Live Chat With Obama On Health Care TODAY….Tune In And Get Informed
Posted by Michelle Moquin on July 28th, 2009
Well…I just got the news, and it’s better than I thought. The LIVE news chat that I spoke of the other day is going to be LIVE TODAY and our president is going to be part of it. How exciting is that? Obama is going to be at a live townhall meeting, ready to answer some of your health care concerns. Here’s the scoop that just came in:
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Live town hall meeting withPresident Obama. Tuesday, July 28 Don’t miss the opportunity to participate: On Tuesday, watch the |
President Barack Obama is holding a special LIVE town hall meeting with AARP and Divided We Fail supporters today – Tuesday, July 28th – at 1:30 p.m. EDT.
But that’s not all, Michelle.
You’ve taken part in the debate on the critical issue of health care reform from the beginning. Now you can take your questions straight to the top – we’ve arranged for President Obama to take several questions from our online supporters at tomorrow’s town hall!
Click here to submit your question for today’s LIVE town hall meeting with President Obama.
President Obama will join us to discuss the ways that health reform legislation currently before Congress will impact AARP members and older Americans and will be responding to your questions.
The president will be joined by AARP CEO A. Barry Rand for a conversation with tens of thousands listening on the phone, online, and from a live studio audience.
AARP has set up a live webcast on its site. Starting at 1:30 p.m. Eastern, you’ll be able to watch the town hall and listen to President Obama answer questions from AARP and Divided We Fail members about health reform.
This is a critical juncture in the health care debate, and we need to make sure we have the facts. Now is the time to tune in, ask questions and listen to the options before us. We have a historic opportunity to ask President Obama some tough questions, so let’s make sure we take it.
To watch the president live online in the webcast on Tuesday go to:
http://www.aarp.org/TownHall
Now is your chance to tune in, get informed, and have your concerns addressed. C’mon now…speak up. The time is NOW.
On a side note: Ever heard of ther Lewin Group? Oh, the repugnants just love to quote the Lewin Group. It is their biggest defense against health care reform. Quotes such as, ”Approximately 114 million Americans are expected to leave private health insurance,” is taken from the Lewin Group report.
Let me give you a little background on the Lewin Group:
Generally left unsaid amid all the citations is that the Lewin Goup is wholly owned by UnitedHealth Group, one of the nation’s largest insurers.
More specifically, the Lewin Group is part of Ingenix, a UnitedHealth subsidiary that was accused by the New York attorney general and the American Medical Association, a physician’s group, of helping insurers shift medical expenses to consumers by distributing skewed data. Ingenix supplied its parent company and other insurers with data that allegedly understated the “usual and customary” doctor fees that insurers use to determine how much they will reimburse consumers for out-of-network care.
In January, UnitedHealth agreed to a $50 million settlement with the New York attorney general and a $350 million settlement with the AMA, covering conduct going back as far as 1994.
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 22, 2009; 6:46 PM
Oops busted. Who’s to say that the Lewin Group hasn’t been stuffing the repugs pockets with all of the money they have been ripping off from their insurers since 1994. And why do you think the repugnicants are so stuck on quoting them? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it out.
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Mehtarlam: Good to hear from you again. It seems you are beginning to be a regular blogger here. Thank you for your kind words, and support. I wish I could do more right now.
Teyrawah, Delatam: Your request weighs heavy on me as do all such similar requests when I write about the plight of women around the world. It would be easy to just say, ‘Eliminate them’, and yet it is not in me to descend to such depths, as much as my fury rises with each report that I read.
It takes the Assiya’s of the world that give me hope that women will prevail. Maybe not in our lifetimes, but my hope is that women will ‘woman up’ and fight for what is rightfully ours. When you pray to Allah, pray that the courage rises out of each of you to effect your own changes. I was once told that whatever efforts I put out, will be matched. I pass that along to you.
I know it is easy for me to say these things, as I am an American woman who has never and probably never will be tested to endure even for one day, what many women endure over an entire lifetime.
I encourage you to fight for your rightful place even if that place is not on solid ground for generations to come. Annihilation may seem like the simple solution to a quick fix, but in the long term will it serve you best? I don’t know. I only know to continue to write and support and encourage that which I know is possible.
Women are the strength of this planet….why else would we call it ‘Mother Earth’? Azza once said to me when she left last year and we did not know whether we would ever meet again, ‘I will never forget Michelle’s Earth.’ I burst into tears. Those six words had a very profound impact on me. It did not arrive from an egoic place in my mind, but from a place of women empowerment in my heart. Again, I pass that along to you.
Women are the creators, and I believe that we can create a better planet for all if we just stick together. The men have always shown their commitment to each other; now it is the time for women.
Empowerment over our own future and those of our daughters and their daughters….will be our lasting legacy.
Shir Khan: It is easy for me to be committed to a cause that I believe in. It is women like you, and Mehtarlam, Teyrawah, Delatam, and Assiya, and so many others that are challenged daily. My strength is fueled by your unwavering commitment for change and equality. It is I that am blown away by the strength and courage of women not like myself. It is you and women like you that inspires me to continue to do what I do.
In my mind, distance is the only thing that should separate sisters of the world from coming together. Your comment tells me you feel the same way. Thank you.
Billy: Your little sayings are so whimsical – love them. I say, ‘keep ‘em coming.’
Scott: Thanks. I wish I had used that little tactic when I asked my employer if I could have the afternoon off this Friday to be with my family.
