They're Looking At Health Care All Wrong

Politicians and pundits on all sides are looking at health care costs all wrong. They are all focused on INSURANCE, and not the cost of the health care, itself.  If we want to decrease the expense of health care, we must first address the actual needs and the costs of those needs, and THEN we can address insurance to cover them.

Let's begin with the most obvious issue. First and foremost we need to address the poor lifestyle choices that contribute to 70% of all health issues. One hundred years ago the average person was in good health, barring an injury or contagious disease. In nature, the normal state of health is good health, and poor health is abnormal. We have managed to turn that on its head with our proclivity towards making poor choices like smoking, too many sweets, fake foods (if it wasn't food a hundred years ago it is not food now), an over abundance of chemicals and perservatives and an aversion to actual exercise and physical labor. You don't have to be a doctor to understand that our choices are largely responsible for our health. It is estimated that over 70%, and perhaps as much as 80% of all health care needs are attributed to poor lifestyle choices. If we were to all live by the Biblical statement, "All things, in moderation", and get sufficient exercise, we could cut health care costs in half.

And we could cut them even more by using our tax system to discourage poor and harmful lifestyle choices and apply those taxes to directly reduce the cost of healthier options. For example, increase tax on sodas and cigarettes and use those taxes EXPRESSLY to reduce the cost of healthy, whole food and/or fitness equipment or gym memberships.

Costs can be reduced further by capping malpractice awards. Medicine is an imperfect science; honest mistakes can be made. The ONLY lawsuits that should be permitted are for instances of gross neglect or incompetence, and then the awards should be capped at reasonable levels. This would reduce costs in two ways: first, by reducing the exhorbitant costs that doctors and medical establishments must pay for malpractice insurance, and second, because doctors will not feel obligated to "over-test" in an effort to cover their butts. Currently, doctors must test a patient for many things unrelated to the health issue, just to play it safe.

To reduce health care costs further, it is as simple as stopping the "revolving door of referrals." If you know you need a gastroenterologist, why should you be required to first see a personal care physician for a "referral"? The cost of seeing the PCP adds significantly to the cost. We should be able to schedule our own appointments with specialists.

Case in point - I suspected my medication for ulcerative colitis may have caused PML, a serious viral infection, so I wanted to see a professional to get an MRI to see if I was infected. I had to first see my PCP ($225) to get a referral to see the neurologist ($640) who referred me to an unnecessary HEART specialist (my heart is perfect) at a cost of $1200, who then, finally, got me an appointment for an MRI ($1550). A total of $3615.00, when all I needed was the MRI at less than half that cost. As it turned out, I did not have PML. But $2,000.00 was wasted in getting to that eventual determination.

Now that we have lowered the actual costs of health care into the realm of sanity, we can NOW address the cost of insurance. Having reduced health care costs by at least 50-75%, it is safe to assume one of two things - either the cost of insurance can be reduced by 50-75% OR most people can afford their health care costs without the need of insurance, as they would only be paying as much for their health care as they would have had to pay in insurance deductibles, anyway.

As a  final thought, assuming we bring costs down significantly, the ONLY insurance a person should need is catastrophic insurance, to cover things most people cannot afford, such as cancer treatment. If insurance covers only catastrophic issues, the cost is significantly reduced even more. And that is the only type of insurance that should be subsidized by the government (with the exception of Medicare and general health care for the poor - Medicaid)

Together, these things are not difficult to achieve. Certainly, many  people will still make lifestyle choices detrimental to their health, but the high taxes on those things would help offset the costs incurred. In other words, people choosing to harm themselves would be the same people carrying the brunt of the costs of their treatment. No longer will you and I be paying too much for insurance because someone else chooses to drink, smoke or junk food themselves into oblivion.

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Memory Loss - Can It Be Overcome?

Having reached old age, I find that certain memories are getting difficult to bring forward when I want them. I see a movie star from the 40's or 50's whose name I know as well as my own, yet struggle to recall it (though eventually I do). Or I get up from the couch to go to the kitchen, and before getting there I have forgotten why I was going, though eventually, and with a struggle I do recall the reason.

I have a theory, and if the theory is true we might be able to overcome much "memory loss". Because in cases like these, the memories are not really lost - eventually they can be brought to mind.

The brain is a powerful and complex "natural computer". And I think, like a computer, as it becomes cluttered with vast amounts of input, it becomes less efficient; slower, and could even crash. So when a person reaches their elder years, the brain has amassed a vast amount of input - every little thing you have ever heard, seen, smelled, tasted, touched or learned. The brain becomes a bit cluttered, and, in order to protect its host (us) it stores unnecessary memories "in the attic" much as a computer might compress files to make room for necessary functions. If there is no need to recall Burt Lancaster's name, it gets stored and becomes difficult to unlock.

