Health Education: health and health care

Conserving our Resources and our Health

<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The information in the video below is related to <a href="http://yourhealtheducator.blogspot.com/#uds-search-results" target="_blank">previous posts</a> which regarded the over use of diagnostic tests and imaging.  In these past posts, the risks, inconvenience and costs associated with over use of tests was addressed. I encouraged you to ask your doctor this critical question:  What, if anything, will this test change about my treatment? </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation and Consumer Reports are behind the current initiative that you may have been hearing about and which is discussed in the NBC video.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am also linking you to <a href="http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/early/2012/03/30/jama.2012.476.full" target="_blank">an article in JAMA</a> which explains how this came to be - referencing many of the same issues that have been addressed here over the years.</span></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Lastly, this link takes you to the</span><a href="http://choosingwisely.org/" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" target="_blank"> ABIM website</a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> which has tips for patients and doctors on how to have the conversation for "</span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Choosing Wisely</i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">." </span></span><br /><br /><br /><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=10,0,0,0" height="245" id="msnbc63ce36" width="420"><param name="movie" value="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32545640" /><param name="FlashVars" value="launch=46958205^0^155389&width=420&height=245" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><embed name="msnbc63ce36" src="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32545640" width="420" height="245" FlashVars="launch=46958205^0^155389&width=420&height=245" allowscriptaccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object><br /><div style="background: transparent; color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-top: 5px; text-align: center; width: 420px;">Visit msnbc.com for <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #999 !important; color: #5799DB !important; font-weight: normal !important; height: 13px; text-decoration: none !important;">breaking news</a>, <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032507" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #999 !important; color: #5799DB !important; font-weight: normal !important; height: 13px; text-decoration: none !important;">world news</a>, and <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032072" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #999 !important; color: #5799DB !important; font-weight: normal !important; height: 13px; text-decoration: none !important;">news about the economy</a></div><div style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; color: #999999; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-top: 5px; text-align: center; width: 420px;"><br /></div><div style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; color: #999999; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-top: 5px; text-align: center; width: 420px;">  </div>You can go to the news clip at NBC <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#46958205" target="_blank">here </a>if you'd rather.

Conserving our Resources and our Health

The information in the video below is related to previous posts which regarded the over use of diagnostic tests and imaging. In these past...

6:41 PM

Americans Benefit from New Health Law

<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Last night I heard a politician say that Americans do not like the current health care policy known as the Affordable Care Act or ACA.  I do not think that is true.  </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Many people are already benefiting from the law which has not yet been fully implemented.  The law can save you money and <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB10001424052970203646004577215394166155830-lMyQjAxMTAyMDEwMTExNDEyWj.html?mod=wsj_share_email" target="_blank">this WSJ article</a> (yes the Wall St Journal) gives several examples.  Pay special attention to item 7 as it gives you the same advice that I offered here <a href="http://yourhealtheducator.blogspot.com/2009/06/cutting-health-care-costs.html" target="_blank">in 2009</a>!  Interestingly, I was also referring to a WSJ article in that post.  </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The WSJ article that pertains to the 2012 benefits is a nice accompaniment for this post, but the inspiration for today  was the statement from the politician.   </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Money is the focus of my response.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Does healthcare reform drive up health care costs or address them?  To answer that, or to begin a dialogue, let's consider what we are spending the money on.  We are treating chronic disease conditions - ones that once started after the age of 50 and now exist even in children.  So we are treating hypertension and diabetes across a person's life span.  People live longer, but not free of disease. It has been said that 75% of the 2.5 trillion spent on health care is related to chronic disease. We are spending money on treatment in general - instead of prevention which costs less in the end.  We are shelling out a great deal of money for screening, scanning and medicating.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I expect that the Americans that do not like the Affordable Care Act are the ones involved in private enterprises that profit from this waste.  It is with their millions and billions that they lobby congresspersons.  The congresspersons then tell US that we do not like the law.  The law that saves us money, mandates preventative care,  gets us a rebate if our insurance provider does not follow the rules and even addresses informed eating.  Well -I LIKE IT.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Read <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB10001424052970203646004577215394166155830-lMyQjAxMTAyMDEwMTExNDEyWj.html?mod=wsj_share_email" target="_blank">this article</a>.  It is not long or scientific. </span></span>

Americans Benefit from New Health Law

Last night I heard a politician say that Americans do not like the current health care policy known as the Affordable Care Act or ACA. I do...

