Should being born female be considered a pre-existing condition that translates into higher health insurance premiums... or a C-section be classified as a pre-existing condition... or basic maternity care require a special rider on a woman’s insurance policy? Does it seem even remotely fair that a victim of domestic violence be denied health insurance coverage? The insurance industry certainly thinks so.
]]>Should being born female be considered a pre-existing condition that translates into higher health insurance premiums... or a C-section be classified as a pre-existing condition... or basic maternity care require a special rider on a woman’s insurance policy? Does it seem even remotely fair that a victim of domestic violence be denied health insurance coverage? The insurance industry certainly thinks so.
Read what all women should know about health care:6 Shockers About Women's Health
]]>To the members of congress who insist that a government fall back plan cannot be allowed to exist, or that the time is not right for health care reform, how about giving up your health care benefits for yourselves and your families and brave the individual market. Take your pre-existing conditions and go forth to find affordable individual medical insurance policies. It shouldn’t be particularly difficult from what I hear, especially since most of you are far wealthier than the average citizen. And then live with that coverage for a couple of years, through sickness and in health, just to make sure you fully grasp the details.
Read this post in its entirety and drop us a comment at:
Would Congress put their own Health Insurance Benefits on the line?
]]>Three online sites offer you the opportunity to sound off, share your own successes and failures within the health care system, and state what you think must be done.
]]>Three online sites offer you the opportunity to sound off, share your own successes and failures within the health care system, and state what you think must be done.
Care2 Reform Health Policy seeks to provide news and commentary on health policy and related issues. Care2.com encourages active participation and provides readers with the ability to create full profiles, network with other people with similar interests, and comment... comment... comment. I am a regular contributor to Care2’s health policy cause and welcome suggestions and insights from the community. Please stop by and drop me a line!
HealthReform.gov is a government website providing news and information on health care reform. There is a section to Share Your Story and Ideas about health care reform, and a place to Show Your Support, if you are so inclined.
MakingMedicineSmarter.org is a new site that shines a spotlight on numbers, such as the annual cost of treating chronic and complex health conditions in the U.S., and the possible annual savings on healthcare spending with electronic and protocol efficiencies. Actual numbers tell an eye-popping tale. The site is also open to comments and suggestions.
Help put a human face on health care in America.
Visit and participate:
]]>Apparently, I’m the voice of doom because I caution my fellow MSers to be wary of scams touting “cures“ for MS. If I had a dollar for every time I've been offered the cure for MS, I could retire. Unfortunately, these scams are intended to make a buck off our hope. I don't mean to rob anyone of hope. In fact, I'm filled with hope at recent medical breakthroughs. I stand by my advice... be wary of cures that land in your email inbox and always perform due diligence.
I was also taken to task for not acknowledging remission, but he obviously doesn't see the distinction between “remission“ and “cure.“ Then there's the theory that I've lost my battle with MS because I believe that step one is to accept the diagnosis. I simply can't follow that train of logic. I can't exactly wage war against something I refuse to acknowledge. If I didn't believe I have MS, I'd still be trying to figure out what's wrong with me, not learning how to treat it.
Maybe he meant “prognosis“ rather than “diagnosis.“ Even so, I haven't accepted any prognosis and, in fact, haven't been given one. It's awfully hard to give a prognosis to an MS patient, and most doctors won't do it.
Most importantly, I haven't lost my battle with MS -- not by a long stretch. I've accepted that I have MS and I've moved on from there. I maintain a healthy lifestyle. I’m living a good life; I’m productive and happy. Life is good. Very good.
I've had my troubles with doctors and I admit to a love-hate relationship with pharma, but I'd hardly call myself a victim. Yes, I choose to take one of the disease-modifying drugs for MS, but no one is making me do it. I've educated myself as much as possible and made the decision that I believe is best. There is no sinister plot at work to force me into compliance.
But here’s the real issue. It is something I’ve run into time and time again: harsh judgement of other MS patients and how they have decided to deal with it.
How and why we each come to our decisions is complicated and personal. It is not my place to tell you what you should do, nor is it your place to tell me. Our symptoms, other medical conditions, family, medical advice, and finances are just a few of the issues we each have to take into consideration.
My choice is to combine a healthy lifestyle with a healthy mindset, along with a dose of modern medicine. I am fortunate in that I do not suffer from depression, a common symptom of MS, so I find it rather easy to keep a positive frame of mind most of the time. That’s not to say that I never have a negative day. But the battle is most assuredly not lost.
