Get regular check-ups and save your life

I am writing this in hopes that someone you love will not die an early death. I lost my brother, Rick Josey, 57, June 7. Every day he exercised, walked, only ate fruits and vegetables and tried very hard to live a healthy life, all of which could not prevent his early death.

Genetic coronary artery disease (all of his arteries were blocked) caused his sudden death. If only he had gone to the doctor on a regular basis, they would have diagnosed this silent killer, and he could still be with us.

I urge you to please have a check-up, if you have not done so, and save your family from irreparable grief.

My family takes comfort in knowing Rick is with Christ, and as an organ donor, we know other people have new hope for a better life.

Judy Josey Hastings
Conover

Many agencies helped fire department in Stand Down

From June 11 to June 18, Hickory Fire Department joined with other departments across the United States and Canada for the 2009 International Fire Fighter and Emergency Medical Services Safety Stand Down program.

During this weeklong training, Hickory firefighters completed additional training on identified national risks that focused on firefighter safety. To make this training possible, many agencies came together in providing additional support for the firefighter training sessions.

I would like to thank Anchor Richey Emergency Vehicle Services, Bowman's Golf Car Sales, Maiden Fire Department, Maiden Rescue Squad, Skeet's Auto Recovery, ASR Graphics and North Carolina Highway Patrol for allowing the City of Hickory Fire Department to use various props and training materials.

To the restaurants who worked with the Hickory Firefighter's Association in providing meals each night prior to the training sessions, we thank Buffalo Wild Wings, Bennett's BBQ, Texas Roadhouse, Chili's, Sub Station II, Outback Steakhouse, Chick Fillet, Fire House Subs and Jersey Mikes.

To the other supporting agencies including; Catawba Valley Community College, Catawba County EMS, Catawba County Communications Center, Hickory Police Department, Hickory Public Services, Hickory Rescue Squad, Mountain View Fire Department, Mountain View Fire Department Explorer Post 311 and Carolinas Medical Center Med Center Air Ambulance crew, our sincere thanks for all that you did to support this comprehensive training effort and to make the 2009 Safety Stand Down program so successful.

Thank you.

Capt. Paul Holsclaw
Hickory Fire Department

Legislators must not cut Medicare hospice benefit

Within the budget cuts being considered by state legislators are proposed cuts to the Hospice Medicaid Benefit. While we recognize the difficulty faced by our elected officials in Raleigh as they struggle to manage resources in the current economic times, we strongly disagree with the proposed cuts to this benefit.

The Hospice Medicaid Benefit is the only source of coverage for the poor, and dying children covered by Medicaid are some of the ones who stand to suffer the most from these cuts.

Hospice care is specialized, compassionate care delivered by an interdisciplinary team of health care professionals for children and adults in their final six months of life. Hospice care has been documented to save dollars over other forms of health care.

By managing pain and other symptoms, hospice care enables patients to avoid costly hospitalizations while being cared for in their own homes, surrounded by family and loved ones.

Last year, we served 152 adults whose care was covered by the Hospice Medicaid Benefit. In addition, our Kids Path program served 72 children with cancer and 26 children with other diagnoses.

If Medicaid coverage suffers cuts, what will happen to the funding for their care? We know that nationally, only about 10 percent of children who are in need of the kind of support offered by our Kids Path program actually have access to it and receive it. In this community, we can and should do better.

Home-based medical and support services should remain a viable option not only for children, but for adults who deserve to maintain dignity in life and who desire comfort outside of a hospital or ICU environment. We need the legislature to preserve the Medicaid Hospice Benefit and we need charitable contributions from our community.

Janet Fortner
President and CEO
Hospice & Palliative Care Lincoln County