just part of human nature. Danger, though, comes in many forms, forcing parents to remain constantly alert, even in their homes.
Dealing with the Y2K Threat
May 21, 1999, by Bart Gordon -- The federal government is hard at work correcting problems that may cause computers to crash on January 1, 2000. Although 92 percent of the government's most critical computers are reportedly Y2K compliant, much remains to be done. Much remains to be done in the private sector, as well.
Providing Safe Schools For Our Children
May 7, 1999, by Bart Gordon -- School violence has dominated thoughts lately as yet another fatal shooting has claimed young lives in Littleton, Colorado. The entire nation is now asking, "Why did this senseless tragedy have to occur again?" Students and their parents are understandably leery about the safety of our nation's schools, but we should remember that most of our schools are quite safe. We can, however, do more to ensure troubled youth receive attention and help before they reach the point of violence.
Don't Be Fooled by DeceptiveSweepstakes Offers
March 18, 1999, by Bart Gordon -- Recent hearings in the U.S. Senate highlight the continuing problem of misleading (and sometimes deceptive) sweepstakes offers that flood the mailboxes of many Middle Tennesseans.
