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THE future of the Home and Community Care Services (HACC) program in Bundaberg is up in the air with Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service (WBHHS) considering privatising the service. It could come as soon as March this year, with the final decision resting with the Federal Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA). WBHHS chief executive officer Adrian Pennington said transferring the delivery of HACC services to another provider was still a proposal but the change could affect about 800 clients in the Bundaberg region and 600 in the Fraser Coast. Mr Pennington said while clients could expect to receive similar or equal level of care under a new provider there were no guarantees the service would remain free. "While it would be our preference for our clients' sake to keep the service free, we are unable to speculate what fees, if any, would be applicable in future as this would be determined by the new provider," he said. "These clients will be notified of changes to the service via a letter this week." HACC provides many services including meals on wheels, transport and nursing care to support older people to stay at home and be more independent in the community. When the NewsMail asked how many jobs could be at risk Mr Pennington said: "As the consultation process with staff is ongoing, at this time I consider it premature and inconsiderate to discuss publicly staffing matters relating to HACC services." He said a meeting had been held with staff last week to provide help including contact details for organisations including the Employee Assistance Scheme. "We recognise this is a deeply unsettling time for people and I want to offer my assurance that we will support all staff and clients affected," he said. He said the details of the proposal were still to be finalised. "We are yet to properly liaise further with the Federal Department of Health and Ageing and the Queensland Department of Community Safety (DCS) as to what a transfer of

THE future of the Home and Community Care Services (HACC) program in Bundaberg is up in the air with Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service (WBHHS) considering privatising the service. It could come as soon as March this year, with the final decision resting with the Federal Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA). WBHHS chief executive officer Adrian Pennington said transferring the delivery of HACC services to another provider was still a proposal but the change could affect about 800 clients in the Bundaberg region and 600 in the Fraser Coast. Mr Pennington said while clients could expect to receive similar or equal level of care under a new provider there were no guarantees the service would remain free. "While it would be our preference for our clients' sake to keep the service free, we are unable to speculate what fees, if any, would be applicable in future as this would be determined by the new provider," he said. "These clients will be notified of changes to the service via a letter this week." HACC provides many services including meals on wheels, transport and nursing care to support older people to stay at home and be more independent in the community. When the NewsMail asked how many jobs could be at risk Mr Pennington said: "As the consultation process with staff is ongoing, at this time I consider it premature and inconsiderate to discuss publicly staffing matters relating to HACC services." He said a meeting had been held with staff last week to provide help including contact details for organisations including the Employee Assistance Scheme. "We recognise this is a deeply unsettling time for people and I want to offer my assurance that we will support all staff and clients affected," he said. He said the details of the proposal were still to be finalised. "We are yet to properly liaise further with the Federal Department of Health and Ageing and the Queensland Department of Community Safety (DCS) as to what a transfer of

An average of two Seoul citizens would have to work to support one elderly by 2039 amid the falling birth rate and rising life expectancy, statistics showed Wednesday. Statistics data from the Seoul Metropolitan Government predicts that in 27 years, the working-age population between 15 and 64 would drop 26 percent to 5.99 million and senior citizens aged 65 and over are expected to grow 172 percent to 2.95 million. Currently an average of 7.4 working people support each senior citizen. The demographic change is feared to squeeze the city's workforce, threatening growth and pension systems. The data based on a survey by the Statistics Korea also indicated that the number of youth aged 1 to 14 is forecast to decrease by 25 percent to 1.03 million.

Livejournal News - Patients with sickle cell disease move from pediatric to adult health care because they now depend more on the emergency room, says researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Reported at the American Society of Hematology's annual meeting in Atlanta, more than 3,200 patients with sickle cell disease demonstrates that emergency room visits tripled from age 15 to age 24 this is according to the study of Medicaid data. According to hematologist Morey A. Blinder, MD, associate professor of medicine, "There seems to be a breakdown in medical care during the transition from childhood to adulthood. Not only emergency department usage, but hospitalizations go up during this time as well." Blinder further added that one possible explanation for the increased reliance on emergency care is the relative lack of adult health care providers with experience caring for sickle cell patients. Alarming similar issues are arising for other pediatric diseases, such as cystic fibrosis and hemophilia. The said illnesses were previously fatal. What is more sad about the problem is over the past few decades the number of children and teenagers are living into adulthood with these conditions increased. What makes the matters worse is there often aren't enough primary care physicians who can provide care for these adult patients. Many are not familiar to the understanding of the sickle cell disease. It refers to a number of inherited genetic conditions the "sickle" shape red blood cells aren't normal, they are suppose to be normally round, disk-like red blood cells. The problems with these malformed red blood cells are prone to clogging smaller blood vessels and they do not carry oxygen to the body as well as healthy cells. The condition often causes pain in places the cells block blood flow that sometimes causes more severe complications include blindness, strokes and pneumonia. Medical patients from five states

