Tuesday

Health Care Myths, your thoughts and the 3 Bills

There are many lies and myths about health care reform so one of the best articles I read on Health Care Reform was by Karen Cheney on the AARP magazine so here it is. Please Read it!

Americans spend more on health care every year than we do educating our children, building roads, even feeding ourselves—an estimated $2.6 trillion in 2009, or around $8,300 per person. Forty-five million Americans have no health insurance whatsoever. These staggering figures are at the heart of the current debate over health care reform: the need to control costs while providing coverage for all. As John Lumpkin, M.D., M.P.H., director of the Health Care Group for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, says, "There is enough evidence that it is now time to do something and to do the right thing." The key is to focus on the facts—and to dispel, once and for all, the myths that block our progress.
Myth 1: "Health reform won't benefit people like me, who have insurance." Just because you have health insurance today doesn't mean you'll have it tomorrow. According to the National Coalition on Healthcare, nearly 266,000 companies dropped their employees' health care coverage from 2000 to 2005. "People with insurance have a tremendous stake, because their insurance is at risk," says Judy Feder, a professor of public policy at Georgetown University and a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank. What's more, in recent years the average employee health insurance premium rose nearly eight times faster than income. "Everyone is paying for health increases in some way, and it's unsustainable for everyone," says Stephanie Cathcart, spokesperson for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). "Reform will benefit everyone as long as it addresses costs."
“There are many ways to tackle our health care problem, but we will come up with a uniquely American solution.”
Myth 2: "The boomers will bankrupt Medicare." If you're looking to blame the rise in health care costs on an aging population, you'll have to look elsewhere. The growing ranks of the elderly are projected to account for just 0.4 percent of the future growth in health care costs, says Paul Ginsburg, president of the Center for Studying Health System Change. So why are health care costs skyrocketing? Ginsburg and others point to all those fancy medical technologies we now rely on (think MRIs and CT scans), as well as our fee-for-service payment system, in which doctors are paid by how many patients they see and how many treatments they prescribe, rather than by the quality of care they provide. Some experts say this fee-for-service payment system encourages overtreatment (see "Why Does Health Care Cost So Much?" from the July-August 2008 issue of AARP The Magazine).
Myth 3: "Reforming our health care system will cost us more." Think of health care reform as if it's an Energy Star appliance. Yes, it costs more to replace your old energy-guzzling refrigerator with a new one, but over time the savings can be substantial. The Commonwealth Fund, a New York City-based foundation that supports research on health care practice and policy, estimates that health care reform will cost roughly $600 billion to implement but by 2020 could save us approximately $3 trillion.
Myth 4: "My access to quality health care will decline." Just because you have access to lots of doctors who prescribe lots of treatments doesn't mean you're getting good care. In fact, researchers at Dartmouth College have found that patients who receive more care actually fare worse than those who receive less care. In one particularly egregious example, heart attack patients in Los Angeles spent more days in the hospital and underwent more tests and procedures than heart attack patients in Salt Lake City, yet the patients in L.A. died at a higher rate than those in Salt Lake City. (Medicare also paid $30,000 for the L.A. patients' care, versus $23,000 for the care of the patients with better outcomes in Salt Lake City.)
Myth 5: "I won't be able to visit my favorite doctor." Mention health reform and immediately people worry that they will have fewer options—in doctors, treatments, and diagnostic testing. The concern comes largely during discussions of comparative effectiveness research (CER): research on which treatments work and which don't. But 18 organizations in a broad coalition, including AARP, NFIB, Consumers Union, and Families USA, support CER—and believe that far from limiting choices, it will instead prevent errors and give physicians the information they need to practice better medicine. A good example: Doctors routinely prescribe newer and more expensive medications for high blood pressure when studies show that older medications work just as well, if not better. "There is a tremendous value in new technology, but in our health care system we don't weigh whether these treatments work," says Feder. "Expensive treatments replace less expensive ones for no reason."
Myth 6: "The uninsured actually do have access to good care—in the emergency room." It's true that the United States has an open-door policy for those who seek emergency care, but "emergency room care doesn't help you get the right information to prevent a condition or give you help managing it," says Maria Ghazal, director of public policy for Business Roundtable, an association of CEOs at major U.S. companies. Forty-one percent of the uninsured have no access to preventive care, so when they do go to the ER, "they are most likely going in at a time when their illness has progressed significantly and costs more to treat," says Lumpkin. Hospitals have no way to recoup the costs of treating the uninsured, so they naturally pass on some of those costs to their insured patients.
Myth 7: "We can't afford to tackle this problem now." We may be in the middle of a recession, but as Robert Zirkelbach, spokesperson for America's Health Insurance Plans, says, "the most expensive thing we can do is nothing at all." If we do nothing, the Congressional Budget Office projects that our annual health costs will soar to about $13,000 per person in 2017, while the number of uninsured will climb to 54 million by 2019. Already more than half of Americans say they have cut back on health care in the past year due to cost concerns. Roughly one in four of us say we put off care we needed, and one in five of us didn't fill a prescription. Clearly, the urgency is greater now than ever before.
Myth 8: "We'll end up with socialized medicine." Some experts favor a single-payer system similar to Medicare or the health program offered to federal-government employees. Yet all the proposals being discussed today would build on our current system, Feder says—which means that private insurers and the government are both likely to play roles. Says Lumpkin: "There are many ways to solve our health care problem, but we will come up with a uniquely American solution, and that solution will be a mixed public and private solution."
Karen Cheney is a Philadelphia-based writer who specializes in money and health care issues.
For black-and-white reprints of this article call 866-888-3723


