SEASONAL FLU: Each year we march ourselves and our families off to the doctor or to a local clinic or retail store to get a flu shot. Each year, this shot is our defense against getting the seasonal flu. As much as we would like to think that it’s a very scientific process that goes into determining the composition of the vaccine to fight this annual virus, it ends up being the best guess of the scientists because no one really knows what flu bugs will be attacking us from year to year. So the flu vaccine is developed to fight against what is expected to be the flu bugs of the year. This flu vaccine will not give you the flu. You may have flu like side effects as well as soreness at the injection site for a day or two but the vaccine itself is made up of a dead virus so getting the flu from a flu shot is not possible. Read more »
Seasonal Flu and H1N1 (Swine) Flu – Part II
Seasonal Flu and H1N1 (SWINE) Flu – Part I – What You Need to Know
Well it’s flu season again only this year things are a bit more challenging for all of us. Yes we have the standard concerns regarding the seasonal flu that arrives every fall and stays through the winter however in addition to the SEASONAL FLU we have to be concerned about another strain of the flu called the SWINE FLU or as we are now officially calling it – the H1N1 FLU.
Before I go much further, I’d like to be very clear – in order to protect yourself against the seasonal flu, you will need to receive a flu shot. These shots are available NOW. Then you will need a shot (possibly two) to fight against the H1N1 flu. These shots won’t be available until the middle or end of October. I will keep you updated on the availability of the H1N1 flu shot.
Healthcare Reform – Part III
8 common myths about healthcare reform
- Reform will stop “rationing” – not increase it: It’s a myth that reform will mean a “government takeover” of health care or lead to “rationing.” To the contrary, reform will forbid many forms of rationing that are currently being used by insurance companies.
- We can’t afford reform: It’s the status quo we can’t afford. It’s a myth that reform will bust the budget. To the contrary, the President has identified ways to pay for the vast majority of the up-front costs by cutting waste, fraud, and abuse within existing government health programs; ending big subsidies to insurance companies; and increasing efficiency with such steps as coordinating care and streamlining paperwork. In the long term, reform can help bring down costs that will otherwise lead to a fiscal crisis.
- Reform would encourage “euthanasia”: It does not. It’s a malicious myth that reform would encourage or even require euthanasia for seniors. For seniors who want to consult with their family and physicians about end-of life decisions, reform will help to cover these voluntary, private consultations for those who want help with these personal and difficult family decisions. Read more »
Healthcare Reform – A Reality Check – Part II
The information below is from the White House website. I hope that in sharing these points, it will bring some clarity to what is currently being proposed.
8 ways reform provides security and stability to those with or without coverage
- Ends Discrimination for Pre-Existing Conditions: Insurance companies will be prohibited from refusing you coverage because of your medical history.
- Ends Exorbitant Out-of-Pocket Expenses, Deductibles or Co-Pays: Insurance companies will have to abide by yearly caps on how much they can charge for out-of-pocket expenses.
- Ends Cost-Sharing for Preventive Care: Insurance companies must fully cover, without charge, regular checkups and tests that help you prevent illness, such as mammograms or eye and foot exams for diabetics.
- Ends Dropping of Coverage for Seriously Ill: Insurance companies will be prohibited from dropping or watering down insurance coverage for those who become seriously ill. Read more »
Healthcare Reform – A Reality Check – Part I
The controversy about this administration’s healthcare reform is seen on TV daily and read every where from the internet to newspapers and magazines. Some of the information that is being shared mis-represents the truth about the reform efforts. Those individuals who support reform aren’t being heard because their voices aren’t as loud as those who are so upset with the mis-information that’s out there. Believe me, if I thought some of those rumors were true I too would be outraged.
So, I decided to go to the source. I went to the White House’s website to get the facts. My next couple of posts will be from that website and will be titled Health Insurance Reform – Reality Check.
Now, there are those who really don’t believe anything that comes from the White House as being fact so I’ve included links to websites that independently track political truths, myths and lies. Here are two of the most reputable fact checker websites:
