Recently, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter proposed a 2-cent-per-ounce tax on sugary drinks and sodas. In a time of budget shortfalls, the mayor thinks the tax will help raise revenue, as much as $77 million, according to city officials. Called the Healthy Philadelphia Initiative, the tax might be a good way to raise money, and other cities have already done it.
But there is another reason to consider such an initiative: It could improve public health by lowering the consumption of soft drinks. Sugar-sweetened beverages offer little or no nutritional value. They are relatively inexpensive compared to healthier alternatives like fruits and vegetables. This is particularly appealing to children, but filled with added amounts of table sugar, high-fructose corn syrup and concentrated fruit juice, sweetened beverages are linked to obesity, diabetes and heart disease, as studies have shown.
Drinking a 12-ounce can of soda every day for a year adds up to 55,000 extra calories, or 15 pounds a year. A child who drinks one soda and two glasses of Kool-Aid every day is consuming 142,000 extra calories a year. That’s 40 pounds.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity among children has more than tripled over the past 30 years, currently affecting 19.6 percent of children ages 6 to 11, and 18.1 percent of children ages 12 to 19. In Philadelphia, half of the children are either overweight or obese, with soft-drink consumption rising and milk consumption falling. So, all of us should be concerned. A tax on sugar-sweetened beverages is a first step towards halting this growing epidemic.
Today, African-Americans are in a health crisis in Pennsylvania and throughout the nation. They disproportionately suffer from obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and other ailments. For example, the CDC reports that obesity is 51 percent more prevalent among blacks than whites, and 21 percent more prevalent among Latinos than whites.
According to the American Diabetes Association, blacks are 1.8 times more likely to have diabetes than whites. One in four African-Americans between the ages of 65 and 74 has diabetes, and 25 percent of black women older than 55 have the disease. In addition, diabetes is linked to a higher risk of a heart attack, kidney failure, stroke, blindness, nerve damage and amputations for African-Americans. Type II diabetes, a form previously seen only in adults, is becoming more common in children because of rising obesity.
In the end, the mayor’s proposed soda tax provides a good opportunity for us to look out for our health. I know that such a tax will play a role in my decision when I purchase a beverage. Let’s get serious about this major health crisis we are facing today. We are up to the challenge, and this is a battle we can win.
To the Editor:
I am sending this on behalf of my mother Diane-Marie Mahlman who lives on the 2400 block of South Bancroft Street.
We took our 1-year-old pitt bull, Molly, into the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania after another dog attacked her and bit up her head and ear pretty badly. She was bleeding and had a piece of her ear torn. My parents arrived and waited two hours for someone to even call them back to see her. After arriving in back, they said that it would be $600 just to look at her. That’s a disgrace!
My parents told them that they didn’t have that kind of money and that the other dog’s owner (who was paying for it) also didn’t have it right then and there. They told my parents they could apply for credit at 11 percent interest. After my parents asked if they could at least clean the wound and give a prescription, they said they were “afraid to clean her wound because she might bite.”
First, this dog was just attacked, so clearly she’s not a biter. Second, and more importantly, she was muzzled.And finally, you’re kidding right? You’re a vet and you’re afraid to get bitten? What a joke. They then told my parents since they couldn’t pay they had to leave, no treatment, no cleaning.
Oh, but before they left, they said they’d be billed $120 just for the “visit.”
The very next morning we took her to our family vet, Dr. Lawrence A. Rebbecchi from the Philadelphia Animal Hospital, and they treated her like gold. Cleaned the wound, stapled the torn ear, gave her pain meds and antibiotics, and a cleaning solution. The grand total was $104.
People say, “you get what you pay for and they are the best.” Not true. Sorry. They may be good [at Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania], but the fact that they made my dog leave looking the way she did just proves that to be wrong
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1. Mydogcomesfirst said... on Apr 22, 2010 at 10:18AM
“Regarding the letter about the University of PA Vet. Hospital: I am also a dog owner and hate to see my dog in pain so I try to do what is best for him. And if that means "applying for credit at 11% interest" then that's what I will do. It is very disheartening that you chose for your dog to remain in pain until the next day because you wanted to be cheap. A responsible dog owner would not have done what you did. University of PA is the BEST animal hospital around and its not unusual for people to receive huge bills for the care they receive. You should have known this before taking him there. Now you know.”
2. chaloots said... on Apr 22, 2010 at 11:05AM
“I would like to know where this Philadelphia Animal Hospital is located. And the University's actions weren't that admirable either. Seems like life anymore is more about greed than compassion.”
