There have been many gifs animation films over the years and this is not to be confused with the more used stop animation. gifs animation is a form of the stop motion animation but it is clipartsdesigned to merge in with the live action footage to make an illusion of a real world sequence. So what are the best ones ever made
There have been many gifs animation films over the years and this is not to be confused with the more used stop animation. gifs animation is a form of the stop motion animation but it is Gifs designed to merge in with the live action footage to make an illusion of a real world sequence. So what are the best ones ever made
There have been many gifs animation films over the years and this is not to be confused with the more used stop animation. gifs animation is a form of the stop motion animation but it is grafikendesigned to merge in with the live action footage to make an illusion of a real world sequence. So what are the best ones ever made
Web-posted Saturday, July 18, 2009
Column - Ronnie Atkins: Let's not weaken hospice benefits
Opinion
Column
Ronnie Atkins
In a time when policy makers are looking for models of high-quality and cost-efficient health care, they need to look no further than hospice. But, to ensure that this compassionate and high quality end-of-life care is available for future generations, we need to raise our voices and protest impending cuts in services.
Hospice offers a dignified and compassionate way for patients to spend precious time at home surrounded by loved ones at the end of life. Most people know at least one friend or family member whose life was touched by hospice care.
I personally have had my father and partner cared for by hospice at home within the last three years. My father was diagnosed with lung cancer at the age of 84. After being presented with care and treatment options, he chose to forgo surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. He felt the benefit of such treatments would not be worth the consequences and was even told he most likely would not even survive surgery. He had weeks of wonderful time and died three months later in the comfort of his home surrounded by me, my mom and friends.
My partner of 26 years died of prostate cancer last month. When he saw that aggressive treatments were failing and making his life unpleasant, he sought comfort care with hospice. Eighteen months later, he died. During the final three months of his life, we were blessed to enjoy the comfort of our home overlooking Lake Meredith.
He died comfortably, peacefully and gracefully in his own bed at home - all his wishes.
Situations like these, where futile treatments are abandoned for comfort care - hospice care, are the solutions for our Medicare program.
A study by Duke University found that hospice reduces Medicare costs by more than $2,300 per patient, amounting to more than $2 billion in savings each year. Additionally, Medicare costs would be reduced for seven out of 10 hospice recipients if hospice had been used for a longer period of time the study found. "Given that hospice has been widely demonstrated to improve quality of life of patients and families ... the Medicare program appears to have a rare situation whereby something that improves quality of life also appears to reduce costs," writes lead author Don H. Taylor, Jr.,�� assistant professor of public policy at Duke's Sanford Institute of Public Policy.
These proposed cuts will certainly jeopardize locally owned and operated hospices. Hospices are paid a fixed per diem payment for all services, supplies, medications, equipment related to the terminal illness under the Medicare Hospice Benefit. Hospices are already faced with increased costs of services - mileage (gasoline costs), competitive salary to retain quality nurses in a time of shortages in the field and increased cost of medications and supplies.
If the Obama administration does not take action, hospice programs nationwide will be forced to scale back services or even close their doors permanently. Congress issued a moratorium on these cuts earlier this year, but it expires on Sept. 30.
That's why action to permanently eliminate the funding cuts needs to be taken now.
Please speak up for those who can't by urging the Obama administration to stop the hospice funding cuts.
Ronnie Atkins lives in Amarillo. He is a registered nurse.
There have been many gifs animation films over the years and this is not to be confused with the more used stop animation. gifs animation is a form of the stop motion animation but it is
clipartsdesigned to merge in with the live action footage to make an illusion of a real world sequence. So what are the best ones ever made
There have been many gifs animation films over the years and this is not to be confused with the more used stop animation. gifs animation is a form of the stop motion animation but it is
Gifs designed to merge in with the live action footage to make an illusion of a real world sequence. So what are the best ones ever made
There have been many gifs animation films over the years and this is not to be confused with the more used stop animation. gifs animation is a form of the stop motion animation but it is grafikendesigned to merge in with the live action footage to make an illusion of a real world sequence. So what are the best ones ever made
Posting a copy of your article hear. Good work.
Web-posted Saturday, July 18, 2009
Column - Ronnie Atkins: Let's not weaken hospice benefits
Opinion
Column
Ronnie Atkins
In a time when policy makers are looking for models of high-quality and cost-efficient health care, they need to look no further than hospice. But, to ensure that this compassionate and high quality end-of-life care is available for future generations, we need to raise our voices and protest impending cuts in services.
Hospice offers a dignified and compassionate way for patients to spend precious time at home surrounded by loved ones at the end of life. Most people know at least one friend or family member whose life was touched by hospice care.
I personally have had my father and partner cared for by hospice at home within the last three years. My father was diagnosed with lung cancer at the age of 84. After being presented with care and treatment options, he chose to forgo surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. He felt the benefit of such treatments would not be worth the consequences and was even told he most likely would not even survive surgery. He had weeks of wonderful time and died three months later in the comfort of his home surrounded by me, my mom and friends.
My partner of 26 years died of prostate cancer last month. When he saw that aggressive treatments were failing and making his life unpleasant, he sought comfort care with hospice. Eighteen months later, he died. During the final three months of his life, we were blessed to enjoy the comfort of our home overlooking Lake Meredith.
He died comfortably, peacefully and gracefully in his own bed at home - all his wishes.
Situations like these, where futile treatments are abandoned for comfort care - hospice care, are the solutions for our Medicare program.
A study by Duke University found that hospice reduces Medicare costs by more than $2,300 per patient, amounting to more than $2 billion in savings each year. Additionally, Medicare costs would be reduced for seven out of 10 hospice recipients if hospice had been used for a longer period of time the study found. "Given that hospice has been widely demonstrated to improve quality of life of patients and families ... the Medicare program appears to have a rare situation whereby something that improves quality of life also appears to reduce costs," writes lead author Don H. Taylor, Jr.,�� assistant professor of public policy at Duke's Sanford Institute of Public Policy.
These proposed cuts will certainly jeopardize locally owned and operated hospices. Hospices are paid a fixed per diem payment for all services, supplies, medications, equipment related to the terminal illness under the Medicare Hospice Benefit. Hospices are already faced with increased costs of services - mileage (gasoline costs), competitive salary to retain quality nurses in a time of shortages in the field and increased cost of medications and supplies.
If the Obama administration does not take action, hospice programs nationwide will be forced to scale back services or even close their doors permanently. Congress issued a moratorium on these cuts earlier this year, but it expires on Sept. 30.
That's why action to permanently eliminate the funding cuts needs to be taken now.
Please speak up for those who can't by urging the Obama administration to stop the hospice funding cuts.
Ronnie Atkins lives in Amarillo. He is a registered nurse.
you are welcome. I have been a strong advocate for the last 6 years and will continue to do so.
Interesting view of hospice - just like people we sometimes only see the outside. The inside might be quite a surprise.
comment on ny times article