Greene County Democrat

Category: Health

  • Newswire : A flame of remembrance for victims of the Rwanda genocide

    President and First Lady of Rwanda place wreath at genocide memorial

    Apr. 7, 2024 (GIN) – Rwandans are marking the 30th anniversary of a genocide that took the lives of an estimated 800,000 mostly ethnic Tutsis over 100 days, between April and June 1994.
     
    Wreaths were laid at the Kigali Genocide Memorial by President Paul Kagame and first lady Jeannette Kagame. The President then lit the “Flame of Remembrance”, before making a speech at an arena in Kigali, capital of Rwanda.
     
    The Flame will be lit for seven days at four genocide memorial sites which were inscribed on the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in September.
    Other commemorative activities will be conducted across the country, including a Walk to Remember in Kigali, which will be followed by a night vigil.
     
    A senior program advisor on transitional justice at the Kenya Human Rights Commission, Martin Mavenjina, emphasized the significance of remembering the genocide. “It’s not just as a moment of remembrance,” he said, “but an opportunity for victims and survivors to reflect, heal, and look towards the future. “It reassures the world that never again will such an event happen anywhere on this continent or even anywhere (else) in the world.”
     
    Supporters of Kagame’s rule applaud him, saying that without his firm grip on power, Rwanda could slide back to the chaos that could ignite another genocide.
    But human rights leaders and activists differ with that view. Kagame, they say, has oppressed his opponents, killed and imprisoned his critics. Dissidents are jailed, free speech is curtailed and political opponents often die in murky circumstances, even those living in the West.
     
    Ethnic divisions persist under the authoritarian president who has ruled for just as long, writes New York Times reporter Declan Walsh.  Soldiers under President Kagame have been accused of massacre and plunder in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.
     
    This view was supported by the transitional justice advisor. He urged Kagame to loosen his grip on power and allow for more freedom. 
     
    For decades, Western leaders have looked past Mr. Kagame’s abuses, comments Walsh. “Some have expressed guilt for their failure to halt the genocide when Hutu extremists massacred people mostly from Mr. Kagame’s Tutsi ethnic group.”
     
    Kagame took that view a step further, blaming the inaction of the international community for allowing the 1994 genocide to happen. “It was the international community which failed all of us, whether from contempt or cowardice,” Kagame said in a speech after laying a wreath at a memorial site holding the remains of 250,000 genocide victims in Kigali.
     
    The killings were ignited when a plane carrying then-President Juvénal Habyarimana, a Hutu, was shot down over Kigali. The Tutsis were blamed for downing the plane and killing the president and became targets in massacres led by Hutu extremists that lasted over 100 days. Some moderate Hutus who tried to protect members of the Tutsi minority were also killed.
     
    Some Western leaders have now expressed regret.
     
    Bill Clinton, after leaving office, cited the Rwandan genocide as a failure of his administration. French President Emmanuel Macron, in a prerecorded video, said that France and its allies could have stopped the genocide but lacked the will to do so. Macron’s declaration came three years after he acknowledged the “overwhelming responsibility” of France — Rwanda’s closest European ally in 1994 — for failing to stop Rwanda’s slide into the slaughter. 
     
    But in truth, few voices were heard in opposition to the U.S. — few, at least, with the will and means to back up their arguments with substantial commitments of their own.
     
    Even after the storm broke, the U.N. reaction was to retreat, to reduce rather than increase its forces in the riven country.
     
    Some Rwandans fear that nothing has been learned — that the outside world will intervene too late, with too little, elsewhere. Rwanda also has had troubled relations with its neighbors. 

    Recently, tensions have flared with Congo, with the two countries’ leaders accusing one another of supporting armed groups. Relations have been tense with Burundi as well over allegations that Kigali is backing a rebel group attacking Burundi. And relations with Uganda are yet to fully normalize after a period of tensions stemming from Rwandan allegations that Uganda was backing rebels opposed to Kagame.

  • Irate customers complain about high water bills at Greene County Water and Sewer Authority meeting

    By: John Zippert, Co-Publisher

    Over one hundred angry customers crowded the Greene County Courthouse at the  March 26, 2024, meeting of the Greene County Water and Sewer Authority to complain that their most recent March bills were too high.

