Your Views for August 23

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Constitutional abuse

Constitutional abuse

Regarding the Tribune-Herald’s Aug. 22 article titled, “Priest accused of abuse”: At what point does the Constitution … along with its role within the Judiciary today, have the right to change the determination and rites belonging to our church and over Roman authority established over a thousand years previously?

Has not the molested avenger who is seeking justice merely unleashed Satan’s voice against the Holy City? If a priest be damned for sexual misconduct, ought not it be by God? Why is it being done by an uncouth country?

God doesn’t read newspapers, now does he? Please do not defame the old religions amongst those of unbelief, as if you can withstand the life you live alone.

They lived for 40 years before coming forth. Why now in these economic times is the world trying to defame Rome and its riches?

Alvina Kawaihae

Hilo

Say no to cutbacks

I treat cancer patients daily in our community. As a radiation oncologist, I am deeply troubled by the proposed Medicare cuts that could take effect on Jan. 1, 2013. These payment cuts would drastically reduce the amount Medicare pays for certain cancer treatments by up to 40 percent. My patients depend on these vital treatments, and these cuts would be devastating to my practice and my patients.

As our population ages, the number of people relying on Medicare is rapidly growing. Radiation therapy helps patients fight cancer every day.

The proposed cuts to reimbursement for cancer care jeopardize our progress in battling cancer. Policymakers must realize how cuts of this magnitude ultimately hurt patients and affect the care that I can provide. If these cuts go through, it will have a negative impact on my patients and my practice.

A doctor and patient should be able to choose among all possible options for lifesaving cancer treatments and should not have to worry about Medicare cuts limiting those choices. This is not what cancer patients in our community, or across the country, deserve.

Our members of Congress can help stop these Medicare cuts to radiation therapy. We need our voices to be heard to protect access to community cancer care.

Eva Bieniek

Cancer Center of Hawaii (Honolulu)