Trauma for Kids
What to Know: More and more New York City children report being upset at the behaviors of the homeless they’re exposed to near their schools. One mom told the New York Post her daughter has seen “everything—constantly.”
The TPPF Take: It is inhumane to expose children to these behaviors, just as inhumane as it is to allow the street homeless to continue to wallow in their disease and misery— in the name of “compassion”.
“Trauma-informed treatment for the homeless struggling with substance abuse and mental illness is the most compassionate of assistance for the homeless, and the most effective.” says TPPF’s Michele Steeb. “Programs such as Haven for Hope in San Antonio have demonstrated that with the proper intervention and incentives, treatment coupled with accountability serves to emancipate the homeless and puts them on a path toward realizing their full potential.”
For more on homelessness, click here.
No Idea
What to Know: A new report from the Justice Department shows that the government has no clear idea of who lives and dies in government custody.
The TPPF Take: According to its own estimates of its errors, the DOJ captures no more than 82% of deaths in state prisons, 61% of deaths in local jails and as few as 29% of arrest-related deaths.
“But, more importantly, those uncounted deaths represent mothers and fathers, daughters and sons, neighbors and friends,” says TPPF’s Lars Trautman. “Human beings over whom the government has asserted the ultimate form of control. If absolutely nothing else, the government should not get to claim ignorance around who lived or died under its watch or the circumstances of any deaths.”
For more on deaths in government custody, click here.
Skyrocketing Costs
What to Know: New data shows that health care costs rose 24.3% over last year. There are now calls for greater transparency for the biggest driver of those costs—hospital prices.
The TPPF Take: Health care price transparency is good for patients—and providers.
“Most Americans want hospitals to show their prices,” says TPPF’s David Balat. “According to a recent Harvard-Harris poll, nearly 90% are in favor of an initiative by the government to mandate disclosure of negotiated prices by hospitals, insurers, and other medical professionals.”
For more on price transparency, click here.