Health Care

Randy Pausch's testimony to the Labor, Health and Human Serv

2010-12-10T10:58:00.001-08:00

On March 13, 2008, Dr. Randy Pausch provided testimony to the Labor, Health & Human Services Subcommittee on behalf of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. This is his personal story about his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and his fight to survive. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the US, but receives extremely little federal funding to support research efforts. In March of 2008, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network went to Congress to urge the federal government to provide critical funding to speed the cure for this horrible disease.

Why Should Health Care Be Given High Priority?

2010-12-09T10:58:00.001-08:00

Now-a-days people are facing various health problems due to the inappropriate health care taken in their hectic and busy life. This calls for a need to provide appropriate healthcare for everyone. An average American is not able to afford the skyrocketing hospital charges and the amount spent on health care is much higher than any other expenses.

Studies reveal that the expenditure on health care in 2002 reached to a whopping $1.6 trillion. This doesn't mean that people have a lot of money to spend on health care but this gives a picture of the percentage of amount being spent from their income towards the medical expenses. In general, one can say that 'medical bills just keep eating people's money away'. This condition would really hurt the people's mind-set which might result in dire consequences.

The only solution for this situation is to make health care affordable. Many companies voluntarily are working to solve this issue in their own ways. One such company which is majorly focusing on providing affordable health care is Ameriplan. As a part of this initiative, Ameriplan has started discount plans which help every individual save up to 80% of the medical expenses. Ameriplan discount plans provide services such as dental care, vision care, and chiropractic care and prescription drugs at a lowest cost ranging from $19.95 a month that covers whole family. Many more benefits are said to be provided by Ameriplan which aim at reducing the costs incurred towards health care. One thing to be remembered is that Ameriplan discount plans are not insurance, in fact they are much more than insurance.

Highlights: Obama's Speech On Health Care Reform In St. Louis

2010-12-08T10:56:00.001-08:00

Website: EgbertoWillies.com Follow on Twitter twitter.com As part of his campaign to push Congress to pass a health reform bill, President Barack Obama spoke before a crowd in a St. Charles, Missouri high school auditorium on March 10, 2010. Here are some excerpts of the speech, in which the president called for an end to the politicization of the issue.

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Insurance Companies and Universal Health Care

2010-12-07T10:56:00.001-08:00

Insurance companies serve a very important function in our society. The purpose of insurance is to share risk. Risk is the amount of economic loss that someone is willing to assume in an activity. For instance, a bank would not loan money for the purpose of buying a house, unless the house was protected against losses such as fire, wind and other perils. That protection is provided by a Homeowner's policy.

A loan to purchase an automobile would not be available unless the car was insured for losses by theft or collision. That protection is provided by an auto policy.

Health insurance is a policy that shares the risk of losses caused by injuries or illness. A share of the risk is assumed by the individual through a deductible or co-pay. In-other-words, if someone visits the doctor, that individual may be required to pay the first $15 or $20 of the visit. The health insurance company assumes the risk of the remainder of the cost.

That shared risk comes about through an exchange of 'consideration'. Consideration is value. The insured pays a premium in exchange for the promise of the insurance company to pay certain costs associated with the insured's health care. Which brings us to the controversy surrounding the government's efforts to institute what some call universal health care.

No matter what side of the argument you are on, in favor or against universal health care, one issue has been settled. President Obama stated publicly that it is impossible to insure the 'uninsured' without additional costs. So, the idea that this will be a 'deficit neutral' policy has been debunked by the administration itself. Either taxes go up to pay for the program, or health care will have to be rationed to keep costs neutral, or bring them down.

In response to the public out-cry about a government health care program, the administration has called the insurance companies villains. After all, insurance companies exclude preexisting conditions for some period of time when an individual enrolls (however that is not always the case with group policies), and insurance companies are making a 'profit'.

PreExsiting Conditions

Think about the concept of risk and preexisting conditions. An individual has a home that has been damaged by fire. Would a homeowner's insurance company now write a policy that would cover the repairs to home caused by the preexisting fire? Of course not! That is not shared risk, that is bad business.

An individual has a preexisting health condition, say diabetes. Purchasing a policy that would exclude the treatment for diabetes for a limited period of time (usually two years), now results in a shared risk. The health insurance company will cover the person for other perils, and if that individual pays the premiums over time, that exclusion regarding the preexisting condition is then dropped.

Is it possible for the government to insure everyone in the United States and force insurance companies to provide policies without regard to preexisting conditions? It is possible, but not without driving the cost of health-care way up. After all, the money to pay the doctors and hospitals have to come from somewhere and President Obama stated that 'We are out of money'. Since the government doesn't earn money, its only source of revenue is taxes.

Profit

Insurance companies are being cast as the bad guy since companies make a profit. Which do you prefer, companies that are well run that make a profit, or a company like General Motors that required billions of dollars of taxpayer money to bail the company out? A profit is what allows companies to expand services and provide jobs. Companies that fail to make a profit, go out-of-business.

The government not only fails to make a profit, as a well run business entity should, it runs at a deficit. The latest example is Cash for Clunkers. Not only was taxpayer money used to subsidize auto sales, now car dealers are complaining that the government is not sending the checks for the Clunkers that were promised. It appears that many buyers will have lost their old cars and now face repossession of the new cars purchased since the money for the program did not actually exist.

This does not bode well for a government run health care system.

Tort Reform

Doctors and hospitals must practice defensive medicine. People will sue for anything. Tort lawyers use a 'shot-gun' approach when filing a malpractice lawsuit. All doctors, nurses, technicians and hospitals involved in a case are named as a defendant, whether that party had any actual responsibility for the claimed injury and damage.

We need a loser pay system, which provides that anyone who brings a lawsuit and loses, is required to pay the other side's attorney fees and expenses. That would do away with most frivolous lawsuits and bring the costs of health care down.

Big Government Solution

Government should be required to live within its means. It does not, and the government, not insurance companies, is the villain in this scenario.

The founding fathers did not foresee a large, powerful centralized government. That is what was the war of independence against England was all about. The US Constitution delegated specific powers to the Federal Government, and it does not specify taking over any private sector industry.

Medicare and Medicaid are government health care programs on the verge of collapse. Even President Obama admits Medicare cannot be sustained. No program can be sustained when it runs at a deficit and all government programs run at a deficit.

Universal Health Care will run at a deficit from day one and that is just bad business.

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Home Health Care vs Assisted Living

2010-12-07T10:55:00.001-08:00

Home Health Care in Los Angeles

Home health care is health care that is provided to patients inside their home, and usually by either health care professionals or family and friends. The term "home care" suggests that the care provided is non-medical and more of a custodial nature, whereas "home health care" may suggest licensed staff members. The differences here are similar to the differences between assisted living facilities and nursing homes. Much like assisted living facilities, home health care lets seniors enjoy a good measure of independence. An elderly individual or couple will appreciate having privacy as well as assistance in daily living needs.

What Home Health Care Provides

What kind of services does home health care provide? Home health care may help seniors with daily living needs such as bathing, dressing, house keeping and cooking and dining preparation. Depending on the needs of the resident, there may be special provisions such as transportation services and errands, volunteer programs, exercise and walking, and toileting assistance. More extensive forms of home health care would also provide rehabilitation programs, including visits from physical therapists and nurses. Other qualified home health care professionals may include respiratory nurses, occupational nurses, social workers, mental health workers and physicians.

Who pays for home health care? This type of outside assisted living program can be paid by private resources from the resident or family, by public payers such as Medicare and Medicaid or by employer-sponsored health insurance plans. Medicare will usually not pay for home health care on a long term basis while Medicaid is more likely to help low-income families with little or no assets. Employer-sponsored home health care is likely to be on a short term basis unless the insurance plan is very generous. Most of the time home health care will be paid for by a family's own resources.

Comparing Home Health Care with Assisted Living

How does home health care compare with in-house stays at nursing homes and assisted living facilities? Most seniors would prefer home health care, of course, as people always do value their privacy. However, there are also circumstances that would necessitate constant supervision of the resident at an assisted living facility, and not only occasional visits. Home health care is basically assisted living, but with even more independence. Therefore a resident that cannot be left alone for long periods of time would be better suited in a nursing or board and care type home.

It might appear that home health care would be cheaper than a stay in a nursing home. However, home health care costs can be just as expensive, depending on the number of hours aides work. Some residents have admitted that full time home health care usually costs twice as much as a stay in a board and care or assisted living home. Most home health care agencies will charge about $20.00 an hour or over. If the resident is relatively independent then the fees associated with the service can be controlled. However, don't forget that if your needs are minimal to begin with, you could hire a trusted individual to perform the same tasks and save money from paying an agency fee.

Home health care is ideal for seniors who feel well and can easily get around but who need occasional doctor visits and help with housekeeping. It is also a preferable choice if a senior needs full time care but does not want to become a resident in a public nursing home. Full time home health care provides the most privacy and personal attention possible. If you are looking for this type of senior assistance, you should always be mindful of the qualifications of workers, as opening one's home to a stranger could always be a security risk. The best home health care agencies have screened workers who are well qualified in their field.

How We Can Help You

ElderHomeFinders is a company dedicated to helping seniors locate assistance in the southern California area. We inspect assisted living facilities and retirement communities in the area so that our clients will find the perfect home at a price they can afford. Can ElderHomeFinders also help seniors find home health care? Yes. Our company can put you in touch with the right home health care agency, according to your special needs and budget limitation. We can also advise you on the differences between home health care services and assisted living and board and care facilities and which choice would better work for you. Seniors have worked hard all their life and surely deserve the best health care possible - whether in a senior living facility or in their own home.

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United Health Care Insurance Costs

2010-12-06T10:53:00.001-08:00

There are a lot of costs associated with health insurance. Many pundits don't want to push forward a good thing, they just say it's making people broke. It's not necessarily true, and you need to understand that that there are so many options out there that you can not deny. Seriously, there are so many good things that are out there in regards to your health that you can take control of. Why would you not get insurance if it is offered at a lower cost? Seriously make sure you understands the costs that are involved for getting a good company behind you. That's right you can get United Health Care Insurance behind you with great ease, and peace of mind.

Peace of mind is something that you're going to want to have in regards to the medical insurance you provide for yourself and your family. Your family will thank you for your well thought out plans. That's right you need to make sure that United Health Care Insurance is exactly what you want. You can ask a broker to talk to you about various plans that exist out there and you can make sure that a greater good occurs.

Don't be fooled by luscious words, and promises that hold no weight. Make sure that you get the right coverage for the right costs without losing out on the greater good that exists out there. Don't let yourself lose sleep over the coverage that you are seeking, make sure you get a good amount of greatness overall.

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About Home Health Care Agencies

2010-12-05T10:52:00.001-08:00

Home healthcare agencies

If you have ageing parents who need your round the clock assistance and help, it would serve you well to hire home healthcare agencies to take care of their needs when you are not around. Even though we would all like to be there for our elderly or infirm parents or relatives, this may not always be possible due to demanding job schedules and other daily tasks like taking care of the kids, completing chores around the house, etc. Hiring a home healthcare agency is possibly the best bet as your parents need not be away from you in an old age facility but can spend their last moments in the comfort and company of their family.

Home healthcare agencies provide a number of benefits that make your life easier and relatively stress-free. You do not have to worry incessantly about your parents' health even when you are away from home. This gives you more time to relax and take out some time for your own needs which is not possible if you have to be at their beck and call at all times. This can make you irritated and unhappy and the emotional atmosphere in your household can go into disarray causing worries and tensions for the whole family. Home healthcare agencies send professionals who are well suited to aid people who may be suffering from degenerative diseases that are a byproduct of old age. They understand the needs of such people and can help you to maintain a perfect balance in your house.

