Archive for the ‘health care’ Category
Pros, Cons, and Misconceptions About the National Health Care Bill
This week turned out to be a very tough week for Congress, as well as many Americans. The health care debate seemed to have escalated from Coast to Coast. On Capitol Hill for instance a Swastika drawn with some cheap spray paint was painted on Congressman David Scott’s suite site.
The goal now in Washington is to clear up any and all misconceptions regarding this matter. With that, the pros and cons of medical coverage are being currently discussed, and reported about.
National Health Care Pros
Nationalization of health care would provide everyone with some level of assistance. This will, for one, help them to afford a doctor and they would be able to obtain physicals, afford prescriptions, etc. They would have access to services they otherwise would not be able to afford.
Patients receiving medical coverage also receive additional help in the event of a problematic injury or illness. It would also assist people who have a very low income but yet work hard to acquire the help they require.
For instance, perhaps right now they are stressing out about not being able to afford prescription drugs or frustrated that they cannot afford to pay a dentist to operate on their teeth. It would provide relief to families fighting to make ends meet. People would also be protected in the event of an accident.
People who do not have children would also for the first time be awarded health care. It would also be beneficial to single people who right now are uninsured just because they do not have children. In any case, many Americans see nationwide policies as reasons not to want to see everyone receive services.
National Health Care Cons
Oftentimes offered medical policies raise new issues. For example, it in the long run could make it tougher for people to find high quality services. Furthermore, making a federal issue out of health care also strips the power away from state and local governments.
They will be required to obey orders passed down from Washington regarding this issue whether they like it or not. Oftentimes various rules and regulations are imposed on people who are granted national health care. For example, they may no longer be able to freely choose a doctor or other practitioner.
In extreme cases, people will be informed that if they do not go to the doctor that is listed on their health plan then they would go to jail. Doctors could also in this exaggerated instance be affected, and could perhaps face jail time if they do not abide by the rules set in place. So what happens if the person is out of the state or country?? What if they are traveling?
Another major factor that works against nationalization of any government program is privacy. Once again you probably will have to account to the government who seems to record your every move already as it is. (I.E. you might have to report when you are traveling in the event you may need absentee health services.)
The cases against nationalizing health care are not necessarily based on reality, but could be. The likelihood that medical provision could have a negative effect on American is based on the exact nature of a specific bill that would be passed as law.
The most critical case against this type of government-sponsored help is in all likelihood how it could have a detrimental effect on our life politically-that America might give the government one more bit of themselves that they will never be able to get back. No matter what, American citizens are advised to keep watch.
Misconceptions and Concerns Many people were scared in our country this week, and probably rightfully so. People both for and against the nationalization of health care spoke up and expressed their concerns, but of course this is a very personal matter.
The most personal issue of all that was brought up this week was that pertaining senior citizens. The fear was that the American people would be required to “pull the plug on Grandma” as one news source said. Another news source had mentioned, however, that this was false.
There would be this option but that seniors would not be required to use this service. This of course still seems to make many American people nervous. Therefore, they are continuing to speak up about this issue any chance they can get.
Health Care vs. the Lower Middle Class
For many Americans, health insurance is a medical necessity and without it, many Americans would be left with medical bills that are too expensive to pay. Most people would agree that without some form of health insurance, purchasing prescription drugs would not be possible. Many Americans, such as those with diabetes cannot survive without certain prescription medications.
The upper middle and upper class citizens are generally able to afford health care, often times without needing health insurance and lower class Americans are able to obtain health care through organizations such as Medicaid, which usually pay for over-all incurred medical expenses.
So who did we leave out of this mix of American society? The lower middle class Americans who “fall between the cracks” of obtaining the quality health care they need.
Why can’t many lower middle class Americans afford quality health care? To provide an adequate answer to this question, we first need to define the American class system in terms of socioeconomics and its relationship to health insurance and the general health care system.
The working class or middle class is defined as a group of people who make up about 33% (the majority) of the population and bring home an average yearly income of $30K to $50K per year. The upper middle class also averages $55K to about $155K annually.
Compare those figures to the upper class, which make up only 2% of the population and contribute $155K to billions per year. (Source: [http://www.alamedasoc-tripod.com/handouts/soc2/Slides_Pt_2_Soc2.doc]). One can clearly see that there is a large economic gap between the classes and that income in part plays a significant role as to why many lower middle class Americans cannot afford quality health insurance or health care.
Another contributing factor as to why many working class Americans cannot afford health care is due to the continued rising costs of over-all health care. Total health care costs, including insurance premiums have gone up drastically since 2001 and many employers are “sticking” the additional associated health insurance costs to their employees.
While many working class Americans are presented with health insurance opportunities, (usually through employment) many cannot afford the high monthly and sometimes yearly premiums associated with a health insurance plan. Other working class citizens are able to afford the insurance premiums, but are unable to take advantage of a health care plan because such a large percentage of their monthly or yearly income is set aside to pay for health insurance. This leaves many Americans left with the dilemma of making a choice between basic necessities such as paying for a monthly mortgage note, groceries or health insurance.
In essence, American society has created and contributed to a highly flawed health care system that caters to the rich, cares for the poor, yet excludes the largest percentage of its population. As a society, we need to develop new ways of coping with the changes and rising costs in our health care system and develop a method that allows the lower middle class to receive the quality health care they deserve without going penniless.
This may require a change in the American healthcare system itself or quite possibly, a change within government medical aid. Either way, one thing is certain: Without the basic necessities of life, including quality healthcare, the working class over time is sure to crumble.
Is There a Miracle Hair Loss Treatment for Men?
Does a miracle hair loss treatment for men exist? If you are expecting to go from totally bald to having a thick, full head of hair, then, no, there is no miracle cure. I can fully empathizes with you when it comes to hair loss, my own hair was thinning in the front just like my dads had done and I was only 29. It wasn’t easy to look in the mirror and see my dad. I felt old and trying to meet women my age or younger was embarrassing. I always made it a point to mention my age to them because I know I looked older than 29. All I managed to do was draw attention to my receding hairline.
After a while I stopped feeling sorry for myself and went online to research what hair loss treatment for men really did work and I found minoxidil. It’s not a miracle cure for hair loss, but if you keep using it, it does stop further hair loss. I may grow more hair and I may not, but I’m not losing any more hair and I suppose my hairline will catch up to my age soon.
Now that I know I am doing something about my hair loss, I feel much better about it. One thing I noticed is that women also get thinning hair. I was so worried about my own hair that I never noticed how many women have the same problem.