Finding Health Care Without Insurance

By Douglas H. Kirkpatrick, MD

For many Americans, health insurance provides affordable access to healthcare that allows them to prevent or lower disease risk, manage current medical conditions, and maintain overall health. But for the 47 million people in the US who are living without health insurance, attaining even the most basic care can be impossible. Every 24 minutes, someone in America dies because they are uninsured and cannot get the care they need.  

In 2006, women represented more than 45% of all uninsured people in the US. Thirteen percent of all pregnant women are uninsured, and older women between ages 55 and 65 are 20% more likely to be uninsured than men. Women are more likely to be dependents, making them susceptible to losing health insurance due to divorce, becoming widowed, or because their spouse’s company increases premiums or drops family coverage entirely.   

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Free Job Training Course

CRANFORD – During the month of April, Union County College offer a free job training course to all Union County residents. All residents over the age of 18 are eligible to participate in this program. The career training course will be available to those who need to support a family, are a recent high school graduate looking for work, or a retiree who wants to earn a small income.

The course “Customer Service and Sales” will be offered from April 6 to May 4 at the Plainfield Family Success Center at Plainfield High School. The course will run Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This course will prepare attendees for jobs in sales and customer service related positions. As well, the course will help attendees identify their personal skills, improve their resume, and set career goals. Union County College certificates will be distributed at the completion of the course.

To learn more about these free courses or to register, contact Vanessa Torres-Holmes or Joe Oliver at (908) 355-4444. The Plainfield Family Success Center at Plainfield High School is located at 925 Arlington Avenue.

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Carteret Wrestling Standout

Carteret Wrestling Standout—Carteret resident Michael Pysniak Jr., who attends Bishop George Ahr High School in Edison qualified for the NJSIAA State Wrestling Championships earlier this month. He won his first match 17-5, but lost to the eventual state champ, Mike Morales, in his second match. A 9-7 overtime loss in his third match ended his tournament run. Pysniak finished second in Region V with a 31-9 record. While attending Carteret Middle School, Pysniak had a 44-0 record and was a three-time Middlesex County champion. (Photo by Patrick Morgan / www.pdmphotos.com)

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Volunteers Needed For Annual Multiple Sclerosis Walk

STATE – The newly formed New Jersey Metro Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is looking for people to join this year’s Walk MS to help create a world free of multiple sclerosis, a chronic disease of the central nervous system that affects more than 13,000 people in New Jersey and more than 400,000 people nationwide.

The 21st annual Walk MS kicks off Sunday, April 19, at 10 a.m. at a variety of walk sites throughout New Jersey and is one of New Jersey’s largest and most widespread organized walks. All funds raised from the event will support critical MS research programs and fund local programs and services for all those who are impacted by the disease.

People of all ages are now welcome to register online at http://walknjm.nationalmssociety.org or at 9 a.m. on the day of the event. Participants will register to begin their walk at one of the following 15 walk sites: Belmar, Cranford, Edison, Flemington, Freehold, Hamilton, Hewitt, Jersey City, Ridgewood, Roseland, Roxbury, Sandy Hook, Seaside Park, North Brunswick and Somerville. Courses range from three to nine miles.

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There Is A Right Way To Hit Potholes, Says AAA

SPRINGFIELD—Spring is here but winter definitely left its mark on our roadways.  Driving while dodging potholes can often resemble a ski slalom.  It’s impossible to avoid all potholes, but swerving around them can do more damage if you’re involved in a crash.  AAA New Jersey offers the following advice on how to properly hit a pothole and minimize damage.

Always have the proper pressure in your tires – it can make all the difference when you hit a pothole.  With an under-inflated tire, you risk bending a wheel or damaging a steering or suspension component.  With an over-inflated tire, you might damage the tire itself.  AAA recommends checking the tire pressure every two weeks during the spring.

“The wide variation in spring temperatures – warm days and chilly nights – not only contributes to the creation of potholes, but can affect your tire pressure too,” explains Mike Coppola, an ASE-certified master mechanic and general manager of the AAA Car Care Center in Springfield.

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