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,” Richard J. Umbdenstock, the president of the American Hospital Association, said today. “I’ve spent the better part of the last three days trying to deal with it.”
He said the promise was for a gradual cut and that the groups never promised a specific amout per year.
Funny, but I recall the announcement, and it said 1.5 percent per year and $2 trillion. Nobody quibbled with that until Umbdenstock had time to talk to his cronies on the phone and discovered they didn’t want to make such lofty projections.
Another reason not to trust the medical-industrial complex with reform.
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.
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