Free Alzheimer's Training Available in all 50 States to Support Family Caregivers Alzheimer's disease is a fatal, progressive and degenerative disease that destroys brain cells. It is the most common form of dementia. Alzheimer's disease is not a normal part of aging. Symptoms include having difficulty remembering things, making decisions and performing everyday activities. These changes can affect the way a person feels and acts. There is currently no way to stop the disease, but research is improving the way provide care and will continue to search for a cure. Americans fear developing Alzheimer's disease more than any other major life-threatening disease, including cancer, stroke, heart disease and diabetes according to OMAHA, Neb. - November 13, 2012 - Home Instead Senior Care®, the world's leading provider of home care services for seniors, announced new survey results. More than 1,200 Americans was designed to gain perspective on the most pressing concerns associated with Alzheimer's, including diagnosis and the difficulties of caring for a loved one with the disease, according to the survey of Marist Institute for Public Opinion . According to Jeff Huber, president and chief operating officer of Home Instead, Inc. "The survey confirmed what our franchise owners had been hearing from their clients and their families - the majority of Americans feel unprepared to care for a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer's. The need for support and education for these families is critical." Additional survey highlights include: o Nearly two-thirds of Americans (63 percent) have had a personal experience with someone with Alzheimer's and/or a serious memory loss problem. o 61 percent of Americans feel unprepared to care for a loved one diagnosed with the disease. o If diagnosed with the disease, Americans most fear the inability to care for oneself, and burdening others (68 percent); followed by losing memory of life and lov

Home for the aged is a general term for a facility that cares for elderly people. It is not a question of where but a question of how. How is home for the aged can do good for our elderly? In a fast phase world like ours, finding time for fun and leisure is hard and finding time for family is harder. Sometimes we are left with no choice. We are forced to leave our elderly family members in a nursing home or more popular as home for the aged. There is always two sides in a story, leaving elderly family member in a caring home has advantages and disadvantages. Number of senior citizens suddenly seemed to multiply since 1950's. In 1900 the average life expectancy was forty-five, by 1950 the average life span was almost seventy years; the population has doubled but the number of people65 and over had quadrupled to become 8% of the total. In 1950's more and more population of "retirees" are supposed to get their pensions. Due to this case, extended families are seemed to be an obligation, where elderly had to stay with their sons, daughters or grandchildren. People then began wondering how to accommodate this burden. They started taking about nursing homes, retirement houses, or apartments where they can leave their elderly. Golden years are supposed to have a positive connotation but now the phrase developed into a different meaning. Instead of the "golden years" being now, I a one's old age golden refers to the good old days. Studies showed that people in developed countries are not only living longer, but also remain healthy for much of their lives, unlike in less developed countries, where the elderly tend to be plagued with serious illnesses. Causing them to live longer which means government has to support them because they are already retirees. In order to support them, one must work and working means no one to take care of the elderly. Elderly has a special healthcare although facilities like home for the aged are design

CONSULTING GROUP OF SPRINGHILL SOUTH KOREA - A plan to alter the subjects of the lowest level South Korean Public Service exam in favour of high school graduates has been met with opposition. The Ministry of Public Administration and Security has announced that it intends making the currently compulsory college level subjects optional while adding high school subjects as electives. The announcement came after President Lee Myung-bak said the percentage of high school graduates in the Public Service should be increased. A ministry spokesperson said that beginning in 2013, English and Korean history would be compulsory test subjects, while test-takers could select two more subjects either at university or high school level. "The plan aims to expand the opportunities for high school graduates to enter the public service sector," the spokesperson said. Those preparing to take the test have spoken out against the plan in a Government web forum. "The time and money I spent for the past three years on studying will go to waste," one said. "We will have tax officers who don't know accounting and prosecutors who have no idea about criminal law." Others have spoken out in support of the plan however, saying the high unemployment rate of graduates from provincial colleges and universities was a serious problem that needed to be addressed. Supporters said recruitment for the lowest level Public Service jobs was originally aimed at high school graduates. "Young individuals who have the basic requirements can be promoted to higher positions as they learn from experience," one said. "The current method may lead to unfavourable consequences such as hiring incompetent Public Servants. "Accordingly, it would be better to adopt a quota-system for high school graduates rather than changing the subjects."Seoul, 7 May 2012 view link: http://www.psnews.com.au/worldpsn3138.html

