Windham 4 -Vermont State Representatives David Deen & Mike Mrowicki
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For State Help Programs,try the Agency of Human Services, "Screen Door" online access tool...you can  find out what kind of help that fits your needs and where you can find it.

http://www.screendoor.vermont.gov/


Over 60?

INTERESTED IN FREE, NUTRITIOUS FOOD?

CALL NOW! 1-800-214-4648 -
to download an application
http://www.vtfoodbank.org/OurPrograms.../CSFP.aspx

Apllications are also available at the Putney Food Shelf or by calling Mike at 802.387.8787


Note: Each eligible person receives his or her own food box. People can participate in other commodity programs at the same time, but they cannot be enrolled at more than one CSFP site.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
- 60 years of age or older, living in Vermont and income-eligible.
- A child under 6 years of age and not already in the WIC program.
- A woman who is pregnant or post-partum for less than a year and not already in the WIC program.
- Individual and/or household income will be used to determine eligibility.
- Each household member may be eligible, and will need to complete an application form

Legislative Update- Feb. 15, 2013

As we enter  week 6 of the 16 week legislative session, most committees are still busy researching and drafting bills, (including public testimony) and only a few bills have come to the House floor for votes.

In the Senate, one bill did come out for debate and vote, Patient Choice at End of Life.

After weeks of research, testimony and crafting, a 20 page bill was presented with safeguards against misuse. On the floor of the Senate an amendment by opponents of the bill, struck the original 20 pages with a  one page amendment that removes all the safeguards to prevent abuse.

In the  end , the Senate voted this bill over to the House, where plans are to restore the safeguards. The fate of the bill remains unclear, though. If the House passes a different bill, it will have to be reconciled in a conference committee where agreement seems unlikely.

 

In the House Fish, Wildlife and Water Resources Committee, Chairman David Deen helped his committee work on a bill that would require Act 250 environmental scrutiny to any change in use of the oil pipeline in northern Vermont.

The pipeline currently moves oil from the Atlantic coast to Montreal. The oil company has plans to move Tar Sands oil from central Canada to the coast. With the risk of devastating environmental degradation if a spill should occur. The committee will continue work on this bill, along with it’s other bills for consideration.

In House Human Services, we have been deliberating over the portion of the Governor’s budget proposal that affects the Agency of Human Services.

 

We are also beginning to take a look at Opioid prescription abuse.

"... a death a week from recreational use of prescription drug use".
Stated the state medical examiner in a  report from the Vt. Medical Society Education & Research Foundation, Safe and Effective Treatment of Chronic  Pain in Vt.,

This information is part of the rationale for a joint hearing of House Human Services and Judiciary Committees. The committees heard  testimony from physicians speaking to protocols for proper prescribing of addictive medicines. The multiple layers to this medical epidemic finds more and more Vermonters seeking pain relief and winding up addicted, and then "doctor shopping", so they can get multiple prescriptions from several doctors.


"Not everyone addicted to opioids has a swastika tattooed on their forehead", began the testimony of Dr. Zail Berry of Fletcher Allen Health Care, "Most are regular folks who look just like you or me."

A part of the problem, the same report suggests , is that insurance payment policies drive prescribing patterns. E.g. Research shows much chronic low back pain is helped by chiropractic , acupuncture and massage, yet many insurance companies won't cover those services. At the same time, they will pay for a prescription of Percocet ,which research shows  has not proven helpful.

As we move forward with health reform, I feel it is essential we look at all the effective alternatives to drug therapy,  in regards to pain management.

-Mike Mrowicki

State Representative, Windham 4 District

 

As always, we want to hear from you, so feel free to be in touch. During the January to May session, the best way to be in touch is :

Email- mmrowicki@leg.state.vt.us

Statehouse phone number - 800-322-5616

Website-www.windham4.net

 

 

 

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