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Dietary Fat, Especially From Red Meat, Dairy, Linked To Pancreatic Cancer
New research from the US that studied the diet and health outcomes of over half a million people suggests that high consumption of dietary fat,
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Editorial, Opinion Piece Respond To Closure Of Murdered Abortion Provider Tiller's Clinic
Two newspapers recently published an editorial and an opinion piece in reaction to the announcement that murdered Kansas abortion provider George Tiller"s Wichita clinic would be permanently closed. The clinic was one of a handful in the U.S. offering abortion procedures in the second and third trimesters. Summaries appear below.~ Kansas City Star: The closing of Tiller"s clinic is "a tragedy for American democracy," and the "irrational violence" of his death has "trumped public policy," a Star editorial states. "The basis of civilization is that we agree to submit to the rule of law in order for society to flourish," the editorial says, adding that Tiller"s murder is "antithetical to that principle. It is dismaying to see a killer achieve his objective." The editorial notes that Tiller provided abortion services in "tragic cases" involving women "at risk of infertility or death; fetuses with severe abnormalities; and victims of rape and incest." It continues that the "reduction or loss of that service will create hardships and may put women"s lives at risk." Hospitals and doctors who refer such cases to abortion providers "must reassess the circumstances under which they would perform late-term abortions," according to the editorial. In addition, the "medical profession must take a role in training and supporting doctors willing to provide abortions," and the government and local police "must do all they can to protect a legal medical practice," the editorial says. It concludes, "Democracy demands that we not allow murder to make de facto public policy" (Kansas City Star, 6/11).~ Eric Zorn, Chicago Tribune: The announcement that Tiller"s clinic will remain permanently closed "was simply more proof that violence and intimidation can get results where civil discourse and political process fail," Tribune columnist Zorn writes. "The question isn"t whether prominent foes of abortion rights are being honest with us when they decry Tiller"s violent death and express regret over the means used to achieve an end they"ve sought," Zorn writes, adding, "Some are, I"m sure." He continues that abortion-rights opponents "recognize that ... a movement calling itself "pro-life"can"t also be pro-murder" and "are politically savvy enough to know that the gains won by terrorist acts are grudging and difficult to sustain." He continues that to "make terrorism less effective, and thereby discourage it," abortion-rights advocates, the medical profession, politicians and law enforcement officials "need to reopen that clinic in Wichita and assure its safe operation ... to defy terrorism, if for no other reason." He concludes that "as long as abortion remains legal, this same coalition needs to strive to expand the number of facilities where it"s available" (Zorn, Chicago Tribune, 6/11).
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Yolo County, Calif., Approves Proposal To Cut Funding For Health Care Services To Undocumented Immigrants
Yolo County, Calif., Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a proposal to cut county funding for health care services for undocumented immigrants in an effort to save the county more than $1 million, the Sacramento Bee reports (Sangree, Sacramento Bee, 5/20).California counties have been taking such action amid the economic recession to reduce their budgets. In February, Sacramento County voted to prohibit undocumented immigrants from receiving care at county clinics to save an estimated $2.4 million. Contra Costa County last month cut services for undocumented adults, seeking to save an estimated $6 million. Yolo County is facing a $24 million budget deficit for fiscal year 2009-2010 (Kaiser Health Disparities Report, 5/7).Robin Affrime -- head of CommuniCare Health Centers, which provide treatment to low-income residents of Woodland, Davis and West Sacramento -- said the county spending cuts would shift costs to health care providers. Supervisor Jim Provenza said undocumented immigrants would delay care at clinics and eventually seek treatment in hospital emergency departments (Sacramento Bee, 5/20).
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Australian Medical Association: Rural Health A Bright Spot In Budget

Measures contained in the budget will help attract and retain more doctors to rural and remote areas, the AMA said today. AMA Federal President, Dr Rosanna Capolingua, said a $134.4 million rural health package announced in the budget showed that the Government has responded to the AMA"s call for rural health. "The Government has recognised part of what is required to help rural communities attract and retain doctors," Dr Capolinuga said. "GPs moving to rural areas will be eligible for relocation payments of between $15,000 and $120,000. GPs working in these areas will also be eligible for ongoing incentives. The arrangements will be targeted so that GPs moving to, or working in, the most remote areas will get more support. "An additional 500 communities will for the first time be eligible for payments to help them attract and retain doctors." Other rural health measures included in the budget include a new national locum scheme, which will provide better relief support for rural GPs and help tackle the risks of burn-out. The contribution of international medical graduates working in rural areas will also be acknowledged as they will be able to discharge their obligations under Medicare provider number restrictions more quickly if they practise in rural or remote communities. Changes to the HECS reimbursement scheme will also support young doctors who choose a career in rural practice. Dr Capolingua said governments still had a lot more work to do to ensure Australians in the bush had access to high-quality medical services. "While the measures announced in the budget are welcome, more work is needed to make sure rural Australians get a fair deal on health. In particular, we need to see a much bigger government investment and real commitment to country hospitals to ensure patients can be provided with the treatment and care they need locally," she said. Australian Medical Association


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