The move came after the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) obtained information that a Thai company had struck a deal to buy 10 billion pseudoephedrine-based cold tablets from a Chinese firm. Previously, the DSI obtained information that the firm also signed a deal to buy 850 million tablets, or 40 tonnes of the medicine, from South Korea. The DSI found that 87 million cold tablets were transported into Thailand from South Korea by plane on nine occasions since 2010. They had false air cargo manifests to avoid attracting attention from the authorities. The DSI suspected the medicines were smuggled in from South Korea. The DSI is investigating two companies suspected of being involved in the smuggling of the pills from overseas. The companies are UTAC Thai Co Ltd, a supplier of integrated circuits, and TVR Group Co Ltd, a car dealer and vehicle hire firm. Some information relating to the drug purchases was uncovered at the companies during recent searches of their premises but the firms denied any involvement. Mr Tarit said yesterday DSI officials also discovered a contract to buy 10 billion pseudoephedrine-based cold tablets from China during the search at UTAC Thai Co Ltd. Under the contract, the first batch of 2 million tablets was to have been shipped to Thailand on July 31, 2009. He said the DSI also found a photo showing a man collecting the pills from Suvarnabhumi airport cargo warehouse. The cold tablets from China and South Korea have the same brand name of COLCOLCO, he said. Mr Tarit said DSI officials also searched the company's factory but there was nothing amiss. However, it was found that the company had three South Korean executives and one Thai executive, Mr Tarit said. He said the Korean Food and Drug Administration recently sent information regarding the nine shipments of pills which showed the contract to buy the cold tablets from South Korean was signed by UTAC Thai Co. Mr Tarit said the DSI'

The move came after the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) obtained information that a Thai company had struck a deal to buy 10 billion pseudoephedrine-based cold tablets from a Chinese firm. Previously, the DSI obtained information that the firm also signed a deal to buy 850 million tablets, or 40 tonnes of the medicine, from South Korea. The DSI found that 87 million cold tablets were transported into Thailand from South Korea by plane on nine occasions since 2010. They had false air cargo manifests to avoid attracting attention from the authorities. The DSI suspected the medicines were smuggled in from South Korea. The DSI is investigating two companies suspected of being involved in the smuggling of the pills from overseas. The companies are UTAC Thai Co Ltd, a supplier of integrated circuits, and TVR Group Co Ltd, a car dealer and vehicle hire firm. Some information relating to the drug purchases was uncovered at the companies during recent searches of their premises but the firms denied any involvement. Mr Tarit said yesterday DSI officials also discovered a contract to buy 10 billion pseudoephedrine-based cold tablets from China during the search at UTAC Thai Co Ltd. Under the contract, the first batch of 2 million tablets was to have been shipped to Thailand on July 31, 2009. He said the DSI also found a photo showing a man collecting the pills from Suvarnabhumi airport cargo warehouse. The cold tablets from China and South Korea have the same brand name of COLCOLCO, he said. Mr Tarit said DSI officials also searched the company's factory but there was nothing amiss. However, it was found that the company had three South Korean executives and one Thai executive, Mr Tarit said. He said the Korean Food and Drug Administration recently sent information regarding the nine shipments of pills which showed the contract to buy the cold tablets from South Korean was signed by UTAC Thai Co. Mr Tarit

