Volunteer opposes block grants
Mr. Lee:
Block grants and per capita caps will reduce access to quality and affordable healthcare for patients with serious and chronic health conditions and are, therefore, unacceptable to many advocacy organizations. We strongly oppose policies that would allow states to apply for block grants or per capita caps for their Medicaid programs.
I am a lead Tennessee volunteer for the National Patient Advocate Foundation (NPAF). NPAF is one of 27 organizations strongly opposed to policies that would allow states to apply for block grants for their Medicaid program.
Respectfully,
Faye Hollowell, Cordova
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
The NBA and China
The NBA just sold itself and players for $1.5 billion. That's the amount of their contract with China. Seems strange they would support a regime that stifles free speech and controls voting.
The NBA commissioner admonished the Houston general manager, and prohibits any further discussion, after the GM pledged support for those in Hong Kong who weekly demonstrate against the repressive mainland Chinese that militarily oppose the youth in HK.
I didn't realize NBA players were so adamantly opposed to free speech and against voting rights. Wow, it's now known how much their loyalty is worth.
Steve Martin, Memphis
Memphis should not dump TVA
Re: "Let's do what's best and escape Tennessee Valley Authority's grip," by Karl Schledwitz.
The CA Viewpoint column regarding TVA got my attention since I spent over 45 years working with utilities all over the U.S.
TVA was one of the best Roosevelt programs of the New Deal, but the writer wants Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW) to vacate.
A few years ago, former Mayor Willie Herenton wanted to sell MLGW. We dodged a bullet.
I am not familiar with Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), but I know TVA rates are lower than most power generators and have been good for the whole valley.
Be careful about people you don't know.
Stan Ruffin, Memphis
Change electricity provider to save money
Thanks to Mr.schledwitz for his compelling editorial. Why is not the prospect of saving $400 million dollars per year a front burner issue?
We could have avoided the referendum to raise our sales taxes to pay for fire and police pensions; we could fund pre-k education; enhance our public transportation, and so much more.
Is Mr.schledwitz a lone voice crying in the wilderness? Where are the rest of our business, government and community leaders regarding this issue?
Kelly Brother, Memphis
My experience in hospice care
At the end of life, powerful emotions often surface, and some people question the value of their lives.
As a hospice chaplain, I have guided many through such existential questions to help create a space of spiritual peace that can bring comfort and meaning to one's final days.
Creating this spiritual space is the core of chaplaincy in hospice care.
My pastoral care colleagues and I do this by exploring a patient's unique spiritual perspectives, sometimes through story-telling, sometimes through prayer. And sometimes, simply by being silently present in that person's space.
October 21 marks the start of National Pastoral Care Week.
Launched in 1985, this week of observances across America will honor spiritual caregivers for the counseling they provide, and promote continuing education for professional chaplaincy.
Join Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care in honoring spiritual caregivers for cultivating spiritual space and celebrating the humanity we all share.
Rev. Angela Cole, Memphis
Better policing in areas that need it
I had just pulled out of a self-serve gas station and was sitting at a light when a African-american woman in a car to the left of me shouted, “Your gas cap is not on!”
Because of an injury, I cannot move quickly at all. Then she says, “Do you want me to get it?” and God, bless her. She jumps out of her car and put the gas cap back on and closed it. What a blessing and what a dear moment to show how close the races have become. I thank her so much. I probably would not have noticed that for days.
I voted for the police referendum. The crime may not be in my neighborhood, but it is bad in many Black neighborhoods and it is not right that some suffer while others do not; and that includes the police. .
Carole Fincher, Memphis