Sometimes, the elderly can become overcome by feelings of loneliness and solitude because of little interaction with the outside world. If they have lost the use of certain limbs or are bedridden, the situation becomes all the more difficult for them. This can cause severe depression and significantly reduce their quality of life. Home healthcare professionals are armed with enough experience to effectively deal with the same. They provide constant support and company and help make their lives better.

Home healthcare agencies send a member of their staff to stay in your house for as many hours as you sign them up to. You can either hire a home healthcare professional on an hourly basis or have them come in for the whole day. In certain situations where the elderly in your home are not even able to accomplish simple, everyday tasks like partaking their meals or having a bath, healthcare staff can be hired to put up residence in your home for a specified period of time.

Once you employ a home healthcare agency, you no longer need to worry about any emergencies, medical or otherwise that may arise in your home whilst you are away. You can concentrate fully on your work and remain secure in the fact that those in your house are well looked after. Home healthcare professionals are certified workers who are adept at taking care of the less fortunate. They can also easily perform simple household chores like cleaning, cooking and washing up.

2010 Paul Mooney In Atlanta (Tiger Woods, Obama, Healthcare)

2010-12-04T10:51:00.001-08:00

Paul Mooney at the Uptown Comedy Corner in Atlanta Ga on March 23, 2010.

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The New Health Care Bill Now Allows Children to Be Covered Until 26 Years Old

2010-12-03T10:50:00.001-08:00

Under the new health care bill, U.S. citizens will be required to purchase health insurance or pay a fine, which, beginning in 2014, will be $95 for an individual and then increase until 2016, when it will plateau at $695 or 2.5% of a person's annual income. This health reform may prove to be a challenge when it comes to "young invincible," individuals 30 and younger who typically can afford insurance but choose not to have it. Disproportionately uninsured, young adults, ages 19 to 29, comprise about 17% of population under 65 but nearly 30% of all uninsured Americans. Although many of these are so-called "young invincible," a large percentage of them are simply unable to afford insurance; almost 70% of all uninsured young adults are those who live in low-income households. At the same time, many of them work at jobs that do not offer employer- based health care, such as those beginning their careers in small companies. Fortunately, key provisions in the new health care legislation provide solutions for those younger citizens struggling to obtain affordable health insurance, one of the most significant of which will allow them to be covered under their parents' insurance plans until they reach 26 years of age.

The Major Health Care Bill Revisions that Affect the Nation's Youth

Several different aspects of the new health care legislation will cater to young citizens who would normally not consider getting insurance. Under the new bill, for instance, Medicaid coverage extends to more low-income adults. In most cases, these people now will not have to pay for coverage.

In addition, beginning in 2014, other uninsured citizens with little in their budget to spend on health insurance will have the opportunity to purchase discounted insurance plans through health insurance exchanges.

The key measure of the legislation, which requires employers to extend their coverage to their employees' dependents until they are 26 years old, will officially take effect next year, in 2011. For those young adults who either cannot afford insurance themselves or are not provided employ-based coverage, this may be the best option.

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The Best Health Care Jobs

2010-12-02T10:49:00.001-08:00

No matter what the state of the economy is in, health care professionals will always be in great demand. Jobs in the health care industry are broad and diverse. If you are interested in a rewarding career in the health profession, there is most likely an area for you.

Below is a list of some of the best and most popular health care jobs:

Physicians: They maintain or restore health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease and injury. Entry-level medical education programs are undertaken at a medical school that is part of a university. Physicians hold a medical degree that is specific to the university from which they graduated. This degree qualifies the medical practitioner to become licensed or registered

Nurses: Nurses work in most areas of the health care profession. They are on the front lines of the health care field. You can find nurses working in hospitals, medical clinics, administration, nursing homes, and in specialized areas of medicine such as surgery, critical care, and emergency rooms, There are many types of nurses that can include Registered Nurses (RN,) Nurse Practitioner (NP) Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) Community Nurse and so much more., They work as part of a health care team and are usually the people patients and their families rely on for information as well as daily care. A career in nursing is a rewarding and exciting career. :

Physician Assistants: They supply diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive health care services as authorized by a Physician. Education programs generally are about two years and are full-time. Once they complete one of these programs, physician assistants will need to take a national exam to obtain a license.

Rehabilitation Jobs: The rehabilitation profession consists of a number of specialized fields that can include Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology and much more. Employment settings can include private practices, general hospitals, medical centers, rehabilitation hospitals, acute care facilities, skilled nursing facilities, long term care facilities, home health care agencies, as well as public and private schools. They provide hands on rehabilitation work for patients suffering from a debilitating condition or disease. Education requirements vary for each profession.

Clinical Laboratory Technicians: Their duties include performing tests that result in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. They examine the results and relay them to physicians. Educational requirements normally include an entry-level position in a bachelor's degree in medical technology.

Medical Scientists: They study diseases to provide the information necessary to develop solutions to human health problems. They can also perform clinical investigations, technical writing, drug application reviews, and patent examinations. A doctorate in a biological science is the minimum education required for most medical scientists. Pharmacists: They deliver medication prescribed by health practitioners, educate patients about medications, and counsel health practitioners on the selection, dosages, and interactions and side effects of medications. Pharmacists require a degree from an accredited college of pharmacy and successful completion of the state-required licensing exam.

Mental Health Counselors: They work with individuals, families, and groups to treat mental and emotional disorders using a number of therapeutic practices. They usually require a master's degree to be licensed as a counselor.

Radiology Jobs: These jobs are wide-ranging and diverse. Various jobs can include Medical Imaging/Diagnostic Imaging, Radiation Therapy, Computed Tomography Mammography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging/MRI, Nuclear Medicine, Ultrasound, and much more. Each field has their own set standards for educational requirements.

These are just a few of the most popular health care professions. Whatever your individual interests, there is sure to be a health care profession for you.

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Barack Obama's Health Care Plan

2010-12-01T10:48:00.001-08:00

Barack Obama's ambitious health care plan is fairly simple and straightforward. His plan seeks to dramatically and swiftly increase the number of people that have health insurance. He insists that this plan will save the typical American family approximately $2500 in annual costs. Since the average Ohio premium is less than most other states, savings to Ohio residents may average less than $2500.

The plan is designed to give the federal government more control over medical decisions and dollars, a major difference from the current decentralized system of employer-based insurance and state-based insurance regulation. Here in Ohio, health insurers have been effectively held in check by the Ohio Department of Insurance. This, however, is not the case in many other states.

The Obama Plan

Many parts of the Obama plan resemble initiatives from the Clinton health plan of 1994 and the Kerry Health plan of 2004.
Essentially, Obama's health care plan is divided into three sections:

1. Modernizing the US health care system to lower costs and improve quality
2. Promoting prevention and strengthening public health
3. Quality, portable and affordable health coverage for every person

The "Savings"

The $2500 in savings will come from health care reform, using some of the following initiatives:

*Making medical insurance universal, which may reduce spending on uncompensated care.
*Improving management and prevention of chronic conditions.
*Increasing insurance industry competition and reducing underwriting costs and profits.
*Providing reinsurance for catastrophic coverage, which will reduce insurance premiums.

Shifting Cost Burden

While all of these ideas are feasible, the underlying theme seems to be simply shifting some of the cost burden from the private sector to the government. And of course, much more control of our health dollars and decisions would come from Washington D.C and not Anthem or UnitedHealthCare.

The plan will actually compete directly with Ohio private insurance companies in a "National Health Insurance Exchange." The federal government (not health insurance carriers) would determine the quality of benefits that Americans would receive. And these new rules would apply to both the new national health plan and all participating private health plans.

Preventative Coverage Would Be Emphasized

Obama's health care plan will encourage "healthy lifestyles" with specific emphasis on wellness. Employer wellness programs will be increased, and cafeterias and vending machines in the workplace may see healthier food.

School-based health screening programs may increase along with increased support for physical education.

For Ohio individuals and families, the Obama plan would require preventative services on many federally-supported programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP. One benefit may be possible discounts to on health insurance premiums for enrollment in wellness and prevention programs.

Currently, some Ohio individual health insurance policies offer a similar discount, such as Anthem's Lumenos Health Incentive Account (HIA).

Ohio Group Health Insurance

Employer-based health insurance would radically change under the Obama plan. Here in Ohio, both small and large employers are able to choose among many different plans for their employees. The Obama plan would force employers to offer a specific level of health benefits to their employees or pay a tax to finance a national health program. Currently, the amount of provided health benefits and the size of the tax have not been specifically discussed.

Perhaps the best and most economical health insurance plan for Ohio residents would be a concept already in place...HSAs (Health Savings Accounts). Thus, instead of imposing a top-down change on the health care system, it would seem to be prudent to transfer direct control of medical dollars to individuals and families. This would allow Americans to choose their own health plans and benefits, while making health insurance companies compete directly for consumer's dollars by providing a real value to patients.

All of this could be accomplished by specific tax and regulatory changes designed to utilize the power of free-market competition. Health care spending could be reduced, preventative treatment could be emphasized and portability could be promoted. Reforming the tax treatment of health insurance and aiding employers that help their employees buy health insurance would help quite a bit.

For now, Ohio health insurance rates are remarkably low compared to many other states. There are many reputable insurance companies that offer a wide array of policies, including Health Savings Accounts. That shouldn't change much for the next two years. In 2011, things might change...hopefully, for the better.

Grandfathering Under the New Health Care Legislation

2010-11-30T10:48:00.001-08:00

Introduction

The health care legislation signed into law on March 23, 2010 is officially known as the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act." Gaining widespread usage is the abbreviated "Affordable Care Act," and when used in context, simply "The Act." (1)

The Act is immense in scope and complexity, affecting every aspect of the delivery and financing of health care in the United States. Many of its provisions took effect the day the bill was signed, while hundreds more will be implemented in the coming years, most notably in 2014 with the establishment of state-based insurance exchanges, coverage mandates for individuals, and penalties for employers who do not provide their employees with proscribed levels of health care benefits.

In helping our clients understand and comply with the provisions of The Act - and owing to its complexity and multi-year implementation - we've found it most effective to address The Act in chapters, as it were, with advance learning and planning periods of three to six months - three to six months, that is, with the major exception of planning for "grandfathering" - in particular, the advantages of grandfathering as it relates to the new non-discrimination rules that will apply to all health plans, including fully-insured plans, on the policy anniversary first following September 23, 2010, unless the plan is grandfathered. For this provision, planning should be accomplished as soon as possible.

About Grandfathering

Under The Act, health plans that have been in continuous effect since March 23, 2010 can avoid several costly requirements of the legislation by adhering to strict guidelines that allow them to continue under current regulations, i.e., to remain "grandfathered."

Grandfathered status does not exempt a health plan from existing federal and state law, e.g., COBRA, Cal-COBRA, and FMLA, nor does it exempt it from all of The Act's provisions; however, avoidance of The Act's requirements as they pertain to the non‑discrimination rules of Internal Revenue Code Section 105(h) may be of paramount importance to the financial well-being of the employer.

Moreover, grandfathered status exempts employers from yet-to-be-defined requirements for the establishment of "internal claims appeal and external review processes," as well as new "modified community rating" provisions.