HEALHCARE REFORM BILLS COMPARE

Lawmakers are working on three versions of proposals to overhaul the US Healthcare system.
Click on this link

www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/.../102872.htm

Here is a quick summary based on what I have read on what they are planning to do if the bills pass.

1. You will have to have health insurance.
You will be required on all bills to have health insurance or pay a penalty.

2. The Federal Government might help you pay for it
Both House and Senate bills have subsidy provisions if you can't afford to buy it.

3. Your employer might have to help out.
Employers might have to help you get coverage.

4. The most contentious part of these bills for health care reform is that the Government
might get into the insurance business.
Might is the big word here, because the public health insurance plan to provide competition to private insurance has lots of enemies. What is being considered as an option to replace it is the consumer run insurance cooperative.


PLEASE SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS, VIEWS, IDEAS WITH US. OUR TOWN FORUM WILL BE HELD ON OCTOBER 20TH AT 7PM.

Monday

Living Smart with Dr. Perry and Pain Management

This Sunday August 30th at 3pm, Dr. Bruce Perry shares the importance of human connections for children. Dr. Perry is one of the most nationally reknowned child psychiatrists. He is often called by the federal government to treat kids traumatized by such events as 9/11, the Branch Davidian standoff, the Columbine shootings and many of the cult movements in America. He is concerned as I am of what technology and our way of life is doing to our children, where they spend hours playing video games, watching TV or texting on their cell phones will little real human interaction. Kids need safe adult relationships and the more the merrier! As I heal from my breast cancer surgery, and even not being a child, I can say the adult relationships helped me more than I can say. I can't help but share that if it wasn't for the many, many friends and family who prayed for me, sent me cards, flowers, gifts, kind words, smiles and most importantly the greatest energy on the planet (LOVE), the darkest part of my journey would have never seen the light. I believe in angels, something good in everyone I meet as the ABBA song says and I have felt it. I feel I can now cope with anything.
I made the decision to share what is going on with me believe it or not from a place of empowerment, not my ego. It was not an easy decision to share something so personal but I felt that by sharing my information I could help other women. Here is what I would like to share this time around. If you have pain GET HELP! There are great pain specialists at MD Anderson and any hospital you may be undergoing treatment. I was diagnosed a few days after surgery with a neuropathic pain that could not be treated with simple drugs. I am so much better now but I did suffer needlessly for days. I also had a needle localization procedure that was quite painful for me and it did not need to be. Had I know what I learned from the pain specialist I would have demanded better pain management. I ask you to do the sam if you are going through it. Ask and you shall receive! Because of the pain meds, I can now start physical therapy. Before I could not move my arm because of the pain. I am lucky the medication worked finally. It took a while but I can tell you. It works. Stay positive and Believe things will get better. Miracles Happen.

Tuesday

Living Smart and Going Green

This season brings creativity and new ideas. Look for our going green segments on Living Smart. We have been very busy meeting many Houstonians who share a passion for doing good things for our planet. Our planet is being stripped of all of its natural resources and we cannot simply continue to take without giving something back. I am eager and excited to spread the word and share so many creative and innovative ways you can go green!

Going Green Tip of The Day:
Install low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators to save resources without sacrificing water pressure. An efficient shower head will save a family of four up to $285 per year. They can cost less than $15, and installing them couldn't be easier: they just screw on.

Monday

The Breast Cancer journey, My Dog and Health Care

I had my surgery. It lasted 5 hours, but when I woke up, I could handle the pain and the nausea and that was of most importance to me. I also learned they didn't find cancer in the lymph nodes which is extremely important since that is how the cancer spreads. As I wait for the pathology reports, I look back at whas was most difficult in the first part of the journey. I can honestly say the "not knowning" was the worst part. The second worst part was the waiting and finally some of the tests I had to undergo before surgery. Have I said that I am a very lucky woman time and time again? They found my cancer early, so I most likely won't die from it. I also have said, the breast cancer journey is a very personal lonely one at least for me. Don't get me wrong. I have so many dear friends and family members who have held my hand, my soul and my heart for weeks, but no one takes away that each time you have a test, a mammogram, a surgery, you are alone with your God or whatever you believe in.

