Poliquin’s empty talk on patients’ rights
I read, with horror and disgust, the Oct. 12 BDN article about the alleged egregious level of medical malpractice at Togus and the lengths to which the VA went to conceal it. The article quotes Rep. Bruce Poliquin as promising to hold the VA accountable and to work to reduce the amount of medical errors sustained by veteran patients. But given Poliquin’s record, it is hard for me to believe this is anything but empty talk.
Earlier this year, Poliquin, along with the majority of Republicans in Congress, voted for HR 1215, the so-called Protecting Access to Care Act of 2017. The bill, which narrowly passed the House of Representatives, would have made it nearly impossible to bring suit against doctors for making egregious medical errors. It would do so by, among other things, sharply curtailing damages and attorneys’ fees and making the legal process prohibitively expensive.
Were this bill to become law, the stories like those recently exposed at Togus would be the norm throughout Maine, not the exception. If Poliquin really cares about patients’ rights, he should show that with his vote, not just his rhetoric.
Taylor Asen
Portland
Maine VA system excellent
While news reports paint a questionable VA health care system, my Maine experience has been totally positive. All Maine VA personnel I’ve come in contact with from receptionists to doctors are dedicated to honoring each veteran with professional, courteous, patient-centered health care in modern facilities. I encourage my fellow Maine veterans who have yet to contact the VA for health care to do so. You’ll be glad you did and be pleased with Maine’s excellent VA health care system.
If you’re a Maine veteran and not receiving health care from the Veterans Administration, it’s easy to sign up. All you need is your DD214 and federal tax return for tax year 2016. Take these documents to the VA health care center in Bangor or to the service officer of a veterans organization, such as The American Legion Service Officer at Togus. You may call 623-5726 to make an appointment with the service officer at Togus.
Arnold L. Snyder Jr.
U.S. Air Force, retired
Stockton Springs
Davitt for Bangor City Council
Clare Davitt, a candidate for this November’s Bangor City Council election, is paving the way for a generation of politicians who can integrate knowledge, humor and awareness of her community experience in her social and social media interaction. Most importantly, Davitt recognizes that social media and technology are crucial to, well, everything these days. Yet, it also creates a generational divide, and she is committed to building a bridge to cross it.
As a reference librarian, Davitt is a crucial community connector. Davitt in true reference librarian fashion, strives to educate our community. Every day, she observes the needs of a diverse number of people who utilize the library as a space for meetings, parties, art shows and more.
Davitt’s commitment to Emerge Maine, a six-month intensive training that builds skills of public speaking, fundraising, campaign strategy, cultural competency and ethical leadership, reflects how seriously she takes this endeavor to run for office.
Davitt’s ability to stay connected with the changing tides of Bangor’s economy is admirable; she spends time in diverse spheres of art, local business, racial justice, economic security, sustainability and elder care. She is familiar with these perspectives, having grown up here in Bangor, leaving to travel and returning to home years later to invest in her community.
I feel fortunate to see multiple local candidates on the Nov. 7 ballot, and as someone who works in the Bangor area, I am strongly supportive of Davitt for Bangor City Council.
Carmine Leighton
Orrington
Death of ‘Big John’
I am sure you have received more than you would like to get on the subject, but I too was heartbroken to read a so-called hunter had killed “Big John” the bear. With hounds and guides, I see this is as no hunt, just another coward with a gun. I’m heartbroken for Big John.
Louise Haynes
Thorndike
I respect those who kneel
As news media report increased public disapproval of football and other sports teams trying to call attention to inequality in America, please list me as an approving fan.
I admire people, famous or not, who are willing to make public statements about their principles and values — even when I disagree vigorously.
I see Colin Kaepernick as a champion in the struggle for a saner, more just nation symbolized by the national anthem and flag that are at the center of public protests. I appreciate and respect all who kneel, link arms or otherwise show support for his statements.
Sharon Bray
Orland
No more blither-blather from politicians
Jared Golden listed in his Oct. 18 BDN OpEd the common, ordinary promises politicians make: jobs, health care, education, no hunger and so on. But how would he do any of this? No solutions were offered.
His OpEd is all about him and what a wonderful person he is, but his autobiography would be better placed on his website or Facebook page.
We need to know how Golden plans to help regular Maine people. How, specifically, would he create jobs, especially since every day more jobs are being given to robots, a trend expected to continue?
All politicians need to tell us specifically how they plan to implement their promises. We’ve had quite enough more-of-the-same blither-blather.
I see nothing from Golden, not one word, on our changing climate with its extreme storms, droughts, wildfires, floods — all of which Maine has had and will have more of as Earth warms.
I’ve asked him and several other candidates via social media what their proposals are to slow down the storms of our future. No word from any of them as yet.
Politicians cannot avoid or ignore this issue if they wish to be taken seriously. Millions of species — including our own — depend on citizens and governments working to stop fossil fuel burning and destruction of Earth’s oxygen-producing, carbon dioxide absorbing forests.
Our children’s lives depend on getting this right. We will not allow politicians to ignore this critical issue. Not this year, not ever.
Nancy Oden
Jonesboro
Election notice
The BDN will stop accepting letters and OpEds related to the Nov. 7 election on Oct. 28. Not all submissions can be published.