New Requirements for Health Plans

Effective with the first policy anniversary after September 23, 2010, all health plans, whether grandfathered or not, must comply with the following new requirements:

- No limit on lifetime benefits

- No limit on annual benefits (except as permitted by The Act)

- Extension of dependent coverage to age 26 (or older if required by state law) (2)

- No exclusions for treatment of pre-existing conditions for persons under age 19

- Designation of Primary Care Providers and direct access to OB-GYN providers and emergency services as needed

Health plans in effect on March 23, 2010 that do not remain grandfathered must also comply with the following new requirements, both at renewal and in perpetuity:

- Provide first-dollar coverage for in-network preventative care

- Establish internal claims appeal and external review processes (3)

- Conform to the non-discrimination rules under IRC Section 105(h) (4)

And it's this last requirement - conformity to the stringent non-discrimination rules of IRC Section 105(h) - that can present an employer with the greatest cost increase under the entire sweep of The Act. The rules for non-discrimination under Section 105(h) are extraordinarily complex, and the penalties for non-compliance extraordinarily punitive. (5) Indeed, $100 per day for each individual "to whom the failure relates" to the lesser of 10% of the plan's costs or $500,000.

Changes after March 23, 2010 that Will Not Cause a Loss of Grandfathered Status

- Changing premiums (payable to the carrier).

- Complying with federal and state law.

- Increasing benefits.

- Voluntarily complying with The Act.

- Changing plan structure, e.g., switching from a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to a traditional plan, if benefits are not reduced per the rules on page three herewith.

- Changing provider networks.

- Changing a prescription drug formulary.

- Making changes to accommodate a merger or acquisition, as long as the merger or acquisition is not performed solely to allow a group to move from one grandfathered plan to another with impermissible reductions in benefits or increases in cost sharing.

- Changing administrators for ASO (Administrative Services Only) groups.

Changes after March 23, 2010 that Will Cause a Loss of Grandfathered Status

- Changing from one insurance carrier to another.

- Increasing the co-insurance or percentage of any other cost-sharing feature above the levels at which they were set on March 23, 2010.

- Increasing any fixed-amount cost-sharing, e.g., deductibles and out-of-pocket limits, above the level in effect on March 23, 2010 by a percentage that exceeds the sum of medical inflation plus 15%. (6)

- Increasing co-payments above the levels in effect on March 23, 2010 by an amount that exceeds the greater of: a). the sum of medical inflation plus 15%; or, b). $5, increased by medical inflation.

- Reducing employer contributions toward any tier of group health insurance coverage or group health plan by more than 5% below the contribution rate on March 23, 2010.

- Eliminating all (or substantially all) benefits to diagnose or treat a specific condition.

- Imposing an annual or lifetime limit on benefits if an annual or lifetime limit had not been previously imposed on all benefits; or, for plans that previously imposed a lifetime limit on all benefits, imposing an annual limit that is lower than the lifetime limit; or, for plans that previously imposed an annual limit on all benefits, decreasing the dollar value of that annual limit.

Conclusion

Employers should preserve their rights under The Act by planning now - well in advance of their renewal - to determine if it's in their best interest to retain grandfathered status for their health plans, and if so, then to manage them with extreme care.

(1) The health care legislation is actually comprised of two new laws: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590) as amended by the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010 (H.R. 4872).

(2) Grandfathered plans may exclude

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Southern Sudan Health Care

2010-11-29T10:46:00.001-08:00

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Health Care Reform, Yes - Government Run, No

2010-11-28T10:45:00.001-08:00

Most people agree that health care in this country is better than in other countries. And, most people agree the costs of the American system are high and rising too fast to be sustainable. I agree with most people regarding these statements; but, this pre-boomer firmly believes fixing the problem requires a bi-partisan solution, not a political one.

Currently we have a multitude of medical coverage plans. The overwhelming majority are organized. However, like it or not, we already have a layered form of universal health care; because many of those who are currently uninsured use emergency rooms as their health clinics. This is not true health care nor is it an efficient use of emergency rooms. It results in higher hospital operating costs and provides no preventive medicine. To move these people into some form of coverage and rework programs for the rest of us into universal health care is a noble ideal. The big question is can we afford it?

The administration wants to put the pedal to the metal and pass a health care program, now. The funds are not available to embark on an ambitious plan, so taxes must be raised. An easy target has been identified; it's the so-called richest Americans. Since most of us aren't rich, the popular opinion is to let "those people" pay higher taxes. Besides they can afford it. The Congressional Budget Office has warned that the cost of universal health care will be much higher than anticipated. If this is the case, taxes will be passed on to more Americans, those who are not rich. If you are not directly taxed, the costs to businesses, both large and small, will be passed on to consumers.
Another way to support a universal program is to ration procedures and prescriptions as they do in Europe and Canada. For retirees, like me, this is a real concern.

Why scrap everything and start all over -- especially when health care accounts for about 15 percent of the Gross National Product (GNP) -- and trust the government to effectively manage it? Hospitals, physicians, pharmaceutical firms, and insurance companies have agreed to make changes. And, if the consumers are given choices within government guidelines, each of us will have an opportunity to determine with our doctors what's best for us then shop around for the right coverage. With competition comes lower prices; however, if the private sector is put in the position of competing with the government we will end up with socialized medicine. This could mean universal, but poorer, health care.

Why don't we approach this in a logical way, taking one step at a time with a definite end date scheduled? If each element of the health care system is on board, we can reduce health care costs and broaden coverage without breaking the backs of investors and employers, which in turn will lead to a reduction in jobs and slower economic recovery. The federal government has so much its plate: implementing the stimulus spending, running General Motors, overseeing financial institutions, and trying to develop an energy program, to name a few. Isn't it time to take a breath before attempting to take on one more thing?

Health Care Reform Bill Summary

2010-11-27T10:44:00.001-08:00

After what seems like forever, Congress has finally passed a health care reform bill. President Obama's major goal for the early part of his term seems within reach. The question is, though, what is in this bill? What real changes will people experience as a result of all this wrangling? Or are these all political games with little real impact? Read on for a summary of the actual changes to health care from the new health reform bill.

The most important thing to realize about the reform is that it's phased in - most of the changes don't come into play when President Obama signs the bill into law (which is expected to be Tuesday, March 23, 2009). The changes activate over the next decade. Here are the major changes and their impacts.

Health Reform Bill Contents

Before 2011:

* Small businesses get a tax credit to contribute to new health insurance for employees.

* Children cannot be excluded from receiving health insurance from providers due to pre-existing conditions.

* Until the new health insurance exchanges come online in 2014, current uninsured adults with pre-existing conditions will be able to buy subsidized health care coverage.

* Companies can use a temporary health "reinsurance program" to provide benefits for 55-64 year old retirees.

* Being diagnosed with a new illness is no longer grounds for losing your health insurance coverage. Additionally, insurance providers will no longer be able to cap your lifetime health benefits, and their ability to limit annual coverage will be restricted.

* There is currently a Medicare prescription drug loophole between roughly $2700 and $6200 worth of medicine. The reform bill both provides a $250 rebate to Medicare beneficiaries that fall into this loophole and provides for the gap's closing.

* The age up to which children will be able to use their parents health coverage is raised to 26 up from the previous 19 or college graduation.

* Indoor tanning services with ultraviolet lights will see a 10% tax on their services starting July 1st, 2009

In 2011:

* Large pharmaceutical firms will be taxed additionally based on market share.

* General surgeons and primary care physicians will see a 10% raise in bonus payments.

* Medicare advantage payments are frozen at 2010 levels and will eventually come more into line with traditional Medicare payments.

* States will have a new program to offer in-home care to poor patients who would otherwise require a hospital visit.

* Employees will be able to see the value of their health benefits on their W-2 forms.

* An annual free wellness visit and customized prevention plan analysis will be offered free to all Medicare beneficiaries. Any additional new health care plans will be required to offer such services and their resulting preventive care at little or no cost to Medicare patients.

In 2012:

* At each level, hospital, physician, and Medicare, programs and controls are implemented that reduce readmission rates, improve quality outcomes for patients, and encourage more accountability among healthcare professionals.

In 2013:

* Higher income tax payers (>$200,000 for singles, >$250,000 for joint filings) will have their payroll tax increase from 1.45% to 2.35% as well as pay a 3.8% investment income tax.

* Tax payers can claim medical expenses on itemized tax returns at a 10% rate instead of 7.5%. Elderly tax payers can continue this till 2017.

* Non-public medical device taxes will be additionally taxed at 2.9%.

* The programs begun in 2012 are continued and extended.

In 2014:

* Employers with >50 employees will be fined $2000 for every employee after number 30 if they do not provide employer health insurance.

* Most people will be fined if they do not have health insurance, either through an employer or privately. Tax credits for purchasing health care through an exchange will be offered to those with incomes up to 400% of poverty levels.

* Similar to the 2011 pharmaceutical taxes, in 2014 health insurance companies will be taxed by market share.

* It will no longer be legal to exclude someone from receiving health insurance for having a pre-existing medical condition.

* State-level health insurance exchanges will open, allowing individuals and organizations to shop around for cheaper health insurance.

In 2015:

* Medicare shifts to rewarding quality of care rather than amount of services.

In 2018:

* Higher cost employer health insurance plans ("Cadillac" health insurance) is taxed, with exemptions for the first $27,000 for families and $10000 for individuals.

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Alex Jones Tv {Sunday Edition} 8/8:Pelosi "Buy a $15000 Policy or Go to Jail"

2010-11-26T10:43:00.001-08:00

House Committee On Ways & Means Republicans November 7, 2009 prisonplanet.tv Today, Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Committee Dave Camp (R-MI) released a letter from the non-partisan Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) confirming that the failure to comply with the individual mandate to buy health insurance contained in the Pelosi health care bill (HR 3962, as amended) could land people in jail. The JCT letter makes clear that Americans who do not maintain acceptable health insurance coverage and who choose not to pay the bills new individual mandate tax (generally 2.5% of income), are subject to numerous civil and criminal penalties, including criminal fines of up to $250000 and imprisonment of up to five years. In response to the JCT letter, Camp said: This is the ultimate example of the Democrats command-and-control style of governing buy what we tell you or go to jail. It is outrageous and it should be stopped immediately. Key excerpts from the JCT letter appear below: HR 3962 provides that an individual (or a husband and wife in the case of a joint return) who does not, at any time during the taxable year, maintain acceptable health insurance coverage for himself or herself and each of his or her qualifying children is subject to an additional tax. [page 1] If the government determines that the taxpayers unpaid tax liability results from willful behavior, the following penalties could apply [page 2] Criminal penalties Prosecution is authorized under the Code ...

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The Alex Jones Show 1/2: Bill Gates: Establishment Should Use Vaccines To Lower Population!

2010-11-25T10:42:00.001-08:00

Bill Gates: Use Vaccines To Lower Population Paul Joseph Watson Prison Planet.com Monday, March 1, 2010 Microsoft founder Bill Gates told a recent TED conference, an organization which is sponsored by one of the largest toxic waste polluters on the planet, that vaccines need to be used to reduce world population figures in order to solve global warming and lower CO2 emissions. Stating that the global population was heading towards 9 billion, Gates said, If we do a really great job on new vaccines, health care, reproductive health services (abortion), we could lower that by perhaps 10 or 15 per cent. Quite how an improvement in health care and vaccines that supposedly save lives would lead to a lowering in global population is an oxymoron, unless Gates is referring to vaccines that sterilize people, which is precisely the same method advocated in White House science advisor John P. Holdrens 1977 textbook Ecoscience, which calls for a dictatorial planetary regime to enforce draconian measures of population reduction via all manner of oppressive techniques, including sterilization. Im not sure what the nothing-to-see-here explanation is for Bill Gates theory that new vaccines can help lower the population of the world, points out the Cryptogon blog, But I thought about the incidents from the 1990s where the World Health Organization was providing a tetanus vaccine to poor girls and women (and just poor girls and women) that contained human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). For ...

