Archive for March, 2009
Tort reform doesn’t work
I found a report on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Web site that told me what I suspected all along: Tort reform doesn’t being down medical costs; it just covers the insurance companies’ gigantic butts. Before Mike died, he asked me not to sue anyone over the awful treatment he got. He wanted me to [...]
Our work is cut out for us
For awhile there, it looked like Life o’ Mike’s mission might be accomplished in the coming year. Not that I really believed that, mind you. The insurance industry is going to fight really hard to keep things the way they are. It doesn’t matter how many people suffer and die, as long as they make [...]
AIG, the VA and that CAN’T be right
I’m as upset as anyone about AIG and the abject greed there. I have to say, though, the company isn’t acting in a vacuum. For early 30 years, we have reduced regulation, all the while believing big business will do the right thing if left to its own devices. As a teenage hippie in the late [...]
Things are getting worse
An Associated Press story today said the nationn’s fragile health care safety net is unraveling. Like I wasn’t expecting that.With more people unemployed and more people in financial trouble, fewer people are ale to pay for care. One survey of 1,200 doctors found that 88 percent of them have treated patients that had been turned down [...]
Spreading the word
I met with a community organizer from Consumers Union today. They’re the people who put out Consumer Reports, and they’re working toward health care for all Americans. One thing he told me is that we’re in for a tough fight. The health insurance companies don’t want to give up the scam they have now — [...]
One day at a time…
Life o’ Mike board member and friend Carolyn Comeau had good test results last week — her breast cancer is at bay. But every day, Carolyn wakes up and wonders if she will be the one to raise her two children. It’s a scary way to live. Carolyn was lucky. She had health insurance. But [...]
A year ago today …
Beginning on Feb. 26, the anniversary of when we found out for sure Mike’s cancer was back, I’ve been running through the day-by-day remember-when. It’s called anniversary syndrome. A year ago today we still had him. We knew we were going to lose him, but it hadn’t happened yet. We didn’t know what life would be [...]
Same exclusionary policies, slicker rhetoric
Richard Kirsch, campaign manager for Health Care for America Now, in a piece on Huffington Post, vows to fight the insurance industry, which already is gearing up to fight President Obama’s plan to provide health care for all Americans. Harry and Louise came back last summer, this time sponsored by the National Federation of Independent [...]
Patient Pals & Family Friends
Life o' Mike has a peer support program for people with one or more serious or chronic medical issues or disabilities.
We aim to reduce isolation and fear among people who have conditions, including psychiatric illness, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, mild dementia or other cognitive disorder or disability, thereby reducing depression and complications as people learn to improve self-management of their medical conditions.
Patient Pals help alleviate feelings of isolation and frustration. They can help people develop a list of questions to ask the doctor and then accompany the person to the doctor to make sure all the questions are answered, taking notes to be sure the person understands the doctor’s answers.
Our trained volunteers also accompany their “Pals” to art exhibits, movies and walks outdoors, meet for coffee, call to check in and more.
Our Pals have experienced weight loss, improvement in diabetes, HIV, psoriasis, depression and more, just because they have someone who cares about them. Some relationships develop into longer-term friendships; other Pals move on to more independent lives.
Family Friends are there to help caregivers and other family members grow into their new role.
We need volunteers, who are asked to donate a minimum of one hour a week. Training is free and includes information on active listening, ways to help and when to know more help is needed.
And of course, we need funding.
To learn more, call Leslie Boyd at 828-243-6712 or e-mail lifeomike@gmail.com.