On the Radar: Extreme Texas Heat and National Health Reform

Extreme Texas Heat
We've seen record heat here in Central Texas and it's barely one week into Summer 2009! It is no surprise to read that the National Weather Service forecast for Travis County this week includes temps at or near 100. The Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services offered these important safety tips:

Staying safe in the extreme heat

• * hydrate early with clear, cool liquids
• * avoid strenuous activity during the hottest time of the day
• * avoid alcohol and caffeine use
• * wear a wide-brimmed hat and lightweight clothing
• * pay particular attention the very young and the elderly
• * call 911 if you suspect a heat-related emergency

Texas summers can be unbearable, but most of us are able to find reprieve from the extreme heat. However, for Austinites who are homeless, finding relief from the scorching summer temperatures and staying hydrated is a matter of life or death. The City of Austin has teamed up with Mobile Loaves and Fishes to deliver bottles of water to Austin's working poor and homeless. You can help "keep Austin cool" by visiting www.mlfnow.org/water.


National Health Reform
You may have watched ABC's Prescription for America on Wednesday (6/24/09) where President Obama discussed the need for health care reform. Click on Whitehouse Blog to read a recap of what questions were asked and answered, if you happened to not catch it on TV. Excerpt:

The average family has seen their premiums double in the last nine years. Costs for families are going up three times faster than wages... Out-of-pocket expenses have gone up 62 percent. Businesses increasingly are having to cut back on health care or ...employers even if they don't want to are having to pass on costs to others. -President Obama

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 43 million people under 65 are uninsured. According to a 2008 report from www.AmericasHealthRankings.org, Texas ranks in the bottom five states on overall health scores. The low rank is due, in part, to Texas's limited access to primary care and the high rate of uninsured individuals (1 in 4).

The people behind the numbers, the lives that have been effected by the current health care system are more important than all the stats. Do you have a health care story you want to share? Texas Voice for Health Reform (TVfHR) is collecting stories for its state-wide health care story bank. Contributed stories will be used for educational and informational purposes (e.g. legislative testimony, TV, radio, or print media). Click on Texas Voice for Health Reform for more information on how you can contribute!

You can also join in the conversation locally at tomorrow night's "Health Care for All Texas," hosted by the Travis County Democratic Party (TCDP.)

• Date: Monday, June 29, 2009
• Time: 6:00 - 7:30pm
• Location: Central Market North Lamar Community Room
• Info: TCDP will be discussing what we can do to push forward the passing of HR 676
  Single Payer Health Insurance.

Want more information about health insurance coverage in Texas?
Health Insurance Resource Center
U.S. News and World Report, Texas Health Plan Search

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