Democrat and Chronicle from Rochester, New York • Page 9

Speaking Out 9A ROCHESTER, NEW YORK DemocratandChronicle.com WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2007 Reworking Rochester: Health LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Calling on Rochester to treat the ailing medical care system If you go iV Kl LV-- 1 What's your view? We welcome your comments. All submissions must include your name, address and daytime telephone number. Limit letters to fewer than 175 words. Submissions to the Democrat and Chronicle may be distributed in print, electronic and other forms. Because of the volume of submissions, we cannot acknowledge receipt.

If a submission is accepted for publication, we will notify the writer. Address: Letters to the Editor, Democrat and Chronicle, 55 Exchange Rochester, NY 14614. Call (585) 258-2641. Speaking Out essays: Call Speaking Out editor M. Kathleen Wagner at (585)258-2414; e-mail kwagnerDemocratand Chronicle.com Fax: (585) 258-2356.

TTYIine: (585)258-2510. E-mail: dceditpage DemocratandChronicle.com Seeking profiles for Women's History Month During March, Women's History Month, Speaking Out will highlight women who helped build our community. If you would like to write a profile of one such woman, contact Speaking Out editor Kathy Wagner at (585) 258-2414; or e-mail: KwagnerDemocratand Chronicle.com. Los Angeles Times Syndicate tional? One reason is that the uninsured are more likely to be diagnosed in the later stages of disease, and more likely to be hospitalized for avoidable health problems. The Institute of Medicine estimates that 18,000 unnecessary deaths occur each year due to lack of health insurance.

Unfortunately, by saving a little money up front by failing to cover preventive care we spend a tremendous amount later to address major medical conditions. ANDRE CHAPPEL SUSAN LADWIG GUEST ESSAYISTS Can you imagine a prosperous America that fails to provide vital services like public education? Why is health care different? According to the U.S. Census Bureau, almost 47 million Americans lack health insurance. With rising premiums, even more are in danger of losing coverage from their employer. Families without coverage risk facing exorbitant medical bills.

In fact, being unable to pay for health care expenses is the primary reason individuals declare bankruptcy. Our health care system suffers from inequity for many, and unsustainable inflation and excessive costs for all. We must turn this situation around and act responsibly to ensure all Americans are protected from unreasonable risk. Recently the Democrat and Chronicle reported that health care spending is projected to double within the next decade. America already spends twice as much on health care compared to other industrial nations, but ranks 30th for life expectancy.

Why is our system so dysfunc- Together, EVAN L0WENSTEIN GUEST ESSAYIST We possess overwhelming evidence that humans' burning of fossil fuels is affecting climate. Meanwhile, our economy and society are utterly and increasingly dependent on fossil fuels. A no-can-do situation, right? Wrong. In the mid-1970s, scientists discovered a gaping, growing Our Black History Pre-K push may be detrimental I read with concern the Feb. 12 story, "Push is on for pre-K," discussing prekindergarten and the requirements for advancing to the first grade in the Greece school district.

Isn't the goal of early education to create an enthusiasm and appreciation for learning? It's a time to get excited about all that is out there and introduce a variety of ideas and information through literature, hands-on play, field trip opportunities and lots of dialogue. If children are spending their time laboring over writing their ideas down or reading the 25 required books, then I am concerned about depleting their energy and enthusiasm. Some are ready to do those tasks. But does that mean it should be required? If we put the emphasis on production instead of harnessing the power and creating a love for learning, then have we really accomplished what we were hoping for? I am not advocating raising illiterate children. Rather let them get comfortable exchanging ideas verbally before relying on the written word especially at such a tender age.

JULIE COSGROVE PITTSFORD Outrage directed the wrong way So, County Executive Maggie Brooks is capable of being stunned and mortified about something. Especially something that is happening in the city of Rochester. That is a relief to know. Unfortunately, it is the fact that some adults are looking at pictures of people who are naked. Now she is planning to resolve this situation as soon as possible.

It is too bad that teenagers shooting each other, the teenage pregnancy rate, the large number of children with lead poisoning and the high school dropout rate don't seem to upset her at alL The recent murders of two women as a result of domestic abuse and the minimal funding of Alternatives for Battered Women by the county stun me. The sexual abuse of children by friends and family members in Monroe County and the lack of support to them by Monroe County Social Services mortify me. DAVID FERGUSSON ROCHESTER Midtown idea may work if done right Mayor Duffy made the correct decision to "walk away from the option" to purchase Midtown Plaza. The city should not be investing in retail property, and the ferry fiasco is a prime example of this. However, the concept of converting the plaza into an Italian-themed shopping mall has good potential if properly executed.

