Commentary on "Texans Will Now Hit-And-Render-Aid"

Fellow blogger Alejandro Atencio wrote a blog entry entitled Texans Will Now Hit-And-Render-Aid where he discusses a Texas Tribune story about a new Texas State law that will become effective September 1, 2013, where the punishment for failing to stop and render aid in a fatal accident will be increased from a third degree to a second degree felony.   He summarizes that the law was the result of a joint bi-partisan effort that stemmed from a recent incident involving a former Austin legislative staff member involved in a fatal hit and run accident who was found guilty, but then acquitted.

I agree with his assessment that this was common sense to change this law. The mother of the victim, Laurie Griffin, in a video portion of the story, expresses how disappointing it was that there were no existing laws that the driver could be charged with. A comment made to her by a detective indicating that the only way to provide justice in the future was to change the law motivated her to lobby to actually get the law changed.  This unfortunate incident empowered her to become involved in the legislative process to change a law that will benefit and comfort future victim’s family members.  It’s also an appropriate lesson to the end of this course that shows how participation in our government can actually affect change.

Improving Healthcare in Austin

Providing access to affordable health care has been a goal that some organizations in Austin have struggled to make available.  The State of Texas has decided not to participate in the Medicaid expansion that is part of the Affordable Care Act and instead chose to pass up access to billions of dollars that could have helped alleviate the strain on current resources. In the meanwhile, Central Health, a healthcare district created by Travis county voters in 2004, addresses how local taxpayer funds are distributed to benefit the community.  

Central Health contracts with a variety of healthcare providers, such as University Medical Center Brackenridge (UMCB), Community Care Clinics, and the MAP program, to provide the infrastructure to deliver care.  Central Health will facilitate the existence of a new medical complex in 2016 when a new teaching hospital will replace UMCB and UT Austin will operate a new medical school.  All sectors of the community, insured and uninsured, will benefit with the presence of this new complex.  More specialized services can be offered to eliminate the need to travel outside of Austin for specialized care.  A new medical school will produce more primary care physicians, surgeons, and specialists that can enrich the pool of local doctors needed in the future. Central Health also facilitates access to the Medical Access Program (MAP), which provides qualified Travis County residents at certain income levels with access to primary and specialized health care.

Another organization that is uniquely Austin’s is the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAMM), an organization that provides access to affordable care to Austin musicians. Community leaders and prominent musicians recognized the contribution that musicians make to the “Live Music Capital of the World” and that most musicians are self-employed without many options when they need medical care.  They decided to create this Alliance to support local musician’s need for health care.

 These groups provide solutions for groups that would normally would have been shut out of the healthcare system. I believe that the groups that dedicate their efforts to solve social issues like health care access do not take on an easy task.  They are faced with criticisms as to why some of those who benefit from these programs deserve the effort that is taken to put these programs into place and how funds are spent. They address the needs of the city as a whole and are farsighted in how they invest time and money in the improvements they provide to our city.  

Commentary on Phyllis Schlafy

My collegue, Arno Natapradja, writes in his blog, Lone Star Gazer, about an article that references Phyllis Schlafly, founder of the conservative group, Eagle Forum, and the advice she gives to the Republican Party. As Natapradja summarizes in his blog, Shlafly’s radio interview on Focus Today advises the Republican party to stop reaching out to Hispanic voters and focus on reaching out to white people.  I agree with the view that Ms Shlafly projects racist views and will only hurt the Republican Party in the long run. 

I find it alarming that Ms Schlafly would have support for her ideologies; however, she has a history of success to implement her policies. Back in the 1970’s, she organized a movement called STOP ERA and almost single-handedly stopped the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment that feminists had long fought to ratify.  Her campaign created fears that were based on misinformation, such as suggesting that women would be subject to the draft and that alimony protection would be eliminated. At the last minute, five states that had voted to ratify the ERA amendment rescinded and the amendment did not pass.  She currently tries to use the same tactic of using misinformation to mischaracterize Hispanics. My point is that Ms Shlafly may still have her supporters, maybe not in the same numbers as the 1970’s, but enough to cause further rift in the Republican Party and further contribute to split their Party with differing ideologies.  Instead, the Republican Party should focus on how to include a population that is increasingly more racially diverse.

Healthcare in Central Texas

My job as a nurse exposes me firsthand to the challenges that our health care system is faced with.  As in the rest of the state of Texas, Austin is faced with an influx in its population size, the growing elderly population, and the uninsured/under insured population that continually stresses our health care system. The disparities that exist among theses groups cannot simply be ignored and central Texas has begun to address these issues, which ultimately also affect the future of health care for all of us.

