The reality in America is when things are bad they continue to snowball. When your star starts to fade it disappears. In America one day you can have so much money that you are throwing it away. The next week you can be so poor that you can't find a penny. Michael Vick is a person whose star has faded and the hole he finds himself in, gets deeper and deeper.
This week he was caught with marijuana. He actually was not caught smoking but his test was positive. Now he will be required to wear an electric monitoring device and his movement will be limited and controlled. He is now a criminal and the system can justify throwing the book at him. When you tend to be radical, hispanic or black and you make a mistake, there is a price you must pay.
Smoking weed when you know that the entire world is monitoring your every move is an immature way to behave. However when you are 27 you think you can get awaywith everything. The abuse of drugs and alcohol has reached epidemic proportions but people continue to abuse drugs. Michael Vick is an example of someone who could not keep his fingers out of the cookie jar.
He knew that at any time the authorities could call him up and tell him to come and take the test. But he took a risk and now he is caught again. The system or authority has the power, and when they are in control you listen. The system does not care if you were a star the other day but when you mess up you are no better than the rest of us.
The abuse of drugs and alcohol is a sickness. There is something wrong when the same people who judge us, behind close doors do the same thing. Most people who have a problem do not admit the problem until they are caught. Michael Vick was a celebrity who was caught and he has no idea how to solve his problems without professional help. How do your handle your problems when you where on the top of the world and now you are on the bottom? Who do you turn to when you are falling and you can't get up?
Friday, September 28, 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
The Doctors are Upset with the System-Part 4
The academy of doctors issued a report that America must increase family physicians by 39% by the year 2020. Thirty nine percent is a huge number when most doctors refuse to go into a family practice because it is difficult to pay their bills. It was unheard of a doctor not being able to pay his bills.
Now it is normal for doctors to say that they cannot meet their payroll. Many doctors are leaving certain states because the malpractice insurance rates makes it unprofitable to work in that state. As we move into the future informed Americans know there is a need for reform. A collaborative movement is necessary to prevent a health care disaster.
Many doctors are beginning to charge their patients a surcharge to help defray the cost of doing business. Some doctors are having patients sign waivers that they will only receive certain amounts if they sue. There are other creative and innovative plans that doctors are trying, and many do not know if they are legal. Doing the doctoring business is risky business today.
As we move to the future medical doctors will become a socialized function. As the cost to become a doctor escalates most individuals will not be able to afford their educational bill. It now takes $350,000 and more to pay for an education and soon it will cost over a million. The future is in five or ten years. Educating doctors will become a joint endeavor with the federal government helping to finance our future doctors.
At this point many of the doctors are not vocal and not petitioning political reform. As the health care system and medical profession continues to worsen the patients and doctors must collaborate. It is necessary that doctors operate with a sense of integrity, and social leadership, and be truthful about their condition. Doctors have a responsibility to heal the sick.and stop being a puppet for the pharmaceutical conglomerates.
Doctor have a right to be upset. Their careers and livelihoods are being challenged and destroyed, because they are being swallowed up by politics and conglomerates. There is something wrong when the cream of the crop are forced to claim bankruptcy. Who will deliver our children in the future? Who will heal our sick? Who will pay the million dollars to train our doctors?
Roger
Now it is normal for doctors to say that they cannot meet their payroll. Many doctors are leaving certain states because the malpractice insurance rates makes it unprofitable to work in that state. As we move into the future informed Americans know there is a need for reform. A collaborative movement is necessary to prevent a health care disaster.
Many doctors are beginning to charge their patients a surcharge to help defray the cost of doing business. Some doctors are having patients sign waivers that they will only receive certain amounts if they sue. There are other creative and innovative plans that doctors are trying, and many do not know if they are legal. Doing the doctoring business is risky business today.
As we move to the future medical doctors will become a socialized function. As the cost to become a doctor escalates most individuals will not be able to afford their educational bill. It now takes $350,000 and more to pay for an education and soon it will cost over a million. The future is in five or ten years. Educating doctors will become a joint endeavor with the federal government helping to finance our future doctors.
At this point many of the doctors are not vocal and not petitioning political reform. As the health care system and medical profession continues to worsen the patients and doctors must collaborate. It is necessary that doctors operate with a sense of integrity, and social leadership, and be truthful about their condition. Doctors have a responsibility to heal the sick.and stop being a puppet for the pharmaceutical conglomerates.