Having been to Italy twice, I can attest to the attraction of its food, wine and shopping. This would provide Rochester with a theme that has been lacking in previous attempts to establish a viable downtown retail area. I have visited the downtown areas of Boston, San Antonio, Chicago, Baltimore and Providence. All have unique themes that attract people from suburban areas in the evening. There is no reason why Rochester citizens can safeguard ozone Another reason for our health care system's dysfunction are the excessive administrative costs associated with our fragmented private health insurance industry, which account for almost a third of every health care dollar spent in America.

If we could eliminate the administrative waste, we would save more than $350 billion a year, savings that could be used to cover all Americans, without spending more than we already do. Many analysts consider sin- and use, made the ozone hole seem destined for accelerated growth. Consequences of this trend would include staggering increases in skin cancers and climactic upheaval. Although the complex science of the ozone hole was not conclusive, 43 nations in 1987 signed the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, agreeing to aggressively phase out the manufacture of CFCs. Today, all but five countries have joined the Montreal treaty, and in the 15 years after its launch, atmospheric CFC levels declined 86 percent.

World governments demon What: A panel of experts representing medical, economic and government perspectives will explore the merits of this and many other reform options during a free public forum. When: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Where: The University of Rochester, Gowen Room of Wilson Commons. gle-payer financing with universal coverage, similar to Medicare, to be the best way to address these issues.

Medicare is a public health insurance program for those older than 65. It spends less than 2 percent on administrative overhead. Medicare has the ability to control costs, and most recipients are satisfied with their care. There is a bill in Congress now, H.R. 676, with 56 sponsors in the House that would expand Medicare to cover every American from birth to death.

On Saturday, a panel discussion at the University of Rochester will explore the merits of this and many other reform options. As a community with an impressive history of planning and cooperation in health care, it's fitting that we come together to consider how we can move toward a health care system that better serves us all. Chappel and Ladwig are graduate students in the University of Rochester's Department of Community and Preventive Medicine, in the School of Medicine and Dentistry. strated their ability to respond quickly to a huge, complex problem. Such political will comes more readily when a critical mass of citizens demand and exemplify fast, strong decisions on key issues.

Now, we've learned that global warming can widen the ozone hole again. But if we look to the Montreal Protocol, we can see that the intractable or impossible is really neither. Lowenstein, of Rochester, runs Green Village Consulting, dedicated to sustainable development, "smart growth" and environmental protection. Sgt. Wycoff's unique story, like other "men of color" from Rochester who served the Union in the Civil War, was unknown until recently.

The Memorial Day Tribute to "men of color" interred in the Grand Army of the Republic plot at Mt. Hope Cemetery inspired a search that uncovered Wycoff's part in the Union's preservation. He was but one of the many local young men (for example, Dr. Elisha Perkins Langworthy of Rochester, a Confederate surgeon, who rests in Mount Hope) whose lives were cut short by the Civil War. Poulton is past camp commander, Guy-Thurmon Camp 1928, Sons of Confederate Veterans; Nolte is Civil War historian, Mt.

Hope Cemetery. others realize their potential. In the late 70s she founded Spectrum Models. She helped foster self-confidence in the models. She has worked with youth at the Monroe County Children's Center, counseled substance abusers, developed employment opportunities and served families with the ABC Head Start program.

Al-Sarag now is employed by Rochester Laborers Local No. 435 as an apprentice coordinator. She is often heard saying, "Let the work I've done speak for me." Warren is an attorney and president, Rochester Black Bar Association. can't be as successful. Midtown is ideal because it is a year-round facility with parking underground.

Private investment should purchase the building and finance the shops and restaurants. For this to succeed, the city should guarantee free parking, well-lighted passageways, and keep loiterers away from the building. A safe environment is essential to attract the volume of people necessary to support the venture. EDWIN NEWTON SCOTTSVILLE We do not need this dirty money Regarding the Feb. 16 article about how "tobacco revenue is slowly slipping This article talked about how smoking has decreased and the amount of taxes the government gets from cigarettes for their budget has decreased.