3. chaloots said... on Apr 22, 2010 at 01:51PM
“To Rep. Waters, thanks for the lesson on the evils of soda. But taxing soda will make those least able to afford it, to be taxed unnecessarily, to pay off the deficit. I say we should go after the people who blatantly break the law and put peoples lives at risk every day, those are the people who still use hand held devices while driving. It is so flagrant and abundant that the city should make up the deficit in no time.”
4. Anonymous said... on Apr 22, 2010 at 08:57PM
“In regards to the letter by John Mahlman IV, I agree with him 100%. I have a chocolate lab. I had two incidents at the Vet. hospital. The first cost me $2700.00. Then again costing me $1700.00. Your options are do the surgery or put him down. Of course I paid it because I love my dog. But now thanks to them, my dog has a intenstinal disease. The second operation was not necessary. They just like taken your money. My vet Dr. Rebbecchi, the best, told me it was a disgrace! Because the second operation was because he swallowed a penny. The surgeries especially the second one destroyed my dogs stomach! Now I have to feed him special food. And my dog has colitis! All thanks to them!”
5. DottieC. said... on Apr 24, 2010 at 12:29PM
“The Phila. Animal Hospital is located at 65th & Lindbergh Blvd. Larry Rebbecchi is a friend of mine. Back in 1997 he saved our cat's life. She needed an operation that was crucial to her survival and after two long hours she was on her way to recovery. As for the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Hospital, forget it. Years ago they charged me $500 to look at my cat and didn't do a thing for her. If Larry Rebbecchi is able to save an animal, he will. He'll let you know first hand the situation and your options without ripping off one of your arms to pay his bill. He is a decent and honorable man. I love him dearly.”
6. Anonymous said... on Apr 27, 2010 at 08:45AM
“To the dog owner- I have used the University of Penn many times for my pets. They are state of the art. That is what your paying for. They are open 24/7. Dr. Rebbecchi while being a great guy from what I hear is not state of the art and is not open 24/7. So your mom showed up with her dog with no money. It sounds like they offered your mom care credit because that is what i was offered when I took my pet there. Care credit is a separate entity. Care credit can be 0% if paid off with in a few months. My advice to your mother is to get pet insurance, get care credit, or not have a pet if she can't afford it. Pets are a luxury, not a right. The hospital is a business, not a free clinic. Do you take your car to a mechanic and expect services and then tell them to bill you? Do you eat at a restaurant and then tell them you have no money? DONT HAVE A PET IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD A PET! Your arrogance is amazing.”
7. Janice said... on Apr 27, 2010 at 08:59AM
“@ John- you said "First, this dog was just attacked, so clearly she’s not a biter. Second, and more importantly, she was muzzled." Why was she muzzled then. Just because she was just attacked doesn't mean she is not a biter. Nice logic. I work in a private practice and yes, we are always afraid of getting bit. If you had your ear bitten off would you want the doctor to clean you up with no pain mediciation or sedation. Do you know how painful that is? You got what you paid for. That was nothing! Don't be so cheap next time.”
8. Anonymous said... on Apr 28, 2010 at 10:26AM
“The compassion of anonymous and Janice is toward the money exchangers, instead of a person and their pet in their hour of need. Like I said before, life anymore seems more about greed than compassion, and according to some, if you are poor you don't deserve to have a pet, or in some cases,(like the 47,000 Americans who died last year, because they couldn't afford health insurance) don't deserve to live. Jonathan Swift would have a ball with these people.”
9. Janice said... on Apr 28, 2010 at 04:48PM
“@ anonymous-
For the record, Im a huge animal lover and have spent much of my own time and money rescuing animals that have been neglected, abused, or just lived in households where their owners could care less about their medical needs. No, you don't deserve to have a pet if you can not take care of them properly. Animals have rights too and it is not fair to them. When you work in the field and deal with neglectful, selfish pet owners, then come talk to me. This guys mother shows up to a hospital ( also a business) with no money and expects services for nothing. They offer to extend them credit as a courtesy but his mom doesn't like the percentage rate, so their dog suffers through the night. Then he proceeds to bash the hospital on a letters to the editor column because his family fell short. Its not about greed anonymous, its about taking RESPONSIBILITY. I know its hard for individuals like yourself to comprehend such a word.”
10. Anonymous said... on Apr 28, 2010 at 04:53PM
“I wonder if anonymous owns a buisness. If so, could I come use whatever services you offer and then tell you to bill me later? Im good for it, I swear. How long do you think your buisness would stay in business?”