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Obama: Health Care Reduces Deficit

2010-11-24T10:41:00.001-08:00

In Rose Garden remarks, President Obama said his health care reform would be the most significant effort to reduce the deficit since the balanced budget act of the 1990's.

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Pregnancy Diet - For Mom

2010-11-23T10:40:00.001-08:00

Moms to be will find dozens of guidelines about what they should and shouldn't eat while they're expecting. Parents TV talks to an expert to find out which guidelines should be followed and why.

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Ron Paul on H1N1

2010-11-22T10:39:00.001-08:00

Obama's plan for our Nation's health. Are inoculations always good? Why won't the Obamas take the vaccine?

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Scenarios For Health Care Reform

2010-11-21T10:38:00.001-08:00

With the health care debate raging in the United States, many experts have already forecasted many possible scenarios for what could be the end result, but are they accurate? As lawmakers continue to wrestle over such issues as the public option, and extending coverage to the uninsured, there is no debate that the government is looking to cut costs in the health care system, which could spell trouble for the pharmaceutical industry. The pharmaceutical industry knows that with health-care reform on the way, the prescription drugs industry will be the first to get the axe, losing major pricing power, especially in the Medicare market. While it is still up in the air whether a public option will pass, the pharmaceutical industry knows that a strong government controlled pricing plan spells big problems for the industry.

Even though the pharmaceutical industry has reason to be concerned, according to some pharmaceutical sales consultants all over the country, health care reform is not all bad news. Because of the 46 million uninsured U.S. citizens likely to get some form of health care in the next 5 years, that equates for big profits for the pharmaceutical industry. With more insured Americans getting more access for branded and generic prescription drugs, this will only mean more business for drug makers and a boost in demand. But the pharmaceutical industry is not so convinced. Because half of large drug company sales come from overseas, they see this boost as being inconsequential to the money they are going to lose on the federal price gauging that is likely to take place.

Here are some possible health care scenarios, some which may be good for the pharmaceutical industry, some which could even be disastrous. One scenario is that the government will use its buying power, through Medicare programs, to demand lower drug prices from the pharmaceutical industry. This program could lower the drug prices in Medicare up to 15%, with the burden of cost falling directly on the pharmaceutical companies. However, with Medicare only representing about 20% of drug spending in the United States, and roughly half that world-wide, it would only amount to about a 2% decrease in the cost of pharmaceutical drugs. However, this is not the only scenario. Some expect that with the increase in coverage from formally uninsured citizens, the government will demand Medicaid pricing for this group, possibly slashing prices of U.S. drugs up to 10%.

Even though the pharmaceutical companies support health care reform, they may not be eagerly supporting a nationalized health care plan. A nationalized plan, although unlikely at this point, could cut prescription drugs up to 15% even to 30% if the national plan offers very little choice for consumers. Under this worst case scenario for the pharmaceutical industry, they could see their stock values fall up to 40%. Any pharmaceutical consultant will tell you this scenario is unlikely, but it is speculations like these that fuel the passion and uncertainty that has become the health care reform debate. Only time well tell.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They'll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don't forget to mention smartconsultinggrp.com as the original source.

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Importance of Good Health Care

2010-11-20T10:38:00.001-08:00

Health care is one of the most important components in your life. Disease or illness can really mean a down turn in your life. The biggest asset we can have in life therefore is health. Health care is normally defined as the management or treatment of any health problem through the services that might be offered by medical, nursing, dental or any other related service. When you talk about the care of health, you are talking of all goods and services that are produced to improve on your health. They may be curative, preventative or even palliative solutions. A system of health care is one that is organized to give health services to a population or a group of people.

Health care can be for an individual or for a large group of people depending on how the systems are organized. Importance of health care cannot be overemphasized. In society, people are worried about the kinds of systems there are, to deal with issues of health. In developed countries, their systems are designed to cater for all people; whether poor or rich. However, the systems are lacking in regard to flaws. In developing countries, people usually take care of health as an individual thing and, if you do not have enough money, you might not get access to quality care. There are so many disparities and, some systems in certain countries are becoming worse; not able to deal with demand of health. Health is not a cheap affair, you have to have a good system if you want it to work for you. Governments have the responsibility to create or formulate policies that will favor people in this regard. Good systems of health can be erected by the top most leadership of a state.

The importance of good health care can be seen in the hopes of a people who are yearning for health. To become rich or to produce something in life, you have to have that ability or strength. If you are sick, you are likely not to develop yourself in any way. Therefore health is wealth and this is the biggest lesson that we can learn today. When you are in good health, you will be a happy person and enthusiastic about the business of life. Sickly people will dread every moment of their pain and, they are not able to have joy and peace. When it comes to preventative health care like the use of vaccinations, we are going ahead of time and making sure that you are safe from future illnesses. When it comes to prevention of pregnancy as part of care for health, we are able to structure our lives an take control. However, measures such as abortions are pretty controversial.

However, those countries that have legalized abortion need to ensure that people who choose to undergo it are safe and protected. Good health care will give rise to a generation that is ready to take on the world. Diseases have a way of making the future look very deem. For example, the spread of the AIDS virus has really dealt a huge blow on this generation. Proper care is beginning to be felt in many corners of the world especially areas where it is rampant like sub Saharan Africa. Therefore, make sure that no matter whether you are and individual or a group, you prioritize on health. Investing in good care for health is investing in life.

BILL MOYERS JOURNAL | Preview: Wendell Potter pt. 1 | PBS

2010-11-19T10:36:00.001-08:00

www.pbs.org Meet Wendell Potter. Bill Moyers interviews former health insurance industry executive Wendell Potter, who left the field after almost 20 years to become a health reform advocate. Check out Potters personal story here and tune in to Bill Moyers Journal, Friday, July 10, 2009 at 9PM on PBS (check local listings www.pbs.org ) for his experiences inside the health insurance industry, their work fighting a public option, and the insurance companies close ties to Washington. The entire interview will be available after broadcast at www.pbs.org/moyers www.pbs.org

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Did Democrats Really Reform Health Care?

2010-11-18T10:35:00.001-08:00

While passing cosmetic legislation that will effectively serve to hurt the majority of Americans and, greatly enhance the bottom-line of banking, oil and health care corporations, Democrats since the election of President Obama, like their Republican partners in crime, are allowing citizens to become more and more economically enslaved. For example, government sources announced not long after so-called health care "reform" passed, that projected costs for health care will nearly double by 2020.

Many Americans fail to understand that when employers pay for health care, we are in reality, paying for it ourselves. Employer cost for benefits is included in the "price at the pump" reality for all goods and services. And because the cost is ultimately borne by us, there is in reality no such thing as employer provided benefits.

If a manufacturer, trucking company and retail chain provide benefits for their employees, consumers purchasing the manufactured products delivered by the trucking company and sold by the retail chain, pay for the cost of these benefits. This includes the factory workers, truck drivers and store clerks who receive benefits, when they purchase goods and services themselves.

When an employer doesn't provide health coverage, as is the case for most working class and poor citizens, then it greatly disproportionately effects them. Not only are they forced to pay for their own coverage or do without, they also end up paying for the health benefits of employees who do have coverage, in the form of higher consumer prices. Instead, if health care was paid for through federal taxation, citizens would pay for it based on their tax bracket and ability to pay.

The reality now is, upper-middle class and wealthier Americans typically enjoy premium health coverage paid for by their employers. Meanwhile, all American consumers end up paying for "Cadillac-plan" provided expensive high fashion eye-wear, cosmetic surgery and braces on children's teeth. And, poor Americans suffering from cancer and diabetes often have no coverage at all. EVERYBODY pays while only a few receive premium coverage.

When Republicans talk about supporting "small" business, what their agenda is really helping, is very large private businesses and publicly traded corporations that gain significantly from tax reductions. Average wage-earners lose far more in service cutbacks than they ever gain by tax reductions. And, when Democrats talk about "reform", it invariably results in the same thing, such as the projected rise in health care costs we all have to pay for.

Legislation backed by both parties severely hurts small business and the average American citizen and, the direction both parties are pursuing will ultimately enslave the masses beyond pre-20th Century industrial reality. And, it will eliminate any semblance of legitimate business, while driving more and more people into financial ruin.

Did the Democrats really reform health care? Is the Republican agenda any better? As long as politicians are allowed to be bought and sold by wealthy interests, does it even really matter which party is in power? You decide.

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Who's Holding Up Healthcare? - Thaddeus McCotter

2010-11-17T10:34:00.001-08:00

Complete video at: fora.tv Congressman Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI) defends his previous comment calling President Obama's position on healthcare a "revulsion." "It's Democrats that find this healthcare bill to be too repugnant to vote for," he says. ----- Why has the GOP stumbled in the new century, and what can it do to restore itself? Rep. McCotter analyzes how the Republican Party went off track, taking on todays big issues -- the bailouts and the economy, health care, and the war in Afghanistan -- to offer insights into how the GOP can regain the confidence of the American people. Switching from issues to ideology, McCotter spells out the principles of conservatism that the party must not compromise as it changes to meet the challenges of the future. - Hoover Institution Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI) was elected to the US House of Representatives in 2002 and has served as chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee since 2006.Peter M. Robinson is a research fellow at the Hoover Institution, where he writes about business and politics, edits Hoover's quarterly journal, the Hoover Digest, and hosts Hoover's television program, Uncommon Knowledge.

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Obama Signs the Health Care Reform Bill SIMPLIFIED

2010-11-16T10:33:00.001-08:00

What the Health Care Reform Bill means for America. Questions: What do you think about the health care bill? For it, against it, do you at least think it's a step in the right direction? Also, where do you get the majority of your news? Pun of the Day: www.youtube.com Stalk meh! www.twitter.com www.formspring.me www.dailybooth.com

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Different Types of Elderly Health Care

2010-11-15T10:32:00.001-08:00

Elderly health care helps many people in their old age manage their health and stay as active as possible in their advancing years. The term covers several different types of care arrangements, meaning that there are a variety of options for the elderly and those supporting them to choose from, depending on their individual needs.

Home Care

Home care services aim to make it possible for the elderly to stay in their own homes when their health or mobility deteriorates. Rather than move to a residential or long-term care home, home care providers render care and elderly support services in the client's own home. Depending on the individual this can be either professional health care services (therapy, medication, etc), life assistance services (assistance with daily activities) or a combination of both.

Assisted Living

This form of residential care is a middle ground between home care nursing and long-term care. Although it covers a broad range of arrangements, it describes when clients in need of more in-depth support but don't need the 24 hour medical care support of a client take up residence in an apartment or house in a property managed by a care provider. Basic nursing staff may be available at all hours in some facilities, yet for the most part assisted living providers are on hand to help with day-to-day living activities. Staff regularly help with chores such as changing sheets or washing laundry. Utilities bills are included in the arrangement and in many cases, residents have the option of having meals cooked for them or for staff to bring their groceries to them.

Long term residential care/Nursing homes

For those who need constant medical attention as well as assistance with daily activities, home care nursing homes represent a viable option for maintaining the best quality of life even as health deteriorates. Constant nursing care is on hand to provide treatment for conditions whilst non-medical staff are trained extensively in helping those unable to independently carry out many activities of daily living. Often these facilities have extensive support systems in place, such as 24 hour medical monitoring and occupational, physical and rehabilitative therapies.

