Monthly Archives: June 2008

Elements of the Obama Health Care Policy

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Senator Barack Obama’s health care proposal is based on two principles.

PRINCIPLE 1: An American’s rights to pursuit happiness are to be respected.  The Obama health care plan attests this principle by granting each American the right to choose how he/she wishes to maintain his/her health .

PRINCIPLE 2: The role of government is to protect citizen rights, not to punish a citizen who chooses not to exercise his right. Thus no American will be forced to enroll in any government sponsored coverage.

Under Senator Obama’s Health Care Plan:

•    If you are enrolled in Medicaid or a state children health insurance program then you will be able to keep that coverage, and eligibility for coverage will expand to cover more of the poor and near poor are planned.

•    If you are enrolled in Medicare then you will able to keep Medicare. Further, the Obama Administration will seek revision in Medicare Part D Drug Benefit to gain adequate drug coverage for the elderly, and give the federal government the power to negotiate drug prices.

•    If you are enrolled in an employer sponsored plan and you like the coverage then you will be able to keep it.

•    If you are employed in a small firm and your employer does not provide medical coverage then your employer will be required to purchase a plan, or contribute to a pool where you can purchase affordable and comprehensive coverage.

•    If you work for a small firm, buy coverage in an individual insurance plan, uninsured or have inadequate coverage, then you can join a new pool that offers two options for choice:
o    You can select from a menu of plans modeled after the federal employees benefits program or
o    You can enroll in a public plan similar to Medicare.

Long run status of the Obama Plan
Economists estimate that this plan can reach 95% coverage of the American public. The remaining 5% will comprise the homeless, drug addicts, people who are in the country illegally and they choose not to expose themselves or their family members to government notice. The Obama Plan seeks to increase this coverage ratio with two additional strategies.

Increasing the coverage ratio
Uninsured young adult children ages 19 to 29 contribute significantly to those who do not seek coverage. They are about 14 million in population. The Obama Plan, which will permit coverage to adult children 19 – 25 under their parent’s plans, will greatly reduce the uninsured within this group.

Sixty to seventy percent of the emergency care seekers are uncovered. The Obama Plan is considering to offer to these people, the option to enroll in the universal health care plan or be held responsible to pay the cost of care. Economist estimate approximately 60 to 70 percent of this group will choose enrollment.

The additions of  these addendums are likely to reap a greater harvest of those who do not enroll within the first two years of the program.

Principle 2
Senator Obama seeks to set a health care policy for the 95% who want coverage. He believes the function of government is to protect people’s rights, not to punish anyone whose rights are not met.  With this approach, no American is left out, and no one will be forced to enroll in any government sponsored coverage.

Who will pay?
Under the Obama Plan, the direct premiums that you pay will be your monthly share of the cost of the plan. This premium is income based.

Cost
The cost of the health care program will ultimately be determined by the financial incentives Congress provides to employers. If the payroll tax is low, employers are likely to opt for the government single payer model which will grow to a large stable pool, allowing for the use of economy of scale and negotiating powers to keep track of costs. If the payroll tax is raised or remains the same, employers will likely seek less expensive alternatives.

Other features of the Obama Plan

•    Public health will have a prominent role in the health care system.
•    Strong provisions for pandemic flu will be made.
•    Increase use of tele-medicine to encourage shared expertise between distant medical centers and rural providers. This will increase the quality of care in rural areas.
•    Reinsurance for catastrophic illness to ease employer’s care cost.

Will everyone in the United States be covered?
No. The plan does not offer coverage to the undocumented workers and their family members, who live and work in this country but choose to be invisible to government for economic reasons.

Universal Coverage?
Yes, The Obama Plan will provide comprehensive coverage to all who are eligible to enroll. So the plan is universal in its scope, by Principle 1; de facto it is not by Principle 2.

Conclusion: Untreated issues
There are many untreated issues about medical care. Primarily they are issues that can only be resolved in the long run. I hope they will be approached with an urgency to be resolved in the short run.