OK, if this theory has any basis in fact, and the brain puts certain info into a storage unit, then all we should need is access to the storage area, on demand. A way to unlock the memory closet. A key.

I don't think there is any technology (yet) that is capable of doing that, but perhaps the brain, itself, can provide the answer. I can't help but wonder if we could use hypnosis to convince the brain to provide access to the "attic" by use of a "password", just like a computer. For example, under hypnosis it might be suggested that any time you have trouble recalling a name, event etc. that by consciously saying "eureka", or thinking of a specific image, such as a babbling brook, that the brain would recognize that as a key, allowing access to the dusty, cob-webbed attic

I am going to try and find a good hypnotist, and try it on myself. If anyone else who reads this should also try it, please let me know the results.

Of course, this all rests upon whether or not I REMEMBER to find a hypnotist...

Sen. Warren's Insane Tax Proposal

Just when I thought I had heard every moronic attack on capitalism, leave it to Senator Warren to top them all - even Ocasio-Cortez.

As president, Ms Warren wants to institute a "Wealth Tax". For those who think, "Great - the wealthy will pay", think again. A wealth tax means the IRS would assess YOUR wealth every year, and tax you on it. Everything you own, personal or business, would be taxed again and again, year after year, UNTIL IT IS GONE!

Just one small example: you are 25 and have $10,000 in the stock market, or in cash, or equity in your home - whatever. You pay incomes tax on it when you earn it. Then, every year, the government taxes you on it yet again. At even a 2% tax rate, that's $200 per year. By the time you retire, it's GONE your cash, your investments, your home, your business...

But she gets even crazier. She wants to also institute an "Exit Tax". If you decide that either you want to leave the country in order gain more favorable tax treatment (or for ANY reason), the government would confiscate 40% of your entire wealth as punishment. That is in addition to the income taxes and wealth taxes you have already paid! You would leave as a pauper.

Senator Warren should just come out and be honest - she wants the government to own everything. And if that ever happens, we have seen what the result would be, in feudal England, where the king and the Lords owned everything, and the masses were merely pawns, living and dying at the mercy of the "overlords".

Everyone should understand this one important and irrevocable fact - whenever an entity gains power, other entities must lose it, just like in a poker game. The more power the government has over us, the less power we have over ourselves. And with the loss of power comes the loss of liberty. If government power continues to grow, kiss your freedoms good-bye.

We have already lost much of our freedom. Can you build a needed addition on your home without government permission (zoning)? We can't even grow certain crops for our own use without permission of the Commerce department. And if your community wants to take your property and give it to someone else who will improve it and pay more taxes, they can now do so. Can you pray in a public place? Can you own and carry a firearm wherever you go? We have lost a tremendous amount of freedom since March 4, 1789 when the Constitution became the law of the land.

If America is to remain the land of the free, it must remain the home of the brave - those who will fight people like Warren, Ocasio-Cortez, Bloomberg and any other little tyrant who wants to destroy it by granting more power to the government.

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Soul Mates

 

                                                                    by Bill Vaughn

Have you ever had the uneasy feeling of impending doom? Or have you ever suffered a mild anxiety attack? And did it begin when you were six years old?

I started first grade when I was six. I was looking forward to it because so many others of my age would be there. But as I  met the other kids, I began to get that anxious feeling of impending doom because I knew she was not there.

I know that sounds crazy - a six year old looking for that "someone".  And that uneasy feeling rushed over me because I did not even understand what, exactly, I was looking for and could not find in that classroom. I was confused and scared. Scared that I might never find "her".

I told my Mom about it, but she did not understand any more than I did, because at six, you simply do not know how to explain a lot of things.

I vividly recall throughout school I tried to find a "girl friend". Most of the other kids had girlfriends or boyfriends. Not me. And even as I graduated High School, I still had never had a girlfriend - someone to share "growing up" with, because I could not find "her". And I still did not know who she was, where she was, or even if she existed. And that uneasy feeling was still there, and growing as time passed. With each passing year, the fear that "she" would never appear grew.

By the time I was 25 several of my friends remarked that I seemed to have a "death wish"; always taking huge chances that could easily have gone very wrong. There were few places in North America that I did not travel through on my motorcycle, forever looking for I knew not what. I was driven! And I did not even know what was driving me. I just felt, deeply, that I was not whole; that I was missing a big part of myself. It is extremely difficult to explain to anyone who has not "been there".

The only thing that kept me going was the hope that, whoever it was, I would someday I find her. And when I did, I would "magically" and instinctively know it. But would I really? Every night as I lay myself down, I would pray to God that He would help me find her.

The years rolled by. At age 42, I had given up, and I became homeless. I ended up in a homeless shelter in Manchester, New Hampshire. I resigned myself to living out my life on the streets. Without "her", there was nothing else I wanted, or needed. And each night as I lay my head down, I would cry silently. Not just for myself, but also for "her", as I envisioned she was going through the same agony.

