HEALTHY BODIES

Thank you for reading..

2007-06-01T21:47:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

I have recently decided to discontinue this blog. I do love blogging, I am just ready to write about something else. I want to thank all of you who have read this blog and enjoyed its contents. I have began a new blog called the Daily Dump. Please visit me at dumpdaily.blogspot.com. Thank you for all your support.

So What's The Plan?

2007-05-15T19:36:00.000-07:00

Health Care U.S. Senator Barack Obama

I Love Barack Obama, let me say that first before I begin. I think having an outsider in White House would be a breath of fresh air. Someone who isn't completely hardened to his agenda and willing to move with the breeze would truly help the country grow.

The only thing I have a problem with is his plan for Health Care. Where is it? I remember Obama saying he would have a plan ready to present in a few weeks. I know he appeals to generation X and Y, but some of us are intelligent. We actually care about the details. I think Obama may have forgotten, and I understand he's busy. But, I think that was April he promised to have a plan to present soon, but I am still trying to find this article. Clinton has a plan, Edwards has a plan, what is Obama's plan?

Sorry...

2007-05-15T19:11:00.000-07:00

Sorry I've been away for a while, but do not worry. I am still keeping up this fight to point out the problems and the need for reform in health care. I'm back and ready to fight.

Doctors push law on clinics in stores | Chicago Tribune

2007-05-06T21:07:00.000-07:00

Doctors push law on clinics in stores Chicago Tribune

Another reason why we need health reform. Many retail chains such as Walgreen's, CVS Pharmacy and Wal-Mart have clinics inside their stories. These clinics are staffed by Nurse Practitioners and Physician's Assistants. The Illinois State Medical Society believes that patients are at risk because these centers are not staffed with doctors. Although Illinois State Medical Society may feel it is protecting patients, many of the patients who go to these clinics cannot afford health insurance.

Hospital group recommends discounts for uninsured | Chicago Tribune

2007-05-06T21:06:00.000-07:00

Hospital group recommends discounts for uninsured Chicago Tribune

Wisconsin, has a new approach to the health care crisis. The Wisconsin Hospital Association is asking hospitals to offer discounted rates to uninsured patients. This initiative began when an uninsured patient filed a complaint with one hospital after being charged higher rates than insured patients. The patient took this incident to Wisconsin Attorney General who filed charges against the facility. The Wisconsin Hospital Association is also asking that bills of $100,00, be forgiven for patient making less than $50,000 a year.

The City that Works...Is Broken

2007-05-02T15:50:00.000-07:00

Sad goodbyes follow layoffs at hospital | Chicago Tribune

How would you feel if you scheduled an appointment for much needed surgery, waited over a year only to be told its canceled and you need to go to another facility? You would probably feel as these Provident Hospital patients feel, devastated. Not only are these patients feeling it, but the physicians and nurses laid off due to the Cook County budget cuts are also feeling of the cuts as well. Many Provident hospital's patients have been referred to Stroger Hospital. The waiting list for an appointment at Stroger hospital is six months, and surgery over a year.

"The county health system's interim head, Dr. Robert Simon, defended the elimination of Provident's orthopedic division. Only 333 orthopedic surgeries were performed there last year -- a volume that can be handled at Stroger, he said." - Chicago Tribune.

Provident's Orthopedic division saw over 6,000 patients.

Free Bad for You?

2007-05-01T17:35:00.000-07:00

Free Drug Samples? Bad Idea, Some Say - New York Times

Providers think they are helping patients save money when they give out free medication samples to patients. According the to New York Times, these samples are usually for expensive medications that patients may eventually need to pay for. Providers rely on the word of sales representatives for information about these medications. According to the article, representatives are usually inaccurate when giving information about medications and usually speak in favor of the medication they represent. Patients also need to be aware that sample medications may not treat their ailment as well as the older medications.

Just some food for thought the next time you get a medication sample from your doctor.

No one said reform would be easy.....

2007-04-30T18:23:00.000-07:00

As Health Plan Falters, Maine Explores Changes - New York Times

Maine is reforming its health care plan. Although their plan offers health care for many of those in need, the demand was greater then anticipated. There are thousands of people who do not receive the proper medical treatment for serious aliments. And Maine has just learned that their reform program needs to be adjusted to accommodate these patients.

Is Health Reform a state problem?

