Viewpoints: Congress Should Help Veterans With Mental Health; Military Women Uniquely Affected By Abortion Restrictions

Cincinnati Enquirer: Our Veterans Deserve Better Mental Health Treatment
The dramatic and sudden end to the war in Afghanistan added to the pain and mental vulnerability of many veterans. The images from Kabul and Kandahar coinciding with the 20th anniversary of 9/11 may have exacerbated already overwhelming symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and other mental health conditions for those who have served, as well as current military personnel. (Tim Ryan, 11/11)

Los Angeles Times: Abortion Restrictions Widely Punish Military Women 
As the Supreme Court considers the constitutionality of an abortion ban and challenge to Roe vs. Wade, restrictions enacted in Texas and proposed elsewhere uniquely oppress military women. Active-duty servicewomen experience higher rates of unintended pregnancy than the general population for various reasons. Military members’ medical care during training is often lacking, and their frequent change of providers interrupts their continuity of care. Military healthcare providers often fail to educate servicewomen on different available contraceptives and processes to obtain them, both of which can vary among clinics. (Erika King, 11/12)

The Tennessean: National Survivors Of Suicide Loss Day Time For Healing, Support
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, and tragically, takes the lives of more than 48,000 people every year — and 800,000 worldwide — according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Each day, 130 Americans die by suicide, with white males representing 70% of all U.S. suicides. (Dava Guerin, 11/12)

Tampa Bay Times: Recent Rule Changes For Florida’s Special Needs Students Must Be Reevaluated
The State Board of Education spent all of six minutes at its meeting in June changing the rules for how special needs students are taught and tested in Florida. Now students, parents and schools are struggling with the fallout of that hasty decision. The rule impacts students with the most significant cognitive disabilities, reports the Tampa Bay Times’ Jeffrey S. Solochek. Years ago, acknowledging the state’s general education standards and tests are not developmentally appropriate for certain children, Florida created alternate tests, thereby pushing these students to excel to the best of their ability. But state officials say Florida has more students eligible for these tests than a federal cap allows, prompting the state Department of Education to address how many children participate in alternative testing. (11/12)

Kansas City Star: Alzheimer’s Affects Everyone Differently. Be An Advocate 
It was a sad day when Kansan Dennis Moore, an attorney and politician, passed away from complications of pancreatic cancer. Dennis’ son, Andy Moore, wrote a beautiful commentary for The Star last week, and many of the things he said brought back memories to me. Years ago, at the beginning of his political career, Dennis was in our neighborhood, going house to house, introducing himself before an upcoming election. My husband Len, also a lawyer, answered the door. Although the encounter was brief, Len came back into the house smiling, saying that he and Dennis were like-minded and his new acquaintance would go far in the political arena. (Jan Johnson, 11/12)

Stat: Broadband Access: Health Care's Newest Challenge
The past two years have underscored the long-standing but always disturbing reality that millions of Americans lack sufficient health care access. While the consequences have been particularly deadly during the pandemic, the challenges to overcoming this problem are nothing new. Health outcomes are closely tied to race, income level, educational quality, location of residence, and more, as well as individuals’ genetics. Dozens of studies show that the higher a person’s wealth and income, for example, the lower their likelihood of illness and premature death, largely because wealthier people can afford resources that lead to improved health. (Gary Shapiro, 11/12)

The Baltimore Sun: Maryland State Senator: Would Hopkins-Affiliated Insurer Reconsider Dropping Baltimore Coverage? 
Recently my email inbox and phone line have been overwhelmed with concerns from neighbors in their senior years, some of whom have given 20 or 30 years of their lives and loyalty to Johns Hopkins institutions, and now have been cut from the Hopkins Medicare Advantage program. They have not only given their time to Hopkins, but to our communities, strengthening health care and education for people who come from all over the world. So, I have been pondering this question: Would the leadership of this powerful institution and the largest employer in the State of Maryland please consider rescinding this decision? (Cory V. McCray, 11/11)