One evening as I sat at a table in the local soup kitchen, I looked up as several guys came in, accompanied by a young woman. There is no way, or words, to explain it, but it was like getting hit by lightning! She was wearing an old leather motorcycle jacket and jeans, and as she walked up to the chow line, those guys followed her, like chicks following the mother hen. And I was completely taken by her - while she was apparently the head of that bunch of misfits, I instinctively knew that, in reality, she was a scared, lost  waif. Like me. She surrounded herself with men who needed a "mother"; men who would protect her.

It was "HER"! I just knew it. There was no doubt in my mind. As unbelievable as it seemed, and after 35 years of searching, and traveling tens of thousands of miles, here she was, right in front of me, like some God-given miracle. And then my heart sank!

As I looked at her, I realized she had to be at least 10-15 years younger than me. The first 10 years I was looking for her she had not even been born yet! No wonder it had been so hard to find her. But what good would it do me - I had no chance  with her! What would she see in a used up homeless guy almost old enough to be her father? It felt like I had been hit by a PeterBilt.

I left the soup kitchen, never even speaking a word to the woman I knew was my soul mate.
The shelter is above the soup kitchen, and I went upstairs and just hit the sack. I felt empty. All those years. All that anxiety. All that hope. And in just three minutes it had all been wiped out completely.

I was earning my coffee and cigarette money by "canning" each night -I would get up at 2AM and walk all the back alleys, going through dumpsters and trash looking for aluminum cans I would get a nickle for. On a good night I might earn $5.00

That next night I returned to the shelter, and as I passed the manager's desk, I heard someone give me a "wolf whistle". Wise guy, I thought, as I turned to see who it was. I cannot explain the fluttering feeling in my gut that overtook me when I saw it was HER! And I just knew she was only making fun of me, because I was just another homeless bum. I quickly headed to the dorm.

The next evening, as I approached the manager's desk, I was just going to rush by, not knowing if SHE was there again. She was. And she whistled again, and she had the most wicked smile, and that look in her eyes that said "trouble". You know the look! That gleam...

Again I hurried back to the dorm. She could not possibly be interested - she  was just teasing me, having fun at my expense. And it was tearing me apart because I dearly wanted to just pick her up, hold her close and never, ever let go. But I knew it could never be. Though she was 30, she was "just a kid" compared to me. And I was just a homeless man, with absolutely nothing to offer anyone. Everything I owned was in my right front pocket - a lighter and an old jackknife. (My Dad taught us to never be caught without those two items - they could save your life).

The next morning I was pushing "my" shopping cart full of cans and assorted junk down Maple Street when I heard someone well behind me yell "HEY!". I turned, and to my horror I saw it was her, leading her little band of lost losers. I was mortified because, though I knew there was no chance for me, I did not want her to see me like this. It was humiliating. And here she was chasing me down the street so she could tease me some more. I pushed my cart faster as I tried to out-distance her. But she would not have it - that little girl easily caught up with me.

"My name is Robin", she blurted out. I can't remember what I said, exactly, but I think I mumbled something like, "I'm Bill", and I turned and left. Filled to the brim with mixed feeling of confusion and the fear of forever losing that which I had spent my entire life searching for in vain. And more than ever I wanted to hold her close and never let her go.

Now the reader should understand something about me - while I was incredibly street smart and nobody's fool, but when it came to girls, I was a lamb among wolves. If a girl wanted to get my attention, she would almost have to smack me with a 2X4. I never took the lead, simply because I had never found that ONE. And now that I had found her, I was running away - for her sake.

I could not believe it was possible to be so totally and completely in love with someone I did not even know, and who I had never said but two words to. But I was. And it hurt so bad, because I could do nothing about it.

But SHE could - and did! She "hit me with a 2X4".

I had been to the "clothing room" where the homeless could trade old clothes for clean ones, and I grabbed a really nice pair of baggie Calvin Klein's with big pockets on the thighs. As I attempted to quiety slink unnoticed by the Manager's desk, that little gal said, "I really like those jeans - can I have them?" And hoping to get the best of her in her teasing, I remarked, "Are you saying you want to get into my pants?" THAT would shut her up.

But she just gave me that oh, so sexy and wicked smile again and said, "Maybe".

All of a sudden I was not in any hurry to leave. We talked for what seemed like minutes, but it was hours. Robin was also living in that shelter on the women's side. And as we talked, I think we both realized that we had both spent our lives looking for each other.

And it was strange - we had both criss-crossed the country, staying in many of the same places, but always missing each other. It was as if the Good Lord was saying, "Not yet - you still need trials and tribulations, to grow and learn, so when you do find each other you will be ready to bond forever."
That was in 1991. And we have been together every day since.