2007-04-29T17:31:00.000-07:00

Whittier Daily News - Health reform gaining steam

While Governor Schwazengger gathers support for his health reform plan, he ignores the concerns of some groups who feel the plan maybe too expensive. But Schwazengger, is committed to making California one of the first states to insure everyone. He is motivated by the millions of uninsured voters, who need health care and is unwilling to check the details.

State governors are tackling a federal problem at the state level. This is new territory for many governors elected today. Many states are considering reform bills for their health care systems. Why hasn't the federal government taken notice of this problem? If any one's job should be based on the state of health care in this country, it should be the president's.

2007-04-24T20:52:00.000-07:00

In the past couple of days I have seen many articles on how cuts in Health Care services can hurt a community. This is especially the case in poor communities. Brooklyn is dealing with this problem now. Budget cuts have closed many local hospitals in Brooklyn. Lack of community health care creates a health care black hole where serious health care issues are neglected.

2007-04-21T15:01:00.000-07:00

Check out Joe Biden's plan to reform health care. His plan, he admits, is borrowed from John Kerry's health plan. I don't think I heard an established plan. I know, I'm jaded but check it out anyway.

The Medicare Privatization Scam - New York Times

2007-04-21T09:59:00.000-07:00

The Medicare Privatization Scam - New York Times

Medicare plans that can actually save the government money? Well according to an editorial in the New York Times, the government pays private medicare management companies huge subsidizes to help manage medicare patients. These providers are then able to charge their clients lower rates while offering the same service and paying the doctors and hospitals the same rates that they get under medicare.

Who knew, the government has a plan to help people save money on health insurance, they just don't know how to distribute it to the masses.

MY MOVIE!

2007-04-17T21:52:00.000-07:00

This is my movie, I had to make some corrections. Check it out and tell me what you think.

Is it really that great?

2007-04-17T20:29:00.000-07:00

Illinois Health Connect
I feel confused about Illinois Health Connect, the new statewide plan in Illinois. It is supposed to help the millions of Illinoisans receive health coverage. However understanding the double talk and vague language of this plan makes me suspicious. Not to mention that many hospitals are not accepting new patients under the states plan and are virtually freezing out Medicaid patients. But please if I am over reacting prove me wrong.

Mental patients torment elderly in nursing home | Chicago Tribune

2007-04-13T20:55:00.000-07:00

Mental patients torment elderly in nursing home Chicago Tribune

Apparently downstate nursing homes in Illinois have begun to allow younger and violent physic patients into elderly nursing homes. Because of a change in the laws more and more nursing have allowed more physic patients to live among the elderly. The results have been disastrous.

In East Peoria, the police finally raided one nursing home after receiving an overwhelming number of calls for help, almost 50 in the month of January. During the raid the police arrested two patients who had outstanding warrants for their arrests and were considered 'armed and dangerous'.

Health reform issue hits home :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Health

2007-04-13T20:48:00.000-07:00

Health reform issue hits home :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Health

A mother with a sick child sings the praises of Illinois All Kids program, and recalls the fighting she and her now ex-husband did with insurance companies to maintain coverage for her special needs child. Lack of health care coverage does not just effect poor families, but working and middle class families as well.

"That's why it's time for working- and middle-class families benefiting from Blagojevich's health care reform legacy to step up and let their legislators know whose side we need them on. Illinois Covered will make a difference in the lives of 1.4 million hardworking Illinoisans." - Chicago Tribune

Who's Paying More?

2007-04-11T16:22:00.000-07:00

Health-cost burden sometimes varies by gender | Chicago Tribune

Well now, an article noticing that all health care is not fair.

"High-deductible plans punish women for having breasts and uteruses and having babies," said Dr. Steffie Woolhandler, the study's lead author.- Chicago Tribune

When women have to pay for birth control but Viagra is fully covered for men, you know there is a problem. I don't believe this problem will be solved by Universal Health Care, but through evaluating the needs of both men and women and then making allowances accordingly.

Treating Mental health with jail.....

2007-04-07T08:39:00.000-07:00

Homeless woman indicted in fire that killed 4 :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Metro & Tri-State

Two or three weeks ago this woman set a fire in a North Side apartment building killing four people. The woman claimed she was trying to warm her feet when the fire started. Thanks to our 80's President, many mentally ill patients now walk among us without treatment. These people need access to treatment, not prision time. I hope when this is all said and done, this woman will be evualated and recieve treatment for whatever ails her.

