September 2022

Why are Americans so worked up about health care reform? Statements such as “don’t touch my Medicare” or “everyone should have access to state of the art health care irrespective of cost” are in my opinion uninformed and visceral responses that indicate a poor understanding of our health care system’s history, its current and future resources and the funding challenges that America faces going forward. While we all wonder how the health care system has reached what some refer to as a crisis stage. Let’s try to take some of the emotion out of the debate by briefly examining how health care in this country emerged and how that has formed our thinking and culture about health care. With that as a foundation let’s look at the pros and cons of the Obama administration health care reform proposals and let’s look at the concepts put forth by the Republicans? Access to state of the art health care services is something we can all agree would be a good thing for this country. Experiencing a serious illness is one of life’s major challenges and to face it without the means to pay for it is positively frightening. But as we shall see, once we know the facts, we will find that achieving this goal will not be easy without our individual contribution. These are the themes I will touch on to try to make some sense out of what is happening to American health care and the steps we can personally take to make things better. A recent history of American health care – what has driven the costs so high? Key elements of the Obama health care plan The Republican view of health care – free market competition Universal access to state of the art health care – a worthy goal but not easy to achieve what can we do? First, let’s get a little historical perspective on American health care. This is not intended to be an exhausted look into that history but it will give us an appreciation of how the health care system and our expectations for it developed. What drove costs higher and higher? To begin, let’s turn to the American civil war. In that war, dated tactics and the carnage inflicted by modern weapons of the era combined to cause ghastly results. Not generally known is that most of the deaths on both sides of that war were not the result of actual combat but to what happened after a battlefield wound was inflicted. To begin with, evacuation of the wounded moved at a snail’s pace and this caused severe delays in treating the wounded. Secondly, many wounds were subjected to wound care, related surgeries and/or amputations of the affected limbs and this often resulted in the onset of massive infection. So you might survive a battle wound only to die at the hands of medical care providers who although well-intentioned, their interventions were often quite lethal. High death tolls can also be ascribed to everyday sicknesses and diseases in a time when no antibiotics existed. In total something like 600,000 deaths occurred from all causes, over 2% of the U.S. population at the time! Let’s skip to the first half of the 20th century for some additional perspective and to bring us up to more modern times. After the civil war there were steady improvements in American medicine in both the understanding and treatment of certain diseases, new surgical techniques and in physician education and training. But for the most part the best that doctors could offer their patients was a “wait and see” approach. Medicine could handle bone fractures and increasingly attempt risky surgeries (now largely performed in sterile surgical environments) but medicines were not yet available to handle serious illnesses. The majority of deaths remained the result of untreatable conditions such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, scarlet fever and measles and/or related complications. Doctors were increasingly aware of heart and vascular conditions, and cancer but they had almost nothing with which to treat these conditions. This very basic review of American medical history helps us to understand that until quite recently (around the 1950’s) we had virtually no technologies with which to treat serious or even minor ailments. Here is a critical point we need to understand; “nothing to treat you with means that visits to the doctor if at all were relegated to emergencies so in such a scenario costs are curtailed. The simple fact is that there was little for doctors to offer and therefore virtually nothing to drive health care spending. A second factor holding down costs was that medical treatments that were provided were paid for out-of-pocket, meaning by way of an individuals personal resources. There was no such thing as health insurance and certainly not health insurance paid by an employer. Except for the very destitute who were lucky to find their way into a charity hospital, health care costs were the responsibility of the individual. What does health care insurance have to do with health care costs? Its impact on health care costs has been, and remains to this day, absolutely enormous. When health insurance for individuals and families emerged as a means for corporations to escape wage freezes and to attract and retain employees after World War II, almost overnight a great pool of money became available to pay for health care. Money, as a result of the availability of billions of dollars from health insurance pools, encouraged an innovative America to increase medical research efforts. More Americans became insured not only through private, employer sponsored health insurance but through increased government funding that created Medicare and Medicaid (1965). In addition funding became available for expanded veterans health care benefits. Finding a cure for almost anything has consequently become very lucrative. This is also the primary reason for the vast array of treatments we have available today. I do not wish to convey that medical innovations are a bad thing. Think of the tens of millions