11. chaloots said... on Apr 28, 2010 at 06:49PM
“It may be hard for me to comprehend the word responsibility, but I can comprehend compassion and greed. And the University is more about greed than compassion. Must be the Hippocratic oath doesn't apply to veterinarians.”
12. Janice said... on Apr 28, 2010 at 11:40PM
“Well Chaloots, by all means if you would like to help pay this dogs vet bill I think that would be very compassionate. Would the author please get in touch with Chaloots so she can donate. Oh wait, you would just prefer someone else foot the bill eh? I guess your not familiar with what the Hippocratic oath states. The Hippocratic Oath is an oath historically taken by doctors swearing to practice medicine ethically. It says nothing about giving free care. When you go to the emergency room without health insurance, you get treated. You get treated because someone else is stuck footing the bill. The tax payer. So when the government decides to subsidize veterinary medicine, we can talk.”
13. chaloots said... on Apr 29, 2010 at 09:18AM
“The Oath of Maimonides (new version of Oath)
The eternal providence has appointed me to watch over the life and health of Thy creatures. May the love for my art actuate me at all time; may neither avarice nor miserliness, nor thirst for glory or for a great reputation engage my mind; for the enemies of truth and philanthropy could easily deceive me and make me forgetful of my lofty aim of doing good to Thy children.
May I never see in the patient anything but a fellow creature in pain.
Grant me the strength, time and opportunity always to correct what I have acquired, always to extend its domain; for knowledge is immense and the spirit of man can extend indefinitely to enrich itself daily with new requirements.
Today he can discover his errors of yesterday and tomorrow he can obtain a new light on what he thinks himself sure of today. Oh, God, Thou has appointed me to watch over the life and death of Thy creatures; here am I ready for my vocation and now I turn unto my calling.”
14. Alice said... on May 6, 2010 at 01:49AM
“I believe I was in Penns emergency room the night this guys mother came in with her dog. They were very busy ( I guess being an emergency room that is to be expected). I waited 3 hours but understood that other peoples pets were more sick then mine. Im not sure if this guy was actually there, but his story has some inaccuracies. The doctor came back out to talk to the woman with the dog Molly, and the woman just left. The doctor went looking for her and she just left I guess because she was mad. To clarify one other thing, your moms dog was aggressive. I saw it with my own eyes.”
15. John Mahlman IV said... on May 20, 2010 at 01:58PM
“In response to many of these comments I just found today I'd like to take a moment and clarify some things.
@Anonymous on Apr 27, 2010 at 08:45AM
Your ignorance to our situation is fairly amazing. My parents went there fully expecting quality care, which is why they went there They were not looking for a handout, but telling someone to pay $600 upfront, especially in a time of distress, is ludicrous. You say if you cannot afford to have a pet don't have one, we have had pets for decades now and never have had an issue "affording" our pets. They expected it to be expensive, but to tell them that they needed to pay for leave is just wrong, i don't care how "state of the art" something is.
More in the next comments...”
16. Anonymous said... on May 20, 2010 at 02:00PM
“Janice ... on Apr 27, 2010 at 08:59AM
The vets muzzled the dog. Our dog has never had to be muzzled in the past at our vet, or around anyone. They muzzled because "she's a pitbull". There is no need for the hostility you have in your comments. My parents are very fine pet owners and would gladly have paid the doctors if they had better credit options. They don't make too much money but they can afford emergency costs if needed. This is not about responsibility, this is about showing some damn compassion for an animal. And for your information, Janice, our dog was well taken care of after they left the vet by a family friend who works with animals, and you know what she thinks of this situation? I can give you a hint, it's not your view.”
17. John Mahlman IV said... on May 20, 2010 at 02:10PM
“@Alice said... on May 6, 2010 at 01:49AM
You can see it in her eyes? Are you a special dog whisperer? Because if you are, I'd love to speak more with you.
I'm sorry for the hyperbole, but you're the only person we have ever met who has thought our dog was aggressive. Molly is afraid of our neighbors poodle. Aggressive?
To everyone, my parents are not looking for a handout, as a matter of fact cost wasn't the issue anyway since the gentleman who's dog attacked Molly paid for everything, it was the fact that they wouldn't do anything without getting $600 right then and there. That's an awful lot of money for anyone to swallow. My parents do everything they can for their pets, if they could have given $600, they would have, but they couldn't, and upenn just didn't care.
