CLOSE UP by Brian Rudnick

Cardiologist supports universal health coverage, introduces prominent health care industry critic

 

“I am a cardiologist and a consumer of health care as well and it is clear to me that the present health care system is deeply flawed and reform is urgently needed and, I believe, inevitable. Looking back to my years in medical school, I remember how we would discuss the impending Clinton reform proposal. We had such clarity and certainty that universal health care was a right, a necessity and that obviously the way to achieve universal health coverage would be through a public option. In my entire medical school class, we wall started out believing this. Now as time went on, as actual practicing physicians, our stance on some details may have shifted a bit and for some, quite a bit. But believe it or not, most physicians I know are still in favor of universal coverage and many are in favor of the public option.” Niku Thomas, Einstein Medical Center Cardiologist, right, introducing Wendell Potter, former head of corporate communications for CIGNA, now a vocal critic of the health insurance industry. Germantown Mennonite Church. Click here to see video.

Diabetic dog visits human diabetes doc at fair

Joe Winiarski: “Sit, sit.” THIS IS GUINNESS AND HE’S DIABETIC AND YOU’E AN ENDOCRINOLOGIST? Claresa Levetan: “Yes my specialty is diabetes.” WHAT’S THE STORY WITH GUINNESS HERE? JW: “Guinness has been a diabetic for about two years. We give him shots every two days He’s good he takes it like a champ.” CL “Two days? two times-” JW: “I mean two times a day” CL:“You know even people have to have that insulin shot on board. Usually it depends on the type of diabetes but if he’s on insulin it’s going to be a shot or two a day so don’t forget the shot of Guinness!” JW “My mom handles that.” CL: “As I mentioned it’s very common to see diabetes in cats but we also see it in dogs. I’m trained as an adult, human diabetes doctor but I’m always glad to see well cared-for diabetes with pets like dogs so thanks for bringing Guinness by.” Click here to watch video interview.

Marwan thanks people America

"Thank you, family in America, Charlie Affels and thank you Elizabeth Affel and thank you for the surgery Doctor A. Lee Osterman and thank you, people America." Marwan, a 27 year old Iraqi man, the subject of Close Up in the January 24, 2008 issue of the Local when he was first in the U.S. for reconstructive surgery on his arm that was badly injured from a car bomb that killed nine of his colleagues. He wanted to publicly thank his host family, the people who brought him here and his doctor in the Local on this return visit for additional surgery and therapy. He is seen here cheering at the Chestnut Hill Youth Sports Club major league baseball championship game. With the score tied at 1 to 1 going in to the bottom of the fifth of six innings, the Pirates emerged with a 5 to 1 victory over the Dodgers. 

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