Health Care Excessive Costs

I just recently went to the doctor for numbness in my hand. Thought I had carpal tunnel syndrome - NO - I have cubital tunnel syndrome, from the tunnel in the elbow instead. Yes it was a "specialist" I went to, not the average doctor. Just got a bill today for what I owe the doctor - not too bad at $53. I paid a $40 copay at the door. THEN - I looked at the REST of the statement. I spent just over an hour with this doctor, and the bill was about $3800 dollars!!! Yep it's nice that I only had to cover $93 dollars of that - but WTF? I figured out the numbers - if a doctor can see 5 patients a day at $3800 per hour or so given lunch hour - note time - in and out time - etc...that's $19,000 per day income. Given an average 20 day work month allowing for off time, holidays, etc...that's $380,000 per month income to an office. Yep there's rent, there's paying the salaries of say 5 people (2 nurses for a large office, 2 office staff, and 1 dedicated to filing insurance claims). How much do you figure a doctor's office employee makes - obviously the nurses more, but office staff...how much? I'm a business owner and I employ 22 people - OURSELVES included as owners. Our insurance premiums are HUGE because of a small group. I feel BADLY that I went to a specialist to fix my elbow problem - and I know for every dollar spent at a doctor's office, our premiums go up or down reflecting who uses the policy. Just IMAGINE when someone has to have a surgery or a catastrophic event befalls them...what that does to our premiums - and we all split the costs evenly. We as employers pay half and HALF of all dependents - it's STILL INSANE! A guy with a wife and a couple of kids is looking toward $800-$1000 per month! I manage to draw a nice salary, I employ 22 people - NOBODY in our companies makes less than $14 per hour, and the producers make over $20 - some up toward $30 per hour. WE NEVER HAVE $380,000 PER MONTH IN GROSS INCOME!!! Between 3 companies employing 22 people and 14 of those 22 are PRODUCERS, not like ONE doctor in an office that produces alone - we're lucky to maybe have between us all even close to that kind of gross income. Health care is INSANELY EXPENSIVE! Do the math! Large companies can employ hundreds of people. Back in my gaming days I worked for a company with 2800 employees - MY ENTIRE FAMILY was covered with lower co-pays and a premium of about $200 per month. WTF? Our current health care system is SCREWED UP! The government is certainly no answer - they can't even read a bill before they vote on one! I'd love to hear your thoughts...give me YOUR opinions on how we can stop the madness before the Government attempts to do it for us!

Regenerative Medicine - Grow Your Own Organs

Imagine being very ill and needing an organ transplant, but being able to grow your own new organ! Regenerative Medicine is taking on a very real turn for the better. The following video is unbelievable, phenomenal, outrageous,…is there a word big enough for this possibility? Original CBS story here. The McGowan Institute in Pittsburgh, PA, and the Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia, PA are front runners in the development of this mystical miraculous possibility. The technology has already been used successfully to grow back the fingertip of a man who lost his fingertip in a work accident. Two other people have received bladder growing cells instead of transplants. The military is especially interested in this technology for burn victims, and limb losers from our war. For once, money was well spent on government grants and medical advancement. I was amazed by the possibilities!

