Voice of the people

Medicare now covers lung therapy

Many people may have seen the news of Congress' override of President Bush's veto of HR6331, which staved off cuts in Medicare reimbursements to physicians. HR6331 also adds Medicare coverage for pulmonary rehabilitation that brings good news to the thousands of older West Virginians who suffer from emphysema, black lung, chronic lung disease or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Medicare now covers both smoking-cessation and pulmonary rehabilitation programs. Pulmonary rehabilitation programs have been proven to improve quality of life in COPD sufferers. This new legislation increases our ability to help the more than 1,400 COPD patients admitted to WVU Hospitals each year. Just last year, a colleague and I reported at the American Thoracic Society International Meeting on a five-year study of older adults with chronic lung disease. Those who attended the most sessions of pulmonary rehabilitation and who also stopped smoking had the greatest improvements in their activity level and mental well-being.

It's vital that older West Virginians with chronic lung problems know that they may be able to gain access though Medicare to therapies that can improve both their comfort and their ability to function.

Georgia Narsavage

Dean, School of Nursing

Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center

West Virginia University

Morgantown

Names are way to honor loved ones

This is in response to the gentleman's letter to the editor on July 30 regarding West Virginians naming their children what he calls "strange monikers." West Virginians are proud people and are really into their heritage. Most of the names on his list are family names that are passed down from a previous generation. We name our children these names to honor loved ones and in memory of cherished family members who have passed. What better way is there to show your love to that person?

If everyone were named Bob, Mary, Harry or Sue, as he offered, what a boring world it would be, not to mention confusing.

I have a nephew whose middle name is Hamilton in honor and memory of my dad, and at 11 years of age, he has mentioned how proud he is to be named after his "pap-pap." No one will ever make this child ashamed of his name, because he knows where it came from.

So, Albert, I hope this explains the reasoning of why these names are used.

Lynda Pelfrey

Barboursville