I love when people with MS reach out to each other with news and information and mutual support. Sharing what we've learned is the single best thing we can do for each other. But before we hit that comment button to slam someone else, let's stop give it some thought. If you read it fast, you might want to read it again to make sure you understand the context in which something was said. If you disagree with the writer, it's not difficult to debate without attacking -- and is a much more productive way to get a point across.
If we, who have MS, can't support one another, how can we expect others to?
Cross-posted on MSMaze.com
]]>Health care reform is what we want our lawmakers to do, but there are some things we need to do for ourselves, too. Those of us who are not medical professionals can learn some basic facts and promote awareness so that we can help prevent the serious consequences of inaction.
]]>Health care reform is what we want our lawmakers to do, but there are some things we need to do for ourselves, too. Those of us who are not medical professionals can learn some basic facts and promote awareness so that we can help prevent the serious consequences of inaction.
May is National Stroke Awareness Month. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, causing brain cells to die. Permanent disability or death can result. When signs of stroke appear, every second counts!
Please take a moment to learn a few simple facts that could save a life: National Stroke Awareness Month: Every Second Counts
]]>The crowd seemed a bit larger than in previous years and we were surprised when the society acknowledged those present who raised more than $500. I was one of three. One woman wasn't available, so the it fell to a fellow MSer and me to lead off the walk to the sounds of the olympic theme.
Jim was right with me, knowing that it wouldn't be long before I would fall behind. Indeed, it was less than 30 seconds before my pace was overtaken, but luckily it wasn't a race. I haven't been using my cane these last few weeks, but experience told me that 3-5 miles would feel more like 50, so I took my trusty fold-up cane along.
Rather than going through town this year, the MS Walk trail was an actual trail through a very woodsy park. It was beautiful and it felt great to be out in the fresh air and sunshine. Early on we spotted one person with a walker, but we didn't see any other canes or wheelchairs this year.
Following the posted arrows, we turned on to a dirt path strewn with rocks and tree roots jutting up from the soft ground, forcing me to watch my feet as I walked. Aware of my unbalanced and uncoordinated appearance, I clutched Jim with my left hand and allowed my right arm to flail about wildly on to the other side, as it often does when my balance is threatened. Woe to the person hoping to pass me on the right.
I really wasn't terribly concerned about my appearance on this particular day, this being an MS Walk and all. I considered myself to be a living example of MS in action, a single morning in a single life of one MS patient. As fate would have it, I was in far better shape this year than I was for some previous walks.
Still, it took only 15 minutes before I released my folding cane from its harness and put it to use. Good grief -- there's a hill up ahead! Maybe to some people it would be considered nothing more than an incline, but to me it was a hill, the first of several to come, along with patches of mud that made the cane more of a hazard than a help. But I wasn't alone. No matter how far behind we were from the main group of walkers, Jim was there to support me, both emotionally and physically.
Being the loving care partner that he is, he grumbled about the chosen walk route and my obvious difficulties. Then again, I could have chosen the shorter route that the society always marks off for people who have trouble, but I declined. It's important to me that I push the limits of my abilities right now. It's not hard for me to imagine that at some point I'll have to settle for being a virtual walker. When that day arrives, I will know that while I could... I did. I think I did my husband proud.
It took us an hour and 20 minutes to finally reach the finish line -- hot, tired, and thrilled to have done it again. Within 30 minutes of arriving back home, I was powerless to fight the call of a nap and let myself give to sweet slumber.
Although the scenic walk was pleasant, it seems to me that by walking a more public route, we would stand a better chance of raising awareness of this disease and the organization that fights for us.
The cause is still a mystery and the cure for MS is a long way off. Unfortunately, diagnosis is coming at an earlier age than ever before and pediatric MS is on the rise. This debilitating disease is hard enough to make peace with when you are in midlife -- our hearts go out to those who must face that challenge earlier. THAT's why we help to raise funds for research... THAT's why we work to educate and support others... THAT's why we walk for those who no longer can...
Cross-posted on the blog MS Maze.
]]>We protect -- or attempt to protect -- our young from the dangers of smoking, drinking alcohol, and driving before they are fully prepared. Laws exist in these areas because it is the general consensus that these behaviors are dangerous and that minors do not have the capacity to make such decisions for themselves. Whether or not they have responsible parents is not at issue.
The question is this: Is it plain common sense... or is it simply too much government interference to impose stricter regulations on tanning salons -- at least where minors are concerned.
