Archive for May, 2009
We’re paying already
If you think we’re not paying for people who don’t have health insurance, think again. A new study by Families USA shows a family with health insurance paid $1017 in extra premiums in 2008 to cover the costs of people who can’t afford care; individuals paid $368. Families USA calls it the hidden health tax. The [...]
Drink for Health Care
Congress is considering raising the tax on alcohol to help fund health care. The beer tax would go from 33 cents to 81 cents a six pack. Wine would go from 21 cents per bottle to 70 cents per bottle. Tax on a fifth of liquor would go from $2.14 to $2.54. Considering federal cigarette [...]
At least somebody’s getting colonoscopies
U.S. Rep. James Inhofe said the other day, in defense of keeping the prison at Guantanamo Bay open, that any prisoner over age 55 could get a colonoscopy, admitting that the prisoners there get better health care tham most Americans. In defense of Gitmo, Inhofe has admitted that our health care system is in shambles. [...]
My way or no way? No way!
I went to a meeting of the Health Access Coalition today in Raleigh. The coalition is a group of organizations seeking to get health care for all Americans. We’re a diverse group with diverse opinions. There were some single-payer-system advocates who were truly angry about the idea being rejected out of hand by Congress. They were [...]
We was misunderstood
Just days after a so-called “watershed moment ” (President Obama’s words, not mine), the people who promised to cut costs by 1.5 percent a year for the next 10 years, thus saving the country $2 trillion, have backed off. “There’s been a lot of misunderstanding that has caused a lot of consternation among our members,” [...]
Health care rationing?
Several people have told me they’re afraid of health care rationing if the government gets involved in fixing the system. In fact, rationing is one of the words Frank Luntz has said will work to derail meaningful reform. “You’re not going to get what you want,” he told conservatives, “but you can kill what they’re [...]
I don’t trust it
The health care industry has sait it can cut costs 1.5 percent a year for 10 years, thus saving $2 trillion. My question is: Why couldn’t they do it before they were threatened with reform? The answer, I assume, is that they didn’t think they had to. Now they’re afraid their profits will fall by [...]
Watch your words
Pollster Frank Luntz has published a memo to Republicans telling them what language to use in killing efforts at federal health care reform. He advises people to ask, “Do you want bureaucrats to make decisions on your health care?” My answer to that is another question: Who do you think is making the decisions now? [...]
From Kathy Squires
“My niece, who worked all of her adult life and was very independent, became ill at her last job under which she had no insurance. (Sound familiar?) She delayed seeking health care, and when she finally agreed to some help she was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer (called GIST) with a 17 cm tumor, and [...]
29 months in limbo
I got a call from a panicky woman the other day, not knowing what to do about her mother, who is 53 years old, very ill and has lost her health care. Once I calmed her down a little, I got the story. Her mother finally got Social Security Disability three years after she stopped working [...]
Second annual Eat at Mike’s
Reserve now
Life o' Mike sponsors its second annual Eat at Mike's, an evening of good food prepared by local chefs, at Tingles Cafe in downtown Asheville. The event also features silent and live auctions with items from Highlands Brewing, artist Angela C. Alexander and more.
Tickets to the dinner are $25; $20 for children 3-12 and free for children under 3.
To reserve, e-mail lifeomike@gmail.com. For more information, call 828-243-6712.
Patient Pals & Family Friends
Life o' Mike has a new peer support program for people newly diagnosed with chronic or serious illness or with a new disability and their caregivers.
Patient Pals are people who have experience with various illnesses and disabilities, who can help someone newly diagnosed or with a new disability work through the fear, frustration, confusion and grief often experienced in the first few months.
Family Friends are there to help caregivers and other family members grow into their new role.
People with new illness or disability fare better when they have a role model -- someone who can help them negotiate their new path in life.
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.