The move came after the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) obtained information that a Thai company had struck a deal to buy 10 billion pseudoephedrine-based cold tablets from a Chinese firm. Previously, the DSI obtained information that the firm also signed a deal to buy 850 million tablets, or 40 tonnes of the medicine, from South Korea. The DSI found that 87 million cold tablets were transported into Thailand from South Korea by plane on nine occasions since 2010. They had false air cargo manifests to avoid attracting attention from the authorities. The DSI suspected the medicines were smuggled in from South Korea. The DSI is investigating two companies suspected of being involved in the smuggling of the pills from overseas. The companies are UTAC Thai Co Ltd, a supplier of integrated circuits, and TVR Group Co Ltd, a car dealer and vehicle hire firm. Some information relating to the drug purchases was uncovered at the companies during recent searches of their premises but the firms denied any involvement. Mr Tarit said yesterday DSI officials also discovered a contract to buy 10 billion pseudoephedrine-based cold tablets from China during the search at UTAC Thai Co Ltd. Under the contract, the first batch of 2 million tablets was to have been shipped to Thailand on July 31, 2009. He said the DSI also found a photo showing a man collecting the pills from Suvarnabhumi airport cargo warehouse. The cold tablets from China and South Korea have the same brand name of COLCOLCO, he said. Mr Tarit said DSI officials also searched the company's factory but there was nothing amiss. However, it was found that the company had three South Korean executives and one Thai executive, Mr Tarit said. He said the Korean Food and Drug Administration recently sent information regarding the nine shipments of pills which showed the contract to buy the cold tablets from South Korean was signed by UTAC Thai Co. Mr Tarit said the DSI'

The move came after the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) obtained information that a Thai company had struck a deal to buy 10 billion pseudoephedrine-based cold tablets from a Chinese firm. Previously, the DSI obtained information that the firm also signed a deal to buy 850 million tablets, or 40 tonnes of the medicine, from South Korea. The DSI found that 87 million cold tablets were transported into Thailand from South Korea by plane on nine occasions since 2010. They had false air cargo manifests to avoid attracting attention from the authorities. The DSI suspected the medicines were smuggled in from South Korea. The DSI is investigating two companies suspected of being involved in the smuggling of the pills from overseas. The companies are UTAC Thai Co Ltd, a supplier of integrated circuits, and TVR Group Co Ltd, a car dealer and vehicle hire firm. Some information relating to the drug purchases was uncovered at the companies during recent searches of their premises but the firms denied any involvement. Mr Tarit said yesterday DSI officials also discovered a contract to buy 10 billion pseudoephedrine-based cold tablets from China during the search at UTAC Thai Co Ltd. Under the contract, the first batch of 2 million tablets was to have been shipped to Thailand on July 31, 2009. He said the DSI also found a photo showing a man collecting the pills from Suvarnabhumi airport cargo warehouse. The cold tablets from China and South Korea have the same brand name of COLCOLCO, he said. Mr Tarit said DSI officials also searched the company's factory but there was nothing amiss. However, it was found that the company had three South Korean executives and one Thai executive, Mr Tarit said. He said the Korean Food and Drug Administration recently sent information regarding the nine shipments of pills which showed the contract to buy the cold tablets from South Korean was signed by UTAC Thai Co. Mr Tarit

Our Heritage Brother F.C. Sowell held two tent meetings years before the Spring Hill Church of Christ was established. The seed, which is the word of God (Luke 8:11 ), was sown at that time. Later, a few Christians began to conduct worship services, the first being held on May 1, 1915 . Seventeen people were present for the first service. The first gospel meeting for the newly formed church was held by Brother E.A. Elam. Brother H.W. Rye held meetings the next two years. The services were held for three years each Sunday afternoon in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church building. The elders who served at that time were Brothers Lee Prentice, Albert Carpenter and R.L. Hays. The deacons were Jim Goad, J.W. Beasley and J.A.C. Jones. Brother W.L. Green served as treasurer. In the year 1918, the elders bought lots on Depot Street from Brother Charlie Mahon, and the first building owned by Spring Hill Church of Christ was erected. Brother Rye held the first meeting in the new church building. In the years following, gospel meetings were held by such men as C.M. Pullias, Ben Harding and Andy Largen. The church had preachers from David Lipscomb College once a month. Brother Clifford was one of those who came from time to time. In those early years of the church's existence, the weekly contributions were often just two or three dollars. Bible class teachers in those days were Brother R.L. Hays, Sister R.L. Hays, Sister J.A.C. Jones and Sister Will Green. During the first years in the new building there were no classrooms. They divided into different groups in the auditorium. When someone obeyed the gospel they were taken to a little creek not far away to be baptized. In 1936 the Tennessee Orphans' Home moved to Spring Hill from Columbia . There were a total of forty-eight (48) children under the supervision of Brother S.O. Owens. With those additional people, it was necessary to build three classrooms. With a rather steady increase in number, especially childre