Read this post in its entirety and answer the poll:
Ban on Tanning Beds: Common Sense or Government Interference?
]]>April is National Donate Life Month, set aside to honor those individuals and their families who have elected to donate organ, tissue, and marrow in an effort to save and enhance the lives of others.
Read this post in its entirety:
Honoring Organ and Tissue Donors for National Donate Life Month
]]>With all the talk these days about health care reform, we must accept responsibility for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The burden on the health care system due to obesity a tremendous waste.
]]>With all the talk these days about health care reform, we must accept responsibility for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The burden on the health care system due to obesity a tremendous waste.
Read this post in its entirety: Childhood Obesity and Parental Responsibility
]]>Immediately, I was startled by Montel's outpouring of raw emotion as he spoke of his MS progression. Repeatedly breaking down in tears, the former marine and all-around tough guy described his road to diagnosis, battle with depression, suicide attempt, and chronic pain. At times I completely forgot that I live with the same disease, so drawn in was I by his circumstances and brutal honesty.
Weeks later, still haunted by the segment, I decided to write about it. My intention was to point out the most unusual and intense way in which MS was portrayed -- highlighting one man's reality with this disease.
I also wanted to point out a few factual errors. Oprah didn't seem to have much knowledge about MS, nor did she take charge of the interview. The doctor who appeared on the same show made some odd statements that truly demand clarification. A follow-up show with an MS specialist is definitely called for.
But a funny thing happened on my way to writing that article. I became completely sidetracked by reading the comments on...
Read this post in its entirety: The Montel/Oprah M.S. Misfire
]]>It's a perfectly natural part of life, but somewhere along the way we've developed an unhealthy and sometimes cruel aversion to it. Not discussing imminent death only prolongs suffering for the patient and the family, while leaving many personal emotional issues unresolved.
]]>It's a perfectly natural part of life, but somewhere along the way we've developed an unhealthy and sometimes cruel aversion to it. Not discussing imminent death only prolongs suffering for the patient and the family, while leaving many personal emotional issues unresolved.
According to a New York Times blog by Maggie Jones, even doctors struggle to talk about dying with their patients, and often fail to bring up the subject at all. As a consequence, patients suffer needless and often painful interventions at the end of their lives that can add thousands of dollars to a single patient's medical costs with with no benefit.
We've got doctors who are uncomfortable with the subject, patients who don't want to burden loved ones, family members who don't want to upset the patient, and a group avoidance of the inescapable reality of death, a perfectly normal and natural event...
Read this post in its entirety:Facing End-of-Life with Dignity
]]>For people living in chronic pain, this is clearly a quality of life issue.
]]>For people living in chronic pain, this is clearly a quality of life issue.
Read this post in its entirety:
Urge Senate to Pass the National Pain Care Policy Act of 2009
]]>At one end of the spectrum, there are those who believe that our health care system is adequate and that the free-market will naturally adjust for any minor flaws. Small comfort if you are currently uninsured, or if you happen to live with a chronic illness. More than 46 million uninsured and millions more underinsured tells a tale, if one is willing to listen.
At the other end is a single-payer system as proposed by the 110th Congress...
Read this post in its entirety and weigh in on the issue:
]]>So what if you find yourself among our country's nearly 50 million uninsured? Continue to research and pursue all insurance options. In the meantime, there are other resources available to the uninsured, but it's going to take some time and a great deal of persistence.
]]>So what if you find yourself among our country's nearly 50 million uninsured? Continue to research and pursue all insurance options. In the meantime, there are other resources available to the uninsured, but it's going to take some time and a great deal of persistence.
Having MS and no insurance -- or inadequate insurance -- is a bitter pill to swallow. I cannot in good conscience say that you will be able to access all the services you need. We just have do the best we can with the resources at our disposal. And by all means, contact your representatives in congress. Put a human face on the state of health care!
Read this article in its entirety:
]]>There are a great many things individuals can and should do to remain healthy and to ward off preventable illness. The same is true of hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes.
]]>There are a great many things individuals can and should do to remain healthy and to ward off preventable illness. The same is true of hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes.
Cases of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are on the rise worldwide. MRSA, often referred to as a "super bug," is a fast-spreading infection that is highly resistant to antibiotics and is sometimes fatal. The most deadly strain is specific to health care facilities.
According the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2005 there were 18,650 hospital-related deaths in the United States due to MRSA, more than AIDS-related deaths...
Read this post in its entirety:
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