    The three-member board of David Bailey – Union, Chairperson, William Morgan – Dollarhide, and Walter Beck – Forkland, were present. Vincent Atkins, staff manager for the authority and other staff were present.

    They first heard a report from Ed Morris, Sentell Engineering, about two major grant projects, each for $900,000 or more, from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) for improvements and expansions of the water and sewer systems. These grants are part of President Biden’s Infrastructure Improvement Act funding.

    After the engineering report, people in the audience began complaining about recent high water bills they received for the month of March. Christine Carter of Tishabee Community said she received a bill for $787.40 for thousands of gallons of water, when her usual bill is around $80, never over a $100 a month. Marvin Childs said his parents bill in Mt. Hebron Community was $742 for two months and the volume of water used increased from 1,200 to 36,000 gallons. Ms. Blanche Williams was charged over $300 for 29,000 gallons for 53 days. She said, she paid her bill, but her usual bill was around $30 per month.

    Willie Austin of the Forkland area said most of the people who got outrageously high bills were senior citizens of low income, living on fixed incomes that could not afford to pay the bills and the Board needed to do something about this problem.

    Vincent Atkins and David Bailey, Board Chair, tried to explain the situation. Atkins said that the Water Authority was having difficulties with the electronic interface between the meters and the computer at the office.
    Because of these problems, the Authority decided to read the meters manually for the March bills. New self-reporting meters have been ordered.

    Atkins said he would meet with customers individually and adjust their bills based on each person’s individual usage records. Some of the meter readings may reflect leaks or water left running during cold weather to keep pipes from freezing. Because of problems with the meters, some customers may have gotten a lower base rate bill, for the past few months, until their meter could be manually read, which could account for some of the increases. The Authority’s base rate for water is $23.71 for the first 2,000 gallons and $3.55 for each additional 1,000 gallons.

    Board member William Morgan moved and Board member Walter Beck, seconded a motion, “That the Board null and void all March bills from the Greene County Water Authority.” Morgan said he was going to follow-up this motion with a motion to send new bills to all customers for the lower flat rates they had been paying.

    Chair Bailey, after consulting with Barrown Lankster, Legal Counsel for the Authority, who was also present ruled the motion to “null and void all bills” as an illegal motion. Bailey said, “Our attorney has advised that we cannot provide public services – in this case – water, for free. We must charge for the water we provide as a public utility.”

    In a subsequent interview, Bailey and Atkins said that 80% of the March bills from 1,400 customers had been already paid. To invalidate all the bills would have been a problem. Atkins said he would meet with customers who had a problem with their bills and adjust them based on usage records.

    Board Chairperson Bailey never entertained the motion to null and void all bills because he felt it was illegal. He tried to get Morgan to withdraw the motion or discuss it in an Executive Session, but Morgan refused to withdraw his motion. Attorney Lankster offered to seek an Attorney General’s opinion if the motion was legal.

    Near the end of the three-hour meeting, which began at 6:00 PM, Morgan announced that since he and Beck were in favor of the motion and since there were only three voting members of the Board, that his motion had been passed. Morgan proclaimed that his motion and others to send out new lower bills and reprimand Atkins for insubordination had been passed by the Board.

    In an interview after the meeting, Bailey said,” Morgan’s motion was illegal. I knew in my heart it was the wrong thing to do. Customers who want to dispute their bills are encouraged to see our staff and get their bills adjusted and sign up for a payment plan if they are unable to pay their total bill.”

  • Eutaw City Council urged by Fiscal Advisor to increase water and sewer rates

    At its regular meeting on March 26, 2024, the Eutaw City Council was presented with financial reports, by Ralph Liverman, Fiscal Advisor on several of its funds including the General Fund, Sewer and Water Funds, 3 Cent and 7 Cent Gas Tax Funds. These reports were for the first five months of the current fiscal year, which began on October 1, 2023, until the end of February.