County ending hospital's long-term care services :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Metro & Tri-State

2007-04-07T08:38:00.000-07:00

County ending hospital's long-term care services :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Metro & Tri-State

Cook County Board President, John Stroger, strikes again. This time he is ending long term care services at Oak Forest Hospital. Two hundred and twenty patients are being asked to find other sources for their long term care. The families of these patients are being told to explore their options available through social service programs.

The county has been cutting funding to all of their programs that assist citizens in County County, including resources used by social services. So.......how can these families ask social services for help if their resources are limited? Just wondering.

Another sad case for Health Care Reform

2007-04-04T05:55:00.000-07:00

Doc survived, uninsured patient didn't - Yahoo! News

Dr. Perry Klaassen, is a survivor of Colon Cancer for the past six years. He recently wrote an article regarding care for cancer patients. This article was not about his own care, but about the plight of the uninsured. His patient, Shirley Searcy, had the same exact cancer as Klaassen. She died 18 months after being diagnosed. Dr. Klaassen's essay appears in the Journal of the American Medical Association. How many people have to die the way Ms. Searcy did before health care reforms are in place?

States Driving Health Reforms - washingtonpost.com

2007-04-01T22:03:00.000-07:00

States Driving Health Reforms - washingtonpost.com

Pennsylvania is the latest in a number of states trying to solve the problem of health care for their citizens. So far Massachusetts, Vermont and Main have adopted universal health care programs with California and Illinois soon to follow. According to this article in Sunday's Washington Post, these states universal health care initiatives are in response to the federal governments lack of action on the issue of health care in this county.

Drew Altman, CEO of the Kaiser Family Foundation, is very optimistic about these initiatives, "We can't reform state by state, but a handful of pace setting states can help show the way for national reform, if in fact a new president and Congress can get their act together in 2009."

Some Hospitals Call 911 to Save Their Patients - New York Times

2007-04-01T21:50:00.000-07:00

Some Hospitals Call 911 to Save Their Patients - New York Times

Here is another example of Medicaid abuse. Doctor's who set up specialized hospitals, are able to pick and choose the types of procedures they will treat. According to the New York Times these procedures are usually very expensive. This would be great if they could be considered full service hospitals. If an emergency arises as in the case with one patient, Steve Spivey, this type of hospital is not equipped to handle an emergency situation.

This recently occurred in Texas. Mr. Spivey began to experience irregular breathing and the staff called 911 because they did not have the equipment to handle such an emergency. The paramedics inserted a breathing tube, and Mr. Spivey was taken to a full service hospital where he died a short time after arriving. The Texas hospital that called 911 is now barred from treating Medicaid and Medicare patients.

The doctors who setup specialized hospitals defend themselves by saying, that because they are concentrating only on certain procedures they are providing better care for their patients. The inability to handle a medical emergency when a patient is in distress, does not sound like quality health care to me.

The President pays a visit......

2007-03-31T05:11:00.000-07:00

ALARAB ONLINE Display Page

The President visited Walter Reed health center and apologized for the conditions of the center today. The report said it was the first time he had personally visited the center since the scandal of conditions there broke. The president and the firs lady did visit the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in December, but I am sure the President was shielded from the conditions of the center that were reviled by the Washington Post.

I can't contain my anger. The president apologizing for the treatment of America's service men makes me angry WHY? It's the president's fault that their over there! So after a month of charges, resignations, and special reports on wounded troops , he comes and says I am sorry. Sorry for what! For having them in Iraq where Americans are targeted daily, guarding oil? I can't began to understand our President. But I want to support our troops they are our most distinguished citizens in my opinion, and I hope we bring them home soon.

Candidates Outline Ideas for Universal Health Care - New York Times

2007-03-29T17:06:00.000-07:00

Candidates Outline Ideas for Universal Health Care - New York Times

Check out this article. It gives you an idea of the Universal Health Care plans presidential hopefuls are proposing. At least these hopefuls have an idea what could be done. What is our President doing?

HILLCast

2007-03-27T22:12:00.000-07:00

Hillary outlines her plan for health care very vaguely in this web cast. I appreciate her approach but I don't like the fact she gives us no strategy on how she is going to present a plan for universal health care. Didn't she and Bill try before without success? I need facts to make me believe she can do it this time.

