In case you doubt that anti-smoking laws are here to stay, consider that France — yes, the France of smoky cafes and strong unfiltered Gitanes, where smoking is part of the culture — officially goes smoke-free today, joining several other European nations, including Great Britain and Ireland, that have passed laws making restaurants and bars smoke-free.
Amazing. If the French can go smoke-free, it seems only a matter of time before this global health trend reaches Wichita.
Posted by Randy Scholfield
One of the biggest problems facing the U.S. health care system is that it provides too much care — at great cost but with little or no health benefit. The book “Overtreated,†chosen by David Leonhardt of the New York Times as the economic book of the year, reports that “we spend between one-fifth and one-third of our health care dollars on care that does nothing to improve our health.†Worse, this overtreatment sometimes harms health, because some of the procedures have risks.
There are several causes for this overtreatment, from doctors and hospitals that are paid based on the volume of their work to concerns about malpractice to patients who demand treatments. Reforms prescribed by author Shannon Brownlee (no relation) include giving doctors incentives to explain more clearly the risks and benefits of procedures, changing malpractice laws and changing the fee-for-service payment model.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Among the initial reactions to Attorney General Paul Morrison’s resignation was this from House Speaker Melvin Neufeld, R-Ingalls: “It may be time for the Legislature to review the procedure for filling vacancies in statewide offices.â€
Bet he wouldn’t say that if the Kansas GOP had managed to elect a governor in this decade. Don’t be surprised, though, if Neufeld’s notion gets some legislative attention in 2008, especially if Republicans dislike Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ choice to succeed Morrison.
But there is no reason beyond politics to change current procedure for filling statewide vacancies. Neufeld’s thinking is on par with the shortsighted and shortlived legislative proposal last winter aimed at preventing Sebelius from naming a successor to Republican Sen. Sam Brownback, should he win the presidency.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
The Eagle identified nine people “to watch in 2008†— Matt All, Rod Bremby (in photo), Winston Brooks, Joey DeLeon, Peter Gustaf, Kim Janzen, Jack Pelton, Mary K. Vaughn and Bill Warren — and left a 10th spot open to represent the key posts currently vacant.
Meanwhile, the Topeka Capital-Journal named the residents of Greensburg as its Kansans of the Year, an honor that’s richly deserved. Among that newspaper’s Distinguished Kansans for 2007 were Iraq surge architect Lt. Gen. David Petraeus, KU football coach Mark Mangino, NASCAR contender Clint Bowyer and Google Earth creator Brian McClendon.
Any WE Bloggers feel left out? Or see obvious omissions from either list?
Posted by Rhonda Holman