I mean no animosity to anyone here, I just want to shed light on this, and inform people. It's scary to me that I have had several people come to me and tell me that they had the exact same experience with UPenn.”
18. Alice said... on May 27, 2010 at 04:53AM
“Umm, no John, I saw your dog growling at the person who came out to check her out. Were you there John, or are you just repeating what your mother told you. That might explain a lot.”
19. John Mahlman IV said... on May 28, 2010 at 10:34AM
“@Alice on May 27, 2010 at 04:53AM
I'm sure she was growling she was most likely scared. But growling does not mean our dog is aggressive, growling is totally out of the ordinary for Molly (barking isn't as she barks her head off).
Please take it from me, she isn't aggressive.”
20. Alice said... on May 28, 2010 at 01:41PM
“I totally believe she was scared and painful, and that is why she was behaving the way she was. So, you then have to understand why they put a muzzle on her. They don't know her the way you know her. They see a growling pit bull and they must take proper precautions. Im sure she is a sweetheart!”
21. Janice said... on Jun 4, 2010 at 03:26AM
“John said "My parents went there fully expecting quality care, which is why they went there". Well I guess if they were expecting quality care, they should have bothered to come up with some money. They were expecting quality care for free John. John said "My parents are very fine pet owners and would gladly have paid the doctors if they had better credit options. They don't make too much money but they can afford emergency costs if needed. " Are you kidding me? They were offered a credit option! They chose not to except that option. Your parents cannot afford emergency costs if needed. That is obvious, and that is ok. But don't bash a hospital because your parents were unable, or unwilling to pay. That is on you , not on them. They are a business like any other business. Can your Mom and Dad do without their paychecks? Don't expect others to.”
22. Natasha said... on Jun 4, 2010 at 05:57AM
“This letter and the comments are absolutely unbelievable!! I really cannot get over it! WHERE IN THIS WORLD CAN YOU GO AND SAY, "JUST BILL ME"??! Please tell me because I want to go to this magical land too! Are there unicorns too? Where do you get this sense of entitlement? Penn Vet is absolutely wonderful. I didn't have a dog growing up because my parents said it was a responsibility that they couldn't afford. I didn't understand that as a child but I set on getting a dog as soon as I was on my own. I did just that in college and boy did I find out what they meant. I graduated college, worked hard to start my own business, and now I am able to properly care for the 3 dogs I have as part of my family. A golden named Dolce, a great dane named Vita, and a german shepard named Maddox. One night, Vita started dry heaving and her stomach was distended. I immediately rushed to Penn where I was told she had to go into emergency surgery because she had “bloat.” The cost - $6000.”
23. Anonymous said... on Jun 4, 2010 at 06:02AM
“Another time they got into a scuffle and the golden had to go to the ER and the cost for that whole visit was $600. This is where something is off with your story. You say $600 “just to look at her” & yet my dogs bite wounds were taken care of completely for $600. Interesting. What I just can’t get over his how your parents had the gall to go somewhere without any money! And expect “quality care” no less! I would be MORTIFIED! You can swear they would have made payments but guess what? I know what it is like to live paycheck to paycheck. When paying bills at the end of the month necessities like mortgage/rent, utilities, car, etc etc, then obligations come next, that vet bill is the very last thing paid bc they made your pet better and is at home with you. What leverage do they have? “That's an awful lot of money for anyone to swallow.” But it’s not an awful lot of money for Penn swallow? Again, where in this world do you go that you don’t have to pay up front?”
24. Natasha said... on Jun 4, 2010 at 06:02AM
“Restaurant? No, you walk out of a restaurant w/o paying the bill and you will be arrested. Car mechanic? No, you won’t get your car back. Supermarket? No, you won’t get your food or you will be arrested if you walk out w/o paying. Enlighten me John. Where do you get the idea that you can just walk in somewhere and get something for nothing?”
25. John said... on Jun 6, 2010 at 10:48AM
“Just to let you know, they did bill them for walking into the door and filling out paper work. $120 for that.
They didn't go without money, they had money, but not $600. All they wanted was the wound cleaned, maybe even a single pill just for the night, they knew it was going to be more expensive than their vet, of course, it's an ER, but asking for $600 upfront is a bit much.
I never once claimed that they wanted a free visit, everyone seems to think this is about the money, it's mainly about the lack of compassion for the animal. Obviously my parents couldn't afford the $600 at that moment, at least try to make an effort to clean the wound, then that $120 they billed my parents for would have been for something instead of walking into the ER.
Oh and I don't go into a restaurant and pay upfront, I expect to pay for what I ordered.”