Letters to the editor

Author: [no author name found]

To the Editor:

The only thing more appalling than the pompousness and complete lack of logic displayed by Ryan Tauriainen's letter in last week's paper is the fact that you keep paying attention to him. Could you stop?

Sincerely,

Tristan Axelrod '08


To the Editor:

I always enjoy reading articles from The Ethicist and the article in the April 10 issue was no exception. I wanted to respond to a portion of the answer to "Perplexed about Pay" indicating it is okay to "inflate hours," or "as long as the professor says it is okay to enter more hours than worked, then one is free to do so because the professor is a representative of the institution." It is actually not okay to do so. In fact, it is illegal ... and unethical. Amanda was right to advise not indicating that you worked more hours than you did. And if someone tells you to do that - even a member of the administration - don't. The suggestion to talk to the professor is a good one. You can also talk to me in the Student Employment Office!

Sincerely,

Dee Gilbert

Student Employement Coordinator


To the Editor:

On Wednesday, April 23 Vermont will become the 10th state to require health insurance companies to cover prosthetic care as they do all essential medical care when Governor James Douglas signs Senate Bill 280 into law.

This bill requires health insurance plans to provide coverage for prosthetic devices at least equivalent to that provided by the federal Medicare program. This prevents insurance companies from imposing special exemptions or financial caps on prosthetic benefits.

The new law is very important to Vermont residents living with the loss or absence of a limb who are seeking meaningful prosthetic care coverage from their health insurers. Many Vermonters living with the loss or absence of a limb have faced discouraging obstacles when trying to obtain prosthetic care. This has a devastating effect on amputees and their families.

Providing prosthetics cost very little to the general insured population. It also saves money in the long run. The subsequent cost to the healthcare system far exceeds that of providing prosthetic care, while the lack of productivity places a huge burden on society.

This new law will ensure that the tragedy of children living without a limb is not compounded by forcing them to spend the rest of their childhood in a wheelchair when help is readily available.

Unfortunately, this law will only impact those plans regulated by the state government. There is a federal bill, HR 5615, that would extend these protections to health plans that are federally regulated. Please, call on Vermont's congressional delegation to support this important legislation.

Sincerely,

Morgan Sheets

Amputee Coalition of America