Pfizer Fires Dr. Jarvik From Lipitor Commercial

Pfizer drug giant bends over at the mere suggestion of impropriety by nitwit House Democrats. This is a prime example of our government butting in where they have no business. After the liberal media MSNBC reporter Robert Bazell wrote an article in March, 2007 suggesting that Dr. Robert Jarvik did not have the credentials to be the spokesperson for Pfizer’s mega-drug Lipitor, a ball started rolling that would eventually roll up Jarvik’s back and take off his head. And, after House Democrats Bart Stupak and John Dingell “put out the contract for the hit”, Pfizer (that originally thought Jarvik was a cool guy) just said, “Uh…OK…Duh, we didn’t mean to put an idiot on TV.” Well, let’s explain this from a Conservative point of view, a view that doesn’t need our government interfering in our television commercials (that we usually fast forward through anyway). Dr. Robert Jarvik attended medical school. He did not pursue the typical internship or residency that practicing Drs do. He later received a medical degree, and also has a Masters degree in medical engineering. Even on his website, he declares that he is a medical scientist that has been in the field of artificial hearts for 36 years, and does not practice clinical medicine or treat patients in a private practice. GEE, he ONLY invented the artificial heart. EVERYBODY KNOWS that an artificial heart is at best a temporary life sustainer until VERY sick people might be able to get a donor heart, or to prolong the life of patients that cannot get a donor heart due to their age. Computers have proven that an artificial brain is possible, so if artificial hearts could last for many years, we could have androids. Jarvik’s heart is an amazing discovery. It has helped a lot of people. Some patients lasted only 12 hours, some as much as 620 days, even though miserable days. But for those that want or need to tie up loose ends, wait for a possible donor, the technology is amazing. Even the gory details of the artificial heart are a better alternative than certain immediate death. Why isn’t Dr. Jarvik the perfect spokesperson for a TV commercial on cholesterol lowering drugs? By the way, when Michael Jackson (the child molester) was advertising Pepsi…did you drink Pepsi because you thought after drinking it you could “Moon Walk”, or did you like the soda? Nobody that takes Lipitor keeps swallowing the pills because Mr. Robert Jarvik said to do so. Only your Democratic liberals that want to be in control of you want you to think that. Did you think when you saw one of the Slutkateers Paris Hilton biting into a Carl’s Jr. hamburger that you might get a date if you went through the drive through and purchased one? NO…you like the $6 Dollar Burger (that doesn’t cost $6), and THAT’S why you buy them. Where’s the outrage coming from House democrats stating that “the government must hold an investigation” to keep child molesters and whorelike people from advertising our products that we consume into our bodies? There aren’t any. As there should have been none in this case with Lipitor and Dr. Jarvik. Pfizer aristocrats are Pfussies! They should have told the libs to back off and deal with problems more suited for Congress. Leave medicine to people with degrees in medicine. I’d rather have Dr. Jarvik representing any medication I’m taking before I’d worry about the opinion of a Democrat in the House of Representatives whose salary by the way is paid with MY TAX DOLLAR.

Personal Safety And Protection

The fact that two Reno people, Doug Henry and Brianna Denison are missing, and the fact that a yet unidentified female body was found in tall grass today in Reno, NV keeps it all on our minds that the crazies are out there, and we all have to be very diligent about our personal safety. I recently received a personal e-mail from Chief Dan Trelka of the Sturgeon Bay, WI police department. Chief Trelka has a blog dedicated to Personal Safety and Protection. Dan Trelka has a BA in police science, a BS in criminal justice administration, and an MBA in organizational behavior. He is a graduate of the FBI Academy, a Marine Corp veteran, and has been in law enforcement for over 20 years. His belief is that if his blog saves one life, then it is material published that has served a grand purpose. I encourage you to look it over, and be ever mindful of your own actions and how you run about life. We certainly don’t need to run around scared, we just need to run around smart. Thanks Dan, I appreciate the e-mail and your concern for our community. Some good links on his site are as follows: From The Criminal Date Rape Sex Offender Registries Personal Safety Basics Identity Theft Predator Internet Safety ALWAYS Be Aware of Your Surroundings Personal Safety for Children Personal Safety Gadgets / Tools Helpful Links True Crime Story #1 True Crime Story #2 Safety Articles