Doctor have a right to be upset. Their careers and livelihoods are being challenged and destroyed, because they are being swallowed up by politics and conglomerates. There is something wrong when the cream of the crop are forced to claim bankruptcy. Who will deliver our children in the future? Who will heal our sick? Who will pay the million dollars to train our doctors?
Roger
Monday, September 24, 2007
The Doctors are Upset with the System-Part 3
There is a problem with the system when the cream of our society is upset. Lawyers say there is no crisis in the medical profession because damage awards continue to escalate. In some states where there is no cap on damage awards they continue to grow. The lawyers continue to make exorbitant pay outs and their bank accounts swell. The question that doctors keep asking, is when will it all slow down?
Premiums continue to rise all over the country and doctors have staged work slow downs. It is hard for me to contemplate doctors consciously protesting their profession. Everyday we put our life in their skilled hands and we have no idea that they cannot pay their bills. Many doctors are emotionally angry and they hold our fate with their decisions. When financial obligations take precedence over professional decisions the patient suffers.
The horror stories continue. Three doctors in Illinois pay $345,000 a year in liability insurance and in July their insurance will increase to $510,410. An obstetrician/gynecologist in New Jersey will have to pay $125,000 this year, which will force her to deliver 5 babies a month to pay her liability insurance. After she is able to cover her liability insurance then she can pay the rest of her bills. The cream of the crop is mad.
Doctors are the cornerstone of our health care system. They have dedicated their entire life to treating the sick but they now feel red tape, insurance, and bureaucratic procedures are making their practices unprofitable. There are 12 states where practicing medicine is a risky business. In New Jersey, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington, and West Virginia there is a crisis. The doctors in these states are moving or they cannot find reasonable premiums. There is a need for reform but many of the laws are being controlled and made by people who say there is no crisis.
The lawyers are correct when doctors make major errors in judgement. But the lawyers know that there are problems with the present system. There is a need for tort reform and a cap on malpractice suits throughout the country. However change in America many times is very slow and the system refuses to acknowledge a need for change. There is becoming a critical shortage of doctors in our country, and who will care for our sick? What happens when doctors refuse to pay insurance premiums?
Roger
Premiums continue to rise all over the country and doctors have staged work slow downs. It is hard for me to contemplate doctors consciously protesting their profession. Everyday we put our life in their skilled hands and we have no idea that they cannot pay their bills. Many doctors are emotionally angry and they hold our fate with their decisions. When financial obligations take precedence over professional decisions the patient suffers.
The horror stories continue. Three doctors in Illinois pay $345,000 a year in liability insurance and in July their insurance will increase to $510,410. An obstetrician/gynecologist in New Jersey will have to pay $125,000 this year, which will force her to deliver 5 babies a month to pay her liability insurance. After she is able to cover her liability insurance then she can pay the rest of her bills. The cream of the crop is mad.
Doctors are the cornerstone of our health care system. They have dedicated their entire life to treating the sick but they now feel red tape, insurance, and bureaucratic procedures are making their practices unprofitable. There are 12 states where practicing medicine is a risky business. In New Jersey, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington, and West Virginia there is a crisis. The doctors in these states are moving or they cannot find reasonable premiums. There is a need for reform but many of the laws are being controlled and made by people who say there is no crisis.
The lawyers are correct when doctors make major errors in judgement. But the lawyers know that there are problems with the present system. There is a need for tort reform and a cap on malpractice suits throughout the country. However change in America many times is very slow and the system refuses to acknowledge a need for change. There is becoming a critical shortage of doctors in our country, and who will care for our sick? What happens when doctors refuse to pay insurance premiums?
Roger
Thursday, September 20, 2007
The Doctors are Upset With The System-Part 2
I always thought that once you become a certified doctor financially this person was set for life. There was one thing I didn't take into consideration, and that was malpractice insurance. I never realized that a doctor could be sued and everything they had worked for was down the drain. One mistake and their career was over.
Many doctors are refusing to treat certain situations, and are asking the patient to sign a waiver that they cannot be sued. Many doctors are having problems finding malpractice insurance which is reasonable and cost effective. In our country there is a lawyer mindset and lawyers look for loopholes to initiate litigation.