Springhill Group You may find fat kids cutie ones but they may be starting to suffer from obesity. Obesity is a serious medical condition that often leads to serious diseases. Childhood obesity often carried out until adulthood, more health complications may occur. And obesity plays a significant role in causing certain so called 'adult ailments' in our children such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Childhood obesity is usually caused by eating too much and not getting enough exercise. While there are some genetic and hormonal causes of childhood obesity, studies show the primary cause of children being overweight is due to lifestyle issues such as eating more calories than is needed to support their growing bodies, daily activities and metabolism. All experts agreed that obesity is a health risk that may result to the following health problems for children. Hypertension Type 2 Diabetes Orthopedic Sleep Depression Asthma Body Mass Index (BMI) Height and BMI Heredity Signs of stress of weight on lower limbs and joints Absence of logical thinking How to treat obesity in children: If your child has a weight problem you should a consult a doctor or nutritionist. A healthy eating plan is strongly suggested. This is also to make sure that no serious health problems have developed. Some parents delay this action in the hopes that the problem will just go away but this delay can cause more complications and illness and I will get worse. Not only obesity can cause many health problems but it can also cause variety of emotional problems. Their being obese can lower their self-esteem. So do not make them feel bad more about themselves, they had enough from school instead just need to help them by developing healthy eating and exercise habits, and lots and lots of moral support. You should be aware avoiding making their weight as an issue, if you will encourage him to focus on his weight tendency is that their self-esteem will suffer more rather it

I think there's something wrong with the printer-friendly version of this page. When I try to print this it comes out all messed up. The layout is horrible and you can barely read a thing.

Springhill Group You may find fat kids cutie ones but they may be starting to suffer from obesity. Obesity is a serious medical condition that often leads to serious diseases. Childhood obesity often carried out until adulthood, more health complications may occur. And obesity plays a significant role in causing certain so called 'adult ailments' in our children such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Childhood obesity is usually caused by eating too much and not getting enough exercise. While there are some genetic and hormonal causes of childhood obesity, studies show the primary cause of children being overweight is due to lifestyle issues such as eating more calories than is needed to support their growing bodies, daily activities and metabolism. All experts agreed that obesity is a health risk that may result to the following health problems for children. Hypertension Type 2 Diabetes Orthopedic Sleep Depression Asthma Body Mass Index (BMI) Height and BMI Heredity Signs of stress of weight on lower limbs and joints Absence of logical thinking How to treat obesity in children: If your child has a weight problem you should a consult a doctor or nutritionist. A healthy eating plan is strongly suggested. This is also to make sure that no serious health problems have developed. Some parents delay this action in the hopes that the problem will just go away but this delay can cause more complications and illness and I will get worse. Not only obesity can cause many health problems but it can also cause variety of emotional problems. Their being obese can lower their self-esteem. So do not make them feel bad more about themselves, they had enough from school instead just need to help them by developing healthy eating and exercise habits, and lots and lots of moral support. You should be aware avoiding making their weight as an issue, if you will encourage him to focus on his weight tendency is that their self-esteem will suffer more rather it

you have done a good job.

Springhill Group You may find fat kids cutie ones but they may be starting to suffer from obesity. Obesity is a serious medical condition that often leads to serious diseases. Childhood obesity often carried out until adulthood, more health complications may occur. And obesity plays a significant role in causing certain so called 'adult ailments' in our children such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Childhood obesity is usually caused by eating too much and not getting enough exercise. While there are some genetic and hormonal causes of childhood obesity, studies show the primary cause of children being overweight is due to lifestyle issues such as eating more calories than is needed to support their growing bodies, daily activities and metabolism. All experts agreed that obesity is a health risk that may result to the following health problems for children. Hypertension Type 2 Diabetes Orthopedic Sleep Depression Asthma Body Mass Index (BMI) Height and BMI Heredity Signs of stress of weight on lower limbs and joints Absence of logical thinking How to treat obesity in children: If your child has a weight problem you should a consult a doctor or nutritionist. A healthy eating plan is strongly suggested. This is also to make sure that no serious health problems have developed. Some parents delay this action in the hopes that the problem will just go away but this delay can cause more complications and illness and I will get worse. Not only obesity can cause many health problems but it can also cause variety of emotional problems. Their being obese can lower their self-esteem. So do not make them feel bad more about themselves, they had enough from school instead just need to help them by developing healthy eating and exercise habits, and lots and lots of moral support. You should be aware avoiding making their weight as an issue, if you will encourage him to focus on his weight tendency is that their self-esteem will suffer more rather it

Good job ! keep it up, hope to read your other updates.