I was appalled that Minnesota State Sen. David Tomassoni, a Democrat, opposes banning cigarettes because he feels it's better to get the money for their budget even if it means killing people. Does that make sense to you? I'd rather see money from taxes on food and clothes go for education and health programs even if it means raising taxes. At least Tomassoni could have a clear conscience that he is honestly helping people with clean money. How can he sleep thinking he's doing good and the right thing? When are all government officials going to realize they don't need taxes from cigarettes? Vote for a 100-percent total ban on cigarettes and people will quit smoking and we won't have to support them in the hospitals for lung cancer, emphysema and heart troubles.

Think about that, senator. Sweet dreams. LAURA RUFFINO PITTSFORD David Wycoff defended Union in Civil War on hole in the planet's ozone layer, which shields the Earth from the sun's dangerous ultraviolet radiation. They also learned that one molecule of chlorofluoro-carbons (CFCs) an ingredient in thousands of products such as air conditioners, refrigerants and aerosol sprays could linger in the upper atmosphere for up to a century, destroying 100,000 ozone molecules. The world faced an immediate, critical problem, perpetrated by substances that had become entrenched in daily life.

The extent of their use, combined with massive resistance to regulation of their manufacture of color as early as the mid-1840s. Through his father's connections, Wycoff was able to attend Rochester High School. The Class of 1861 graduation program documents his 10-minute oration in German. Wycoff Wycoff worked as a janitor, painter and in a window blind factory. As his father's rheumatism worsened, Wycoff gave his earnings to his parents.

Wycoff, listed as having a dark complexion, black eyes and black hair, nevertheless passed for white. On July 18, 1862, he enlisted in the all-white 108th New York Volunteer Infantry regiment. He received a $25 bounty and a $2 premium. her to become a card-carrying member of the Black Panther Party. The Panthers' 10-point program was in iine with her thinking, and she conducted political education classes.

Al-Sarag credits the Black Panther Al-Sarag Party for starting a breakfast program and Neighborhood Watch. She held office in the Rochester Black Political Caucus, the Black Leadership Roundtable and other organizations. Al-Sarag organized community festivals for the Southwest Area Neighborhood Association and Action for a Better Community. She was a founding 7 WILLIAM P0ULT0N MARILYN N0LTE GUEST ESSAYISTS David E. Wycoff was born in 1844.

An only child, he lived with his parents on Hunter Street in Rochester. David's father was a religious man, referred to as "reverend" and active in The United Sons of Rochester and the Colored People of the City of Rochester, groups promoting voting rights for men LOCAL 'TOON A local cartoonist's view While he enlisted as a private, he was mus- tered into service as a corporal. He saw action at Antietam, Snicker's Gap, Falmouth and Fredericksburg. On Feb. 28, 1863, due to his outstanding intelligence and ability, he was promoted to 4th sergeant.

On picket duty, David contracted a severe cold and inflammation of the eyes. In June of 1863, he was sent to the Division Hospital, then to Columbia General, then to DelMarres Hospital in Washington, D.C., and then to Satterlee Hospital in Philadelphia. Surgery to give him some relief sadly resulted in "near total loss of vision." He died of "consumption" on April 9, 1866. member of the Pythodd and Clarissa Street reunion committees. Al-Sarag has worked on local, state and national political campaigns.

She was the only Rochesterian on the Rev. Jesse Jackson's na tional staff when he first ran for president; she helped organize his campaign in nine states. Al-Sarag is most passionate about writing. In 1970, she co-founded about time magazine. She also wrote a weekly entertainment column for the Buffalo Challenger and a column for the Frederick Douglass Voice.

Al-Sarag has always helped Gloria Winston Al-Sarag fired up political activism i A LOVELY ANN WARREN GUEST ESSAYIST Gloria Winston Al-Sarag, born in 1945, has been a community builder for years. She grew up in Rochester's 3rd Ward, now called Corn Hill, where community activists nurtured and instilled value in youth. Though she was active in the Junior NAACP, racism found her when she and her husband went house-hunting in the early 1960s. The experience prompted REGINA BOLIVAR, ROCHESTER If you have an original cartoon you would like us to consider, send it to: Local 'toon, Democrat and Chronicle, 55 Exchange Rochester, NY 14614..