In Las Vegas a hospital was closed down for a few days because over thirty doctors could not find liability and malpractice insurance. It became necessary for the state to get involved in order to help the doctors secure insurance. In Sanford, Florida a group of surgeons quit for a week, and one local hospital had one general surgeon. This one surgeon was responsible for all emergency operations while the group of surgeons found insurance. The horror stories continue to pop up all over the country and the doctors are furious.
The mass media puts a little burp in the newspaper, and very little is said on television. There is a shortage of doctors in many parts of the country. There are hospitals closing their doors because they cannot cover their expenses. The doctors are caught in the middle and they find it hard to meet their expenses.
There is something wrong with the system because becoming a doctor was a secure career and doctors were assured a financially rewarding income. But now doctors are being forced to close their office and retire early. Many doctors are upset with their income because they are making less money than they were making three years ago. Insurance companies continue to raise their preminuns and they also say they are not making any profits.
I was reviewing the salaries that the CEO of insurance companies are making. Some of the CEO's were making 30 million dollars in one year and there was no salary listed for the different vice-presidents. There is obviously a need to investigate the actual salary that the executive groups in these companies are receiving.
The doctors are right when they feel that there is corruption and corporate robbery. The doctors are forced to pay their insurance peminuns even though they feel it is too high. They also smell a rat but they stay quiet. There is a need for medical malpractice reform and health care to decrease. Will the doctors have to get angry and refuse to treat their patients? Who will be able to afford the price of insurance in a few years?
Roger
Many doctors are refusing to treat certain situations, and are asking the patient to sign a waiver that they cannot be sued. Many doctors are having problems finding malpractice insurance which is reasonable and cost effective. In our country there is a lawyer mindset and lawyers look for loopholes to initiate litigation.
In Las Vegas a hospital was closed down for a few days because over thirty doctors could not find liability and malpractice insurance. It became necessary for the state to get involved in order to help the doctors secure insurance. In Sanford, Florida a group of surgeons quit for a week, and one local hospital had one general surgeon. This one surgeon was responsible for all emergency operations while the group of surgeons found insurance. The horror stories continue to pop up all over the country and the doctors are furious.
The mass media puts a little burp in the newspaper, and very little is said on television. There is a shortage of doctors in many parts of the country. There are hospitals closing their doors because they cannot cover their expenses. The doctors are caught in the middle and they find it hard to meet their expenses.
There is something wrong with the system because becoming a doctor was a secure career and doctors were assured a financially rewarding income. But now doctors are being forced to close their office and retire early. Many doctors are upset with their income because they are making less money than they were making three years ago. Insurance companies continue to raise their preminuns and they also say they are not making any profits.
I was reviewing the salaries that the CEO of insurance companies are making. Some of the CEO's were making 30 million dollars in one year and there was no salary listed for the different vice-presidents. There is obviously a need to investigate the actual salary that the executive groups in these companies are receiving.
The doctors are right when they feel that there is corruption and corporate robbery. The doctors are forced to pay their insurance peminuns even though they feel it is too high. They also smell a rat but they stay quiet. There is a need for medical malpractice reform and health care to decrease. Will the doctors have to get angry and refuse to treat their patients? Who will be able to afford the price of insurance in a few years?
Roger
Monday, September 17, 2007
The Doctors are Upset With the System-Part 1
A couple of days ago I was in my doctor's office and there were patients everywhere. I didn't really pay any attention to the situation because my doctor is always busy. Recently I had changed my insurance and I knew that my doctor was not taking any new patients. My doctor is a great doctor and you expect to wait for his service, but why is he so busy!
Just the other day I was on the internet and an article concerning doctors was titled "fewer primary care physicians in America". Basically it stated that many family practices are closed to new practices and many doctors are refusing medicaid and medicare patients. Doctors feel there is to much red tape and administrative and bureaucratic procedures with these patients. They also feel that the government wants the doctors to take to large a discount on their normal charges.
The article was also discussing the increase in doctors liability insurance. One doctor stated in 2000 has insurance was 20,000 dollars and the next year it was increasing to 33,000 dollars. Each year his insurance continued to increase and now it is increasing to over 100,000 dollars. His insurance has tripled and he feels that he may take an early retirement because of the expense of insurance.
Many of the doctors feel that their profits are being eaten up by insurance, overhead, technology, and red tape. In order to stay current my doctors has been forced to make his office digital. This I am sure was a very expensive investment, but information is more accurate and faster. He is able to see more patients but is his practice more profitable. His business appears to be excellent yet the bottom line probably is decreasing.
