Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 24 September 2004 — Page 3

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2004

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

PAGE A3

Women in Government tackle tough policy issues

Special to Tht Recorder Women in Government, a nonprofit, bipartisan 501(c)(3) educational association for elected women in state government recently held their Annual Midwestern Regional Conference in Indianapolis. Women in Government promotes in-

formed policymaking and the leadership role of women by providing issue education and opportunities for idea and information exchange. The meeting brought together a variety of public policy experts, representatives of the business community and a group of 35 state legislators

from the Midwestern region. The group convened for two and a half days, Sept. 16-19 at the Omni Severin Hotel to examine a variety of policy issues that are timely and relevant to state legislators. This year a committee of Indiana legislators and community members, led by Women

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in Government Deputy Executive Director and former Indiana state representative, Susan Crosby, hosted the meeting. “It was great to see Indiana women legislators come together in a bipartisan forum, across both chambers, uniting to educate other Midwestern legislators and the nation as a whole on important public policy initiatives” Crosby said, “furthermore, we were pleased to showcase our beautiful city

and state.”

Issues covered at the conference included presentations by Barbara Levy Tobey, director of the Indiana Office of Women’s Health; Terri Pascarelli of DCL Medical Laboratories; and Dr. Nancy Branyas of the Care Group, focusing on the role of state offices of women’s health, specifically on the need for awareness around cardiovascular disease, the number one killer

of women.

Dr. Charles Baum, medical director of the Alexian Nutrition and Disease Prevention Center, discussed the growing epidemic of obesity, including treatments for the morbidly obese (those individuals who are 100 pounds or more over ideal body weight). Sen. Beverly Card of Indiana, Jacqueline Bird of the Ohio Coal Development Office, Michael Rossler of the Edison Electric Institute, Janet McCabe ofthe Indiana Department of Environmental Management and Dr. Bill Beranek of the Indiana Environmental Institute provided legislative participants with a scientific and policy update on air qual-

ity issues.

Rep. Carolene Mays, D-In-dianapolis, provided the audience with educational background on the issue of domestic violence, with an emphasis

egies to reduce health care costs, with supporting information given by representatives of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Rep. Catherine Barrett of Ohio and Dr. Gregory Wilson, of the Indiana State Department of Health. Dr. Jean Bonhomme, president of the National Black Men’s Health Network, presented the audience with an important look at the implications of inadequate health care on men, women and children. Also in the area of treatment and prevention, Dr. David Veillette, president and chief executive officer of the Indiana Heart Hospital, provided an update on recent innovations in health care technologies. A complex and important topic for state governments, Julie Newland of Eli Lilly led a discussion on understanding the federal Medicare bill and how it will affect budgets. Hal Daub, president of the American Health Care Association focused his presentation on health care for seniors, particularly on the issue of long term care. A serious threat to state revenues, Timothy Trainer of the International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition Inc. along with other presenters gave the audience in-depth information on the counterfeiting of products such as prescription drugs and cigarettes. Anthony Sanfilippo of Harrah’s Entertainment Inc. provided an update on gaming in the United States and how casinos affect employment and revenue in the

states.

In 2003, Women in Government formed a series of task force programs which brought legislators together to examine issues in working sessions with the goal of developing realistic solutions to complex problems. Rep, Alice Hausman of Mlnrifesota provided Midwestern Cbn-

on recent Indiana legislation. fereRce participants with an Participants also heard about update on the “Access to Higher disease management and strat- Education Task Force,” particu-

larly issues that face women and minorities in obtaining postsecondary education. Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Women in Government featured Ardie Hollifield of the Center for Responsible Lending on strategies to curb predatory lending practices, as part of the “Assistance to LowIncome Families Task Forceprogram. Recently, a Women in Government policy initiative and task force program has taken shape as a national campaign. The “Challenge to Eliminate Cendcal Cancer” has resulted in the introduction of legislation in 18 states in the past year, including a resolution in the state of Indiana. Cervical cancer, caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), can be prevented through new HPVtesting technologies which help to identify women who need early intervention to stop the disease. Christine Baze, a cervical cancer survivor and lead singer of the band “Skills of Ortega” (www.popsmear.org), shared her story and music with a mission to educate legislators on what they can do to join the campaign. In addition, the audience heard from Dr. Marie Savard on the new medical technologies that have become available, Sen. Beverly Hammerstrom of Michigan on the status of state legislation around the issue and Tracy Morris, Women in government media consultant, on communication strategies to advance cervical cancer aware-i ness. j Women in Government Regional Conferences provide state legislators with the opportunity to take part in a dialogue on a broad range of issues facing their states. Fbrlftljfittpletej listing of Women frT'obvernment program^5 / visit: www.womeningovernment.org.i

Changing the Experience of Prostate Surgery

Methodist Hospital patients benefit from our many cutting-edge services, including the da Vinci Surgical System. The da Vinci is a computer-assisted robotic device that mimics surgeons’ hand movements, allowing them to make smaller incisions and achieve greater dexterity. For prostate surgery, the da Vinci can help reduce a patient’s hospital stay, provide less pain and scarring and faster recovery times. More importantly, the da Vinci can reduce the possible side effects of incontinence and impotence sometimes associated with standard prostate surgery.

You can trust our experienced physicians who are among the nation's leaders in da Vinci robotic surgery. In fact, Methodist Hospital in conjunction with Urology of Indiana physicians has been named one of four national training centers for robotic surgery. Advanced robotic prostate surgery is just another part of the Clarian experience shared by patients at Methodist Hospital. For a referring physician or to see a Urologist specializing in da Vinci procedures at Clarian, please contact 800-265-3220.