LETTERS: Support for nurse practitioners, help for hungry kids

Nurse practitioners offer quality care

The writer of "Two-tiered care will hurt average patient" does not seem to be aware that current research in professional medical journals demonstrates that the quality of care, in relation to diagnostics and treatment, rendered by nurse practitioners within their legal scope of practice, was equal to that of physicians.

The studies evaluated patient outcomes and patient satisfaction. Some studies showed greater satisfaction with nurse practitioners.

This may be related to the fact that, in addition to the medical focus on body organ systems, nurses also focus on the social and emotional needs of their patients.

The availability of qualified nurse practitioners, who frequently provide high-level primary care to the most underserved and vulnerable populations, will go a long way in improving the health of the nation.

Lois Biggin Moylan

West Hempstead

Editor's note: The writer is a professor of nursing at Molloy College.

I am a certified adult nurse practitioner with 38 years of nursing experience. I feel we nurse practitioners have a lot to offer to primary care. We would refer patients to the designated specialists if there were any questions in a case, since safety of the patient is first and foremost.

We are not here to take business away. We are here to help physicians so they can be available for the more complicated cases. We want to service the chronic and common acute conditions with treatment and patient education. This is not a tit for tat; this is a health care addition to help patients in our local areas. There is no need to focus on titles - we are not doctors. We do realize and respect that doctors have gone through much lengthier education and that is why they need to be there for the more complex cases.

We should be able to work together as a team to help improve health care.

Mary Lawrence

Bethpage

Hungriest kids get a helping from county

Regarding "We can do more for hungry kids" : The Suffolk County Department of Social Services has been doing more and will continue to do so.

During the current recession, many Long Islanders are feeling the effects of the weak economy and its impact on local government, and no group has been more affected by this recession than children. That is why two years ago, County Executive Steve Levy asked the department to expand a pilot program we initiated with the Sachem School District to ensure that those eligible for the National Free School Lunch program were receiving the benefit.

Our program allows parents to bypass the paperwork and directly links districts with state data that identifies children who are automatically eligible for free school meals, because their families have already met the eligibility criteria for the Food Stamps or Temporary Assistance programs.

There are now 47 Suffolk school districts participating in the county's direct certification for the Free School Lunch Program.

Edward Hernandez

Ronkonkoma

Editor's note: The writer is deputy commissioner of the Suffolk County Department of Social Services.

Act's passage would aid women's health

Assemb. Deborah Glick (D-Manhattan) and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) have introduced the Reproductive Health Act - legislation that will have a positive impact on the lives of Long Island women.

We have watched in disbelief as state after state has introduced legal challenges that have chipped away at women's access to safe and legal abortion care. If one of these challenges reaches the Supreme Court, it may be successful in eroding or even overturning Roe v. Wade, the decision that safeguards access to abortion care.

In this event, New York health care providers would be guided by outdated New York State law, which only protects a woman's right to a legal abortion if her life, not her health, is in danger.

We urge New York State lawmakers to pass the Reproductive Health Act to ensure women the freedom to make the best decision for themselves and their families.

Judith Gallo

Smithtown

Nancy O'Keefe

Hempstead

Editor's note: The writers are senior vice presidents at Planned Parenthood Hudson/Peconic and Planned Parenthood of Nassau County, respectively.

Decisions on growth dense, not 'smart'

At least Riverhead Supervisor Sean Walter acknowledges publicly what no Brookhaven Town official does, in describing Brookhaven as a place of "high density" development . Yet, Brookhaven continues to approve building-code and zoning changes for more density.

The town's rhetoric about "smart" plans for more unneeded and unwanted density in certain areas only sows the seeds for more growth in surrounding areas. Now is the time to stop dense development in eastern Brookhaven so that the transition from high to low-density Long Island is not ceded to Riverhead Town alone.

Ira Brickman

Middle Island

Empty desks, yes,but emptier wallets

Headline: "Surprise finding in census; Population under age 10 declined 10% in decade" . If true, a simple question: Can school administrators explain why our school taxes continue to go up?

Frank Bondietti

Farmingdale