    In his report, Liverman pointed out that both the Water and Sewer funds were running a deficit each month of the fiscal year. The city’s Water Fund had revenues of $283,399.14 with expenditures of $363,128.88, for a deficit of $60,004.72 for the five-month period. The Sewer Fund had revenues of $94,133.56 and expenditures of $178,569.62, for a deficit of $84,436.06 for the five months.

    In his accompanying report, Liverman said, “The Council must raise both water and sewer rates and do it sooner rather than later! Current collections will not support your present expenditures and debt repayments to USDA Rural Development on loans to improve the system. He also urged a review of personnel, overtime, and other expenditures, looking for ways to cut expenses in this department.

    Liverman also indicated that the City Water and Sewer Department needed to negotiate new rates with the Consolidated Catfish Plant, which had been receiving a special incentive rate since it opened 25 years ago.

    Liverman said in the past, funds from electronic bingo were used to cover the Water and Sewer deficits, but the city was no longer receiving bingo distributions from the Sheriff of Greene County, to handle these and other expenses.

    CPA Rick Harbin, the City’s auditor, also pointed out in a previous meeting, when reviewing the city’s audit report and finances, that an increase in water and sewage rates was needed.

    The current rate for water, for residential customers in Eutaw is: $14.41 for the first 2,000 gallons and $5.39 for each additional 1,000 gallons. The sewer rate is $8.59 for the first 2,000 gallons and $1.55 for each additional 1,000 gallons. There are higher rates for small business and commercial customers.

    Sarah Levelle, Chief Water Clerk stated, “We have had some rate studies by different agencies, recommending increases. We have not increased water and sewer rates since 2015 but the cost of all our supplies and workers has increased.”

    The Council deferred action on water and sewer rates until its next working session where they could discuss the issue in more detail.

    Liverman also recommended close attention to expenditures in the city’s General Fund, especially for street repairs and for the use of city owned facilities such as the R. H. Young Community Center (formerly Carver school) and the National Guard Armory. He said rental for the use of these facilities was not covering expenditures. He recommended closing one or both facilities. Earlier in the meeting, the Council had tabled a proposal for establishing rental rates at the R. H. Young Community Center, until the next scheduled work session.

    The Council approved a resolution declaring ‘Tony Rice Day’ for April 25, 2024, the one-year anniversary of Rice’s untimely death in an accident, while working to repair a water main in Branch Heights. The Mayor also honored Dr. Sandrall Hullett, former medical director of West Alabama Health Services and the Greene County Health System, with a moment of silence on her passing.

    In other business, the Eutaw City Council:

    • Scheduled a Council Work Session for April 8, 2024, at 2:00 PM at City Hall.
    • Approved a loan of $5,000 to the Eutaw Chamber of Commerce for painting a mural, with repayment from reimbursable state grant funds, which can only be received after an invoice is presented for work completed.
    • Approved use of meeting space, at no cost, for a meeting on March 28, 2024, of the Black Belt Community Foundation, Greene County Associates, at R. H. Young Community Center. The meeting was to explain the availability of Arts and Community Grants by the foundation.
    • Approved closing City Hall for a holiday on Good Friday, March 29, 2024.
    • Approved payment of bills.

  • Newswire : Gambian women furious over vote to restore female circumcision

    Gambian women protest female genital mutilation

    Apr. 1, 2024 (GIN) – ‘Over my dead body!’
     
    That was how one Gambian woman expressed her frustration with a vote by the country’s majority male legislators to end the prohibition of female genital mutilation (FGM). The practice has been on the rise in recent years despite activist campaigns to outlaw it.
     Lawmaker Almameh Gibba presented the repeal bill earlier this month, arguing the ban violates citizens’ rights to practice their culture and religion. Gambia is an overwhelmingly Muslim country.
     
    If the bill is passed, Gambia would become the first country to reverse a ban on FGM.
     
    The vote comes just a month after the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM, observed annually on Feb. 6. This year it was observed with the theme “Her Voice, Her Future.”
     
    Gambian lawmakers have already voted to advance the measure that removes legal protections in effect since 2015 for millions of girls.
    Ndeye Rose Sarr, head of the local United Nations Fund for Population Activities, shared some of the historical background: “From the age of 10, girls begin to be looked at as a potential bride for an older man. And if she has not yet undergone FGM, there will be those in her community who will want to make sure that she does.”
     
