| NEWS- Pesticide poison: Area schools behind the times in pest control
There's no question that certain health ailments have soared in frequency over the past decade. The incidence of asthma, allergies, and autism are at an all-time high in children, according to numerous medical studies, and many doctors are pointing to the link between chemical pesticides and such health problems. Nationally, some states have banned the use of pesticides in schools, and in Virginia-- at the urging of the Virginia Department of Education and the Department of Environmental Quality-- nearly two dozen school systems have adopted "integrated pest management" plans, in which pesticides are used only as a last resort. Two school systems are noticeably missing from that list, however, and environmental advocates are bugging them to change that. "Our kids are really sick today," says Jackie Lombardo, who's affiliated with both the advocacy nonprofit Friend and Advocates for Children, Teachers and Schools as well as the Piedmont branch of the Sierra Club.
Businesses work to curb costs of health insurance
Businesses are looking for ways to reduce health care costs as they strive to continue coverage for workers. Open enrollment periods have begun for several health insurance providers, and some companies and individuals have already negotiated deals, while others are still working. For the past few years, insurance premiums have continuously fattened, squeezing the pockets of employers and employees. The good news: Rates, though they still are going up, aren't increasing by as much as they were two years ago. With premiums still relatively high, businesses and employees are looking to find remedies to this nationwide health care headache. "Each individual company has its own needs, so companies here are making decisions to walk a fine line to fulfill budgets," said Wanda Soto, broker and owner of Client First Inc.
Reviving Missouri's health care?
The scar is still there - tracing a deep, light line from Ben Spangenberg's scalp, down his face and near his eye.It's a reminder of the 2004 car accident that took the life of a friend and left Spangenberg with brain trauma.Other less visible scars also remain.Spangenberg and his family were among thousands of Missourians caught up in the $250 million in Medicaid program cuts Gov. Matt Blunt approved in April 2005.Nearly 100,000 people statewide lost Medicaid coverage. Spangenberg lost critical physical, speech and occupational therapy he needed following the accident.Since then, amid continued debate, Blunt signed Senate Bill 577. The law created MO HealthNet, replacing Missouri's Medicaid program."MO HealthNet puts people first," Blunt said after signing the bill in August.The bill is intended to promote prevention and wellness, expand managed care to persons with disabilities and children and utilize new technology to improve safety and reduce fraud, he said.But it's too early to tell if Spangenberg and others like him who lost coverage will benefit from Mo HealthNet.
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