•    Quality, how can it become a natural part of this system?
•    How can the plan encourage the production of needed family practitioners?
•    How does war and neighborhood development affect health?
•    What can be done to control inflation within the system?
•    Should the single payer model be the goal of a US health plan?

Did You Know?
The United States is the only western industrial nation without a universal health coverage in some form.

The United States has the most expensive health care program in the world.
About 2.3 – 2.4 trillion dollars spent annually, outpacing inflation.

Our expensive system does not assure quality care. We suffer with a high rate of preventable infection that result in death.  Each year about 100,000 die from preventable infection, hospital acquired  or otherwise.
Further, we experience about 100,000 deaths from preventable medical error each year.

Someone to follow to learn more about the Obama Plan

The major content of this post was gleamed from a review of the Obama health care proposal by Helen Halpin April 17, 2008.

Helen Halpin, one of Obama’s chief health care advisors.

HelenHalpin: Staunch supporter of Obama.

Helen Halpin: Distinguised Faculty.

Proposal for a Three-week Mathematics Clinic Grades 4,5

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INTRODUCTION


Why this proposal?

The United States is facing a critical shortage of graduates who major in mathematics, science, engineering, and technology. As children progress through the educational system, far too many shy away from science and mathematics. Other nations, particularly in Asia, have far more success in producing successful students with strong backgrounds in science and mathematics.

This proposal presents The Mathematics Room Project, a three-week enrichment program that stresses mastering mathematical skills that underpin success in higher mathematics and ultimately, in high tech and mathematics centered jobs. But to no lesser degree, it addresses social responsibilities and the City’s rich cultural heritage.

THE PROJECT DESCRIPTION

What is The Mathematics Room Project?

The Mathematics Room Project (TMRP) is a three-week summer enrichment program that stresses

· fluency with whole numbers,

· mastery of fractions,

· relationships to others and to the XXXXXX neighborhood,

· the City’s rich musical heritage.

Why are these emphases over others?

In a recent Washington Post article, a presidential panel of mathematicians, education experts and psychologists reported that, students need a deeper understanding of fluency with whole numbers and fractions, if they are to be success in completing Algebra II. Further, the panel stressed, that many students are befuddled by fractions. A fundamental focus of TMRP is to develop fluency of whole numbers and mastery of fractions, thereby responding, to correct the problems identified by the presidential panel.

“Market emphasis” is a fact of life. We approach education, the arts and even our spiritual institutions with a business plan. This approach has its advantages but it reduces all things to a bottom line mentality. Often in human endeavors, the process leading to the bottom line is as important as the bottom line, for example, in building relationships, in working in team, in caring for others, in caring for things over which we have charge, in developing plans for the future, etc. In all a spirit is built that is necessary to relate to others as well as our community. TMRP will teach participants to solve mathematical problems within a group structure, thus highlighting the importance of relationships and highlighting our responsibilities in human affairs.

What is the teaching philosophy of TMRP?

The teaching philosophy of TMRP is rooted in the famed Singapore Method of teaching mathematics. Like the Singapore approach, TMRP focuses on teaching mathematical thinking to produce mathematical thinkers. It does this, by walking the learner through all the components of a problem and then presenting her with the whole problem to solve; all done, with the learner’s preparation in mind while poised to elevate her to the next level.

Is this method better than the traditional?

The Mathematics Room Project believes and data shows this method is optimal for learning “how to” frame a problem in a concrete stage, and then, “ how to” usher the learner into the abstract stage, thereby enabling him to learn mathematics in a meaningful way. It encourages an active thinking process, effective problem solving skills and clear communication of mathematical ideas. All of the attributes are necessary to develop a foundation that students need to successfully study more advanced mathematics.

TMRP supports this method with outstanding, experienced, caring teachers and with excellent textbooks and workbooks that stresses the

Concrete-> Pictorial-> Abstract approach.

Is the Singapore Method proven?