Protecting Our Seniors

2007-03-27T22:01:00.000-07:00

Aged, Frail and Denied Care by Their Insurers - New York Times

The New York Times recently did a piece highlighting the problems with insurers paying the claims of their for the terminal ill patients. According to this article insurers will do everything including sending incorrect forms to patients, to deny their claims. According to the article:

“The bottom line is that insurance companies make money when they don’t pay claims,” said Mary Beth Senkewicz, who resigned last year as a senior executive at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. “They’ll do anything to avoid paying, because if they wait long enough, they know the policyholders will die.”

This article highlights the reason insurance companies need to be regulated. Universal Health care would allow people to choose insurance plans that may protect them from this type of abuse.

Total away from the subject....

2007-03-21T21:38:00.000-07:00

Tonight I was able to converse with other blogger. It helped me realize why I blog, to make sure these tidbits of information are chronicled for everyone to see. My goal with this blog is to inform as many people about the plight of the uninsured and the need for reform. My counterparts, are blogging about everything under the sun. The thing we have in common, we are passionate about our topics. Dedicated to getting the new that is being missed out there.

Medicare Still Pays Doctors Who Owe Back Taxes - New York Times

2007-03-20T05:05:00.000-07:00

Medicare Still Pays Doctors Who Owe Back Taxes - New York Times

Many doctors are collecting money from the government while owing millions in back taxes. These doctors are receiving hefty payments from Medicare for services they are providing to patients however they cannot seem to find time to pay their taxes. NBC news reported that Medicare is currently working to correct these problems. The question is how long have they been working on the problem? Has the work been on going or did it begin with the story broke?

Fraud Gone Wild.................

2007-03-17T13:58:00.000-07:00

1st arrest made in Medicare fraud case

Thursday in Detroit, Shafrulla Hanif Abdul was charged by federal agents with one count of executing a scheme to defraud a health care benefit program. Abdul worked under the names, Hand-On Rehab Services Inc. and M&M Management Inc. His scheme was a follows:

"According to an FBI affidavit, Abdul paid Medicare recipients hundreds of
dollars to provide their Medicare ID numbers and repeatedly put their signatures
on blank sheets of paper. Abdul sold the fraudulent documents to companies that
billed Medicare for hundreds of thousands of dollars, and possibly millions, in
physical therapy services that were never performed, the complaint alleges. "

Special Agent Elna Marchi-Woznak, head of the FBI's Health Care Fraud squad in Detroit was interviewed and stated that this type of fraud is out of control. This case is considered to be the first of a series of indictments that will be handed out for complex, multimillion-dollar schemes across Metro Detroit that bilk Medicare through fraudulent billing.

Although I am not a fan of Big Brother, intervention is needed to ensure these programs for the poor are safe guarded from this type of abuse.

Wild

One of the Options......

2007-03-15T19:25:00.000-07:00

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Metro & Tri-State :: The mother of all judgments: $334 million

Amerigroup Illinois and Amerigroup Corp was paid by Illinois to provide medicaid. The company turned in by their Vice President, Cleveland A. Tyson, would avoid insuring "unhealthies" and third trimester pregnant women. AmeriGroup was doing was this with dollars paid to them by Federal Government to take care of the poor. According to the charges, AmeriGroup used this money to line their own pockets. These people were trusted with taking care of the poor and decided to save money instead by denying services to those who needed it the most. I hope the government is taking notes. Who's to say how many other organizations are committing fraud?

Medication Errors Are Studied - New York Times

2007-03-13T19:59:00.000-07:00

Medication Errors Are Studied - New York Times

These mistakes are just another example of how the federal health care system needs to be examined closely before new protocols are introduce . This article published in the New York Times clearly illustrates how these programs need more supervision.

Another group targeted.......

2007-03-13T19:41:00.000-07:00

Lacking Papers, Citizens Are Cut From Medicaid - New York Times

This article in the New York Times discusses how enforcement of the tougher measures to qualify for medicaid, will affect millions of illegal aliens who rely on these programs to care for their families. I am hoping that when the dust settles, care for illegal aliens will be included in the plan for health care in this country.

2007-03-09T20:13:00.000-08:00

I know this is an exaggeration of how companies can wreck havoc on their employees life through their Health insurance, but this is too funny to pass up.

Red Tape

2007-03-09T19:35:00.000-08:00

Family caught in maze over Medicare plan Chicago Tribune

This piece by Chicago Tribune Columnist, Jon Yates, demonstrates the experience of millions of seniors registering for different Medicaid plans. These programs developed to help America's seniors only continues to be a point of frustration and worry for many who try to use these programs.