    The rate of FGM in The Gambia is around 76 per cent of women in the 14-to-49-year age range, and about 51 per cent for girls up to the age of 14. “That means that, on average, every other young girl you see in The Gambia has undergone this mutilation,” Sarr said.
     
    Globally, over 200 million women and girls are estimated to have undergone some form of genital mutilation and girls aged 14 and younger account for about 44 million of those who have been “cut.”
     
    The practice is almost universal in Somalia, Guinea and Djibouti, with levels of 90 per cent or higher, while it affects no more than 1 per cent of girls and women in Cameroon and Uganda.
     
    Contrary to popular perception, female genital mutilation is also practiced in the U.S. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half a million women and girls have either undergone or are at risk of undergoing the procedure in the future. Most, but not all, are immigrants to the U.S.
     
    The  ban was put in place during the tenure of former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh, whose government opposed the practice.
     
    Isatou Keita, writing for the online publication Semafor, had this to say about FGM. “From my perspective as a Gambian woman, banning FGM is highly commendable… As a staunch advocate for human rights and gender equality, I firmly believe that every individual has the right to live free from violence, coercion, and discrimination, including harmful cultural practices like FGM.”
     
    “The ban against FGM signifies a step towards empowerment and autonomy, granting us agency over our bodies.”
     
    World leaders overwhelmingly back the elimination of female genital mutilation by 2030 as one of the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals. The U.N. considers it achievable if nations act now to translate that commitment into action.

  • Newswire : U.S. plummets in world happiness rankings according to 2024 report

     World Happiness Day

    According to the newest World Happiness Report for 2024, the United States has dropped in the worldwide happiness rankings. Released on March 20, America plunged eight spots from its previous ranking, marking the first time in the report’s 12-year history that the nation has failed to secure a position among the world’s top 20 happiest countries.
    Released on the UN’s International Day of Happiness, the report, a collaborative effort among Gallup, the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and the World Happiness Report’s Editorial Board, sheds light on the shifting landscape of happiness worldwide. While perennial frontrunners like Finland and Denmark continue to dominate the top spots, the U.S. finds itself in an unfamiliar position of decline.

    Historically, the pursuit of happiness has been ingrained in the American ethos, symbolizing freedom, opportunity, and prosperity. However, in recent years, several factors have been identified that could contribute to its demise. Political turmoil and the hate and confusion that has come with the candidacy and trials of the twice-impeached and four-times indicted former president Donald Trump, economic inequality, diminishing social cohesion, and a pervasive consumerism culture often undermine many Americans’ well-being.
    Additionally, the pressures of modern life, including work-related stress, a lack of affordable healthcare, and political polarization, have taken a toll on mental health and overall happiness levels. Moreover, the advent of social media and digital technologies, while providing connectivity, has also been linked to increased feelings of isolation and comparison, negatively impacting subjective well-being.
    The new happiness report highlights that “some countries, like Finland and Denmark, consistently rank among the world’s happiest. The U.S. isn’t one of them.”
    Drawing upon data collected by the Gallup World Poll and analyzed by leading wellbeing experts, the report underscored the multifaceted nature of happiness trends. While Finland maintains its reign as the happiest nation for the seventh consecutive year, other countries, such as Serbia and Bulgaria, have witnessed significant increases in average life evaluation scores, resulting in notable climbs in the rankings. While Finland’s average life evaluation ranks it as the happiest country in the world, Afghanistan ranks as the least happy country in the world with a life evaluation of 1.721.
    Breaking new ground, the report introduced separate rankings by age group, revealing differing happiness levels across generations. Notably, a significant decline in the wellbeing of Americans under 30 is what has caused the U.S. to fall in the rankings overall.
    At the global level, averaged across all ages and regions, inequality of happiness has increased by more than 20% over the past dozen years. Among those born after 1980, happiness falls with each year of age. Among those born before 1965, life evaluations rise with age.
    John F. Helliwell, Emeritus Professor of Economics at the University of British Columbia and a founding editor of the World Happiness Report, emphasizes the importance of understanding these generational disparities. “There is a great variety among countries in the relative happiness of the younger, older, and in-between populations,” he commented.
    “Effective policymaking relies on solid data,” stated Jon Clifton, CEO of Gallup. “Today’s World Happiness Report attempts to bridge some of these gaps… It provides analytics and advice for evidence-based planning and policymaking,” he stated.
    Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, Director of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre, calls for immediate policy action in light of concerning drops in happiness among youth, adding, “To think that, in some parts of the world, children are already experiencing the equivalent of a mid-life crisis demands immediate policy action.”