Since 1995, Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study tests (TIMSS) have been administered to students of thirty-six developed nations. These nations used the TIMSS test to measure the success of its student preparations in mathematics and the sciences. Singapore, a small nation of 45 million, has never scored less than first position in the TIMSS test, while the United States has never placed higher than 16th position.

Follow-up results of the TIMSS attest that students taught by the Singapore method have a higher success rate in completing algebra and higher mathematics.

Who will lead the Mathematics Room Project?

The Director and Coordinator of The Mathematics Room Project, XXXXX, have acclaimed success in directing mathematics enrichment programs.

The support staff includes XXXXXX – a retired grade teacher of 33 years experience, having taught 25 years at the XXXXXX, one of California’s Distinguished Schools.

Where will the program be held?

The XXXXXX Church has committed to host The Mathematics Room Project. This Christian institution has ministered to the XXXXXXXX Community for XXX years.

How will the participants be recruited?

Thirty students will be recruited by invitations sent to:

· Area churches

· Area recreations facilities

· Advertisements in a weekly newspaper

· The CITY NEWSPAPER

PROJECT NEEDS

The Mathematics Room Project needs:

  • meeting space to accommodate 30 children
  • eight tables: seating four per table
  • Singapore Method mathematics workbooks: grades 4 through 6
  • Singapore Method teacher manuals: grades 4 through 6
  • cost of admittance for 30 participants to:
  • one of the City’s Philharmonic performance and
  • one of the City’s Choral performance

BENEFICARIES OF THE PROJECT

The Students: The immediate beneficiaries of the project are its participants. Mastery of problem solving skills enhances student self-esteem and cementing student–school bonds. Studies have demonstrated that girls having strong mathematics skills tend to resist predatory male advances and amoral peer pressure. In like manner, boys having strong mathematics skills and strong parental guidance tend to successfully shun gang advances. Thus, TMRP will be another effort to engage students in academic life and to build a student more resistant to social distractions.

Over the years, students trained under the Singapore Method boast high rates of success in higher mathematics. Algebra II, the gateway to higher mathematics, is a proven predictor of success in college. The recent Washington Post article reported that The National Mathematics Advisory Panel – the Presidential Panel composed of mathematicians, educators and psychologists – declared that success in Algebra II is predicated upon mastering fractions and fluency in whole number operations; primary focus topics of The Mathematics Room Project. Thus, TMRP is another local effort to increase the number of students who earn successful completion in Algebra II, and thus earn success in college.

The Society is a long-range beneficiary of TMRP. As problem solving is a necessary prelude to develop a thoughtful citizenry, and as thoughtful citizens build strong and safe communities, The Mathematics Room Project will take part in providing the citizens for better Sacramento communities.

The Country: The science and medical communities of the United States have experienced a severe shortage of prepared graduates in science and mathematics, due in large part to the poor performances in the sciences and mathematics. This is visibly reflected in the medical, computer science and engineering communities. The Mathematics Room Project is a Sacramento effort to increase the number of U.S. students who are successful in Algebra II, and hence increasing the number of candidates in the medical, mathematics and science pipeline.

FITS TO FUNDING AGENT MISSION.

As The Mathematics Room Project is a program with an academic,

cultural and social impact that targets bettering students in a particular Sacramento neighborhood, it is consonant with the vision of FUNDING AGENT. to develop awareness and care for neighborhoods.

It does this:

· By teaching its participants to master mathematics identified as a building block to success in college.

· Through its planned ice cream social in the local park.

· With scheduled attendances to a performance of the Sacramento Philharmonic and the Sacramento Chorale Society.

Familiarity breeds acceptance. So during its instruction time, TMRP will play as background music those selections designated by the City Philharmonic and City Chorale Society to be performed during the scheduled attendance of TMRP. This predisposition to the selected music provides for greater student enjoyment as they witness familiar music dramatized in a cultural setting.