About two months after we met, while we were eating in the soup kitchen, Robin (remember that 2X4?) proposed to me.

We married in '92, right there in the shelter where we had met. And though we had nothing, we had everything. We had each other.

We remarried on our 10th Anniversary. And on our 25th, I showed up at her work, and in front of her co-workers, about a dozen customers and in front of our grown daughter, I finally did the right thing - I got down on bended knee, put yet another diamond ring on her finger and then in a voice that cracked with emotion I proposed to her for a change.

Everyone cried, of course. Even me.

And just so you know - once we had found each other and joined hearts, life got a lot better. We worked together to form our own business and achieved a great deal of success.

Some of you will still refuse to believe in "love at first sight" and "soul mates", but I assure you, my sweetheart and I have no doubts. Nor do we have any doubt that it was all God's will - after all, an operation as a teen resulted in Robin not being able to have children. But on November 17th, 1990 Robin prayed to Him for a sign, to let her know for sure if I was the right one. That night, we got pregnant with our daughter.

Now THAT'S a sign!

"Mom, if you are looking down from your place in Heaven - I FOUND HER!"

(SIDE NOTE: we were married the day after Valentine's day. Here is a pic of the Valentine cards and Anniversary cards we got each other last year - soulmates, for sure. Some would say "coincidence". We say that God winked!)

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Health Care - Simple, Affordable

First, low income persons are eligible for Medicaid, and as long as that remains in place, that takes care of those people. And the wealthy have no problem getting whatever coverage they desire, so let's not concern ourselves with them. That leaves the rest of us - the folks in the middle who are struggling, but not "poor" enough for Medicaid, nor rich enough to get the best care available at any time, and certainly unable to afford ObamaCare premiums and huge deductibles.

For the rest of us, the solution is simple: make only CATASTROPHIC care available to all, at a reasonable cost - such policies are relatively inexpensive, and people can choose their own deductible, just like car or house insurance. Simply choose a higher deductible to reduce premiums.

The rest of your health care can - and should - be paid by the individual. Preferably, we would be allowed to build tax-free health savings accounts to cover all those minor health costs, like exams, shots etc. Let's have a little personal responsibility, folks! And if the individual has to cover the minor costs of health care, they would have greater incentive to live a healthier lifestyle. There is no excuse for expecting insurance to cover costs for things like condoms, Viagra, or even your annual physical.

Think of it this way - your car insurance pays for major damages and medical for people involved in an accident, but it does not cover gas, oil, tires, registration etc. Same with your homeowner's policy. Health insurance should be the same - designed to cover the BIG things that are otherwise unaffordable.

And policies should be available nationwide, across state lines, to create competition that reduces costs.

Add tort reform and award caps to lower malpractice insurance and voila! Affordable health care made simple.

And those Senators that complain they want to represent the needs of THEIR people? No problem - ALL Americans would have these same options and choices, and each can craft the coverage they need.

To those in the House & Senate - BOTH parties - I suggest if you want to do what is best for the people, and insure your own re-election, stop with all the posturing for dumb reasons like being anti-Trump, or anti one party or the other and get the job done. And above all, understand this SIMPLE concept - health care should NOT be run by the government. I know you love the idea of being in control of such a valuable necessity, but STOP! It is not in the best interests of America.

 

(brought to you by IntelliBiz)

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Why is President Trump Flip-Flopping - or IS He?

Critics of the president are accusing him of flip-flopping on issues such as NATO and China. But is he really flip-flopping, or is he simply employing "The Art of the Deal"?

Trump is a great negotiator. As such, he is all too aware that it is nearly impossible to get a good deal from an opponent who believes he is in a position of strength. If you meet an opponent, and tell him up front that he's really great and a credit to his position, you will be strengthening a belief he already has, and from that point on he will feel superior to you. If you then demand something from him, he has little reason to bow to your demands, and you have lost.

A good negotiator will first try to weaken the oppoenent by berating, belittling or otherwise calling their strength into question. In doing so, you at least make it appear that you are the one coming from a position of strength. In nature, it is the bluff and bluster between two opponents that helps to win the battle. Have you never seen the hackles raise and the baring of teeth on a dog?

So, you first weaken the opponent's resolve by instilling doubt. Only then can you approach them with some praise. This creates something not unlike the Stockholm Syndrome, where a kidnap victim comes to identify with, and even protect their abductor. By helping to replenish their feeling of self-worth, they are more apt to show a little gratitude, and they may even be anxious to do things for you, to get your approval.

And if you doubt any of this, think back to you and your father - did you ever find yourself bending over backward in order to gain Dad's approval? Or that of a strict teacher?

President Trump is already getting NATO to update, and getting NATO countries to carry their weight. And he is getting China to help with North Korea - things that previous presidents were unable to accomplish.

Is Trump flip-flopping? Or is he just putting America on the winning side?

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