At medical schools the students don't want to go into the area of family medicine or a generalist. They realize that they can make more money by being a specialist. At one time you could make an appointment to see a specialist in 7 to 10 days. Now it takes 4 to 6 months and in some parts of the country you have to travel to even find a specialist.
Maybe my doctor is working so hard because he is just trying to pay his bills. On the outside it appears that he is making money and he has reached a level of success. But in the article many doctors are leaving the practice and new doctors are worried if they can pay the exorbitant insurance rates. I was always under the impression that once you spent all the money in school to become a doctor you had achieved a level of privilege and success. However the reality was that now you have to work harder to pay back your debts and borrow money to start a practice.
Now I understand why my doctor at times is sarcastic. Now I understand what it takes to maintain. Now I understand when they get there, they have no time to breath. What happened to the pie, when they became a Doctor? Did someone lie to them too?
Roger
Just the other day I was on the internet and an article concerning doctors was titled "fewer primary care physicians in America". Basically it stated that many family practices are closed to new practices and many doctors are refusing medicaid and medicare patients. Doctors feel there is to much red tape and administrative and bureaucratic procedures with these patients. They also feel that the government wants the doctors to take to large a discount on their normal charges.
The article was also discussing the increase in doctors liability insurance. One doctor stated in 2000 has insurance was 20,000 dollars and the next year it was increasing to 33,000 dollars. Each year his insurance continued to increase and now it is increasing to over 100,000 dollars. His insurance has tripled and he feels that he may take an early retirement because of the expense of insurance.
Many of the doctors feel that their profits are being eaten up by insurance, overhead, technology, and red tape. In order to stay current my doctors has been forced to make his office digital. This I am sure was a very expensive investment, but information is more accurate and faster. He is able to see more patients but is his practice more profitable. His business appears to be excellent yet the bottom line probably is decreasing.
At medical schools the students don't want to go into the area of family medicine or a generalist. They realize that they can make more money by being a specialist. At one time you could make an appointment to see a specialist in 7 to 10 days. Now it takes 4 to 6 months and in some parts of the country you have to travel to even find a specialist.
Maybe my doctor is working so hard because he is just trying to pay his bills. On the outside it appears that he is making money and he has reached a level of success. But in the article many doctors are leaving the practice and new doctors are worried if they can pay the exorbitant insurance rates. I was always under the impression that once you spent all the money in school to become a doctor you had achieved a level of privilege and success. However the reality was that now you have to work harder to pay back your debts and borrow money to start a practice.
Now I understand why my doctor at times is sarcastic. Now I understand what it takes to maintain. Now I understand when they get there, they have no time to breath. What happened to the pie, when they became a Doctor? Did someone lie to them too?
Roger
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Thumbs Up For Medical Science
There are times that I question the effectiveness of traditional and conventional medicine and pharmaceutical solutions. Many times I feel there is a reliance on medications and no other option is explored. But when I read the amazing work that is being done with Kevin Everett it is truly a medical breakthrough. Kevin Everett was a football player who sustained a life-threatening spinal cord injury. Initially the prognosis was that he would never walk again with such a catastrophic injury.
However the team of doctors in Buffalo have collaborated with with a team in Florida named the Miami Project who specialize in spinal cord injuries and paralysis. Kevin Everett voluntarily moved his arms and legs prompting doctors to change their original prognosis. The key was the Buffalo team ran an ice-cold saline solution through Everett's system that put the player in a hypodermic state. Doctors at the Miami Project have demonstrated that such action significantly decreases the damage to the spinal cord injuries due to swelling and movement.
This innovative procedure is appearing to help accelerate his recovery because of the unexpected movement of his body. There also appears to be touch sensation throughout his body and even the doctors are proclaiming that this is a miracle. The spectacular progress that medical science has made in the last five to ten years is amazing. The breakthroughs that university research teams continue to find answers too move human development and knowledge to a new level.
It is too early to make definitive statements concerning to what degree Everett will improve. We know that medical science has positioned itself to make monumental strides in healing. Problems that before took months and years to correct can now be corrected in weeks. As we project in the future I know that today's crisis will become yesterday's headaches and challenges. There are amazing breakthroughs and solutions that will enhance and improve living. This is an exciting time to be alive. Live Life
Roger
However the team of doctors in Buffalo have collaborated with with a team in Florida named the Miami Project who specialize in spinal cord injuries and paralysis. Kevin Everett voluntarily moved his arms and legs prompting doctors to change their original prognosis. The key was the Buffalo team ran an ice-cold saline solution through Everett's system that put the player in a hypodermic state. Doctors at the Miami Project have demonstrated that such action significantly decreases the damage to the spinal cord injuries due to swelling and movement.
