When 25-year-old Shawn Shatto died by suicide in May, her family was left struggling to understand why their daughter would take her own life. Imagine their horror to learn that she died with the help of an on-line chat room.
Republican State Rep. Dawn Keefer, who serves parts of York and Cumberland Counties, wants to make sure other families are spared the same pain.
Keefer introduced new legislation called Shawn’s Law that would increase criminal penalties for people convicted of aiding or encouraging another person to commit suicide.
Representative Keefer joins Smart Talk to discuss how the bill will increase sentences and strengthen the justice system’s response.
Also, as people age, maintaining the ability to remain at home may become more of a challenge.
Healthcare is complicated, especially for anyone dealing with health problems and limited resources.
Pennsylvania is launching a state-wide program to help Pennsylvanians manage their health care and, hopefully, remain in their homes longer.
The program is called Community HealthChoices and it is targeted toward the elderly who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid and adults with physical disabilities.
How do you know if you qualify and what, if anything, will change in your healthcare plan?
Appearing on Smart Talk on Monday to offer program details are Kevin Hancock, Deputy Secretary for Long Term Living, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and Laval Miller-Wilson, executive director of the Pennsylvania Health Law Project.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS