Health

For now, a move to cut a subsidy critical for some Northwoods hospitals has been put to the back burner says a hospital group spokesperson.

In August, the Wisconsin Hospital Association put out alarm bells about funding for "Critical Access Hospitals". A federal Health and Human Services Inspector General recommended removing critical access hospitals from Medicare payment status. The money from the federal budget helps the most rural of hospitals maintain service and without it, experts say, it could end service in those communities.

Thousands of people will see their Foodshare benefits go down starting Friday.  It’s because a temporary federal program that began in 2009 is ending. 

The American Recovery Act gave people extra food stamp money during the economic downturn.  It raised maximum Foodshare benefits by more 13 percent when the federal law took effect.

But Claire Smith, spokesperson for the state Department of Health Services, says the impact won’t be as dramatic when the extra benefits expire November 1st. 

It’s National Radon Week.  Health officials are reminding people to get their homes tested for the dangerous gas to prevent long term exposure.

Oneida County Public Health Nurse Charlotte Ahrens says the problem with radon is that it’s colorless and odorless.

“People have no indicators they they’re being exposed to this gas.  The gas is produced by a breakdown of uranium in soil, and in rock and in water.”

Proposed legislation would tighten rules for disposal of mercury-based thermostats.  Though no longer made, many households still use them.  But if thrown away or burned, that mercury can get into the environment.

A new bill would require manufacturers to pay for recycling programs, and make them easy to use by the public. 

Amber Meyer Smith of advocacy group Clean Wisconsin…says it would be similar to the state’s e-waste recycling program.

The early cold snap has residents cranking up their furnaces. A Wisconsin Public Service spokesperson offers a reminder to think about maintaining that furnace, to prevent a possibly fatal build-up of carbon monoxide.

News Director Ken Krall talks with Leah Van Zile.

Van Zile says chimneys should be checked to make sure critters haven't taken up residence in them and preventing good ventilation.

With ATV deaths hitting a high mark this year, ATV safety certification may be more important than ever.

Oneida County Sheriff’s Department helps put on ATV safety classes four times a year.  Deputy Brad Fogerty says his classes emphasize rules and regulations. 

“Rules of the road.  And what causes the majority of the crashes.  In every class I pull out the fatality sheet, and we actually go through each of them, and look at, this is how people are getting hurt, this is how people are dying riding an ATV.  And a lot of it is just basic safety rules. 

If you're not using the prescription drugs in your medicine cabinet, there's a better place to put them than down the toilet.

Area law enforcement says the 7th Annual Take Back Initiative is set for Saturday, October 26 in three Oneida county places.

Oneida County Detective Sergeant Terri Hook says the unneeded drugs will be collected and destroyed....

"We'll take vitamins, we'll take prescription medications...we cannot take anything that has aerosol or something with a sharp, like some kind of injectable...."

A Ministry Health Care leader has been given additional duties.

Monica Hilt has been named president of Ministry Howard Young Health Care in Woodruff. Hilt already is president of Ministry Sacred Heart-St. Mary's hospitals in Tomahawk and Rhinelander. Hilt replaces Shiela Clough who resigned in August.

Hilt says she's worked for 23 years at the two hospitals she currently oversees, but the Howard Young facility is familiar to her, having worked with Sheila Clough. She says Ministry has been working toward having officers in regional positions...

It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  

  Public health officials are urging women over the age of 50 to get an annual mammogram.  Vilas County Public Health Nurse Pam Pederson says the breast x-ray can help catch early signs of cancer.

“Breast cancer if detected early is very treatable.  If they do these yearly exams, chances are we’re gonna catch it in a early stage, and be able to treat it and save lives.” 

With winter on its way, the Public Service Commission is telling residents who may be behind on utility payments to get connected.  

Starting November 1st, there is a moratorium on utility shutoffs – that means companies can’t cut off service until mid-April, even if customers don’t pay their bills.  But PSC spokesperson Carrie Templeton says for that rule to apply, you must start off the season as a customer in good standing.