Basically curry’s medical benefits are derived from their spice rich ingredients; here is the break down of usual spices found in curry (and their benefits): Turmeric, curry’s main ingredient is recognized by its yellow color. A member of the ginger family, turmeric has long been associated with its healing properties. Used as a common antiseptic in India, turmeric is used regularly to treat damaged skin such as cuts or burns. It’s even being touted as a possible cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Cinnamon – Cinnamon is a natural antioxidant which is beneficial to the beautification purposes, not to mention cinnamon oil has antimicrobial properties which prolongs the life of the curry. Black Pepper – Black pepper has a very long history of medical benefits, the list goes like this: Alleviated hemorrhoids, Alleviates gas, helps constipation, improves digestion, improves appetite lost, promotes sweating (cardio workout), Promotes urination, anti-bacterial effects, natural anti-oxidant, and everyone’s favorite; helps in breaking down fat cells. Allspice – Allspice is also known as Jamaican pepper, Myrtle pepper. It’s beneficial attribute comes from folklore whereby it provide relief for digestive problems. Anise – Anise leaves in curry are used to treat digestive problems, toothaches and the oil extract can be used to treat lice and scabies. Asafoetida – the main medical usage for Asafoetida is for the aid of digestive system, mild cases of asthma, bronchitis and is traditionally used in the aid of children’s cold. Cardamom – Cardamom is used traditionally in Chinese medicine to treat stomach-aches, constipation, dysentery, and other digestion problems. Chili Pepper – Red chili peppers are very rich in vitamin C and pro-vitamin A. Additionally, peppers are a good source of most vitamins B, especially B6. Potassium in chili that are high magnesium and iron would really make up for those lazy days. Clovers – Clovers are reported by many people to be extremely effective in their struggle with nicotine cravings. Well, imagine having craving for curry instead (who’d complaint). Coriander leaves – Coriander leaves has been used as a folk medicine for the relief of anxiety and insomnia in Iranian folk medicine. Cumin – Cumin can be really helpful in asthma, common and a booster in immune system during cold and flu season. Capsulated Cumin can be beneficial to hair and nails, and if mixed with moisturized cream you can reap the benefits of a healthier skin. After listing only a fraction of the benefits for eating curry, the people that gave the word curry should really give it a new identity, not as a combination of different herbs, but a combination of different medical miracles that really taste GOOD. Source by Daniel Nickerson

American’s are looking for lower cost alternatives when it comes to their healthcare needs. Those who do not need a huge demand for medical services to be covered have other options. Even those with some medical requirements on a monthly or quarterly basis are OK with little less coverage if they are saving enough on premiums. The good news is alternative plans are here, and they will continue to grow in demand as 2018 continues. The Trump Administration signed off on an executive order in the fall of 2017 requiring that short-term health care plans be extended from the current 90-day restriction to the full 365 days as it once was. These types of policies are not there to replace the ACA plans, but to provide individuals and families with more choices for their healthcare needs. This is great news for millions of Americans who do not qualify for the federal health subsidies and really cannot afford the premiums for the ACA plans. By freeing up some of their hard-earned dollars, they can put it back into the economy, retirement, college or whatever they need. Short-term plans are non-ACA qualified health plans that are not required to cover preexisting conditions or certain ACA (Obamacare) mandated Essential Health Benefits (EHB), that are covered by ACA-qualified plans. These benefits include: Maternity and newborn care Mental health and substance use disorder services Specific preventive care benefits such as routine exams, mammograms, cancer screenings, etc Pediatric services (oral care and vision) The short-term plans are a great option without the above coverages in the policy. Insurance is supposed to be for sudden, expensive things that you usually could not afford on your own. Look at your homeowners and auto insurance. They provide coverage for the unforeseen, costly risks that you cannot afford to take on yourself. The short-term medical plans do just that. The short-term medical plan extension from the current 90-day maximum to 365-day maximum takes effect May 1st. After that date, you can apply with an insurance company that offers the short-term plan that does not have the 90-day maximum limit. One other drawback for 2018 is the individual mandate. The short-term medical plan is not an ACA-compliant plan according to the IRS and will be subject to the tax penalty when you file your taxes in 2018. There are other ways around this. You will need to seek out a professional in the field to get more information. For the tax year 2019, this tax penalty goes away. Source by Butch Zemar

