Remember when health care reform was supposed to make life better for Coloradans? Well, reform efforts have taken an unexpected, and unfortunate, turn in recent weeks.As two studies recently released by noted international consultants PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Oliver Wyman, Inc., show, major provisions in the current legislative proposals will cause health care costs to increase far faster and higher than they would even under the current system. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield followed with another actuarial study that looked at what legislation would do to Coloradan’s premiums, and found much the same.Many elected officials are expressing outrage and indignation that the studies dared be published and have vociferously questioned their veracity. But, the truth is, consumers would be well-served by taking a… Continue reading

President Obama and Democratic leaders in Congress claim that government-run health care will remedy skyrocketing medical costs and improve access to quality health care coverage.After drafting a bill behind closed doors without input from the public, the Senate majority produced a bill that raises taxes, drastically cuts Medicare, and increases premiums to create a new government program: the so-called public option. On Nov. 21, the Senate voted 60-39 to proceed to consideration of this legislation. I opposed this measure because I believe the public option is simply socialized medicine and expanded government disguised as greater choice.I believe that we have the best health care system in the world — the finest doctors, first-rate treatments, cutting-edge innovation, and low wait times. Our current… Continue reading

When the world was young, life was simple. If someone bright found that a sharpened stick could be used during a hunt to kill animals for food, that’s what it was used for. No-one would dream that, in the future, a smaller version would be used as a pen for writing. So it was that the little blue pill started off its life during clinical trials for the treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) – problems in the arteries in the chest. When the accident of excitement among the male participants was noted, a new train of thought left the station. Who would have thought that a mere ten years later, the Italian mafia would be feeding the same medication to racehorses to fix the races. Life has become so… Continue reading

The world is full of experts on acne. After all, most people suffer from it at some point during their teenage years. This gives everyone the right to pass on traditions. Unfortunately much of this conventional wisdom is wrong.

Myth 1. Only people who don’t wash get acne There is no link between “dirt” and acne. The myth says that the pores of the skin get blocked by dirt. The reality is that the glands produce too much sebum oil in the follicles which are then plugged by dead skin cells. Excessive washing to remove surface “dirt” can actually make the problem worse, particularly if you rub your skin too hard.

Myth 2. Too much sex or masturbation causes acne This is a myth invented by puritans parents who want… Continue reading

Xanax represents the class of drugs known as benzodiazepines which comes together with such prescription drugs as Valium, Klonopin, and Ativan. These drugs are central nervous system depressants and are recommended in the treatment of anxiety disorders for those who suffer from it. Xanax gives quite simple addiction signs. Most of the time you won’t find a difference between those of signs simple street drugs give from those of Xanax. The Xanax addict will feel apathy towards everything, feeling dizzy and confused, switching his mood on and off. Xanax addicted people will find it problematic to communicate with others and will avoid talking about their issues with health, pretending nothing is going on. It is hard to admit you are hooked on the drug that is why the only… Continue reading

Week of December 7, 2009The Senate began to slog its way through amendments (see below) last week in a process that promises to get harder, not easier. In the meantime, the debate continues as to whether the Senate bill would do anything significant to slow rising health care costs, and a Bloomberg story points out that a number of economists and analysts are doubtful that it will. The White House defends the bill’s ability to slow costs, but some analysts predict that Congress will need to make many more tough decisions to have a real impact. According to Bloomberg, a group of Senators that includes Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and Susan Collins (R-ME) is taking aim at rising costs with an amendment that… Continue reading

Unless you have been totally away from the news you know about influenza A (H1N1) flu that has been in the headlines. Though cases have been reported to be mild it has hospitalized many who have contracted the flu. And, has you know a hospital stay can be costly if you don’t have the right health plan. Blue Cross Blue Shield North Carolina (BCBSNC) has some of the best plans you can find. Health insurance or not the best thing is to avoid influenza A (H1N1) flu. Since most people come in contact in the work place the CDC has issued some common since rules to either prevent catching this flu or prevent spreading it to others. Businesses and employers, in general, can play… Continue reading

December 9, 2009This Week in Health Reform —Legislative OverviewSenateLess than two weeks after the debut of official legislative language, the Senate began official debate on its $848 billion health care reform bill “The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” (H.R. 3590) on November 30. The bill, which is estimated to cover 94 percent of Americans, passed its first hurdle before the Thanksgiving holiday when Senate Democrats received the needed 60 votes on the “motion to proceed” to debate.Quoting & Saving just got easier…EasyToInsureME Health Insurance Quotes… Quote all carriers in secondsHealth insuranceHealth insurance quotesMore than 60 amendments have been filed to the Senate health care reform legislation in its first week of debate. Some of the notable amendments include one by Senator… Continue reading