Heinous fatal gun violence at the doors of University of Alabama Birmingham trauma center

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama- "...Birmingham’s 90th and 91st homicide victims this year. In all of Jefferson County, there have been 127 homicides including the 91 in Birmingham."

Reported in AL.com and Becker's Hospital Review:

Gunfire erupted outside UAB (University of Alabama Birmingham) Hospital early Monday September 4, 2023, as multiple gunshot victims arrived in a private vehicle seeking help.

According to authorities and witnesses, a champagne-colored Chevrolet Tahoe pulled up to the hospital entrance seeking help for gunshot victims inside. That shooting is believed to have taken place following an altercation at Aria Restaurant and Lounge on in the 900 block of Fifth Avenue North.

When the SUV got to UAB – about 2:17 a.m. – another vehicle pulled up and opened fire on the Tahoe. Witnesses said they heard multiple shots fired, describing the sounds as “iron pipes hitting.”

The gunfire hit a UAB police vehicle and a hospital window.

Birmingham and UAB police officers shut down the area surrounding the emergency room. The hospital was placed on lockdown.

UAB officials referred all additional questions to Birmingham police.

Birmingham police Officer Truman Fitzgerald at least five people were shot in the initial incident on Fifth Avenue North.

Two of those victims - both females - were pronounced dead at the hospital.

According the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office, a 33-year-old woman was pronounced dead at 2:30 a.m. and 24-year-old woman was pronounced dead at 2:55 a.m.

Fitzgerald said the two women - who later died - and an injured man were in the SUV that showed up at UAB. The man’s injuries are life-threatening.

Two other women showed up at the hospital by private vehicle, also with gunshot wounds. Their injuries are not life-threatening.

Police said at least two suspects fired on the victims when they arrived at the hospital. They have not been arrested.

“We believe this incident was a targeted attack, however we do believe many of the victims were innocent bystanders,’' Fitzgerald said.

Dozens of friends and family members were outside of the emergency room. They, too, said they’d been unable to get information about what happened.

About 5:30 a.m., family members of one of the victims - a female - became visibly distraught when they were told their loved one had died.

The two slain females are Birmingham’s 90th and 91st homicide victims this year. In all of Jefferson County, there have been 127 homicides including the 91 in Birmingham.

Anyone with information is asked to call homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.

Health Care In America - Republicans Ignore Data

When Republicans continue calling for a repeal of health care reform, aka "Obamacare", they continue to ignore facts about how unhealthy it is to be an American.

Robert Samuelson writes in The Washington Post about how an exhaustive report compares America's health with that of people in 16 other advanced countries.

Not surprisingly, when American health is ranked with other developed countries, it turns out we're near the bottom, from life expectancy at birth to frequency of early death before age 50 years. It's not surprising because of the freedom Americans have to participate in unhealthy lifestyles, including the exposure we are all at risk for by people who buy and use guns.  Freedom and autonomy are intrinsic to American culture, but the choices we make are distinctly unhealthy and even fatal.

Homicides put Americans at risk for shorter life expectancy. Among males under 50, there are comparatively more homicides (often gun related).  High rates of diabetes are driven by bad diet choices.  Increasing morbidity from diabetes leads to more incidence of heart disease.

Republican obstruction against contraception for the poor and Planned Parenthood shows up in the American teenage pregnancy rate. American girls 15-19 years old become pregnant at 3.5 times the average rate of other advanced countries, producing children who are doomed to poverty and contribute to the cycle of poor health care.

Remarkably, even the well to do suffer from less than optimal health.  Stress related diseases are the by- product of the nation's relentlessly competitive spirit.

Americans falsely assume we're blessed with a healthy population. In fact, we're not as healthy as at least 16 other developed nations.

Republicans continue to ignore the right of all Americans to have access to quality and affordable health care. Health insurance companies generate profit margins by not providing universal coverage.  Nevertheless, Republicans want to repeal the health care reform law passed by President Obama whereby profitable insurance companies can, now, no longer discriminate against beneficiaries with preexisting conditions or screen out benefits for children with chronic illnesses.

Although the Congress and Senate enjoy tax payer paid health insurance benefits, the Republicans would rather deny all Americans access to quality and affordable health care than support resources to expand wellness care and health benefits to everyone.

It's time Republicans smarten up and read the data about how America's health care doesn't compare favorably with 16 other countries.  Republicans who support extending the Medicare eligibility age to 67, and who call for repeal of health care reform (Obamacare), should try living without their tax payer benefits for 6 months.  It's likely the Republicans won't ignore health care data if they are among those in the unhealthy statistical analysis.