Many people are aware that exercise is an integral part for the human body. It helps keep maintain a healthy body and also a sound mind. Millions of people are spending lots of money for this endeavor alone. The fitness center industry is booming. As more and more people are becoming aware of the potential benefits of a good workout, many more clients are finding their way into these fitness centers. It is easy to become a member, but how long are you going to be happy with them? Some of these fitness centers require their members to sign a membership contract, which in the end, can be difficult to cancel. Here are a few tips to help you decide. Be sure of what you want. Always be mindful of what your goals are for your planned exercise. These goals will determine what you particularly need in a gym. A very good example is that if you are more into sports fitness rather than a typical fitness gym, then your obvious choice would be gyms that have sports facilities, and not just treadmills or aerobics. Check out the competition. Just like when you are shopping, it would be better if you check out every fitness center that you can find and compare the services and prices they offer. Most importantly, also compare the equipment and the facilities of each center. By doing so, you will be able to choose the most affordable and best equipped fitness center suited for you. Check your budget and know what you are paying for. Having a lot of money does not necessarily mean that you get your money’s worth by becoming a member in a particular fitness gym. It is often wise to consider where you are investing your money and if you are getting your money’s worth. Do not just sign up immediately with the first fitness center you encounter. Always follow your budget. It may be healthy to work out, but it is even healthier to stay out of debt. Is it clean or not? Always check the health record of the gym. Make sure they have proper hygiene and safety with their facilities and equipment. You are working out to be healthy in the first place, so make sure the center you are planning to join is also healthy. Bottom line is that you do not have to look for the perfect fitness center. Chances are that the gym that you like will have some aspects that you dislike. It is your overall outlook that matters. As long as you are happy with the center and it helps you get the job done they why not join, right? Source by John O’Riley

The first thing to emphasize is that I’m not a medical professional and I’m not giving medical advice about any specific condition. Please consult your doctor or other health professional for medical advice. In terms of juicing for colon health I can only say what worked for me in my own search for health. I did not approach this from the angle of trying to cure a disease but instead attempting to gain vibrant health and letting everything else take care of itself. I juiced twice per day and consumed the equivalent of 4 pints of green juice, 2 pints in the morning and 2 pints at lunchtime. Although I wanted to juice cleanse specifically for colon health, I also wanted to juice for optimal kidney, liver and immune system health. The outcome is that rather than specifically focusing on the colon, you are in fact taking an all of body or holistic approach. My favorite recipe for a Colon Cleanse is:- 1 lemon 1 small to medium chunk of Ginger root 1 small chunk of turmeric ½ large cucumber 6 to 7 celery stalks 2 apples 1 fennel bulb Why did I choose these ingredients? All of these ingredients have massive health benefits when juiced. Lemon is the ultimate superfood and it also tastes great. Ginger and Turmeric have well documented anti-inflammatory properties and ginger gives the juice a fantastic kick to it. Celery and cucumber are packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and are very healing and hydrating. Apples are another superfood, have many health benefits and sweeten the juice giving it a great taste. Fennel – has many health benefits and it great for colon health. If you don’t have all of the ingredients, it doesn’t matter. Just the fact that you are juicing at all puts you on a path to improving your health. Feel free to substitute new ingredients in as you see fit. For example leafy green vegetables like Kale and spinach are fantastic if your juicer can handle them as well as carrots and pears You may wish to go easy to start wish, especially if you are moving from an unhealthy diet to a healthier one that includes juicing. What does green juice do to your body? When you green juice, the nutrients are immediately absorbed into bloodstream and your body is saves considerable energy during the digestion process. Green juice also starts the detox, so toxins will be expelled from body. You may feel some detox symptoms such as headaches, flu-like symptoms and tiredness. This is normal and may vary in intensity depending on a number of factors such as how poor your lifestyle was beforehand and how hard you detox. You may need to rest a bit more to deal with these symptoms but go with it, the result is worth it. Other by-products of juicing for health are likely to be weight loss, increased energy, vitality and mental focus. Juicing is worth it. Keep with it and you will feel the difference and hopefully the result will be a better version of yourself. Source by David Faichney

