Green Options » health and human services

“S” is for “Swine Flu”: Elmo Battles H1N1

Cate Nelson — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:05:26 +0000

Think that lovable, furry ol’ Elmo couldn’t get any sweeter? Well, now he’s using his helping hands by reminding kids to wash theirs in an effort to fight swine flu.

A new ad campaign, sponsored by three government agencies, will feature Elmo and Gordon teaming up. They’ll spread the message on how not to spread germs: wash hands frequently, cough and sneeze into your elbow, and keep your hands away from your face.

The best part? They don’t mention the swine flu vaccine in any of the 30-second PSAs. See?

This post contains additional media. Click here to view the full post.

Is Sebelius Ditching the Kansas Coal Fight?

Timothy B. Hurst — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 01:48:33 +0000

When President Obama tapped Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius for Secretary of Health and Human Services, there may have been some tightening in the chests of those fighting an expansion of the Holcomb Station coal-fired power plant - an expansion Sebelius has fought hard against.

In 2007, Kansas become the central battleground in the fight against coal and regulating carbon dioxide when state Health and Environmental Secretary Roderick Bremby made the landmark decision to deny an air permit for the expansion at Holcomb, ruling that carbon dioxide needed to be regulated as a pollutant under the Clean Air Act.

But the principle beneficiaries of the expansion immediately launched a multi-venue political campaign to challenge the decision. Sunflower Electric of Kansas, Tri-State G&T of Colorado, and Golden Spread Electric Cooperative poured money into lawsuits, public relations campaigns, and got legislation introduced into the House and Senate that would override Bremby and Sebellius. Gov. Sebelius vetoed all three coal bills last year and coal supporters never mustered enough votes for an override. To date, the decision sticks.

Obama Taps “Bring Baby To Work” Sebelius to Head HHS

Cate Nelson — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 12:30:15 +0000

Saturday, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius accepted President Obama’s request to become secretary of health and human services.

She sure does have a lot on her plate, what with the proposed overhaul of the health care system.

But what you might not know is that Sebelius is a champion of a “bring your baby to work” policy. Currently, 21 government agencies in Kansas allow babies in the boardrooms.

We live in a society where too many people make workers choose–do you want to be a good parent, or do you want to be a good worker?

Sebelius seems to think: choose both.