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Funny Prayers by Right-Wingers to Kill Health Care Reform

2010-11-14T10:31:00.001-08:00

Vote TYT everyday through 1/15/10 @ streamy.org: tinyurl.com Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com Check Out TYT Interviews www.youtube.com Watch more at www.theyoungturks.com

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Home Care of the Quadriplegic Patient - Can You Do it Yourself?

2010-11-13T10:30:00.001-08:00

As a young man, my parents were always healthy and it never crossed my mind that I would eventually have to endure a complete role reversal with them. The child takes on the paternal role of caring, nurturing, and coordinating the activities of daily living, and the parent becomes increasingly helpless. This phenomena becomes increasingly apparent as you yourself reach middle age, and witness so many friends and families take on the roles of primary caregiver of a disabled child, sibling or parent.

In today's health care climate, it's often the only viable choice due to the prohibitive costs of quality home and medical care, and the special attention a quadriplegic patient requires. On the other hand, no one will take care of your loved ones the way you would, so doing it yourself has many advantages as well as providing peace of mind to the family. Of course with my background, this kind of personal care for a quadriplegic is easy. However, I have trained many live-in caregivers over the years to assist me, and none of them had any prior medical background. Each provided excellent care, and allowed my loved one to live years beyond anyones' expectations. I realize each case is different and this article is not meant to replace a hospice nurse or a visit from a medical doctor. It will however give you an idea of what to expect if you considering providing care to a quadriplegic in your home.

Time: You have to first try to fathom the incredible amount of time it takes to care for a quadriplegic patient. The time spent can be divided up into two categories. The time you spend planning and providing care, and the time you spend being confined to the home because leaving them alone simply isn't an option. It can be done if there is a "stay home adult" such as a spouse, to help out. Remember, some patients require attention almost all their waking hours most days of the week, and some require considerably less, depending on the level of function. How is this possible? Consider the following points.

Feeding: at least 1/2 hour per meal, but if your patient isn't a good eater, you may spend a few hours in food preparation, coaxing and spoon feeding and encouraging them to simply chew and swallow.
Bathing: 1 bath a week burns up about 2 hours in bathing, grooming, dressing.
Toileting: While a quadriplegic wears diapers, you may not elect to use stools softeners to the point where the patient poops in thier diapers every other day. So toileting on a bedside commode is an option that can take about an hour or so per week.
Laundry: Sheets, bibs, drool cloths, clothing, towels.
Food Preparation: special diet? that takes time!
Doctors visits: home visits by the doctor or nurse, or loading up the patient to take them to the clinic.
Skin Maintenance: turn the patient every 30min to prevent bed sores. This is incredibly important
Oral Maintenance: often overlooked, if you don't pay attention to this, the patient's healthy dentition will quickly decline
Conservatorship
Any other special medical needs
Accounting and booking
Other personal affairs

Money: It really helps if the patient has their own financial resources and insurance. I found that the initial expenses of setting up your home care is a little tough, but the monthly expenses aren't as bad. Here are some of the items I recommend. Some may be covered by your insurance.

Diapers: You get what you pay for and the cheaper they are, the more they leak. Try large diapers, even if your patient is tiny.
Formula or other special diet
Special Clothing and gowns
Hospital bed
Special mattress: Air filled, self turning
Suction device
Oral care equipment
Bedside commode
Bathing equipment
Medications, ointments, stool softeners, etc
Other incidentals
Caregivers on call to give you a break (respite care)

Physical Ability: To handle the care of an adult quadriplegic, you really have to be in good shape yourself. There is a lot of lifting dead weight, and a back injuries to the caregiver is a very common occurrence. In addition, physical strength to simply turn the patient, pull them up in bed, change their clothing, transfer them from the wheelchair to the bed, or toileting, all takes a lot of physical stamina. With that in mind, consider this. Do you have the stomach to change soiled diapers, give sponge baths, do oral care in a mouth with rotten teeth, feed the patient through a tube, suction mucous, etc.? You don't want to put yourself and your loved one in a situation you both suffer from and can't get out of.

There are many resources to help you out with many of the above issues. If your loved one isn't yet ready for hospice care but is still gravely disabled, most insurances will cover home nurse visits in what they call a palliative care program. These usually consist of RNs that will come by every now and then and check on the progress, do a medical assessment and help you in finding a solution taking care of your patient at home. So if you decide to go for it, know that you will be providing a service that no one else can. Love and care in a familiar family home and environment.

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Cheap Health Insurance For Single Mothers

2010-11-12T10:29:00.003-08:00

If you have ever been without health insurance, you know how scary that can be - well, try being a single parent and being without health coverage! Finding cheap health insurance for single mothers is not easy, but it is possible.

One of the things that you will have to face when shopping for cheap health insurance for single mothers is this: a low deductible is NOT your friend. Yes, that is right. I said that a low deductible is not necessarily a good thing and the reason is that when you have a low deductible, you have higher rates. It's one of Newton's laws of physics: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. So you will have to swallow a higher deductible in order to get lower premium rates.

And another casualty in the struggle for cheap health insurance for single mothers is the co-pay. This is the portion of the doctor's office visit that you will have to pay. When you have a low co-pay, again, your rates will be higher because the insurance company has to offset the premium loss. Be advised that you will have to pay that higher co-pay and that is that.

Insurance companies are not in the business of giving something for nothing, after all. They are businesses just like a grocery store or gas station and there is a profit margin to be considered. That having been said, they do try to provide cheap health insurance for single mothers, but cheap does not equal free and as a consumer, you must be aware of this fact.

Finally, when looking for affordable health insurance, take the time to do a fairly in depth search on my personal favorite shopping venue - the Internet. You can enter the keywords into your favorite search engine and get started on your journey of discovery. You will want to take the time and do a careful comparison of the different plans that are available, taking into consideration the premium rates versus the deductible and co-pay offsets.

Some states have low cost coverages for either single parents or low income families, but these are not as common as cheap health insurance for single mothers and you have a better chance of finding coverages with a more conventional insurance plan. Look at the larger companies first, as they have the means to offer a wider range of programs and premiums. Good luck!

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How New Jersey Health Care Fraud Law Works Against Medical Practitioners

2010-11-12T10:29:00.001-08:00

Q. Are Health Care Fraud Crimes prosecuted in New Jersey as regular theft crimes?

They may be, New Jersey law now has a set of statutes specifically aimed at health care claims fraud. The idea is that these crimes have a broader scope and carry much more severe penalties than regular theft crimes. Also, the threshold of prove is significantly lower, so prosecutors have much easier time proving their cases. As of now, New Jersey health care fraud is a crime in the second degree that carries up to 10 years imprisonment along with hefty fines. In addition, of course, one may be charged and indicted with any other fraud and theft offense besides the health care fraud charge.

Q. Who is the "medical care practitioner" that may be charged with New Jersey health care fraud?

According to N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4.2, "practitioner" is anyone licensed in New Jersey or any other jurisdiction to practice medicine and surgery, chiropractic, podiatry, dentistry, optometry, psychology, pharmacy, nursing, physical therapy, or law; and any other person licensed, registered or certified by any State agency to practice a profession or occupation in the State of New Jersey.

Q. What exactly is "health care fraud" in New Jersey?

N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4.2. defines "health care claims fraud" as making, or causing to be made, a false, fictitious, fraudulent, or misleading statement of material fact in, or omitting a material fact from, or causing a material fact to be omitted from, any record, bill, claim or other document, in writing, electronically or in any other form, that a person attempts to submit, submits, causes to be submitted, or attempts to cause to be submitted for payment or reimbursement for health care services.

Q. May New Jersey Health Care Fraud be Inferred?

Yes. As a matter of fact, the statute entitles court to infer in certain cases that medical practitioner committed fraud. That normally has to do with making false statements or submitting fraudulent claims. Signing a fraudulent bill or claim alone may serve a proof.

Q. Does it Matter How Much Money is Stolen?

It doesn't matter. No matter what the amount of the claim or benefit is, unless when it is de minimis, New Jersey health care fraud is a second degree crime.

Q. What Should the State prove to obtain conviction?

To convict a defendant in a New Jersey health care fraud case, prosecutors must prove:
1. That the defendant was a practitioner;

2. That the defendant made false, fraudulent, or misleading statement of material fact in, or omitted a material fact from any record, bill, claim or other document, in writing, electronically or in any other from;

3. That the defendant attempted to submit, submitted, caused to be submitted, or attempted to cause to be submitted the record, bill or claim for payment or reimbursement for health care services;

4. That the defendant acted knowingly.

Q. What are financial consequences of a conviction on a defendant?

If convicted, the practitioner may be ordered to pay a fine of up to five times the financial benefit obtained or sought to be obtained. That, of course, doesn't count prison time.

Q. What if the practitioner committed Health Care Claims Fraud without knowledge?

According to N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4.3(b), if the practitioner recklessly commits the health care crime without actual knowledge, he or may be guilty of a third-degree crime. The question is what is considered "recklessly". The statute defines that as "conscious disregard of a substantial and unjustifiable risk that the material element exists or will result from his or her conduct." The state must prove that the risk was such a that the practitioner's disregard of it was a gross deviation from the standard of conduct that a reasonable person would observe in the defendant's situation.

Health Care for Dogs

2010-11-11T10:27:00.001-08:00

When it comes to dog health care a person may find they are spending a fortune. A health care plan may be the best answer for a dog that often ends up at the vets.

For any owner, dog health care is probably at the top of the list of concerns when it comes to their family pet. Up until recently, taking care of a dogs health was expensive and came straight out of the owners pocket. Today, though, there are options, like pet health insurance. There are a variety of plans available at a range of costs. One of the best ways to ensure that dog health care does not put a crunch on the family budget is to get pet health insurance.

Pet health insurance is much like health insurance for humans. There are different plans based upon the animals needs. Specifically, plans are designed around the dogs age, any health conditions and the animals lifestyle, including if it lives indoors or outdoors. These plans also have limited coverage. Some plans will only cover an animal until a certain age and some plans will not cover an animal under a certain age. Some pre-existing conditions may also not be covered by a new health insurance plan. Additionally, the breed of the dog may also play into coverage. Some breeds are prone to certain conditions and some plans consider this when deciding on coverage. A dog owner will likely have the choice of getting a comprehensive plan that covers everything from vaccines to emergencies or they can choose a plan that just covers accidents and illness.

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When Will the Health Care Reform Be Implemented?

2010-11-10T10:26:00.001-08:00

Two bills have been enacted in the United States of America on health care reforms. On March 23, 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, was passed which required amendment by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of the year 2010. When will the health care reform be implemented? The question is lurking all over online and offline! There a number of provisions made in the health reform passed in March 2010. In the first year itself that is 2010-11, provision was made for young adults to remain on their parents' health plan till they attained the age of 26. The current health plans discontinue health plans of individuals when they attain 19 years of age.

A preexisting condition won't be denied coverage:

Those who are not covered under any health insurance plan, especially those with conditions which pre-exists will be able to get coverage on health. Insurance companies cannot deny coverage to young adults with pre existing conditions either. For all those who retire early, there is health coverage, though it a reinsurance program which is temporary. During the year 2011, surgeons and primary care physicians will be paid a bonus payment by Medicare. Depending on the share in the market, medical companies will have to pay a yearly fee, but those companies having lesser sales do not have to pay such a fee. Yearly visits to the doctor will be covered by the Medicare plan in the year 2011. With no burden of expenses on patients, health plans will also cover health services which are preventive in nature. Disabled people can also avail community as well as home based care or may choose to get admitted to institutions to be cared for.