When you are considering health insurance it is essential that you ask a number of specific questions about a health insurance plan quote to ensure that you get the right cover at the right price. Here we look at 10 questions that you need to ask: Question 1. What out of pocket expenses and deductible will you have to pay? No medical insurance plan is going to meet all of your medical bills and you will usually have to meet a deductible before your insurer will pay out at all and will also ask you to meet certain other expenses. Question 2. What health screenings and examinations does the plan include?Health plans vary considerably when it comes to preventative care and you will have to look to see what screening tests are covered. For example, does the plan cover all family members including babies, children and adults and provide such things as breast examinations, mammograms and pap smears? Question 3. Is specialist care and referrals covered? When you require a referral to a specialist this might or might not be covered and, if it is covered, might have restrictions placed upon that cover. Question 4. How is emergency care and hospitalization treated? Sometimes you will find that emergency care and hospitalization are only be covered if pre-approved and you must fully understand the circumstances under which such treatment is covered. Question 5. What prescriptions costs does the plan cover? You will have to examine any accompanying prescription plan with care to determine what drugs are permitted and the extent to which you may have to meet part of the cost of any prescription drugs. Question 6. Are both dental and vision care covered? In many cases medical plans will not cover dental and vision care and these then have to be covered under a separate plan. Question 7. Does the plan cover psychotherapy, psychiatric services or mental health services? Although many health plans will cover mental illness in various different forms such cover is frequently limited and you will normally find that there is a cap on the amount of cover provided. Question 8. Is hospital, home health and nursing home care covered? While most plans will offer fairly good hospital cover you will have to look at just what cover is provided for home health and nursing home care. Question 9. Is physiotherapy and rehabilitative care covered? Plans will frequently separate out initial treatment and follow-up rehabilitative care and physiotherapy and so it is vital to discover exactly what is and what is not covered. Question 10. Does the plan cover alternative care? As an increasing number of people are turning to alternative treatments like acupuncture or holistic treatments health insurance companies are increasingly including cover for such treatments. It is however still early days for alternative treatment and, if this is something that you want to take advantage of, you will need to look to see to what extent it is covered. The ten questions here should form the basis on which you consider any medical insurance quote but you may want to include other items to your own list like how much paperwork is required when it comes to making a claim under the plan and how wide is your choice when it comes to hospitals, doctors and other treatment facilities. The main thing however is to make sure that you completely understand exactly what cover you are being provided with and how much it will cost before committing yourself to a plan. Source by Donald Saunders

You know that quilting makes you feel good, but now there’s scientific evidence to back up what you’ve always suspected-not only does quilting make you happy, it’s actually good for your health. Researchers at the University of Glasgow published their findings in the peer-reviewed Journal of Public Health after conducting qualitative research using a local quilting group as their source. The end result? “Quilting seemed to possess some distinct properties for enhancing well-being that would not be replicable through outdoor/physical activity.” In other words, that’s dry research speak for saying quilting gives you a workout you’re not going to find in your local step class. The biggest perk? When you’re happy and doing something you love, your brain gets saturated with dopamine and serotonin, otherwise known as happy chemicals-especially when you’re doing “meaningful work” using your hands. According to Kelly Lambert, PhD and a member of the neuroscience department at Randolph-Macon College, quilting complements these conditions perfectly. Get Healthy and a Stunning Quilt Next on the health benefits list is a decrease in stress levels. Dr. Lambert says quilters “feel a sense of accomplishment that increases your ‘reward chemicals’ and decreases the chemicals related to stress or anxiety.” Of course, lower stress levels are linked to a variety of good things from a lower risk of heart attack and stroke to lower body fat. In a time when stress levels are breaking through the roof for most people, who wouldn’t benefit from a little cultivation of mindfulness? If you’re more into quantitative proof, a clinical psychologist published research in the Journal of the American Medical Association showing evidence that quilting leads to decreased blood pressure, heart rate and respiration. Finally, according to Harvard neurologist Marie Pasinski, MD, quilting is a soother for the brain. The Glasgow research echoes these sentiments, with the participants saying that quilting was a (relatively) easy way to embrace creativity, and the use of different colors and textures gave them a “sense of wellbeing.” Straight from the Source The Glasgow participants specifically cited, time and again, bright colors and how they elevated their moods-particularly during those dreary British winters. Most of the group also said there was something captivating about quilting and that they got into a flow, much like a runner’s high. It’s relaxing and at least for a little while, their anxieties were put on the back burner. However, quilting also requires problem solving skills, like when new patterns and shapes are required. From newbies to quilt masters, everyone said that at some point they always find a new challenge. Finally, getting that tangible end result is a built-in reward that offers plenty of satisfaction and the feeling of achievement. During the social aspect of quilting as a group, the women said they felt inspired and all those compliments don’t hurt when it comes to getting a self-esteem boost. Quilting is “uniquely good for you” concluded researchers-a sentiment that’s obvious for quilters, but it’s quite the rush to get a nod from the world of academe (kind of like nailing that tumbling blocks pattern on your first try). Source by Jill Smith