Restless Leg Syndrome - Liberal Media - What's Wrong With Our Country

OK…I’m just trying to relax tonight and play a quick game or two of Phlinx on Pogo Games before I dive into bed tired and exhausted from yet another day of business, errands, ad deadlines, quarterly taxes, crap still to do floating around in my head, etc. It’s 10:30pm here in Reno, and I JUST finished all the “shit I HAVE to finish” before tomorrow that started at about 7:30 this morning. I’m enjoying a bit of “silence” while the TV is still playing in the background and hubby just went off to bed. Ahhhh, my favorite time of day as a wife and mother. The businesses are closed, the kids are all safe, the husband is resting peacefully…MY TIME. I’m sitting here shooting my little Phlinx balls around on my game, and out of the “corner of my ear”, I hear a commercial on TV. I would call it an epiphany, but an epiphany is something that is supposed to be mind boggling…this wasn’t…it was just yet another DUH reminder of what is wrong with this country and the Neocon Liberal Media that is poisoning us at our very being. RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME: Is it real? Hell…I don’t know. If it’s real, then I feel for those suffering from it, but for God’s sake I hope those inflicted aren’t looking toward the makers of the cure for answers! We’ve all heard or seen the Restless Leg Syndrome commercials. I suppose your leg just goes nuts (a leg on crack) and it’s bothersome enough to disrupt sleep, work, thought, etc. Well, they have a pill for it. Don’t ask me what the pill is…don’t know; don’t care for the purpose of this rant. I’ve seen the past commercials, and as with all new cures…the list of “side effects” of the medications are enough for most folk to just suffer with the disease. I SHIT YOU NOT…on the Restless Leg Syndrome commercial that just came on my TV…as they were talking about the side effects of whatever pill fixes it, they said, “If you find yourself having the urge to gamble excessively, drink too much, etc…(paraphrased)”, contact your physician. Are you shitting me? If it’s even a condition to have an erratic leg…what does gambling have to do with it? Is it that tweaking fellow or gal at the poker machine tapping their leg up and down excessively because they are watching their entire rent check going down a nickel or penny slot machine constitute Restless Leg Syndrome? I think it’s more like the condition my leg is going to have after I shove my restless foot up some dumb asses arse! The crap they put on TV… Now I have a headache, I must run down to Longs Drugs or Wal-Mart and see if I can find some of that wonderful Head-On… I promise not to gamble (yes, we have slot machines at drug stores here in Reno)…

Natural Balance NEW PET FOOD RECALL

I have been following the various pet food recalls, and today Natural Balance has initiated yet another pet food recall. THIS TIME, it involves DRY FOOD for both DOGS and CATS. Below is the notice issued today from Natural Balance. For complete lists of other recalls, check HERE and HERE. NOTICE from Natural Balance 4/16/2007: We are receiving consumer complaints regarding the Venison & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food, and Venison & Green Pea Dry Cat Foods. We do not know what is wrong with the food at this time, but we have heard that animals are vomiting and experiencing kidney problems. Please discontinue feeding all Venison and Brown Rice Dry Dog Food, and Venison and Green Pea Dry Cat Food. We are working closely with the FDA.

Spine & Sports - New York Chiropractor

ATTENTION NEW YORKER’S IN PAIN… Having raised an athlete that also suffers from mild narcolepsy…I truly understand how important a great facility is to successful treatment of sports injuries, or sleep disorders. Spine & Sports located in Midtown Manhattan is an upscale facility treating everything from basic chiropractic issues, to involved treatment of headaches, sports medicine, and sleep disorders. If you live in New York City, or surrounding areas, check out this New York Chiropractor today. Get some long needed relief! This post sponsored by Spine & Sports.

Get White - Get Bright - EveryDentist.com

SMILE! – Show me those pearly whites. Oh, you don’t have pearly whites? If you’ve never tried out cosmetic dentistry, don’t wait any longer. I finally purchased the products for teeth whitening, and with regular use, it works like a charm. Cosmetic dentists (and many general dentists) will have you make an appointment and take an exact impression of your upper and lower teeth. They will make a mold for you, and give you a bleaching substance for you to fill the mold with. At home, every other day, you will fill the mold and place the bleaching material in your mouth and leave it for at least 2-4 hours. Many people just sleep with them in for longer lasting results. The bleaching substance doesn’t taste bad, and in a couple of weeks, you can really tell the difference. Check out the dentist directory at EveryDentist.com and search out a dentist in your area. I found several dentists from Reno listed here. Get white, get bright!

Find Counseling In Your Area

FindCounseling.com (Formerly TherapistFinder.net) has launched a new site keeping with their tradition of service since 1996. It’s EASY AND PRIVATE to find a competent therapist in your area. Browse many articles and reviews on various mental health issues. Find Denver Therapists, and see the concentration on the local areas of Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Miami, and Philadelphia. Skip the unknowns of the yellow pages, or an HMO directory and research qualified caring therapists at FindCounseling.com.