Improvisation in medical care in the period 2012 to 2014:

When will the health care reform be implemented? This is one question which many citizens of America keep asking. By the year 2012, basic health care as well as quality o implemented schemes are expected to be improved. Doctors will be encouraged to provide efficient services and primary health care centers will be enhanced in operation. Hospitals providing acute care have to show tangible evidence on quality of the outcomes. Companies that do not pay required tax amount will have to keep clean sheets.

By the year 2013, more emphasis will be laid on providing quality medical care rather than just increasing the volume of services. The year 2018 will see that the plans provided by employers will be charged with excise tax accordingly. For individuals belonging to professions in the high risk category a higher level is set for their health plan and only those in the category will be exempted from tax, which pays for individual coverage amounting to $10200 and for the family plan up to $27500. In the year 2013 professionals in the medical field will be encouraged to coordinate with the patients in a better way for which a pilot program at a national level will be established. As of 2014, individuals at poverty levels as declared by the federal authority will qualify for coverage by Medicaid. People will have to pay tax if coverage on heath insurance is not obtained by this year. Individuals with preexisting conditions will not be excluded from health insurance coverage.

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Obama's Civilian Army is now LAW and is Funded

2010-11-09T10:25:00.001-08:00

Remember when Obama said he wanted a national security force? Not the national guard, but a civilian one that has not sworn to uphold the Constitution? On July 2, 2008 in a speech in Colorado Springs, Barack Obama called for a police state. Obama just got his private army And no one seems to have noticed. It is buried in the Senate revisions to the health care bill. Subtitle CIncreasing the Supply of the Health Care Workforce Sec. 5201. Federally supported student loan funds. Sec. 5202. Nursing student loan program. Sec. 5203. Health care workforce loan repayment programs. Sec. 5204. Public health workforce recruitment and retention programs. Sec. 5205. Allied health workforce recruitment and retention programs. Sec. 5206. Grants for State and local programs. Sec. 5207. Funding for National Health Service Corps. Sec. 5208. Nurse-managed health clinics. Sec. 5209. Elimination of cap on commissioned corps. Sec. 5210. Establishing a Ready Reserve Corps. Subtitle DEnhancing Health Care Workforce Education and Training See the Patient Protection Affordable Care Act, page 1312: SEC. 5210. ESTABLISHING A READY RESERVE CORPS. Section 203 of the Public Health Service Act (42 USC 204) is amended to read as follows: SEC. 203. COMMISSIONED CORPS AND READY RESERVE CORPS. (a) ESTABLISHMENT (1) IN GENERAL.here shall be in the Service a commissioned Regular Corps and a Ready Reserve Corps for service in time of national emergency. (2) REQUIREMENT.All commissioned officers shall be ...

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Health Care In Your Hands

2010-11-08T10:24:00.001-08:00

If today's hectic lifestyles, you need to take extra care of your health. Health care is your primary responsibility. Diseases like high blood pressure, hypertension, diabetes, obesity are catching up at earlier ages.

The need for health insurance increases in such circumstances. However, we also know that the costs of healthcare is rising exponentially. And it becomes an even serious issue when the employers wash their hands off the responsibility to provide for your health care costs. It does become a little precarious to make for the coverage of costs when you need it the most. Tackling this situation requires a bit of pre-thinking. You need to devote a little time to plan out the potential costs to maintain your health.

You need to move around to get quotes from different health insurers and to compare the coverage benefits you are getting in each case. Check out their offers carefully before you go for the one most suitable to your personal needs rather than going by the popular choice. You need to do a bit of research on the internet as well.

When you go to the insurers, take your time to read and understand your policy handbook. You need to be clear about the conditions under which you can claim your insurance and what all costs shall be covered by the same. This is very important because hassles in procuring your deserving insurance is the last thing you would ever like when it comes to it.

Yearly whole body check ups is a good idea to ensure that you are doing well health-wise. And if it be so, take all the benefits of all the free or complementary services.

Apart from strict nutritional requirements and diet-consciousness and regular exercises, another most important aspect of health maintenance is taking care of hygiene. Find out all the means and services available under your insurance policy that can help you promote hygiene. Healthcare, in any case, is your hands.

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The Advantages of Private Health Insurance

2010-11-07T10:23:00.001-08:00

State health care is something we all fall back on from time to time throughout our lives, As children we benefit from the attentions of paediatricians, orthodontists, ear nose and throat specialists, often at the expense of the state and quite rightly so. Why, then, go to the expense of private health care?

Personally, my reasons are geographical. I travel, therefore I get sick while travelling and require cover which protects me from the unthinkable everywhere I go. The country I live in has a comforting population of resident doctors to look after me in exchange for my little blue tickets whenever I feel poorly and I am delighted with the level of care I receive for an extremely reasonable contribution.

State care in hospitals is, in my experience, somewhat unpleasant. I would be the first to hold up my hands and admit that, on the operating table, a state surgeon is as fully capable as a private one, sometimes more so. However, there is such a thing as after care and this can be as imperative to a patient's recovery as the operation or the treatment of the disease itself.

Throughout my life I have partaken of hospital food in several different countries and the amazing thing about hospital cuisine, if that is what you could call it, is that it tastes the same in Hong Kong as it does in UK or Dubai of San Francisco. Now tell me how is that possible? Because I know that the basic food ingredients in all of these countries taste fundamentally different, wherever you go. The food is always the same colour, too - a murky shade of grey. Also, the food seems to have undergone a system of dehydration, so it has the consistency of recycled cardboard. Perhaps that is the answer - the hospitals are so eco-friendly they are recycling patients food!

However, if you go to a nice private hospital, you will get coloured food - the peas will be green, the potatoes will be white, and the caviar will be - if you know what to order - red! Isn't that nice!? All washed down with a nice jolly smuggled in half bottle of something mildly alcoholic. Now, I am not medically qualified to say whether state hospital food is good for you or not, but it is obvious to me that the second menu I have described will certainly not keep you up at night, in fact it is more likely to induce you to sleep through your next medication and even if you do not, you will not care much.

Private care buys you a nice, comfortable, adjustable bed in a private ward with a television and a telephone so you can keep your nearest and dearest appraised of your condition whether they like it or not and so you can retain some kind of contact with the outside world. It is bad enough being sick; why do you have to be miserable too?

State care, however, often entails being holed up is some over crowded, sometimes slightly unsanitary, mixed ward; a left over relic from the Crimean war inhabited by a bunch of nearly deads represented by both sexes and making the most disgusting noises in their sleep, including farting competitions, just about every night.

It is true that state care is just as effective as private medical care, but I prefer not to test it personally ever again. Get out the cheque book and pay the two bucks.

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Video Essay: Paying More for Less Health Care

2010-11-06T11:22:00.001-07:00

Each year, Joe Olivo and the employees at his printing business pay more for their health plans, but receive less coverage. Olivo talks about how the higher costs impact his small business. Produced by Evan Vucci and Matt Ford. (Oct. 22)

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Need Private Health Care Insurance?

2010-11-05T11:21:00.001-07:00

Whatever state you are living in you will know that there are a lot of companies that are offering health Insurance. If you have a limited amount of time as most do, it is difficult to know which ones to approach for quotes.

That is why the easiest way to get the best deals on Private Health Care Insurance is to use what is know as a price comparison website. These sites allow you to relax, because they do all the hard work in collecting all the different health care Insurance companies into one place.

In fact you can access quotes from all of them with just a few clicks of the mouse, which means that you won't miss out on any of the best deals.

It doesn't matter what type of policy you are looking for from Small Business to Group, to Individual and family as well as dental, Short term, Student and of course Medicare Supplemental.

It's important to make sure that the site is not connected in anyway to any Private Health Care Insurance companies rather than listing them, (meaning that the site is not selling policies itself, just acting an a provider of information).

If it is it means that it will not be able to list all of the different providers in your area and that users will be missing out on some of the best deals.

Once you have found a policy, do make sure to check all of the terms and conditions that come with i,t to ensure you understand everything that's involved.

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Unbelievable Stupid Guest Tells Pimply-Ass-Faced Beck There's Black Genocide in Health Bill.

2010-11-04T11:19:00.001-07:00

(Via www.mediamatters.org ) Beck guest Broden warns of "eugenics movement," "black genocide" that will show up in health care package.mp4

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Obama Presser: Health Care

2010-11-03T11:18:00.001-07:00

see more at www.theblaze.com

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Health Care - Should We Cover Everyone?

2010-11-02T11:17:00.001-07:00

Part of the argument we hear daily about health care reform is that we need to get insurance to people who don't already have it.

Really? Why?

What about people in their early 20's who don't have health insurance coverage? Should we make them get insurance, even if they don't want to pay for it? And even if they can't pay for it, are we going to force it on them anyway and have taxpayers pick up the bill?

It seems plainly obvious that we shouldn't waste resources on people who either do not want or need a particular service, and it seems rather peculiar to force it on them. But there's more to this scenario than you might see at first glance.

Insurance companies actually love the idea of covering young, healthy people. When you have people paying into a system, but not using it, it can keep costs lower for everyone who is part of the plan. This is fundamental to insurance of any kind. The companies who issue insurance policies count on most people using less service than they are paying for. The people who don't use it essentially subsidize those that do.

If this sounds like socialism, then it's socialism created by private industry under a capitalist system.

In the US health care system part of the reason this has broken down is that a large number of the healthiest people in our society have opted out of paying for insurance, which ends up driving up the cost for everyone else. People have figured out how to game the system and refuse to pay into it.

This seems like a fair way to go until you realize that the people who opt-out are taking a gamble with your communities resources. That's because if they get seriously injured they will get treated at a local emergency room whether they have coverage or not. And if they don't have the means to pay, the hospital will have to absorb the costs (and possibly force the patient into bankruptcy), which raises the fees the hospital charges to those who do pay.

And for those who are chronically ill and who cannot get regular medical care because they are uninsured, they will continue to clog emergency rooms with relatively minor illnesses that should be seen by a primary care physician. The crowded ER's can potentially keep insured people from being seen for true emergencies - the original purpose of emergency rooms.

By covering everyone, both the healthy and the infirm, it lowers the risk pool for the insurers and helps to direct resources to where they are most effective.

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Paul Ryan on MSNBC: "Let's have an honest debate"

2010-11-01T11:16:00.001-07:00

Paul Ryan speaks with Katrina vanden Heuvel and Carlos Watson on MSNBC on health care July 29, 2009 - Paul Ryans Health Care Reform: A Plan Forward: www.house.gov - Become a Fan of Paul Ryan on Facebook: www.facebook.com - Follow Paul Ryan on Twitter: twitter.com --- PARTIAL TRANSCRIPT Carlos Watson, MSNBC: You wrote recently in an op-ed in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Before members even had time to read the 1000-page bill, it already has cleared two major House committees and is set to be fast-tracked through Congress in the days and weeks ahead. Those members of Congress who voted for this bill already in their committees did so without knowing what the legislation costs. Before it's too late, let's take a closer look. Is this a genuine complaint? Congressman Paul Ryan: I dont think we should pass bills that we havent read and dont know what they cost. I dont think that is being effusive. I have already proposed legislation, and a number of Republicans are proposing alternatives. You can look at The Patients Choice Act or go to my Facebook page and youll see that there are many proposals that we have put out there. We want to see health care reform done, but we want to do it right. If you rush this thing through before anyone even knows what it is, thats not good democracy. Thats not doing our work for our constituents. Whats wrong with going home for August having town hall meetings, listening to our constituents, and then coming back in September and doing this ...