If a penis came with an instruction manual, men would have no questions about the care and management of this very important tool. Unfortunately, the information men glean about the penis often comes through trial and error, and by the time men realize that they’ve been making mistakes, they have a significant amount of damage to overcome. It’s a tough penis care problem, but a penis health creme enhanced by acetyl L carnitine might help. Typical Damage The penis is lined with sensory cells that are designed to communicate directly with the brain. The slightest touch should set the skin humming with pleasure, and sustained contact might push a man right over the brink into intense bliss. This kind of buildup takes time, however, and young men tend to be impatient when it comes to pleasure. As a result, they might use a very tight grip during their masturbation sessions, and they might omit the use of lubricant altogether. Riding the line between pleasure and pain can be intense in the moment, but it can leave a significant amount of damage behind, including tiny tears at the surface. Skin damage like this is relatively easy to overcome, but beneath the skin, the nerves that supply the penis might also be abraded and damaged. Nerve Health The tissues that make up the nervous system are remarkably resistant to the healing process. People who have strokes, for example, might experience such a blow to the nervous system that their cells just never function in the same way in the future. Unless help is delivered in the right place at the right time, the damage could be permanent. Acetyl L carnitine can work directly on the tissues that make up the nervous system. This supplement works at the cellular level, boosting energy production and enhancing tissue repair. It’s a remarkable supplement, especially in terms of penis health, as it might help a man to reverse the damage he’s done through decades of improper wanking. Proper Dosing Health food stores and vitamin shops often sell acetyl L carnitine supplements in tablet form, which can allow people to pop pills in order to keep their tissues healthy and in line. While taking oral supplements like this might be a good idea for some people, this particular supplement can come with some nasty side effects that many might find distasteful. Oral acetyl L carnitine supplements are generally considered safe, but some people can experience: Nausea Vomiting Restlessness Fish-like odor to the breath and sweat These can be incredibly unpleasant effects, and they could keep some people from taking the medications that could help them. After just a few days of feeling queasy and smelling like fish, people might consider tossing out their supplements and leaving the idea of healing behind. A New Alternative A penis health creme might be revolutionary, in part, because it bypasses the digestive system altogether. If most of the negative side effects associated with this supplement are triggered by the passage of the pill through the stomach, a method of application that doesn’t use the stomach at all might keep all of the discomfort at bay. People could then continue to feel the benefit of this supplement without even thinking about leaving their treatments behind, all because they’re not requiring the digestive system to do the hard work of delivering the treatment where it’s needed. An effective penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) is designed to penetrate penile tissues in mere minutes, nourishing the cells with all of the vitamins and minerals they need in order to function properly. Quality products fortified with acetyl L carnitine could bring a man to a state of health he never dreamed of, as though he’d been following the owner’s manual to the letter, throughout his life. Source by John Dugan

Whether you are a professional ice skater, a toddler, a retiree, a student, or a housewife, you can get health benefits from ice skating. Being in itself an aerobic exercise just like walking, running, and swimming, it offers positive effects for your cardiovascular health. An advantage over running is that it is not as hard on your joints, as it is a low-impact exercise, unless you do jumps while ice skating. It makes heart muscles healthy, providing significant protection from coronary artery diseases and subsequent heart attacks. It also aids in weight loss, as one gets to burn 250 to 810 calories per hour with recreational ice skating, according to the U.S. Figure Skating Association webpage. Meanwhile, competitive skating uses up more calories, at 450 to 1,080 per hour of skating. Just to illustrate, a 68-kg man skating continuously for an hour burns as much calories as when he is running five miles in an hour. As with other sports activities, ice skating also improves ones endurance. Endurance builds when one maintains a constant, steady pace, over a longer period of time. It is important though that at the start, it is all right to settle for short distances, but over time, these have to be increased gradually so that endurance increases as well. Ice skating also improves muscle tone. When ice skating, the quadriceps and hamstrings are the leg muscles which do the most work, but many other muscles in the body work in concert with these leg muscles. The abdominal and back muscles also need to contract and relax in order to maintain an upright posture and balance. Mental fitness is also enhanced with ice skating, as it exercises ones mental control during the act. One needs to be very alert and aware during skating. It is a de-stressor and a form of relaxation for many individuals who use it as a means to break free from the stresses of life and work. The fresh air and sunshine in outdoor ice skating, as well as the company of family and friends, greatly help in unwinding from a long week of work and problems. Self confidence is definitely improved as well. The challenge of establishing full body control and balance brings pride when one is able to overcome these. It is very nice to see that adults are becoming more aware of their health, and that many have turned to ice skating to become physically fit. Gone are the days when only children were interested in moving and gliding on ice. Source by Drew Mers