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Beyond Breast Cancer Awareness

A look at prevention 365 days a year It’s time to lavish your pink frocks, flaunt that cotton candy boa, showoff those fuchsia stilettos and sport your cherry blossom bustier! Call all your BFFs as it’s October and that means Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Affordable Care Act Update

Many Polk County residents are continuing to rely on free healthcare clinics, despite health insurance subsidies available through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). As the nation nears its second open enrollment period for health insurance in November, it is business as usual at some area clinics.
Pop Quiz: What’s your Medicare IQ?

A Test that Will Help You Get Smarter About Your Coverage For youngsters, autumn means going back to school. For seniors and those who qualify, fall signals that it’s Medicare enrollment and renewal time. The Medicare Fall Open Enrollment Period is specially geared towards choosing Medicare Advantage Plans and Prescription Drug Plans, and it lasts…

Publisher’s Note: Update on HealthCare.gov and enrolling for health insurance

As I’m writing this in late October, HealthCare.gov is still suffering from significant malfunctions, thus delaying the enrollment process for the healthcare plans under the Affordable Care Act. The website is designated as the hub for the enrollment period for Florida and 36 other states. However, these serious issues on the website have made it…
Ask a Nurse: Getting educated in wellness

As someone who considers herself a perpetual student, I’m a big proponent of the old adage “never stop learning.” Because this is one of my mottos that I try to live by, I will be one of the presenters at a free event: A Night for Wellness Education. Other presenters will include Dr. Dale Wickstrom-Hill…
Editor’s Dose: Simple reminders from great women

As I read Chris Hazelwood’s Q&A for the first time (article on page 14), I was inspired by her bravery and strength during a very challenging time in her life. She would be the first to say that she did not make it through her fight against breast cancer alone, but it also reminded me…