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Letters to the Editor

Passing Savings on to Patients

Editor, News-Register: I think we can all agree insurance coverage should not act as a barrier to care, and that the very last thing insurers should be doing is gaming the healthcare system to shift costs back onto patients.  Unfortunately, over the last several years that is exactly what has been happening. While few realized this until recently, pharmaceutical manufacturers more often than not issue big rebates and discounts for prescription drugs in order to help drive down costs for patients at the pharmacy. However, these rebates and discounts are rarely, if ever, ...

Stronger Air Standards Needed

Editor, News-Register: As a cardiothoracic surgeon I see how air pollution affects my patients every day. The EPA is currently taking comments on its proposal to update its standards for particle pollution in more than 10 years. Also known as soot, PM2.5 refers to a mix of tiny solid and liquid particles that are in the air we breathe and comes from many sources. Here in Wheeling, residents are at risk from power plants, factories, diesel engines and downwind pollution from our neighbors in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Children and adolescents are more susceptible to the of air ...

Don’t Believe Trump Machine

Editor, News-Register: Since trump announced, erroneously, that he would be indicted a few weeks back, news media have been speculating breathlessly. Newsflash: Trump thrives on media attention. As long a people talk about him and think about him, he has influence. When the media report on what he says, on what he posts on his blog, and speculates on what he may or may not say, on what he may or may not do, trump gets attention that empowers his influence. National media attention fuels a trumpster fire that few can resist looking at. Responsible reporters and pundits ...

Spirit on Display in Belmont Co.

Editor, News-Register: It was with great sadness that I heard about the fire destroying the American Legion in Glencoe. I was born and raised there and have been following with interest the recent developments. On behalf of the Kaplet family of Glencoe, I would like to state publicly how heartening it has been to see the outpouring of support for the people of this community. I am told there are fund-raising efforts being held in other communities to help in the cleanup and rebuilding. The Legion Hall was the heart of the community when I lived there. And it was for many ...

Wheeling’s ‘Wonder Women’

Editor, News-Register: March is Women’s History Month, and we are blessed in Wheeling to have our very own “Wonder Women” — those who enrich our city each day. Two recently deceased, Bettie Steele and Trudy Forster, and fresh in memory. Bettie was a whirlwind and did so much for West Virginia Independence Hall, especially the flag exhibit. Trudy was a super nurse who once ran several departments at Wheeling Hospital and recently served as secretary to three Catholic parishes. And we don’t want to take our youngsters for granted. The newspaper insert “The Future of ...

Housing Options Need Improved

Editor, News-Register: Why does HUD continue to mix peaches with lemons when it comes to the housing market? What is needed is a high-rise for seniors, 60 years of age and older, who are living on a fixed income. Instead, what we have are seniors, handicapped, the homeless and those involved in using illegal drugs all living under one roof! Would you want a close relative living under such conditions? Let your local elected officials and your state officials know that it is wrong for your loved ones in Wheeling, West Virginia, to live this way. Let them know that this has to ...