Category Archives: health care

Critical Need for Long-Term Care for Older Adults in Champaign County

When my eighty-nine-year-old friend survived her bout with fungal pneumonia after spending nearly a month in the hospital, we were ecstatic. Her outcome had not always seemed certain, and we were delighted that she was on the path to recovery. … Continue reading

 209 total views,  1 views today

Posted in county goverment, health care, Healthcare, Nursing Home, Section, seniors, the elderly | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Critical Need for Long-Term Care for Older Adults in Champaign County

Advocating for End-of-Life Options in Illinois

The Illinois End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act (SB3499), which would authorize medical aid in dying in Illinois, was introduced in the Illinois Senate on February 9, 2024 by Assistant Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora). None of the bill’s … Continue reading

 200 total views

Posted in health, health care, Healthcare, IL, Section, seniors, the elderly | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Advocating for End-of-Life Options in Illinois

Remembering Irfan Ahmad

Longtime Urbana resident Irfan Ahmad passed away on May 2 due to complications from a chronic lung condition. He was 66. Ahmad immigrated from Pakistan in 1989 to pursue his graduate education in agricultural engineering at the University of Illinois. … Continue reading

 378 total views

Posted in Community, health care, Immigrants, Islam, Local Resources, Peace movement, social services, Voices | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Remembering Irfan Ahmad

The Private Market Destroyed Our Nursing Home

In 2018, the Champaign County Board sold the Champaign County Nursing Home. In 2023, that facility was shut down by the private market entity that bought it. In five short years, our once-publicly run elder care facility was commodified, gutted, … Continue reading

 664 total views,  1 views today

Posted in county goverment, health care, seniors, the elderly | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Private Market Destroyed Our Nursing Home

The Danville Abortion Clinic Troubles

Mary Catherine Roberson, chair of the Danville chapter of Personal Pac, warns, “do not take it for granted that because you live in Illinois, you are safe. If the anti-abortion forces start organizing in your town, reach out to Personal … Continue reading

 662 total views

Posted in abortion rights, health care, Healthcare, Reproductive Justice, Section, Voices, Women, Women, wonen's rights | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on The Danville Abortion Clinic Troubles

Profiting Across the Autism Spectrum

Driving through north Champaign last winter I noticed a new business in a strip mall near Denny’s. At first, I assumed it was some sort of sports store due to the all-caps signage: “TOTAL SPECTRUM.” But this was not a … Continue reading

 436 total views

Posted in Corporations, health care, Healthcare, Mental Health, Section | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Profiting Across the Autism Spectrum

It Can Happen Here: Medicare Advantage Disadvantages Retirees Nationally and in C-U

The New York Times recently published a story about how Medicare Advantage (MA) plans rip off consumers and taxpayers through a range of dubious practices up to and including fraud. These practices contribute to higher profit levels which, in turn, … Continue reading

 483 total views,  1 views today

Posted in health care, seniors, the elderly | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on It Can Happen Here: Medicare Advantage Disadvantages Retirees Nationally and in C-U

Central Illinois Police Training for Mental Health Cases Questioned — Print Version

Tisha Bryson has been shackled, hospitalized, and shoved to the ground by Champaign-area police while experiencing a mental health crisis more times than she can count. “I try not to hold grudges,” said Bryson, of Hammond. “But some of the … Continue reading

 631 total views,  1 views today

Posted in health care, Mental Health, Police, police accountability, Police brutality, Policing, Racism | Tagged , | Comments Off on Central Illinois Police Training for Mental Health Cases Questioned — Print Version

Take Action to Keep Champaign County from Losing Another Nursing Home!

Champaign County residents are about to lose another nursing home. But we can stop this from happening, if we work together! The Rothners, who are the current owners of the former Champaign County Nursing Home, which they bought in 2018, … Continue reading

 578 total views,  1 views today

Posted in Champaign County, health care, Healthcare, Nursing Home, seniors, the elderly | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Take Action to Keep Champaign County from Losing Another Nursing Home!