            Voters in Austin recently approved a bond for Proposition 1, which provides for a 5-cent tax increase per $100 of assessed property value.  It will provide the much-needed funds that will fund a new medical center in central Austin and create programs to improve health care.  There are several reasons why a medical center is important to Austin right now.  Without affordable options available, our emergency departments will continue to be clogged up by the uninsured for problems that could have been treated in another setting outside the ER.  This is expensive care that our ER’s do not always receive reimbursement for.  In partnership with the University of Texas, the new medical center will encompass a research center that will contribute in attracting the best minds. New jobs will also be created and there is a potential for Austin to be at the forefront of medical research. The main opposition to this plan is concern that taxes are going to be increased and that this plan will not materialize as planned.

            Currently, Texas is ranked last among all the states in the quality of care it provides. The opportunities that will be made possible with the creation of this new medical center will expand the reach of the quality care that we can provide to help change this statistic in central Texas.

Obama According to TexasFred

From the conservative blogger site,  The TexasFred Blog, I selected this blog piece Obama: Martin ‘could have been me’ 35 years ago to critique.  The author is Fred Witzell, a self described “highly opinionated and very Conservative blogger” who “does not play the PC game.”    The tone in this blog is harsh and it is apparent that this blogger has contempt for the Obama administration, if not also for President Obama personally.  His argument is that President Obama is a racist and uses his mixed race to his political advantage.  It is a post that is meant to further incite those that already do not sympathize with the President; he loosely presents “facts” and mostly personal opinion to support his argument. A caption on a picture of Obama seems to chide him for addressing the Travon Martin ruling instead of the Detroit bankruptcy, followed by descriptions of the President as “EVIL” and “RACIST.”  Furthermore, he claims that the President’s goal is to incite race riots in this country by incurring marital law and confiscating all guns. 

Needless to say, I completely disagree with this author’s inciting views.  The author writes for his very conservative base and fails to provide any direct support for his comments.  His strong reactions make him sound almost paranoid.  I may be on the other side of the political spectrum, but I think even for the very conservative he goes over the top with his views.  At the same time, I know there is wide discontent with the current administration among this group, but all credibility is lost here. 

Traffic Woes in Austin

The article I selected for this assignment is Getting nowhere fast on traffic woes from the Austin American Statesman, published on July 15^th, 2013 and written by its editorial board.  This article points out Austin’s ongoing traffic congestion problems and discussion takes place as to possible solutions that involve key players in politics and transportation areas.  The author’s intended audiences are persons that drive on Austin’s roads, especially during rush hour on major highways like I-35 and Mopac.  It is a humorous article, invoking examples that every driver can relate to and appealing to their frustrations as well.  The claim made is that progress in solving Austin’s traffic problems has been too slow.  The argument here is that the need for an effective public system of transportation has been discussed for at least the last 20 years but no viable plan ever materializes; yet the population continues to expand.  The facts presented include two reports by two it’s own journalists.  The first notes that Austin’s daytime population swells by 19 percent, contributing to the congestion.  The second notes that a transit plan has been passed but will not go into effect until September 1^st.  They also note that another plan, Project Connect, is finalized but will take decades to implement.

Having been an Austin driver for the last 20 years, I can certainly relate to the frustrations that are expressed here.  It has been great to see some new road systems developed through the years that have affected my commute, but if another viable option were offered, such as a train or subway, that could save me time and/or money, I would certainly use it.  I have visited other cities that tout their efficient, easy to use transportation systems and many times there has been no need to rent a car to get around.  It would be great if Austin could claim the same.  

Governor's Race

 In this KVUE story Big name, dark horse candidates square off as 2014 battle takes shape, Attorney General Greg Abbott announced he would be running for office to become the next Governor of Texas just a few days after Governor Perry announced he would not be seeking re-election.  Greg Abbott distances himself from Perry and grabs for the minority vote by stressing his family ties and conservative values.  Right now there is only one other Republican candidate, Tom Paulken.  No Democrats have made announcements but there is buzz about Wendy Davis joining the race. Although I think the race will be predictable and the Republicans will once again re-gain office, it will be interesting to see who the candidates will be on both sides and what issues will prevail.  As the campaigns rev up, stories such as this one provide more insight into the candidates we may not be familiar with early on.