I don't want to scare anyone because frankly, the experience is unique for every person. It so happens that I have a low threshold for pain. The day before my surgery I had to be injected with a local anesthetic so they could locate two needles where the surgeon was to operate. This is called a needle localization procedure. It was not fun. I cussed which is not like me and didn't do so well when they injected the dye but I must say this. The doctors and nurses at MD Anderson are amazing. Thanks to me they learned a few bad words in Spanish (When I cuss I do it in my first language) and they were patient and understanding and caring. I was embarrassed but never felt they didn't understand or made me feel like a fool. They held my hand and kept saying they were sorry. I would answer under my breath. You are saving my life so do what you must. I can take it but please humor me, let me scream!

The surgery results could not have been better. I had asked friends and family to pray for I believe in the power of prayer to heal. I know hundreds were praying for me. The cancer had not spread which makes my prognosis a wonderful one. I will never be able to thank enough those who did pray for me. These are the people who make my life worth living.

I was told before I went into surgery that my life would change forever. I didn't really understand what that meant. I still don't but I find that I am much more aware of what is really important to me. I don't believe in coincidences. I believe in miracles. The night before my surgery, my brother's dog which I considered my dog Athena decided that she was going to have a heart attack and die. I so loved that dog I can't tell you. I feel she waited for me to go through this and I was able to say goodbye to her at 8pm when I went home to bed (I said I loved her and that I would see her soon because I had to have major surgery) and she died at 11pm that night. I didn't find out until after surgery. I cried so hard because this dog had shown me the lessons of unconditional love and I had the priviledge to have her in my life 9 years. I feel she held off until I could handle it. Dogs and animals have so much to teach us. WE can be in a bad mood, or depressed or feel defeated but they never change around us. They continue to love us and accept us unconditionally. In her honor, I will try to be more like her. I will attempt to stop reacting to negative emotions brought on by others. I will wiggle my tail with happiness every day I see those I love and even those I don't like.

As I recover at home. I am reading all I can about health care, since we will have a town forum on October 13th on the topic. I am very dismayed at the misinformation that exists regarding reform. Whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, make sure you are getting accurate information. Health care will be one of the biggest challenges we face as a nation. Unfortunately, we seem to live in a time that few in government tend to have the ethics and integrity to face up to big interests. Get informed and let us know what you think. I am very lucky to have insurance but do I feel comfortable that 50 million Americans don't? No, because I could be one of them tomorrow. We are all interconnected. Next I will share what I have learned about diets and cancer. There is a lot we can do to prevent cancer in our lives. Knowledge is power.

Wednesday

MD Anderson Cancer Center, insurance and surgery

As I approach my surgical date, I would like to share some interesting lessons I have learned. First of all, yes, you need to know all about your insurance plan, because if you don't you will be facing unpleasant surprises. As I began to get bills every day from just the diagnostic tests I had, I realized I better get informed and empowered or else I would lose a lot of my savings. I got to talk to a woman who deals with insurance companies and hospitals so that the patient does not have to worry about it. I thought her services were useful and helpful in times like these. Her name is Jane P. Lehto, CSA, MRR Medical Reimbursement Resource. 713 526 0955. I had no idea services like these existed and I must say, it makes sense. There is too much pressure and tension in our lives when going through this and the last thing we want to think or should think about is insurance coverage. (Reminder our town forum on health care reform will be on October 13th so put it on your calendar.)
MD Anderson has a great patient advocacy office. These folks, who are hard working and very busy, preety much handle all your questions and try to help you with everything or anything you need. I suggest you make use of them and if you are in another hospital, assign someone to be your advocate. Someone you can talk to about everything that is happening to you. This has been an essential part of this journey.

I also suggest you get reading material that eases your anxiety. Read on your condition but also buy funny books and watch funny films. Laugh. It is great therapy. Remember, cancer is no longer a death sentence. It is a chronic disease. For most, if caught early, it is treatable and if it is not caught early, it is still treatable. It just takes longer and yes sometimes it can kill you but so can stress, heart disease and diabetes so don't lose faith. You do have to arm yourself with patience. That you will need in abundant doses.

I am very lucky. My surgeon is the chief of breast cancer surgery and she posesses a zen like quality. When she walks in the room, you feel a certain peace (sort of like the pope!) and then she has a sense of humor which really helps. I really liked her when she told me she operates while listening to Coldplay!

Her nurse is a hoot and highly knowledgable. I did ask if she believed in miracles and what would they do if they found nothing. She said, "we would worry" Well, by golly, I hope they will just have to worry!!!!

I have found that if I go to the hospital in a great mood, and I can lift the spirits of those around me it will make this journey so much more pleasant and worthwhile. I have learned that some personnel at Anderson are just plain tired, but when you smile at them and show them some compassion too, they appreciate it. Remember, they see people who are scared, sick and sad every day. They need some TLC too (tender loving care!) Finally, not everyone is as lucky as I am. I have an incredible family, awesome friends and the best medicine has to offer. It is my responsability to help those around me who don't. That may be one of the reasons I have to go through this. Keep me in your prayers!