  • Newswire : Federal aid swiftly released for rebuilding Francis Scott Key Bridge after tragic collision

    By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire


    In a rapid response to the devastating collision between a cargo container ship and the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced the immediate release of $60 million in Emergency Relief (ER) funds to the Maryland Department of Transportation.

    The collision resulted in the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, claiming the lives of six individuals, and causing substantial disruption to regional and national transportation networks. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said he and others in the Biden-Harris administration understand that they must act with urgency, and he emphasized the federal government’s commitment to assisting Maryland in the bridge’s reconstruction.

    “The federal emergency funds we’re releasing today will help Maryland begin urgent work, with additional resources coming as recovery and rebuilding efforts progress,” Buttigieg stated. 

    He reiterated President Joe Biden’s assurance that the federal government would spare no effort in supporting the bridge’s rebuilding and restoring operations at the Port of Baltimore.

    FHWA Administrator Shailen Bhatt echoed Secretary Buttigieg’s sentiments, explaining to reporters and others the pivotal role of the Emergency Relief funds in facilitating initial repair efforts. Additionally, FHWA officials said the agency would provide technical assistance, conduct site assessments, and oversee emergency contracts to expedite the reconstruction process.

    The closure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge has already had far-reaching implications, disrupting shipping traffic to the Port of Baltimore’s Seagirt Marine Terminal, and impeding vital transportation corridors along the East Coast. FHWA officials said they will continue to collaborate closely with federal, state, and local partners to mitigate supply chain disruptions and manage traffic while prioritizing the safe reopening of the port.

    Maryland Gov. Wes Moore’s declaration of a state of emergency helped to enable FHWA to approve MDOT’s emergency relief funding application promptly. Officials have allocated the funds towards debris removal, demolition, detours, emergency repairs, and the design and reconstruction of the affected infrastructure.

    Biden also reaffirmed the federal government’s unwavering support for Baltimore. “And to the people of Baltimore, I want to say: We’re with you,” the president declared. “We’re going to stay with you as long as it takes. And like the governor said, you’re Maryland tough, you’re Baltimore strong, and we’re going to get through this together. And I promise: We’re not leaving. It’s my intention that federal government will pay for the entire cost of reconstructing that bridge, and I expect to — the Congress to support my effort.” 

    Biden said the tragedy called for a comprehensive response and demanded that Congress endorse federal assistance efforts. Federal officials said FHWA’s Emergency Relief program aligns with broader initiatives to enhance infrastructure resilience in the face of future challenges.  

    “The Port of Baltimore is one of the nation’s largest shipping hubs.  And I’ve been there a number of times as a senator and as a vice president,” Biden remarked. “It handled a record amount of cargo last year.  It’s also the top port in America for both imports and exports of automobiles and light trucks.
    “Around 850,000 vehicles go through that port every single year, and we’re going to get it up and running again as soon as possible. Fifteen thousand jobs depend on that port.  And we’re going to do everything we can to protect those jobs and help those workers.”
     

  • Newswire : Alabama House v. Senate:a comparison of two gambling bills

    By: Josh Moon, Alabama Political Reporter

     

    After more than a year of work on a comprehensive gambling package, the Alabama House of Representatives easily passed in March two bills that would have allowed voters to approve a lottery, up to 10 casino licenses, sports wagering and a new gaming commission to crack down on rampant illegal gambling around the state. 

    The Alabama Senate undid it all in less than a week, passing a gambling bill that contained only a lottery, a potential compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and historical horse racing machines at seven other locations around the state. 

