F.C. 5th Graders Urge Conservation Efforts

Dear Editor (and F.C. residents),

We are 5th graders doing a project called Exhibition. Exhibition is all about making the world a better place. The topic we chose was deforestation. Deforestation is the destruction of trees and is mostly caused by humans. According to the World Wildlife Foundation, deforestation is causing about 10 percent of climate change. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, so when we cut trees down the carbon comes out and contributes to climate change. Here are some ways you can help stop deforestation:

• Plant a tree, and take care of the ones on your property.
• Donate to “green” nonprofits.
• Educate yourself and others by reading books such as The Tree and The River, by Aaron Becker, a great book for adults to read with children.
• Recycle paper.

We as a community have the power to make a positive impact on climate change.

-Deforestation PYP Exhibition Group (Louis, Augustine, Aziza, and Grace), Ms. Hughes’s 5th Grade Class, Oak Street Elementary

New F.C. Steakhouses Too Pricey

Editor,

It’s always nice when Falls Church gets new restaurants, such as the two steakhouses coming soon to the city.  I looked online at another location of GrillMarx and was a bit surprised at the priciness of the menu. I would have thought there might be more of a “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs” vibe at a place called GrillMarx.

-ArtStern

Patients Should Not Have to Choose

Editor,

Facing a cancer diagnosis is terrifying. 

When I was diagnosed with adrenocortical carcinoma, an “ultra-rare cancer,” in 2020, I was consumed with fear about the future of my family. 

Like many, I am the beneficiary of scientific innovation that could make my disease more treatable. 

But the costs of these breakthroughs, even with insurance, put them out of reach for too many patients.

In many cases, when a patient needs medication, their insurance requires them to pay co-insurance, which represents a percentage of the total cost of their drug, as opposed to a flat dollar co-pay. Co-insurance can result in patients being forced to pay sky-high bills each month. 

Most patients are unable to afford such high costs for single medications, so they are forced to make a horrific choice: either take on debt to pay the out-of-pocket expense or forgo treatment and jeopardize their health and the futures of their families. 

No patient should have to make such a choice.  

In Virginia, many residents maintain coverage that does not offer an option for affordable, flat-dollar co-pays. 

Thankfully, some Virginia lawmakers are working to ensure that insurers offer some plans capping out-of-pocket medication expenses. 

I am urging our Falls Church City lawmakers Delegate Marcus Simon and Senator Saddam Azlan Salim to support Senate Bill 376 / House Bill 946 and help ensure Virginians can access breakthrough medications without being locked into a lifetime of financial insecurity. 

I hope you’ll join in sharing this message with Delegate Simon and Senator Salim.

-Elisabeth M. Drabkin