This innovative procedure is appearing to help accelerate his recovery because of the unexpected movement of his body. There also appears to be touch sensation throughout his body and even the doctors are proclaiming that this is a miracle. The spectacular progress that medical science has made in the last five to ten years is amazing. The breakthroughs that university research teams continue to find answers too move human development and knowledge to a new level.
It is too early to make definitive statements concerning to what degree Everett will improve. We know that medical science has positioned itself to make monumental strides in healing. Problems that before took months and years to correct can now be corrected in weeks. As we project in the future I know that today's crisis will become yesterday's headaches and challenges. There are amazing breakthroughs and solutions that will enhance and improve living. This is an exciting time to be alive. Live Life
Roger
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Depression A Cry For Help-Part 6
As I end this series of articles on depression,I understand that the solution is different for each individual. There is a wealth of options available for anyone with a major depressive disorder. It is important that an individual is not paralyzed by inaction, and makes an attempt to change the way they think. It is necessary to heal the whole person which will result in a lifestyle modification.
Depression cannot be healed by just using medications and psychotherapy. Wellness must include herbal, dietary holistic treatments, exercise, and a spiritual grounding. As I continue to explore contemporary lifestyles I find that anger and self-hatred is a reoccurring theme with people who have depression. Negative thoughts coupled with painful emotions are a major cause in depressive episodes. It is necessary to change cognitive thinking and behavior to make an impact in depression which is a cry for help.
There are roughly 28 million Americans who have taken Prozac, Zoloft, or Parcel or similar anti- depressions and the doctors and therapist continue to prescribe them as their solutions. There is something wrong when you keep making the same mistake and you keep bumping your head. The paralysis in the psychiatric industry everyone refuses to talk about because the conventional methods are not working.
Mental, spiritual, and physical wellness and health must become the number one priority in our contemporary lifestyle. We must not be ashamed that there is a need for a new approach to solving depression in America. There is a need for a divine correction where people get back to living healthier and make the family important again. We need to edify and recognize each other and build positive self-esteem. The things that we never have time for are the things that make our life richer and more fruitful.
Depression is a cry for help but who is listening? We can send people to the moon but how many people speak and talk to their next door neighbor. When was the last time you tried to help someone and you did not care about a financial reward? We live in one of the greatest countries in the world but we are addicted to our anti-depressions. It is time to switch the script and slow down and change our negative thoughts. It is possible to feel again and listen to a positive voice inside. Everyone has the ability to be great and make a positive impact in their life, and live without depression. Wellness is your right and your responsibility on the planet.
Roger
Depression cannot be healed by just using medications and psychotherapy. Wellness must include herbal, dietary holistic treatments, exercise, and a spiritual grounding. As I continue to explore contemporary lifestyles I find that anger and self-hatred is a reoccurring theme with people who have depression. Negative thoughts coupled with painful emotions are a major cause in depressive episodes. It is necessary to change cognitive thinking and behavior to make an impact in depression which is a cry for help.
There are roughly 28 million Americans who have taken Prozac, Zoloft, or Parcel or similar anti- depressions and the doctors and therapist continue to prescribe them as their solutions. There is something wrong when you keep making the same mistake and you keep bumping your head. The paralysis in the psychiatric industry everyone refuses to talk about because the conventional methods are not working.
Mental, spiritual, and physical wellness and health must become the number one priority in our contemporary lifestyle. We must not be ashamed that there is a need for a new approach to solving depression in America. There is a need for a divine correction where people get back to living healthier and make the family important again. We need to edify and recognize each other and build positive self-esteem. The things that we never have time for are the things that make our life richer and more fruitful.
Depression is a cry for help but who is listening? We can send people to the moon but how many people speak and talk to their next door neighbor. When was the last time you tried to help someone and you did not care about a financial reward? We live in one of the greatest countries in the world but we are addicted to our anti-depressions. It is time to switch the script and slow down and change our negative thoughts. It is possible to feel again and listen to a positive voice inside. Everyone has the ability to be great and make a positive impact in their life, and live without depression. Wellness is your right and your responsibility on the planet.
Roger
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