Letters: Mount Nittany must invest in all workers; Explanation needed for vote to cut WIC
Mount Nittany must invest in all workers
When people think about a hospital, they often think first about doctors and nurses. But every day, hundreds of other workers make patient care possible.
The environmental services worker who cleans rooms helps prevent infections. The culinary worker makes sure patients receive meals that support their recovery. The transporter safely moves patients. The maintenance worker keeps the hospital running. They all play a critical role in patient care.
Yet many of these workers are among the lowest-paid employees in the hospital.
Meanwhile, the cost of living in Centre County continues to climb. Housing, groceries, childcare and transportation are becoming difficult for working families to afford. People are surprised to learn that living in State College is often more expensive than larger cities like Pittsburgh.
Workers who clean our rooms, maintain our facilities, and support patient care shouldn’t have to worry about whether they can afford rent or pay their bills.
Mount Nittany Medical Center’s reputation for excellence is built by every worker who walks through its doors. A hospital cannot provide outstanding care if it doesn’t invest in the people keeping it operating every day.
When lower-wage workers leave because they cannot afford to stay, everyone feels the impact. Departments become short-staffed. Remaining employees are stretched thinner. Patient care suffers.
Every hospital worker deserves dignity, respect and a wage that allows them to live in the community they serve. For Mount Nittany to continue being a hospital our community can be proud of, it must invest in all workers.
Jadyn Maske, Bellefonte. The author is an environmental services aide at Mount Nittany Medical Center.
Explanation needed for vote to cut WIC
I ask our esteemed U.S. Representative to Congress and our two U.S. Senators: Why is a $700 million contribution to the coal industry, $1.8 billion reward to violent criminals and $1 billion to discourage a renewable energy wind project of no apparent budgetary concern, while it was apparently urgent to cut $141 million from WIC intended to provide fruit and vegetables to children and pregnant and postpartum women? The bill making those cuts bill passed the House, June 4, with the support of our Congressman. I’m sure we would all love to hear the rationale for cutting the WIC funding from each of you, particularly from the chairman of the House agricultural committee, since these cuts will directly impact farmers along with the kids and women.
Chuck Franzetta, Boalsburg
Thompson showed courage with Ukraine Support Act
Ronald Reagan said, “Let us rededicate ourselves to America’s mission of freedom and let us resolve that we stand, as did those before us, with all who love freedom and yearn for democracy wherever they might be.”
This is what Congressman Glenn Thompson just did when he voted for House Resolution 2913, the Ukraine Support Act. GT’s vote, together with 17 other Republicans and 208 Democrats, enables H.R. 2913 to successfully pass the House. Now it must go through a Senate vote.
Ukraine was brutally invaded almost five years ago and has now become a superior fighting force in all of Europe, retaking lost territory from Russia. Ukraine’s lead in the world in drone technology has made that possible. Ukraine has 30,000 drone operators and 60,000 drone support fighters but they need assistance and they need it now. Ukraine needs a sanctioned Russia that shouldn’t be benefitting from its oil sales to the world market at the highest prices in history. The Ukrainians also will need help rebuilding after nightly bombing from Russia who specifically targets civilians, mostly women, children and the elderly. The Russians kidnapped over 20,000 Ukrainian children and we could go on and on about what Putin, the child abductor, is doing. The bill provides support for Ukrainian security and expands sanctions against Russia. We congratulate our Congressman G.T. for his courage to do what is right. Congressman Glenn Thompson has an excellent voting record on Ukraine.
George and Nina Woskob, State College
State College Friends Meeting stands with LGBTQ+ community
State College Friends Meeting has adopted the following statement: From its beginnings the Religious Society of Friends has recognized that there is the Light of God in every person. We respect the dignity of every human being, including those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, nonbinary, genderfluid, intersex, asexual and queer (LGBTQ+). We respect such individuals as gifted, cherished equals and abhor any attempts to diminish their human rights.
In our Meeting we affirm that gender and sexually diverse Friends do not merely exist, but lead, shape, teach and flourish. We are a place where their leadings are welcomed, their spiritual gifts are received with joy, and care for one another is reciprocal in daily life. We honor the courage and faithfulness it takes to share one’s unique personhood and gifts.
We seek and encourage others to offer loving welcome to such individuals described above by respecting pronouns, supporting Pride events, providing gender-neutral bathrooms and ensuring gender and sexually diverse Friends hold real authority and leadership. The LGBTQ+ community members’ courage and faithfulness are examples for all of us. It’s time to boldly join with them to protect their basic human rights that are being violated. We oppose any limitation of any individual’s rights by government, health facilities, schools, religious organizations or other businesses.
May we walk in the light sharing burdens, celebrating joys and learning from one another. We stand together for the full dignity, authenticity and rights of all people.
Jackie Bonomo, State College