At least this son, who was handling his mother's prescription drug plan, was able to receive support from Blue Cross Blue Shield. Many patients on Medicare have a difficult time getting answers about their health care but must continue to work with the system because it is all they have.

I hope that while our politician's fight over plans to take care of America's citizens, that they have thought of ways to reduce the bureaucratic red tape.

A Face to Match the Cause

2007-03-07T17:13:00.000-08:00

Without Health Benefits, a Good Life Turns Fragile - New York Times

The New York Times recently did an important piece, putting a face to the issue of uninsured Americans. Ms. Readling is part of a growing group of uninsured Americans, the self-employed. Why is a middle class business woman without insurance? She began to shop around for new insurance in early 2005, she was then diagnosed with Cancer. Ms. Readling discovered that her Cancer increased her health insurance premiums to amounts she could not afford. Currently, uninsured, she rations her cancer medication to four times a week, when the medication should be taken daily, because it costs her $ 300 to get her prescription filled. Worst of all she avoids treatments that could save her life because she can't afford to pay for them.

The President's Plan for Health Care

2007-03-07T16:23:00.000-08:00

Two woman on CNBC debate the president's Health Care plan. His approach is free market health care. It would allow people to have money toward choosing their own health care. However, employers feel this would jeopardize their efforts to supply health care to their employees.

2007-03-05T12:51:00.000-08:00

This is a promotional video for California One-Care. It explains how this system will help the state's citizens pay for health care.

ABC News: NY Gov. wants health care to get extra $575 mln

2007-03-02T21:16:00.000-08:00

ABC News: NY Gov. wants health care to get extra $575 mln

New York has taken the first steps toward improving health care for its citizens. Upon approving their new budget, the legislature has added an extra $575 million from tax revenue designated specifically for health care. As more states take on the health care crises, perhaps the federal government will began to observe their progress and adapt them toward the national plan.

John Edwards Plan

2007-02-24T13:43:00.000-08:00

Check out what John Edward's has planned for America if Elected President. He talks about Universal Health Care and other topics. I have to admit, I did get lost in what he was describing, but at least he has an idea of what to do about the future of health care in this country.

Check the Facts........

2007-02-24T13:26:00.000-08:00

Medicare Hot Air - FactCheck.org

Check out this article on Fact Check.org. The site points out the flaws in both the Republican and Democratic plans for Universal Health Care.

'Both sides are blowing hot air. A number of experts, including the Congressional Budget Office and the chief actuary of the Medicare system, say the bill won't bring the lower prices Democrats promise. And contrary to the Republican claim, the actual language of the bill grants no price-setting authority to federal officials. '- FactCheck.org

Self Preservation

2007-02-19T15:30:00.000-08:00

Who's side are they on?

When I am searching for information for you guys Insurance News always pops up. Their intent is to help shed light on the effects of Universal Health care on business owners and the insurance industry. Their point of view is not positive, as they point out these changes would effectively destroy the insurance industry, regulate drug companies and increase the taxes for everyone to pay for the health coverage. Call me crazy, but I can't help but see these changes as positive. Although this website tries to come off as unbiased, you can clearly tell who they represent.

Well, look who's interested !?

2007-02-19T15:26:00.000-08:00

Bush Takes Notice

Ladies and Gentleman of the jury, please don't curse our president to loudly. Since the midterm elections, our president realizes that his legacy is in jeopardy. Now he is willing to work with Democrats to find a solution to the health care crisis in this country. Even though this was a problem when he took office EIGHT YEARS AGO. The citizens of the United States must realize the president was too busy vacationing, starting wars, vacationing, you know the usual. I am just happy to see our president trying to right a wrong. (Beware the president who has to clean up his mess)

Why Universal Health Care?

2007-02-12T09:06:00.000-08:00

America,the land of the free home of the brave, is our slogan. However, America has a problem providing health care for all its citizens. According to a Kaiser Commission report published in January 2007, there are nearly 1.3 million people under age 65 are living in America without health care.

This an alarming number of individuals who cannot seek help for the beginning stages of cancer, heart disease and numerous other aliments. State governments have taken it upon themselves to provide affordable state funded health care plans. The federal government, however continues to ignore the problem.

The presidential candidates running for president in 2008 are now proposing Universal Health Care as a solution to the countries health care crisis. But who benefits most from this initiative, the citizens of America or big business?