    Both houses have proclaimed their legislation to be “what the people want,” and each claims that the gambling tax revenues can do big things. So, let’s take a look at what each bill does and what benefits each brings to the people of Alabama. 

    The Basics
    The House Bill: A statewide lottery, seven traditional casino licenses, three potential casinos via a compact with the Poarch Creeks, sports wagering online, a gambling commission with a law enforcement entity to police illegal gambling and regulate/oversee legal gaming. 
    The Senate Bill: A statewide lottery, three potential casinos via a compact with the Poarch Creeks, possible sports wagering via the Poarch Creek compact (but possibly only on-site sports wagering), historical horse racing at six locations, a gambling commission with a law enforcement entity to police illegal gambling and regulate/oversee legal gaming. 

    The Revenue 
    The House Bill: Up to $1.2 billion annually. That broke down to around $200-$350 million for the lottery, $300-$400 million from casino wagering, up to $300 million from the Poarch Creek compact (depending on terms), up to $100 million in sports wagering (assuming online availability). 
    The Senate Bill: Up to $425 million. That’s $200 million for the lottery, $25 million for the pari-mutuel wagering, and $200 million from the Poarch Creek compact. (The Poarch Creek compact could generate more – up to another $50-$75 million – if certain limitations were removed and/or the tribe was allowed to offer online sports wagering statewide.)


    The Benefits
    The House Bill: The bill was designed to be transformative for the state. Utilizing lottery revenue, lawmakers planned to make two-year college attendance free for most state residents, including for many job training/certification programs. Other college scholarship programs for low-income students were also on the table, as was providing security for public schools around the state. Other gambling revenue was to be used to expand mental health care services, expand rural health care services (and possibly Medicaid expansion), provide funding for designated infrastructure projects and provide raises for teachers and state retirees. Additionally, the funds would have been used to pay for the implementation of the lottery and the expenses associated with creating and maintaining the gambling commission and its law enforcement entity. 
    The Senate Bill: After funding the lottery and gambling commission, the remaining funds will be split equally among infrastructure, education and the general fund. (During debate, lawmakers indicated that a portion of the revenue would be used to build a new prison.)
    The Jobs

    The House Bill: The comprehensive House bill was an economic windfall for the state in a number of ways, not least of which was new jobs. In total, because of requirements that the 10 casino locations spend minimum amounts (the bill required $35 million within the first year) in upgrades and create destination resorts, the package was expected to create some 12,000 to 15,000 new, permanent jobs in the state. That figure did not reflect the temporary construction jobs created by building new casinos. 
    The Senate Bill: There is no study to cite for that bill, but because new casinos would be placed only at current Poarch Creek casino locations – and those locations are already considered top-level destinations – job creation would be significantly less. PCI would hire considerably more employees, and would likely become the state’s top overall employer (it’s already the state’s top hospitality industry employer), but nothing close to the 12,000-15,000 jobs under the House bill. 

    Overall
    Both bills approve a state lottery and create a gambling commission and law enforcement entity. Both bills also legalize 10 casinos – the Senate version simply reduces the kinds of gambling that can take place at seven of those locations to only historical horse racing games (basically slot machines). There will still be 10 casinos, but only $225 million in annual revenue as opposed to more than $700 million in annual revenue from the same locations. Additionally, the state likely will still have a massive illegal sports wagering market – a market that did a projected $2 billion in business in 2023 – under the Senate bill, which doesn’t address sports wagering, other than possibly allowing it at Poarch Creek facilities. Basically, the Senate bill has the same amount of gambling around the state as the House bill, but with control of an illegal market and a loss of $600-plus million in annual revenue. 

     

  • Newswire : Biden and Harris fight back against House Republicans’ budget threatening health care

    Patient being counseled at medical facility

    By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

    Resolute in their stand against the recent budget proposal by House Republicans, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are intensifying their efforts to lower healthcare costs and safeguard crucial provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Medicaid, and Medicare.

    In a Fact Sheet, the White House noted that Biden and Harris underscored the administration’s commitment during a visit to North Carolina, where they outlined a comprehensive strategy to make health care more affordable for all Americans.