Local Emergency Rally for Reproductive Rights

 Local citizens gather in front of the Urbana Courthouse on May 3 to protest the likely coming Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v Wade and endangering women’s right to choose.  557 total views,  1 views today

 557 total views,  1 views today

Posted in abortion rights, Back Cover, health care, Women | Comments Off on Local Emergency Rally for Reproductive Rights

Texas isn’t the Only Place where a Woman’s Right to a Safe and Legal Abortion is Under Attack

  Right here in in Illinois, women’s lives and safety are being sacrificed for the election-minded politicians of the Land of Lincoln. In Illinois, young women and girls’ safety is at risk under the Parental Notice Act. The Parental Notice … Continue reading

 851 total views,  2 views today

Posted in abortion rights, health care, IL, Women, wonen's rights | Comments Off on Texas isn’t the Only Place where a Woman’s Right to a Safe and Legal Abortion is Under Attack

The Nest Postpartum Support

Five years ago, my world turned upside down after the birth of our first son. What should have been the happiest day of our lives turned into one crisis after another, a transfer to a hospital two hours away, and … Continue reading

 814 total views,  1 views today

Posted in Community, health care, Voices, Women, Women | Comments Off on The Nest Postpartum Support

Turn Off the Spigot: Money vs. Med4All

The COVID pandemic has exposed the flaws in the US health care system as never before, reinforcing longstanding arguments for creating an expanded Medicare for All system in the country. The Public i has previously published articles (see June, November … Continue reading

Posted in health care, IL, Politics, Politics | Comments Off on Turn Off the Spigot: Money vs. Med4All

Disease and Denial in Prison

This letter was received from Stateville Prison in early April, reporting on conditions there during the COVID-19 crisis.q I am a student in Northwestern University’s Bachelors program. Like many other students, I also work, though in my case, both my … Continue reading

Posted in COVID-19, health care, incarceration | Comments Off on Disease and Denial in Prison

A Socialist Response to COVID-19

In a recent “Democracy Now!” interview, Noam Chomsky called Cuba a “superpower.” What did he mean? Well, let’s look at health care. According to the World Health Organization, Cuba has the highest ratio of doctors in the world, 8.4 for … Continue reading

Posted in COVID-19, Cuba, health care | Comments Off on A Socialist Response to COVID-19

Expanded Medicare for All: What It Is and What It’s Not (Part Two)

The Illinois Single-Payer Coalition-CU (ISPC-CU) is on the move. Following its successful November 16 workshop on improved and expanded Medicare for All (Med4All), held at the Champaign Public Library, ISPC-CU is laying the groundwork for further grassroots action in the … Continue reading

Posted in health care | Comments Off on Expanded Medicare for All: What It Is and What It’s Not (Part Two)

Expanded Medicare for All: What It Is and What It’s Not

Perhaps you’ve seen the video: a Vietnam veteran at a Bernie Sanders rally in Carson, Nevada takes the floor and describes how he is on the point of suicide due to the high uncovered costs of treating his Huntington’s disease. … Continue reading

Posted in health care | Comments Off on Expanded Medicare for All: What It Is and What It’s Not

Women Workers on the March: UNITE HERE Hotel Workers Strike

Currently women workers are leading the march of labor in this country. Although it is lost amid the headlines of the #MeToo movement, this movement’s call for an end to sexual harassment and assault is at its core a demand … Continue reading

Posted in health care, labor, Women | Comments Off on Women Workers on the March: UNITE HERE Hotel Workers Strike

A SMALL STEP FOR HEALTHCARE, A GIANT LEAP FOR A MOVEMENT

On Wednesday, September 13, 2017, Vermont Independent Senator Bernie Sanders introduced a single-payer/expanded and improved Medicare for All health care bill (Senate Bill 1804) in the U.S. Senate. At a press conference that day, Senator Sanders stated, “The American people want … Continue reading

Posted in health care | Comments Off on A SMALL STEP FOR HEALTHCARE, A GIANT LEAP FOR A MOVEMENT

Save Our Safety Net!

A large number of mobilizations, actions, and educational programs have been planned and organized recently in response to attacks on many of our cherished government programs. One such event, entitled “Saving the Social Safety Net,” took place at Channing-Murray Foundation … Continue reading

Posted in health care, safety net, social security | Comments Off on Save Our Safety Net!