Patient bill of rights translated into Navajo
(Daily Lobo) - UNM Hospital unveiled a patient bill of rights translated into Navajo on Friday.
"I knew it would be a first, and I knew it would be a challenge," translator Lee Rodgers said.
The hospital gave her a year to translate the document, and she completed it in two months.
"I want my people to feel they are represented at this hospital," Rogers said.
She said Indian Health Services and the Navajo Nation do not have a translation of the patient bill of rights.
"I think it's the first one ever done," she said.
Steve McKernan, CEO of the hospital, said 5 percent of patients at the hospital are Navajo.
He said the translation will hang next to versions in English and Spanish in the hospital.
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Candlelight vigil held after beating of gay man
SANTA FE (AP) - James Maestas, a gay man beaten unconscious in a suspected hate crime, would never hurt anyone, his friends said.
About 300 people attended a candlelit vigil Saturday night on the Santa Fe Plaza to show their support for Maestas, 21, who has been hospitalized since the attack a week ago outside a Santa Fe hotel.
Theresa Lorelle, who has known Maestas for 8 years, said he is a peaceful, loving and funny person who doesn't know how to fight.
"He might not be the same person afterwards, and that really scares me," she said.
Senate approves budget with no room for tax cut
SANTA FE (AP) - The Democratic-controlled Legislature and Gov. Bill Richardson are moving on a collision course over portions of the state's budget and taxes.
The Senate approved a nearly $4.7 billion budget bill on Saturday that doesn't make room financially for tax cuts sought by the Democratic governor. The spending bill is very similar to a version of the budget already passed by the House.
Richardson also is unhappy that lawmakers are providing less than half of the money he wants to launch a pre-kindergarten initiative.
Study: Artery stents help many avoid heart surgery
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - A new generation of tiny, drug-coated metal scaffolds that prop open arteries has transformed heart care in just a few years and is allowing a growing number of people to avoid having bypass surgery.
The devices, called drug-coated stents, slowly release medication that prevents vessels from reclogging after procedures to open them up.
At an American College of Cardiology conference on Sunday, doctors reported both brands sold today are equally great at keeping blood flowing smoothly, although one might be better for diabetics.
Republicans, Democrats spar over retirement age
WASHINGTON (AP) - A leading Republican senator is offering to raise the Social Security retirement age from 67 to 68, while Democrats maintain their opposition to the president's plan to overhaul the retirement program with private investment accounts.
Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel's plan would raise the age that retirees could receive full benefits, beginning in 2023.
"We are living longer," Hagel said Sunday on CBS' "Face the Nation." "So when you look at the total universe of this, I think that makes some sense to extend the age."
Hezbollah mobilizes supporters for Syria
BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) - The militant group Hezbollah, largely on the fence since anti-Syrian protests erupted in Lebanon last month, switched gears Sunday and threw its weight behind Syria and its allies - calling for massive rallies in Beirut to show loyalty to Damascus.
The move by Hezbollah's powerful and politically savvy leader, Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, could prove crucial: The Iranian-founded, anti-Israeli Shiite Muslim group, which the United States calls a terrorist organization, has emerged as a key player during Lebanon's latest slide into political instability - capable of tilting the balance either in favor of the pro-Syrian government or the anti-Syrian opposition.
Sony CEO may resign amid growing concerns
TOKYO (AP) - Sony Corp. is considering changes to its top executive ranks amid growing fears about the Japanese manufacturer's ability to improve results at its faltering core electronics business.
Sony officials refused to comment on media reports that Nobuyuki Idei, chief executive and chairman, will step down and be replaced by Howard Stringer, the chairman and chief executive of Sony Corp. of America. Stringer also serves as Sony's vice chairman.
Iraqis set date to open first modern parliament
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Iraqi politicians set March 16 for the opening of the country's first democratically elected parliament in modern history as a deal hardened Sunday to name Jalal Talabani, a leader of the minority Kurds, to the presidency.
The more powerful prime minister's job will go to Ibrahim al-Jaafari, a deeply conservative Shiite who leads the Islamic Dawa party. His nomination, which the Kurds have agreed to, has been endorsed by the most powerful Shiite cleric in Iraq - Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.