    “The draconian measures in the Republican budget, which the Republican Study Committee created and which the House Republican leadership supported, have alarmed people because they could destroy crucial health care programs,” administration officials said. Among its provisions, the budget seeks to slash a staggering $4.5 trillion from the ACA, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, potentially leaving millions of Americans without access to essential health coverage.
    Key aspects of the Republican budget include eliminating funding for the ACA’s Marketplace and Medicaid expansion, jeopardizing coverage for over 45 million individuals. Furthermore, the proposed transformation of Medicaid into block grants “could imperil the health care of an additional 60 million Americans, leading to increased difficulty in qualifying for coverage and potential cuts to critical benefits,” officials argued.
    The budget threatens the well-being of seniors and individuals with disabilities by proposing cuts to Medicaid home care services and nursing home payments, which could result in diminished care quality and longer waitlists for essential services.
    In addition to dismantling crucial consumer protections established by the ACA, such as coverage for pre-existing conditions and prohibitions against insurance company abuses, officials said the Republican budget would also convert Medicare into a “premium support” program, potentially raising premiums for millions of seniors and exacerbating prescription drug costs.
    “Contrary to this regressive agenda, President Biden and Vice President Harris are staunch advocates for expanding access to affordable health care,” officials asserted. “Under their leadership, a record-breaking 21 million Americans have enrolled in ACA coverage this year, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to extend health care to more citizens.”
    The White House argued that the administration’s initiatives have yielded tangible benefits, including average annual savings of $800 per individual on health insurance premiums. They claimed that the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, which Biden championed, has given Medicare the authority to negotiate lower prescription drug costs, ensuring that seniors and people with disabilities can access affordable medications.
    Biden and Harris insisted they are committed to further lowering healthcare costs and enhancing coverage for all Americans. Their proposed measures include:
    Making premium tax credits permanent.
    Expanding Medicaid coverage in states that have not adopted expansion.
    Investing in home care services to address wait lists for older adults and individuals with disabilities.

    White House officials said the president and vice president’s agenda prioritizes mental health care access, consumer protection against surprise medical bills, and crackdowns on unwarranted fees in health care services. By advocating for Medicare to negotiate drug prices for at least 50 drugs annually and capping out-of-pocket prescription drug costs, the administration aims to alleviate financial burdens on individuals while safeguarding the integrity of health care programs.
    In contrast to the Republican budget’s assault on health care, officials asserted that Biden and Harris remain steadfast in their commitment to protecting and strengthening vital health care programs for generations to come. “By ensuring that the wealthy contribute their fair share and dedicating savings from Medicare reforms to the program’s sustainability, they seek to uphold the fundamental right to accessible and affordable health care for all Americans,” officials said.

     

     

  • Newswire : Black pastors preaching the Message of the Resurrection and the Legacy of Dr. King

     Dr. King at 1963 March on Washington

    by Hamil R. Harris

    (TriceEdneyWire.com) – It’s the Easter season, and while many pastors are focused on crafting sermons and hosting events, others are equally concerned about King’s legacy on the anniversary of his death April 4, 1968.

    “This election is one of the most critical elections in history,” said Rev. Gerald Durley, the retired pastor of the Provident Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta. “This is an election to preserve Democracy in America.”Durley, 82, is preaching and speaking more than ever because, he said, if former President Donald Trump is elected, it will set Civil Rights back 60 years.

    “All of the marching that we did was to ensure equality and equity was in place,” Durley said. “Dr. King lived and died so that the check of Democracy would not be marked as insufficient funds.
    “
    Durley said while the Black church has a great history, the battle for Civil Rights is far from over. “We have had a lot of Moses, but we need more Joshuas,” he said, referring to the younger leader he brought the children of Israel closer to the promised land.

    From Atlanta to San Francisco to Washington, DC, many pastors are preaching the gospel as well, challenging their congregations to not only hear the Word but to be doers.

    “It’s sad and very troublesome,” said Amos Brown, pastor of the Third Baptist Church of San Francisco. “The crucifixion wasn’t about self-serving personal salvation. It was about good being delivered for all human creatures. That’s why the Roman government put him on that cross…He was a social justice Christ. He cared about the marginalization of women. There were chauvinists back then as there are today,” Brown said. “Democracy should be for everybody.”