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Why Health Care is in Bad Shape and the Government Can't Fix It

2010-10-31T11:16:00.001-07:00

Most people in the United States are upset with the state of our health care system, and I have heard many different explanations why it's this bad. The main complaint about our health care system is the price tag because the cost of health insurance has gone through the roof. In addition, health care providers have become more distant and less responsive to Americans questions about how to take care of themselves. The worse it gets, the louder the cries become for some kind of health care reform; including a government based program or universal health care. The reasons for the problems in our health care system are easy to understand, but many people have no idea what's really going on.

For starters, our system is already partially socialized. Medicare and Medicaid are government based programs that give free health services to the underprivileged and the elderly. When health care is free, people go much more often and for every imaginable reason; so the 20% on these programs create a larger bill than the other 80% that are paying for it. The government is on an eternal quest to make these costs go down, so they have limited how much doctors and hospitals can charge Uncle Sam for these services. As a result, health care providers must raise costs for the people who are paying for it and their health insurance premiums go up. Obama's administration has decided to try and fix this problem by further socializing the system and offering free health care to about 40%, but this will only lead to even higher costs for the population that is already paying for it.

The other big reason for price hikes in the health field is our culture of sue now, sue later and then sue some more. Doctors are people just like you and me, and occasionally they make mistakes. Today Americans can sue their doctors for any reason they feel like and the more we do, the more expensive insurance becomes for the doctor. These costs then get passed on to the people who are paying for their health insurance and doctors become even more hesitant to help patients. If the doctor tells you that a treatment will help your condition, but it doesn't and they get sued for it; then the next time around they are much less likely to even try to fix your condition. Once again, the government doesn't see this as a large problem and encourages patients to sue more.

As a result of all these price increases, health insurance companies are also looking for ways to cut costs. The easiest way for them to do this is to limit the amount and types of services that consumers can get from their health care providers. As long as private insurance exists, you can shop around until you find one that covers what you want; but if we move to universal health care, that choice will go away. I've heard many people including the president himself say that private insurance won't disappear with government health care, but there isn't any way for insurance companies to really compete with a "free" plan that everyone is already paying for anyway. In the UK and Canada they have already adopted a universal health care system and their citizens now have to wait in very long lines to get the simplest of procedures. To keep their costs down, their governments now decide who is worth saving and who isn't by a committee of bureaucrats!

There are free market solutions to these problems, but the outcry for reform is so great now that I don't know if people are willing to listen. Limiting lawsuits to very serious matters would bring health care costs down, and weaning people off Medicare and Medicaid would bring them down much further. I think we can all agree that some form of health care should exist for those that can't care for themselves, but is that really 40% of this entire country? One free market solution is discount health programs like Ameriplan health. These programs are very inexpensive, but they only provide a discount at the doctor rather than just paying for it; this way you only go to the doctor when you need to, and you get a discount on services when you do.

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Health Care Jobs Are Hot!

2010-10-30T11:14:00.001-07:00

Health care jobs are the hottest career going right now.

Okay, we all know that if you study medicine, you can eventually become a doctor or a nurse. When it comes to health care jobs, this seems to be the only two things that pop into most people's minds.

However, there is actually a very wide array of career opportunities for those who want to take up health care without necessarily going through the long years of intensive study required to become even a general practitioner type of doctor, much less a specialist. Here are some of the other types of jobs available in the health care industry that you may want to look into.

Physical Therapist - as a physical therapist, your main job description is all about helping people who have physical motor impairments for one reason or another. It can range from teaching someone just recently crippled in the leg to walk again, to assisting a man with a broken shoulder learn to use his arm.

Physical therapists are also versed in massage, so you'll have to be very good with your hands. Generally, physical therapy is an occupation taken by those who love living active lives, and want to help others get their bodies in working order again after an injury.

Pharmacology and Pharmaceutics - this is all about those little pills and syrups that patients hate with a passion. The studies of pharmacology and pharmaceuticals has to do mostly with memorization and practical logic. If you want to help heal people but can't stand the sight of blood or know that you're fumble fingered and will most likely stab yourself with a needle, then this is the job for you. A keen memory that lets you know which medicines are especially helpful for which ailments, and a good logical mind for mixing and matching your concoctions are the best tools for this trade.

Sports Science and Kinesthetics - this is one field of health care jobs that has less to do with repair, and more to do with development and preventive maintenance. Sports scientists and kinesthologists are closely related to physical therapists in that the body's motor functions are their prime area of study. However, instead of repairing damage to injured limbs and such, they work with optimizing the athletic capabilities of their patients, with an eye towards functionality and health.

Dietologist - this is an often overlooked area of health care jobs that is vital despite it's lack of acclaim. Dieticians help analyze the eating habits of their patients and recommend the healthiest possible eating habits for them. On a light note, dietitians most commonly see patients whose main problems are either obesity or being underweight.

In these simple cases, balancing their patient's diet is enough to get them fixed up. On a more serious note, dietitians can also expect to encounter patients whose eating habits are affected by physical disorders like diabetes or allergies, and have to recommend diets for them that will allow them to keep a comparatively balanced nutrition despite the restrictions placed on them by their ailments.

Rehabilitative Therapist - this is a type of therapist specializing in the treatment of people who were hooked on cigarettes, alcohol, or drugs. A combination of skills go into this, ranging from simple herbal medicinal treatment, to physical therapy geared towards alleviating withdrawal symptoms, to psychology. Rehabilitative therapists are rare, simply because most rehab clinics are government or charity sponsored, so the pay isn't all that high. However, the real reward comes from each life changed for the better.

Midwifery - lastly, another health care job that people often overlook is midwifery. This is simply specializing in helping women through childbirth. In ancient times, midwifery was restricted to helping women during the actual act of delivering the baby. In modern times, midwifery has expanded to include dietary and medicinal tips for pregnant women, and both physical and psychological therapy for women during conception and after birth.

These are just some of the major health care jobs available for those who want to help other people, but have always been reluctant due to the belief that if you study medicine, you wind up having to go through years of training and becoming a doctor. The human body is an infinitely complex machine, so it's only logical that there have to be people to take care of the small things as well as the large when it comes to healing and staying healthy.

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Health Care Power of Attorney Forms and Living Will

2010-10-29T11:13:00.001-07:00

Health care power of attorney forms are used in the conditions when the principal becomes incapable to make decisions about his health and medical care due to reasons such as aging, mental illness or in the state of unconsciousness. This principal grants his attorney-in-fact to make all the health and medical decisions for him. This power is usually granted to one's doctor, therapist, or house attendant (unless they are also close relatives, spouse or anyone in the family).

This form also includes a living will. The living will is either attached to the form or written separately. If written separately, it is important for the agent to keep a copy of it. This 'Will' includes certain restriction on the rights of the agent regarding the health issues. The agent has to consult the living will to see what limitation of right he has.

This Living Will should include the following things:

You have to mention the circumstance in which you want this will to be used. For instance, you can ask the agent not to use any life-prolonging procedures and use only the pain relief.

Mechanical breathing apparatus is used when the patient stops to breath on his own. You can mention whether or not, you would like to live on it.

You also mention whether the use of CPR for you will be acceptable to you or not. It stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation which is used when the heart stops pumping on its own.

You can mention your Will over the artificial feeding and intravenous fluids. These are used to feed you through taking down the tubes from your nose to your stomach.

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Chanos Doesn't See Health-Care Costs Reduced Under Bill

2010-10-28T11:12:00.001-07:00

Oct. 26 (Bloomberg) -- Jim Chanos, founder of Kynikos Associates, talks about the outlook for US health-care costs and China's economy. He talks with Carol Massar and Matt Miller on Bloomberg Television's "Street Smart." (Excerpt. Source: Bloomberg)

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Portion-Control Tips

2007-09-01T12:42:00.000-07:00

Being aware of realistic portion sizes and visualizing portions or using the "divided plate" concept will help you avoid overeating. But sometimes these visual cues can be hard — especially when foods are difficult to measure, like a sandwich, or they're foods like chips and cookies that we tend to eat right out of the bag.

More tips for portion control:

Eat your meals on a smaller plate so your meal looks larger. A sandwich on a dinner-size plate looks lost; on an appetizer plate it looks downright hefty.
Avoid taking an entire bag of chips or a container of ice cream to the couch. You're far less likely to overdo it if you serve yourself a portion in the kitchen first.
Try single-serving size foods (like those cute little 8-ounce cans of soda!) to help your body learn what an appropriate portion size is. These days all kinds of snacks and beverages are available in "100-calorie" portions. Of course, the key is to eat just one!
Eat three well-rounded meals (with vegetables, proteins, and carbs) and one or two healthy snacks at regular times throughout the day. Skipping meals or waiting too long between them can make you more likely to overdo it at the next meal.
Add more salads and fruit to your diet, especially at the start of a meal. This can help control hunger and give a sense of fullness while controlling calorie intake.
Try not to rush through your meals. Eat slowly and chew well — giving yourself a chance to feel full before you take more. If you do want seconds, go for more salad or veggies.
Be aware that most restaurant portions are three or four times the right serving size. Try sharing meals with friends, ordering an appetizer as a main dish, or packing up the extra to take home before you begin to eat.
Don't be tempted to go for the giant value meal or the jumbo drink just because they're only a few cents more than the regular size.

Most important, make it a habit to let your stomach rather than your eyes tell you when you're done with a meal. The key to maintaining a healthy weight is to listen to your body's natural signals about when it's hungry and when it's full. Sometimes these signals can be confused by constant overeating or constant dieting, which is why it pays to watch portion sizes and make smart food choices.

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How Much Food Should Eat?

2007-09-01T12:41:00.000-07:00

Cookies as big as frisbees. Muffins the size of flower pots. Bowls of pasta so deep, your fork can barely find the bottom. One reason people's waistlines have expanded over the past few decades is because food portions have too.

Portion Distortion

People today eat way more than they used to — and way more than they need to. This means that they're constantly taking in more calories than their bodies can burn. Unfortunately, lots of us don't realize that we're eating too much because we've become so used to seeing (and eating!) large portions.

Portion sizes began to increase in the 1980s and have been ballooning ever since. Take bagels, for example: 20 years ago, the average bagel had a 3-inch diameter and 140 calories. Today, bagels have a 6-inch diameter and 350 calories. One bagel that size actually contains half a person's recommended number of grain servings for an entire day!

The price of such overabundance is high. It's common knowledge that people who consistently overeat are likely to become overweight. But they also risk getting a number of medical problems, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, bone and joint problems, breathing and sleeping problems, and even depression. Later in life, people who overeat are at greater risk for heart disease, heart failure, and stroke.

It's easy to understand why the food industry tends to serve way more food than is necessary: Customers love to feel like they're getting the best value for their money! But the value meal is no deal when it triples our calories and sets the stage for health problems.

So what can you do to take back control? A good place to start is knowing about two things that can help you eat smart: serving sizes and recommended amounts of different foods.

Help Yourself: The Truth About Serving Sizes

Look at the label on any product package and you'll see a nutrition information section that gives a serving size for that food. Contrary to popular belief, this serving size is not telling you the amount you should be eating. It's simply a guide to help you see how many calories and nutrients — as well as how much fat, sugar, and salt — you get from eating a specific quantity of that food.

Sometimes the serving size on a package will be a lot less than you are used to eating. In some cases, it's perfectly OK (and even a good idea) to eat more than the serving size listed on the package. For example, if you're cooking frozen vegetables and see the serving size is 1 cup, it's no problem to eat more because most vegetables are low in calories and fat yet high in nutrition.

But when it comes to foods that are high in calories, sugar, or fat, the serving size can alert you that you may be getting more than is healthy. If you buy a 20-ounce bottle of soda and drink it all at once, the amount you consumed is 20 ounces. But if the label shows the serving size is 8 ounces, not only did you have 2½ servings, you also had 2½ times the listed calories as well as 2½ times the sugar.

