รถ
บขส. ตรวจควันดำรถโดยสาร รถร่วมฯ ส่งมลพิษลดลง
2024-12-10
บขส. (บริษัท ขนส่ง จำกัด) ได้ทำการดำเนินงานเพื่อป้องกันและลดมลพิษจากฝุ่น PM 2.5 อย่างเคร่งครัด. การดำเนินงานมี 4 มาตรการ ซึ่งรวมถึงการตรวจควันดำรถโดยสาร, ประชาสัมพันธ์, การตรวจเช็กสภาพรถและจัดการเดินรถโดยสารให้สอดคล้องกับความต้องการของผู้โดยสาร.

บทคัดย่อ

การตรวจควันดำรถโดยสาร

บขส. ได้สุ่มตรวจควันดำรถโดยสารและรถร่วมฯ ณ สถานีขนส่งผู้โดยสารกรุงเทพ 5 แห่ง เช่น สถานีหมอชิต 2, เอกมัย, สายใต้บรมราชชนนี, ปิ่นเกล้าและจตุจักร. ถ้าพบว่ารถมีค่าควันดำเกินมาตรฐาน จะนำรถไปแก้ไขปรับปรุงก่อนนำให้บริการ. รวมทั้งสุ่มตรวจสภาพความพร้อมรถและอุปกรณ์ส่วนควบ เช่น ค้อนทุบกระจก, ประตูฉุกเฉิน, เข็มขัดนิรภัย, ถังดับเพลิง, ลมยาง เป็นต้น. และพนักงานขับรถต้องพักผ่อนเพียงพอและตรวจหาสารเสพติดและแอลกอฮอล์เพื่อสร้างความปลอดภัยและความมั่นใจในการใช้บริการระบบขนส่งสาธารณะ.

ประชาสัมพันธ์

เมื่อรถเข้าชานชาลา สถานีขนส่งผู้โดยสารกรุงเทพ (จตุจักร) หรือหมอชิต 2 ให้ดับเครื่องยนต์และสตาร์ทเครื่องยนต์ก่อนรถออก 15 นาที เพื่อลดการปล่อยมลพิษภายในสถานี. นโยบายนี้เป็นเพื่อป้องกันและลดผลกระทบของมลพิษทางอากาศและปัญหาสุขภาพของประชาชน.

การตรวจเช็กสภาพรถและบำรุงรักษารถ

รถโดยสารจะเข้าตรวจเช็กสภาพรถ, อุปกรณ์ส่วนควบและบำรุงรักษารถตามแผนที่กำหนด เพื่อให้รถอยู่ในสภาพที่พร้อมใช้งานและลดมลพิษทางอากาศด้านเสียงและฝุ่นควัน. การดำเนินงานนี้เป็นเพื่อสร้างระบบขนส่งที่ปลอดภัยและมีความมั่นใจสำหรับผู้โดยสาร.

จัดการเดินรถโดยสาร

ในช่วงที่มีผู้โดยสารใช้บริการไม่มาก บขส. จะปรับลดจำนวนเที่ยววิ่งลงเพื่อลดจำนวนรถโดยสารและลดการปล่อยมลพิษทางอากาศบนท้องถนน. การจัดการเดินรถโดยสารนี้เป็นเพื่อให้ระบบขนส่งมีความประสิทธิภาพและลดผลกระทบของมลพิษทางอากาศ.
How Employers Can Provide Best Care Amid Rising Healthcare Costs
2024-12-09
Healthcare costs are on an upward trajectory, with a projected 8% increase in 2025. This poses significant challenges for employers who need to find effective ways to address these rising expenses. Key cost drivers such as cancer, cardiovascular conditions, MSK, GLP-1 drugs, high-risk pregnancies, and mental health demand immediate attention.

Webinar Highlights and Savings Areas

On Thursday, December 12 from Noon to 1 pm ET, a webinar sponsored by Personify Health will shed light on the steps companies are taking to support employees while managing budget constraints. Here are some of the key topics and savings areas that will be explored:

Clinical Support Programs for Best Care at Best Price

When it comes to third-party administration, companies are implementing various clinical support programs. These programs aim to ensure that employees receive the highest quality care at the most affordable prices. For example, some companies are collaborating with specialized healthcare providers to negotiate better rates and ensure seamless care coordination. They are also using data analytics to identify cost-effective treatment options and guide employees towards the most appropriate care.Another aspect is the integration of telemedicine services. This allows employees to access medical consultations and treatments from the comfort of their homes, reducing the need for expensive in-person visits. By leveraging technology, companies can provide timely and convenient care while keeping costs in check.

Communication and Engagement for Care Navigation

Companies are actively working on improving communication and engagement to support employees in their healthcare journey. They are using multiple channels such as email, mobile apps, and online portals to provide clear and timely information about benefits and coverage. This helps employees make informed decisions about their healthcare and encourages them to actively participate in their care.In addition, companies are providing educational resources and tools to help employees navigate the complex healthcare system. This includes information on preventive care, chronic disease management, and mental health support. By empowering employees with knowledge, they can take a more proactive approach to their health and potentially reduce healthcare costs in the long run.