    Rev. Barbara Skinner, who works with the organization, Faiths United to Save Democracy, has been  busy educating potential voters. 
    “While faith leaders cannot tell people who to vote for they can educate them about voting” said Skinner. She stressed the importance of “Preparing church members to vote having reviewed with them weeks prior what’s at stake and what’s in the ballot.”“There are  19 steps to take before voting so people are ready to vote,” said Skinner. She referred to the website, http://www.turnoutsunday.com/ for a  toolkit.

    Rev. Dr. Ben Chavis, a veteran Civil Rights activist, said while Easter is about the Resurrection of Jesus, there needs to be an “Economic Resurrection” in Black America, and that starts by going to the polls in November. 

    As Civil Rights veterans yield to a new generation of pastors, they also employ new strategies and techniques.

    Rev. Tony Lee, pastor of the Community of Hope African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Temple Hills, Md., said, the greatest importance of the church during this season is not just political power but moral authority. “We need a moral authority, a voice that stands for humanity, a voice that says that we are all God’s children,” he said, comparing those that Jesus called “the least of these” to “the left out” of today.

    On March 26, 1964, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and activist Malcolm X met for the first time. Rev. Grainger Browning, pastor of Ebenezer AME Church in Fort Washington, reflected on that date to say that today, “We need to come together.”

    “The ongoing Civil Rights organizations are not as visible as they used to be, but it is important that some way during this Easter season, we have a coordinated effort to begin some strategy as to where we go from here,” Browning said. “I have faith in the resiliency of the African American population.
    ”
    Rev. Jamal Bryant, pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta said, “I hope that Resurrection will look different in America in terms of diversity, equity, and inclusion,” Bryant said. Referring to the COVID pandemic that killed and sickened millions around the world, Bryant said, “The second pandemic is hopelessness.”

  • Job Fair: Hiring Event Happening in Greene County

    West AlabamaWorks! to hold hiring event in Greene County tomorrow at the Robert H. Young Community Center.

    TUSCALOOSA, Ala. March. 25, 2024 — West AlabamaWorks! is inviting job seekers in Greene

    and the surrounding counties to attend a hiring event tomorrow, Tuesday, March 26 at the Robert H. Young Community Center, 720 Greensboro Ave, Eutaw, 35462.

    “This is a wonderful opportunity for job seekers who are looking for employment in Greene

    County,” said LaTasha Johnson, mayor of Eutaw. “West AlabamaWorks! has provided countless

    individuals in our community with opportunities for a brighter future. To any prospective

    employee seeking work, we encourage you to attend and participate in this free event.”

    The hiring event, in partnership with West AlabamaWorks! and the Alabama Career Center

    System, will host over 13 companies including Jolly Heating and Air Conditioning, Greene

    County Health System, WestRock, Premier Service Company, Rural Health Medical Program,

    DCH Health System, and West Alabama Mental Health Center. Job seekers will have the

    opportunity to speak with company representatives and apply for open positions.

    Anyone attending the free hiring event on March 26 is encouraged to pre-register at http://www.westalabamajobs.com/GC.

    About West AlabamaWorks!

    The Region 3 West AlabamaWorks! Council, in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce of

    West Alabama, leads workforce development efforts throughout West Alabama. Together, we

    facilitate and implement a comprehensive, coordinated, and seamless workforce development

    system for the region and support workforce training activities. With a mission to promote

    regional economic prosperity by providing support services to both employers and job seekers,

    West AlabamaWorks! serves as the central hub for workforce development efforts and training.

    Through West AlabamaWorks!, business and industry leaders have been able to create a

    workforce development system that supports all levels of development and serves to benefit both employers and job seekers. Five industry clusters have been identified that address the needs of individual industry sectors. Those five clusters are: automotive, health care, construction, manufacturing, and professional and business services. Leaders of each sector work together to minimize duplication of services and maximize potential of each provider. This is done by communicating key workforce needs in the nine-county region through both urban and rural outreach programs. Measurable results are evident as programs—and those positively impacted by them — continue to grow and develop.