Springhill Group You may find fat kids cutie ones but they may be starting to suffer from obesity. Obesity is a serious medical condition that often leads to serious diseases. Childhood obesity often carried out until adulthood, more health complications may occur. And obesity plays a significant role in causing certain so called 'adult ailments' in our children such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Childhood obesity is usually caused by eating too much and not getting enough exercise. While there are some genetic and hormonal causes of childhood obesity, studies show the primary cause of children being overweight is due to lifestyle issues such as eating more calories than is needed to support their growing bodies, daily activities and metabolism. All experts agreed that obesity is a health risk that may result to the following health problems for children. Hypertension Type 2 Diabetes Orthopedic Sleep Depression Asthma Body Mass Index (BMI) Height and BMI Heredity Signs of stress of weight on lower limbs and joints Absence of logical thinking How to treat obesity in children: If your child has a weight problem you should a consult a doctor or nutritionist. A healthy eating plan is strongly suggested. This is also to make sure that no serious health problems have developed. Some parents delay this action in the hopes that the problem will just go away but this delay can cause more complications and illness and I will get worse. Not only obesity can cause many health problems but it can also cause variety of emotional problems. Their being obese can lower their self-esteem. So do not make them feel bad more about themselves, they had enough from school instead just need to help them by developing healthy eating and exercise habits, and lots and lots of moral support. You should be aware avoiding making their weight as an issue, if you will encourage him to focus on his weight tendency is that their self-esteem will suffer more rather it

You put really very helpful information. Keep it up. Keep blogging. Looking to reading your next post

Thailand is seeking help from China and South Korea to support its efforts to crack down on the smuggling of pseudoephedrine-based cold pills. The move came after the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) obtained information that a Thai company had struck a deal to buy 10 billion pseudoephedrine-based cold tablets from a Chinese firm. Previously, the DSI obtained information that the firm also signed a deal to buy 850 million tablets, or 40 tonnes of the medicine, from South Korea. The DSI found that 87 million cold tablets were transported into Thailand from South Korea by plane on nine occasions since 2010. They had false air cargo manifests to avoid attracting attention from the authorities. The DSI suspected the medicines were smuggled in from South Korea. The DSI is investigating two companies suspected of being involved in the smuggling of the pills from overseas. The companies are UTAC Thai Co Ltd, a supplier of integrated circuits, and TVR Group Co Ltd, a car dealer and vehicle hire firm. Some information relating to the drug purchases was uncovered at the companies during recent searches of their premises but the firms denied any involvement. Mr Tarit said yesterday DSI officials also discovered a contract to buy 10 billion pseudoephedrine-based cold tablets from China during the search at UTAC Thai Co Ltd. Under the contract, the first batch of 2 million tablets was to have been shipped to Thailand on July 31, 2009. He said the DSI also found a photo showing a man collecting the pills from Suvarnabhumi airport cargo warehouse. The cold tablets from China and South Korea have the same brand name of COLCOLCO, he said. Mr Tarit said DSI officials also searched the company's factory but there was nothing amiss. However, it was found that the company had three South Korean executives and one Thai executive, Mr Tarit said. He said the Korean Food and Drug Administration recently sent information regarding the nine shipments of

KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Kicking off a two-day Sunshine State barnstorm Saturday, President Barack Obama tapped into key parts of what he hopes will be a winning Florida coalition similar to but larger than the one he assembled in 2008. At stops in Seminole and Kissimmee, Fla., the president, who won the Sunshine State by just 50.9 percent in 2008, targeted the votes of senior citizens, warning that their Medicare benefits would be harmed by a plan put forward by his Republican opponents Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan. "I want you to know, AARP, I would never turn Medicare into a voucher," Obama said at a civic center here, making an explicit play for members of the 50-and-up club. "I believe no American should ever have to spend their golden years at the mercy of insurance companies."

KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Kicking off a two-day Sunshine State barnstorm Saturday, President Barack Obama tapped into key parts of what he hopes will be a winning Florida coalition similar to but larger than the one he assembled in 2008. At stops in Seminole and Kissimmee, Fla., the president, who won the Sunshine State by just 50.9 percent in 2008, targeted the votes of senior citizens, warning that their Medicare benefits would be harmed by a plan put forward by his Republican opponents Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan.