Life o' Mike
Who’s Number 1? We’re not
If you think the US has the best health care system in the world, think again. A Commonwealth Fund study, released today, shows we’re not at the top, even though we spend twice as much on health care.
The United States ranked last when compared to six other countries — Britain, Canada,Germany, the Netherlands, Australia and [...]
Should we fear milk?
What’s a little gowth hormone, after all?
Well, many scientists believe the recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH or rBST) that’s injected into cows to mke them produce more milk can cause cancer.
The Oregon chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility has studied the issue and has come to the conclusion that the hormones increase cows’ risk for painful infections [...]
At the activists’ summit
Today was Day 2 of the Activist Summit sponsored by Consumers Union, and I’m fired up.
The highlight of the day was getting a hug from Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.
We spent the morning on Capitol Hill and I met with staff members of both North Carolina senators. I started with Richard Burr and aske [...]
Talking to decision-makers
I spent Tuesday in Raleigh, talking to legislators and the state secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services about issues surrounding nonprofits and health care.
I talked about how the states are going to have a great deal to do with how well reform cares for people as they set up their exchanges.
They all [...]
‘I was thirsty…’
I was out shopping today for a small freezer for a client who needs it and as I came out of HH Gregg, an older woman approached me. She was decently groomed, but she looked exhausted and overheated.
“Can you please help an old woman?” she asked.
“What do you need?”
“A ride. I been out here all [...]
Another reason to know where your food came from
The New York Times had an article in this morning’s paper about how six lesser-known strains of the E coli bacteria are in the food supply, and one of them sickened 36 people in five states recently, causing kidney failure in three teenagers. It was on romaine lettuce.
The federal government and the food industry have [...]
Sebelius will fight anti-health reform suits
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has said the administration will fight challenges by states’ attorneys general to overturn health reform.
Sebelius said Tuesday the suits are nothing more than conservatives trying to advance their political careers within the Republican Party. Later in the day, she filed a motion asking a judge to dismiss the [...]
Vitamin D? Really?
I went to the doctor a couple weeks ago for my allergies (a relatively new thing to me) and told her I’ve been feeling fatigued. I’m exercising and eating well, even losing weight, but I feel lousy.
She tested me for a vitamin D deficiency. Then yesterday, I read an item on Huffington Post by Dr. [...]
More people understand health reform
This month’s poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation (http://www.kff.org/kaiserpolls/upload/8075-F.pdf) finds more people saying they understand the health reform law.
That’s good because once you understand the law, you’re more likely to understand its benefits and your rights.
More than 40 percent still say they’re confused about the law, though, down from 55 percent in April, and about [...]
No more denials
The new health reform law makes it illegal for insurance companies to deny you coverage because of a pre-existing condition, to charge you more or to exclude certain benefits from your policy — such as treatment of the pre-existing condition.
I never thought of a birth defect as a pre-existing condition until Mike came along.
I can’t [...]
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.