Eat Smart: What's Recommended

Serving sizes tell you how much nutrition you're getting from a particular food but they don't tell you which foods you need to stay healthy — and how much of those foods you should eat. That's where the U.S. Department of Agriculture's MyPyramid comes in.

MyPyramid divides foods into six groups:

grains
vegetables
fruits
oils
dairy
meat and beans

MyPyramid then offers guidelines to help people figure out how much of these foods they should eat based on age, gender, and activity level.

Once we know the types of foods and quantities we should be eating, it's easier to figure out how much of that heaping plate of food our bodies actually need as opposed to how much they want. Instead of going along with what your school cafeteria or favorite restaurant puts on your plate, you can take control by eating only the amount you need.

Using Visual Cues

Serving sizes on food labels and recommended amounts on MyPyramid are usually given in grams, ounces, or cups. Of course, most of us don't carry around food scales and measuring cups. So how can we translate those amounts into quantities we can relate to? That's where the following visual cues come in. (Just be warned: Some might seem small, especially to recovering super-sizers!)

One easy way to size up portions if you don't have any measurements is to take a look at your hand. A clenched fist is about a cup — and a cup is the amount experts recommend for a portion of pasta, rice, cereal, vegetables, and fruit. A meat portion should be about as big as your palm. And limit the amount of added fats (like butter, mayo, or salad dressing) to the size of the top of your thumb.

Another great way to visualize appropriate portions is to use the concept of the "divided plate." Think of your plate as divided into four equal sections. Use one of the top quarters for protein. Use the other top quarter for starch, preferably a whole grain. Then fill the bottom half with veggies. None of the foods should overlap — or be piled high! Not only will dividing your plate like this help you keep portions under control, it can also help you to balance your meals.

How Can Lose Weight Safely?

2007-09-01T12:40:00.000-07:00

Weight loss is a tricky topic. Lots of people are unhappy with their present weight, but most aren't sure how to change it — and many would be better off staying where they are. You may want to look like the models or actors in magazines and on TV, but those goals might not be healthy or realistic for you. Besides, no magical diet or pill will make you look like someone else.

So what should you do about weight control?

Being healthy is really about being at a weight that is right for you. The best way to find out if you are at a healthy weight or if you need to lose or gain weight is to talk to a doctor or dietitian. He or she can compare your weight with healthy norms to help you set realistic goals. If it turns out that you can benefit from weight loss then you can follow a few of the simple suggestions listed below to get started.

Weight management is about long-term success. People who lose weight quickly by crash dieting or other extreme measures usually gain back all (and often more) of the pounds they lost because they haven't permanently changed their habits. Therefore, the best weight management strategies are those that you can maintain for a lifetime. That's a long time, so we'll try to keep these suggestions as easy as possible!

Make it a family affair. Ask your mom or dad to lend help and support and to make dietary or lifestyle changes that might benefit the whole family, if possible. Teens who have the support of their families tend to have better results with their weight management programs. But remember, you should all work together in a friendly and helpful way — making weight loss into a competition is a recipe for disaster!

Watch your drinks. It's amazing how many extra calories can be lurking in the sodas, juices, and other drinks that you take in every day. Simply cutting out a couple of cans of soda or switching to diet soda can save you 360 calories or more each day. Drink lots of water or other sugar-free drinks to quench your thirst and stay away from sugary juices and sodas. Switching from whole to nonfat or low-fat milk is also a good idea.

Start small. Small changes are a lot easier to stick with than drastic ones. Try reducing the size of the portions you eat and giving up regular soda for a week. Once you have that down, start gradually introducing healthier foods and exercise into your life.

Stop eating when you're full. Lots of people eat when they're bored, lonely, or stressed, or keep eating long after they're full out of habit. Try to pay attention as you eat and stop when you're full. Slowing down can help because it takes about 20 minutes for your brain to recognize how much is in your stomach. Sometimes taking a break before going for seconds can keep you from eating another serving.

Avoid eating when you feel upset or bored — try to find something else to do instead (a walk around the block or a trip to the gym are good alternatives). Many people find it's helpful to keep a diary of what they eat and when. Reviewing the diary later can help them identify the emotions they have when they overeat or whether they have unhealthy habits. A registered dietitian can give you pointers on how to do this.

Eat less more often. Many people find that eating a couple of small snacks throughout the day helps them to make healthy choices at meals. Stick a couple of healthy snacks (carrot sticks, a low-fat granola bar, pretzels, or a piece of fruit) in your backpack so that you can have one or two snacks during the day. Adding healthy snacks to your three squares and eating smaller portions when you sit down to dinner can help you to cut calories without feeling deprived.

Five a day keep the pounds away. Ditch the junk food and dig out the fruits and veggies! Five servings of fruits and veggies aren't just a good idea to help you lose weight — they'll help keep your heart and the rest of your body healthy. Other suggestions for eating well: replace white bread with whole wheat, trade your sugary sodas for lots of water and a few cups of low-fat milk, and make sure you eat a healthy breakfast. Having low-sugar, whole grain cereal and low-fat milk and a piece of fruit is a much better idea than inhaling a donut as you run to the bus stop or eating no breakfast at all! A registered dietitian can give you lots of other snack and menu ideas.

Avoid fad diets. It's never a good idea to trade meals for shakes or to give up a food group in the hope that you'll lose weight — we all need a variety of foods to stay healthy. Stay away from fad diets because you're still growing and need to make sure you get proper nutrients. Avoid diet pills (even the over-the-counter or herbal variety). They can be dangerous to your health; besides, there's no evidence that they help keep weight off over the long term.

Don't banish certain foods. Don't tell yourself you'll never again eat your absolutely favorite peanut butter chocolate ice cream or a bag of chips from the vending machine at school. Making these foods forbidden is sure to make you want them even more. Also, don't go fat free: You need to have some fat in your diet to stay healthy, so giving up all fatty foods all the time isn't a good idea. The key to long-term success is making healthy choices most of the time. If you want a piece of cake at a party, go for it! But munch on the carrots rather than the chips to balance it out.

Get moving. You may find that you don't need to cut calories as much as you need to get off your behind. Don't get stuck in the rut of thinking you have to play a team sport or take an aerobics class to get exercise. Try a variety of activities from hiking to cycling to rowing until you find ones you like.

Not a jock? Find other ways to fit activity into your day: walk to school, jog up and down the stairs a couple of times before your morning shower, turn off the tube and help your parents in the garden, or take a stroll past your crush's house — anything that gets you moving. Your goal should be to work up to 60 minutes of exercise every day. But everyone has to begin somewhere. It's fine to start out by simply taking a few turns around the block before bed and building up your levels of fitness gradually.

Build muscle. Muscle burns more calories than fat. So adding strength training to your exercise routine can help you reach your weight loss goals as well as give you a toned bod. A good, well-balanced fitness routine includes aerobic workouts, strength training, and flexibility exercises.

Forgive yourself. So you were going to have one cracker with spray cheese on it and the next thing you know the can's pumping air and the box is empty? Drink some water, brush your teeth, and move on. Everyone who's ever tried to lose weight has found it challenging. When you slip up, the best idea is to get right back on track and don't look back. Avoid telling yourself that you'll get back on track tomorrow or next week or after New Year's. Start now.

Try to remember that losing weight isn't going to make you a better person — and it won't magically change your life. It's a good idea to maintain a healthy weight because it's just that: healthy.

Health Care to Spot a Fad Diet

2007-09-01T12:36:00.002-07:00

Lots of today's popular diets take advantage of our desire to drop weight quickly. Unfortunately, though, "quick-fix" diets don't work.

Here are 5 clues that a diet may be more about empty promises than real results:

The diet is based on drastically cutting back calories. Starvation-type diets that require the body to fast often promise quick results. But our bodies simply aren't designed to drop pounds quickly. In fact, doctors say it's nearly impossible for a healthy, normally active person to lose more than 2 to 3 pounds per week of actual fat, even on a starvation diet.

Here's the trick that very low-calorie diets rely on: The body's natural reaction to near-starvation is to dump water. So most, if not all, of the weight lost on quick-weight-loss diets is not fat — it's just water. And the body sucks this lost water back up like a sponge once a person starts eating normally again.
The diet is based on taking special pills, powders, or herbs. These are usually just gimmicks — and the only thing they slim down is your wallet.

Many diet pills contain laxatives or diuretics that force a person's body to eliminate more water. Just like restricted-calorie diets, the weight lost with these supplements is mostly water, not fat.

Other supplements claim that their ingredients speed up metabolism; suppress appetite; or block the absorption of fat, sugars, or carbohydrates. For most diet supplements, there's no reliable scientific research to back up their claims. And doctors consider diet supplements risky for teens because not much is known about how the ingredients affect the growing body.
The diet tells you to eat only specific foods or foods in certain combinations. There's no reliable scientific proof that combining certain foods works. And limiting the foods you eat means you might not get all the nutrition you need.
The diet makes you completely cut out fat, sugar, or carbs. Depriving our bodies of needed food groups is a bad idea (especially when they're still growing). It's better to eat smaller portions in well-rounded meals (meals that contain servings of protein, grains, fruits, and veggies). When your body gets the right balance of nutrition, it's less likely to send you willpower-busting cravings! Eating smaller portions also helps you set good eating habits that will help you keep the weight off.
The diet requires you to skip meals or replace meals with special drinks or food bars. As with diets that ban certain food groups, skipping or substituting meals can mean you don't get the nutrition needed to support healthy development. Plus, you miss out on the enjoyment of sharing a satisfying meal with friends or family.

www.kidshealth.org

Home to Reach a Healthy Weight

2007-09-01T12:34:00.000-07:00

Diets aren't the way to go when it comes to losing weight. That's because they create temporary eating patterns — and, therefore, temporary results. Most dieters gain back any lost weight when they go back to their old eating habits. So what's the best way to drop excess weight? Create a new normal!

Weight loss is most likely to be successful when people change their habits, replacing old, unhealthy ones with new, healthy behaviors. Here are 5 ways to make that happen:

Exercise. Regular physical activity burns calories and builds muscle — both of which help you look and feel good and keep weight off. Walking the family dog, cycling to school, and doing other things that increase your daily level of activity can all make a difference. If you want to burn more calories, increase the intensity of your workout and add some strength exercises to build muscle. The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn, even when you aren't exercising.
Reduce screen time. One reason people get less exercise these days is because of an increase in "screen time" — the amount of time spent watching TV, looking at the computer, or playing video games. Limit recreational screen time to less than 2 hours per day. If you're with friends at the mall, you're getting more exercise than if you're IMing them from your room.
Watch out for portion distortion. Serving sizes have increased over the past 10 years, and these extra calories contribute to obesity. Another key factor in weight gain is that more people drink sugary beverages, such as sodas, juice drinks, and sports drinks. So choose smaller portions (or share restaurant portions) and go for water or low-fat milk instead of soda.
Eat 5 servings of fruits and veggies a day. Fruits and veggies are about more than just vitamins and minerals. They're also packed with fiber, which means they fill you up. And when you fill up on fruits and veggies, you're less likely to overeat when it comes to high-calorie foods like chips or cookies.
Don't skip breakfast. Breakfast kick-starts your metabolism, burning calories from the get-go and giving you energy to do more during the day. People who skip breakfast often feel so hungry that they eat more later on. So they get more calories than they would have if they ate breakfast. In fact, people who skip breakfast tend to have higher BMIs than people who eat breakfast.