World of Politics

[x_maker]

For anyone who's been watching the news: that resolution about mandatory exclusion of genetic status on health insurance forms should be going to Congress in about a month for the standard hatchet job before getting passed or tanked. HeliX has a letter-writing campaign set up in support of the bill - if anyone wants to get involved and needs to know the addresses of their individual senators and representatives, there's a list up in my office by state and district.

This bill's a good thing, especially for those of us who do work outside the school and might need to use a medical facility that's NOT located in the basement here. What it means is that insurance companies can't deny coverage to mutants. It's the first step towards adding mutants to existing anti-discrimination laws, and when it passes, we'll be one step closer to things being how they should be.

To that end, there's a senator who'll be doing speaking engagements in Salem Center later this week. Graydon Creed, who most folks are making noises about running for President in '08. Granted, he got elected back in the early 80s on an Independent platform, which is usually the kiss of death for presidential bids, but he's also the longest-serving senator not affiliated with any political party. He opposed the Mutant Registration Act back in '03 when it went to Congress, and as one of the senior senators, his vote on the insurance bill could be a pivotal one. To this end, I've managed to arrange for a HeliX presence at one of his engagements this Friday. Anyone who wants to come hear the Senator speak is welcome - if you ask nicely, I'm sure those of you in Mr. Dayspring and Mr. Guthrie's classes can finagle some extra credit out of the deal.

Comments

[x-emplate.livejournal.com]

It's a sign of how tired I am when it took me three tries to decipher that fully.

Or perhaps my thoughts are merely so lofty those around me must use some artificial means of augmentation to perceive them?

Yes, yes, it is more likely the former.


Your case was something to do with Australia's medical proceedures with testing for the X-Gene. I'm not sure if they can't test you without probable cause or if it's S.O.P. here. I can see the necessity being in that the patient could have a condition directly tied to his mutation or it being a privacy issue since a hospital might turn away a patient.

Therein lies the difficulty, for while Australia is far from the seething cauldron of litigious action of these noble States some few administrators deemed it expedient to avoid potential issue altogether and simply not test without obvious need. Thus, in the absence of the normal indicators such as gills or unusual flammability, no test. While it was not actual national policy that saw me bollocksed until the timely development of the bitey bits this is a topic which evokes Thought on such subjects as something akin to a tasteful medic alert bracelet.

Although it would be unfortunate if genetic status resulted in the sanctioned equivalent of those clever notes my mother thought it necessary to pin to my clothing.

[x-roulette.livejournal.com]

Or perhaps my thoughts are merely so lofty those around me must use some artificial means of augmentation to perceive them?

I'm rusty on my Mariusese today. It's being pushed out by the French.

Although it would be unfortunate if genetic status resulted in the sanctioned equivalent of those clever notes my mother thought it necessary to pin to my clothing.

This is one of those isntances that almost had you remanded to the custody of child protective services, isn't it?

Honestly I'd be okay with the screening if it came coupled with a clause where a hospital can't turn away a patient due to being X-Gene positive, like they can't turn somebody away for having AIDS or something.

[x-dominion.livejournal.com]

American hospitals can refuse treatment due to AIDS or HepB? Didn't know that one.

Socialized medicine for the win.

[x-roulette.livejournal.com]

No, they can't. They can and do however deny aid to those with the X-gene.