Letters to the Editor - October 22, 2020

Support Mace, support the police

 

It breaks my heart to see all these young people wanting to defund the police. Don’t they understand that the law enforcement agents in our communities put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe? 

 

We have to defend our police -- not defund them. And if these critics have such a large problem with the law enforcement, wouldn’t the solution be to give them more resources? Not less? 

 

I just heard that the Fraternal Order of Police endorsed Nancy Mace for Congress. What excellent news! She will stand with them and ensure that our community remains safe. 

 

On the other hand, Congressman Cunningham has members of his staff that proudly want to defund the police. He has not been endorsed by any law enforcement groups. I was always going to vote for Nancy but now I’m going to the polls with all my friends. I encourage you to do the same. Our community is worth fighting for!”

 

Forrest Bjork

Charleston

 

Congress must support patient access to specialty care 

 

 Specialty care providers – a cornerstone of our nation’s health care infrastructure – are facing an enormous challenge in the form of Medicare cuts from Washington. From physical therapists and dermatologists to radiologists and cardiologists, specialty care providers are struggling to maintain their operations and serve vulnerable patient populations amid the pandemic. 

 

To make matters worse, as Americans continue to delay specialty care appointments due to COVID-related anxieties, the health consequences of postponed treatments will become ever more apparent. 

 

In August, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) – the agency responsible for overseeing the Medicare program – solidified its plans to cut payments for specialty providers by as much as 11% in 2021. 

 

As a physical therapist based here in Charleston, these cuts already threaten to be debilitating. But in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, they are truly existential. The situation becomes more difficult considering that our profession is already coping with a major reduction in reimbursable patient care due to COVID-19 as well as a slew of previous Medicare payment reductions. 

 

Fortunately, a broad coalition of bipartisan lawmakers are urging Medicare to reverse course and delay or mitigate the payment cuts. Lawmakers have introduced bipartisan legislation (H.R. 8505) to shield specialty providers, including physical, occupational and speech therapists, from costly and destructive payment reductions in 2021. 

 

But, time is running out. It will be critical for concerned lawmakers, including South Carolina’s own Sen. Tim Scott, to join the growing coalition of leaders taking action to preserve this critical pillar of America’s healthcare system. 

 

Dr. Jeff Falini

FOX Rehabilitation

Charleston

 

 

ONE MORE TIME-FOR ADULT BICYCLISTS

 

1. If you are riding a bike on the street (and you should be), PLEASE STOP AT THE STOP SIGNS. You are considered a vehicle and should obey those rules.

 

2.  If you are riding on the sidewalk (and you shouldn’t be, unless riding with a child), PLEASE let the walkers in front of you know you are coming up behind them, whether with a bell, or a simple “behind you.” It’s just courtesy. And you are supposed to stop at crosswalks.

 

3. Let your children know the rules of riding a bike.

 

Patricia Lobb

Daniel Island