8:06 PM

PPACA - Your Health Benefits

<br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was inspired to write today’s blog post after receiving an email from my health insurance company this morning. More on that email in a bit.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have very basic health insurance through a company that is affiliated with my university – because of the PPACA<span>  </span>(Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act)– they have to provide for <span style="font-size: small;">(no charge to me)</span> screenings that are recommended for my age and gender – mammograms and pap smears and if I wanted it, birth control.<span>   </span>This was not true before the law. (BTW – all companies have to pay for screening mammograms, not diagnostic ones, so beware)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">There are many parts of the new law that benefit people and I am concerned that the law could be appealed.<span>  </span>I believe that some of the problem is the stigma associated with this law because it is attributed to a democratic president.<span>  </span>In other words, it has a party affiliation – the kiss of death.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I sincerely, and most fervently wish that we would stop dismissing things out of hand because whatever it is (policy, law or issue) is accompanied by a party label-</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">These labels are doing us no good at all and I, for one, would like to see an end to them.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am registered to vote in my state – <b>of course</b>, but I am registered as unaffiliated and I AM – unaffiliated.<span>  </span>I do not have a loyalty.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I choose sides and evaluate issues or programs based on their substance, not on what president or congressperson is associated with them</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have great fear that many people discount things out of hand based on a misguided affiliation with or aversion to, a certain party (and much of the time people do not even know <i>why</i> they are a republican or democrat, much less what that party might have, at one time, stood for in general principal)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The very basic dichotomy is that democrats <span></span>want more government and republicans less –</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">However, in reality, it seems to depend on the type of government or government program one is referring to – </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Regardless, that is not the point I meant for today. <span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span></span>I just want to encourage people to know what they are aligning themselves with or against before being so adamantly for or against something –</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The PPACA does good things for a great many people (and some not good things) – but if the whole thing is appealed – a helluva lot of folks are going to miss the benefits they do not even know they are receiving.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you clink on <a href="http://www.healthcare.gov/law/features/65-older/medicare-preventive-services/index.html" target="_blank">this link </a>you will see some of the services that are provided to persons age 65 and older who have Medicare.<span>  </span>You can also search for preventative care for women or men, special services for children etc.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The email I got today was a notice that my plan would only cover elective abortions if I opted in for this coverage.<span>  </span>Interesting.<span>  </span>If I had more time I would look into that – I think it has something to do with an abortion law that passed in my state senate this year.<span>  </span>I am not a candidate for pregnancy, planned or other wise, so the issue doesn’t matter to me personally.<span>  </span>I won’t opt in for that coverage.<span>  </span>I can see where some women might.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is what the email actually says:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Effective January 1, 2012, if elected, your coverage under the System-Wide Student Health Insurance Plan will not include an Elective Abortion benefit unless you "opt-in" to include this benefit. This benefit option, if selected, applies to the 2012 Spring/Summer Semester. The inclusion of this benefit in the Plan does not change the premium amount.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">******************************</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think it unfortunate that I felt inspired to write this blog when the President was about to do his state of the union address because most people will be pissed off when they read this – but remember, the law –PPACA- is (or can be) a good one.<span>  </span>If you are going to complain about it – complain because you do not like <a href="http://www.healthcare.gov/law/features/index.html" target="_blank">what is in it</a>, not because you don’t like who voted for it.</span></div>

PPACA - Your Health Benefits

I was inspired to write today’s blog post after receiving an email from my health insurance company this morning. More on that email in a ...

8:35 PM

Health Education

Conserving our Resources and our Health

Americans Benefit from New Health Law

PPACA - Your Health Benefits

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