Flagging and Combating Fraud

Systematically flagging and combating fraud is a crucial aspect of healthcare cost management. Companies are implementing advanced fraud detection systems that use artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to identify suspicious claims and patterns. By detecting and preventing fraud, companies can save significant amounts of money and ensure that resources are allocated more efficiently.They are also working with regulatory authorities and industry partners to share information and best practices in fraud prevention. This collaborative approach helps to strengthen the overall healthcare fraud prevention ecosystem and protect the interests of both employers and employees.

Benefits Plan Cost Savings

Employers are constantly looking for ways to optimize their benefits plans and achieve cost savings. This includes renegotiating contracts with healthcare providers, exploring alternative insurance models, and implementing cost-sharing mechanisms. For example, some companies are introducing high-deductible health plans combined with health savings accounts to encourage employees to be more cost-conscious in their healthcare usage.They are also analyzing claims data to identify areas where costs can be reduced without compromising the quality of care. By making data-driven decisions, companies can make targeted adjustments to their benefits plans and achieve significant cost savings.

Utilizing AI to Reduce Healthcare Costs

Organizations are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence to help reduce healthcare costs. AI-powered analytics tools can analyze large volumes of claims data and identify trends and patterns that may indicate areas for cost reduction. For instance, AI can help predict which patients are at high risk of developing certain conditions and enable proactive interventions to prevent costly hospitalizations.In addition, AI chatbots and virtual assistants are being used to provide real-time support and guidance to employees. These tools can answer common questions about benefits, help schedule appointments, and provide personalized care recommendations. By automating certain processes and providing personalized support, companies can improve employee satisfaction and reduce healthcare costs.Among the panelists on the webinar are Erica Sniad Morgenstern, Personify Health Chief Marketing Officer (moderator), Peggy Sczepanski, Dow Global Wellbeing Program Manager, and Jenny Goins, National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions Chief of Staff.To register for the webinar, scheduled for Thursday, December 12 from Noon to 1 pm ET, please fill in the form below:Photo: NicoElNino, Getty Images
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Abortion: Beyond Just Health Care - A Feminist Perspective
2024-12-09
The week leading up to the 2024 election witnessed a powerful and heart-wrenching advertisement that sent shockwaves across the nation. A young woman was curled up sobbing on her living room floor, while her partner frantically begged a doctor for help. An authoritative male voice then declared that she needed an abortion to save her life, only to be interrupted by a Republican Congressman in a red tie who announced the ban on abortion. This ad became a rallying cry for those advocating for women's lives.

"Abortion - A Battle for Women's Lives"

The Real-Life Stories Behind the Ad

The ad was based on a series of horrifying real-life incidents where pregnant women were left to bleed out in parking lots, had to travel to multiple states to escape sepsis, and even died in hospitals surrounded by medical professionals. These women faced medical emergencies that required abortions, but state bans prevented them from getting the care they needed. This sparked a heated debate about the role of medicine and the importance of abortion as healthcare.

It became clear that abortion is not just a medical procedure but a matter of life and death for many women. The World Health Organization's definition of health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being was directly applicable in these cases. Abortion promoted all aspects of health, highlighting the need for it to be accessible and legal.

The Feminist Perspective on Abortion Rights

In the 1960s and 70s, many feminists had a complex relationship with the medical profession when it came to abortion rights. The Patients' Rights and Women's Health movements grew skeptical of doctors, seeing them as paternalistic and profit-driven. Some activists believed that medicine could be reformed through government regulation, while others thought it was a lost cause due to the hierarchical structure.

The Women's Health Movement was a significant part of the second-wave feminist movement. These feminists fought to reject traditional gender roles and gain control over reproduction. They interrupted hearings, called for women's voices to be heard, and challenged the medical establishment's monopoly on abortion decisions.

Medical Groups and Abortion Law Reform

Professional medical groups supported abortion law reform, but their approach differed from that of feminists. Some doctors believed in a woman's right to abortion but were concerned about government interference. Others feared that legalizing abortion would give too much power to their female patients.

The American Medical Association's 1970 resolution emphasized that abortion should be based on sound clinical judgment and not just on the patient's demand. This showed the ongoing tension between the medical profession and the feminist movement.

Alternative Approaches to Reproductive Care

In the 1970s, feminists like Carol Downer pioneered self-exams and the "Del-Em" device to give women more control over their bodies. Menstrual extraction allowed women to avoid the legal and medical debates surrounding abortion and have more convenience in managing their periods.

These alternative approaches were not apolitical; they were a way for feminists to assert their political power and challenge the status quo. They saw creating alternatives to organized medicine as a crucial part of the fight for reproductive freedom.

Roe v. Wade and Its Aftermath

In 1973, the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision struck down state abortion bans, giving women a constitutional right to abortion. While this was a significant victory, many feminists remained skeptical of the patriarchal structure of medicine.

After Roe, women's health activists worked to protect women seeking abortions by providing information and founding "woman-controlled" clinics. They also emphasized the importance of patient autonomy and equality in reproductive care.

The Future of Abortion Rights

Before Roe was overturned, many women had to self-manage their abortions due to limited access. As the likelihood of nationwide restrictions grows, more women are turning to alternative options like AidAccess. This highlights the need to expand our vision of abortion rights beyond the clinic.

Deferring to expertise and professional judgment may be powerful rhetorically, but it should not overshadow the importance of equality and autonomy in abortion rights. Abortion promotes health, but it is more than just healthcare. It is a fundamental right that should be accessible to all women.

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