Stone Hawk Drug Rehab Centers

Today’s current events are bombarded with negative publicity about numerous celebrities. Those are just the rich and famous that we hear about. Drug addiction is a very serious matter, and thousands of people are suffering in silence each day. It’s a proven fact that the best people to provide complete and final drug rehab are those people that used to be addicted and truly know the struggles and troubles one must face to get clean. Stone Hawk drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers located in Albion and Battle Creek, Michigan provide beautiful surroundings and a competent staff to help gain freedom from dependency from dope or booze. Please check out the website at http://www.narcononstonehawk.com/. Their website provides a ton of information about drug rehab and addictions. There are articles to help those in need, an abundance of information about the facilities, and even pages to help with financing for the drug rehab stay. They offer short term and long term programs, and continued support after the program is finished. Stone Hawk drug rehab centers have an amazing 76% cure rate. If you or someone you love is struggling with dependency, save a life…visit Stone Hawk today.

Ketchup - Once A Medicine

Share Video and Photos at DropShots.com TODAY'S FUN FACT: Did you know that Ketchup used to be medicine? In the 1830's it was a patented medicine sold as Dr. Miles Compound Extract Of Tomato.

A.A.A.D.D. Disease

A.A.A.D.D. – Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder: Once again, I am inspired by one of the many e-mail forwards. I laughed my ass off when I read this, and realized that it’s me too, and probably most of you as well. If not, your day is coming. I’m pretty sure there’s no cure for this ailment, but laughing at it and realizing that you are not alone is very anticdotal. Here’s the scenario, and how it manifests... “I decide to wash my car. As I start toward the garage, I notice that there is mail on the hall table. I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car. I lay my car keys down on the hall table, put the junk mail in the trash can under the table, and notice the trash can is full. So I decide to put the bills back on the table, and take out the trash first. But then I think, since I’m going to be near the mailbox when I take out the trash, I should pay the bills first. I take my checkbook out of my purse, and realize there is only one check left. My extra checks are in my desk in my office, so I go to my desk where I find the can of Coke I had been drinking. I’m going to look for my checks, but first I need to push the Coke can aside so that I don’t accidentally knock it over. I see that the Coke is getting warm, so I decide I should put it in the refrigerator so that it will stay cold. As I head toward the kitchen with the coke, a vase of flowers on the counter catches my eye...they need to be watered. I set the Coke down on the counter, and I discover my reading glasses that I’ve been searching for all morning. I decide I had better put them back on my desk, but first I am going to water the flowers. I set the glasses back down on the counter, fill a container with water, and suddenly, I spot the TV remote...someone left it on the kitchen table. I realize that tonight when we go to watch TV I will be looking for the remote, but I won’t remember that it’s on the kitchen table, so I decide to put it back in the den where it belongs, but first I’ll water the flowers. I splash some water on the flowers, but most of it spills on the floor. So, I set the remote back down on the table, get some towels and wipe up the spill. Then I head down the hall trying to remember what I was planning to do. At the end of the day: the car isn’t washed, the bills aren’t paid, there is a warm can of Coke sitting on the counter, the flowers are not watered, there is still only one check in my checkbook, I can’t find the remote, I can’t find my glasses, and I don’t remember what I did with the car keys. Then when I try to figure out why nothing got done today, I’m really baffled because I know I was busy all day long, and I’m really tired.” After reading this and realizing how much this resembles me... It dawned on me that my teenagers and even younger people suffer. I also determined that I am a young 43, and my age cannot be causing all the symptoms. I pondered over other possible causes for this mental confliction, and I came up with this conclusion... I think there are several strains of this affliction: D.A.A.D.D. – Drunk Activated Attention Deficit Disorder S.A.A.D.D. – Stoned Activated Attention Deficit Disorder D.G.A.S.A.A.D.D. – This is the teenage version of the disease – Don’t Give A Shit Activated Attention Deficit Disorder. We can probably beat the kids a little more and shape them out of the D.G.A.S.A.A.D.D., but in reality, that will only postpone the onset of the other three variations. Heck, we all have to die of something right?? Might as well be something we can laugh about...