Our activities will be held in the XXXXXXXX Church facilities. This structure is a recognized historic landmark to the neighborhood. Gaining life changing academic experiences, while experiencing positive events and joyful times in a place of historic value in one’s neighborhood promotes positive and manifold connections to the neighborhood, thus this program fits the vision of FUNDING AGENT.

AFTER TMRP, WHAT THEN?

After the program, our participants will have:

· learned “how to” learn mathematics.

· mastered mathematics crucial to learn higher mathematics.

· a better appreciation of mathematics, and stronger self-esteem.

· experienced great music performed by local musicians.

· recognized the historic value and importance of the building that housed project.

In summary, our participants will have exposures that communities desire of its youth.

REQUESTED FUNDS

The Mathematics Room Project requests $ xxxxxx to cover operational expenses, student textbooks, student workbooks, teacher instruction manuals, 12 nutritious snack for 30 students, transportation cost to the music events, t-shirts that stress TMRP common focus and fosters a sense of belonging; and certificates of completion.

FIELD TRIPS

The Project Director will coordinate all field trips during the project year.

PROPERTIES OF THE MATHEMATICS ROOM PROJECT

All properties of The Mathematics Room Project, except student workbooks, revert to FUNDING AGENT. upon cessation of the project.

TOTAL PROJECT BUDGET $XXXXXX

INSTRUCTION MATERIALS

TEACHER MANUALS

219.00

STUDENT TEXTBOOKS

720.00

TOTAL

$ 939.00

FIELD TRIPS and Social

CITY PHILHARMONIC

Complemented

CITY CHORAL

Complemented

Social in Park

70.00

TRANSPORTATION

$700.00

TOTAL

$ 770.00

OTHER COSTS

RENT

500.00

T-SHIRTS

187.00

PHOTO PROCESSING

50.00

COPYING

100.00

FINGERPRINTING

168.00

TOTAL

$ 1016.00

MEALS

SNACK

1258.00

TOTAL

$ 1258.00

STAFF COMPENSATION

PROJECT DIRECTOR

$XXXXX

VOLUNTEER GAS ALLOW

$150.00

STAFF

XXXXX

TOTAL

$ XXXXXX

PROJECT START/COMPLETION DATE

ORIENTATION: June 7, 2008

Accept applications, distribute rules of operation, administer pretests to measure student preparedness and measure for t-shirts.

START DATE:

July 7, 2008

COMPLETION DATE:

July 24, 2008

PROJECT TIME FRAME

WEEK ONE

9:00-10:20

10:35-12:00

12:00-12:30

M T W Th

Number fluency

Fractions

Lunch

WEEK TWO

9:00-10:20

10:35-12:00

12:00-12:30

M T W Th

Number fluency

Fractions/

Applications

Lunch

WEEK THREE

9:00-10:20

10:35-12:00

12:00-12:30

M T W

Number fluency

Fractions/

Applications

Lunch

THURSDAY

Review

Testing

Lunch

WEEK THREE

6:30 – 8:30 pm

THURSDAY

Program: Student Presentations & Awarding

Certificates/ Social (Parent attendance, public)

MESUREMENTS AND EVALUATIONS

Upon entering the program, all students will be administered a pretest to determine whole number fluency, mastery of fractions, and problem solving skills.

TMRP will permit its learners to advance to a new topic only upon 85% or better mastery of his latest workbook assignment.

During the last three days of the enrichment program, the Director will assign to each student a problem he will present at a closing ceremony. Parents and the public will be encouraged to attend the closing ceremony. The presentations will be graded on clarity, correctness and problem insights.

On the final day of TMRP, student will take a post-test. Its results will be compared with the pretest results to measure the impact of the enrichment intervention.

At the completion of the first year of operation, the Director will submit an annual report to the Board of FUNDING AGENT. The report will summarize student performances and the project’s impact on student educational and cultural growth.

CONTACT INFORMATION

CONTACT NAME

AUTHOR

HOME PHONE

XXX-XXX-7XXX

EMAIL

XXXXX@XXXXX.com

ADDRESS

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX