Blogging Documents

There is no doubt that health care is a topic of much discussion and debate these days. Congress may have have promised a temporary hiatus on health care reform, but discussions, debates, and backroom dealings will likely continue.

This is an issue that fuels strong emotions and strong debate and will effect us all. It’s important to know what Congress is discussing on the Hill and beyond and what you can do to influence your legislators. Here are a few ways to stay informed:

• HealthReform.gov – This is the White House sponsored site on the health reform debate. This site offers President Obama’s hopes and intents for health care reform. It also offers various reports – some of public health success stories, some disparities, and reports from the Health and Human Services. Also included is a Contact Us page where individuals can share stories or ideas or pledge support to the President’s initiative.
• HR3200: America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 – Legislation introduced by the House. Speaker Pelosi has promised a vote on this legislation before the August break. The Senate has already stated their chamber will not be voting before the August break.

In addition to the information from the Whitehouse and the legislation, there is no shortage of news, news analysis and spin. Here are a few sites to whet your health reform news palate:

• State Chamber of Oklahoma Health Care Reform Updates – The State Chamber of Oklahoma offers updates on the health care reform debate, The State Chamber takes into account the effect on Oklahoma’s economy and small business owners,
• Congressional Quarterly Health Care 
• Politico Special Section: Health Care Reform
• The Hill – The newspaper of Capitol Hill offers insight, special reports, Congressional tweets on the health care reform debate.
• Visualizing the Health Care Lobbyist Complex (The Sunlight Foundation)

For the teen anxious to get a learner’s permit, or better yet an acutal dirver’s license, an Oklahoma Driver’s manual is not the easiest thing to come by.

The latest edition of the Oklahoma Driver’s Manual was published in limited quantity and most testing sites, tage agencies and other locations are completely out. To aid the future driver in need the Tulsa City-County Library has Driver’s Manuals available for check-out at each location. Check the Library’s catalog for availability or to have a copy transfered to your nearest location.

Can’t make to the library, but have a home computer. The Driver Manuals are available online from the OK Department of Public Safety.

Think the manuals should be available at testing sites? Phone ((405) 425-2424) or email (http://www.dps.state.ok.us/contact.html) the Department of Public Safety and let them know.

GIS provides a way to view, understand, question, interpret and visualize data, possibly revealing trends, patterns or relationships. Join Clif Broadworth of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries for a discovery session of Web-based state and federal GIS and geography resources. Learn about some of the common features of Internet GIS tools and useful Web sites from the State of Oklahoma and federal agencies for readymade and customizable maps.

Join us Tuesday, July 28, 2009 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Central Library Computer Training to discover free GIS resources.

Preregistration is required. Class size is limited. Call 596-7946 to register.

A limited amount of summer cooling assistance funds will be made available across the state through the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which is administered through the Oklahoma Department of Human Services.

The funds are designed to help low-income households that are extremely vulnerable to summer-heat stresses. OKDHS will begin taking applications July 13th, and will continue until all allocated funds are depleted. OKDHS has approximately $12 million in federal funds for this year’s Summer Cooling Program in Oklahoma.

Eligibility for LIHEAP is based on each household’s income and assets. If you or someone you know may be income eligible and are at risk for heat related health problems due to the inability to afford adequate cooling, you are encouraged to apply for the Summer Cooling Program available at your OKDHS Human Service Center.

Beginning this year, many, but not all, households that receive public assistance through OKDHS may be automatically authorized for summer cooling assistance and will not need to make application. These households will be notified of their eligibility by letter prior to the beginning of the application period.

The benefits are $150 for a one-person household, while a household of two or more may receive $230.  Only one payment per household is allowed annually for LIHEAP summer cooling assistance.

Those applying should have the latest electric bill for their home and verification of income information when they make application.  For more information, contact the local OKDHS human services center in your county of residence.

from: http://www.okdhs.org/library/news/rel/2009/07/07012009liheap.htm

A hotline has been established for reporting state fraud or abuse in spending stimulus funds.

The public, state or federal employees can phone (877) 259-7337 to report suspected abuse or fraud.

To learn more about Stimulus funds follow these links:

www.Recovery.gov – the Federal site that allows for tracking of stimulus monies

Whistlerblower protections –  Information oultining the protections for those reporting fraudulent spending or abuses of stimulus funds

Recovery.ok.gov –  the State of Oklahoma’s website for tracking stimulus funds