Mandi: I would’ve started laughing, and asked him why he was checking out my butt in the first place.
Peter: You can be sure I will be checking out my Guam quarters.
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: Your Bad Ass Bitch Editor
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July 28th, 2009 at 8:51 am
ACUPUNCTURE FOR FEMALE PROBLEMS
Gynecological complaints like pelvic pain, infertility, menstrual cramps and the mood swings and hot flashes of menopause are often highly responsive to acupuncture — I’ve heard this anecdotally from friends and, interestingly, also from doctors, both mainstream and integrative. And I am seeing more and more published research backing this up as well — most recently, a 12-week study of breast cancer patients compared acupuncture treatment to use of an antidepressant, venlafaxine (Effexor), for relief of severe hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. Both treatments were effective, but with some important differences. The women in the acupuncture group reported no side effects, while the drug group suffered many unpleasant ones. The acupuncture group also reported improved energy, clarity of thinking, sexual desire and overall sense of well-being. Finally, improvement among the acupuncture patients lasted much longer — from three to four months after finishing treatment, compared with the Effexor group, in which symptoms resumed within two weeks after they stopped the drug.
WHY IT WORKS FOR WOMEN’S ISSUES
I wasn’t surprised by any of this, given the many stories I have written about acupuncture, but it prompted me to look into the therapy’s use for a wider range of gynecological issues. I called acupuncturist Yi Chan, DPM, LAc, who is on staff at The Bendheim Integrative Medicine Center at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York and in private practice in West Orange, New Jersey. Dr. Chan says the basic philosophy of Chinese medicine is to maintain proper balance of energy flow (chi) in the body and that when the flow is disrupted, it creates disorders and discomfort. He likens this to the New York City subway where a breakdown of even a single train will cause widespread disruptions in the system. Acupuncture, he says, is a way to locate and correct the disruption of the chi.
Dr. Chan reports that acupuncture helps 80% of his patients — bringing “great improvement” to 60%. With acupuncture, most patients can tell by about the sixth treatment if it is helping their problem — if nothing has changed by then (as is true for about 20%), the challenge may be too great for acupuncture alone to resolve.
WHAT CAN ACUPUNCTURE HELP?
Menstrual cycle problems (flow, regularity, pain). Sometimes stress, diet or excessive exercise can disrupt normal functioning of the menstrual cycle, by sending energy to the wrong places, explains Dr. Chan. Acupuncture can help repair and “smooth out the bumpy ride,” whether the flow is too heavy or too little, or the cycle is shortened, delayed or irregular. Typically, the practitioner treats the patient through several cycles, with about eight to 12 weeks of treatments.
Fertility issues. Acupuncture can be helpful for women having trouble conceiving, and new research shows that it improves the success rate of in-vitro fertilization. Dr. Chan suggests not waiting many months to seek acupuncture to help fertility, urging women who don’t get pregnant to use acupuncture sooner rather than later, as it can “free up” their energy flow. But such women should always first have a complete physical exam by a gynecologist to be sure that everything is anatomically functional.
Endometriosis and uterine fibroids. These particular problems can be stubborn and complex. While acupuncture can help ease pain and excessive bleeding, women with endometriosis and/or fibroids often require conventional treatment as well, sometimes including surgery. In those cases, acupuncture can help soothe post-surgery discomfort, supporting healing and re-establishment of the cycle. Again, it is crucial to have a gynecological examination to determine the nature and extent of the problem — if symptoms are mild to moderate, Dr. Chan says acupuncture can help right away, but for severe symptoms, he says women should first see a medical doctor and then seek out an acupuncturist.
Hot flashes. As mentioned above, acupuncture can ease the frequency and severity of hot flashes as well. Dr. Chan advises his patients to keep a notebook, writing down frequency and intensity of the flashes as they occur. With acupuncture, “the frequency may abate, but the intensity remains the same — or vice-versa,” he says. “By observing this carefully you will know if acupuncture is working for you.” Dr. Chan also has a list of “cooling” foods advised in Chinese medicine for such patients — watermelon, mung bean, mustard greens, bitter melon and grass jelly.
FIND AN ACUPUNCTURIST
To find an acupuncturist near you, go to the Web site of the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine at http://www.nccaom.org, which lists board certified practitioners. Word of mouth is also good, says Dr. Chan. Insurance covers treatment in many cases, though not always. Perhaps this too will change as Western medicine begins to fully embrace the benefits of acupuncture.
Source(s): ?
Yi Chan, DPM, LAc, The Bendheim Integrative Medicine Center, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York City. http://www.yourdrchan.com.
Eleanor Walker, MD, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan.
July 28th, 2009 at 8:59 am
Sally, my bff, told me 3 months ago that she was pregnant. I asked her if she was going to have it. She said that she was because she and the baby’s daddy were going to get married.
I congratulated her and said that I was delighted that she and Rick, her bf were getting married. She thanked me. Then she said that she wasn’t marring Rick because he wasn’t the father of her baby. She was marring my bf Don because he was the father of her baby.
To make a long story short, I got revenge on her by getting pregnant by her father. My boyfriend found out that i was pregnant and got he to have an abortion in her second trimester. WE are now getting married. He doesn’t know that I know that he knocked up my best friend. I told my bf’s father that he was the father. He said if the DNA test was positive, he would put the child in his will and give me $2,000 a month for child support if I kept his secret.
It’s his baby because he was the only one I was having sex with during that time. I only fucked my finacee to convince him that he was the father. I was going to tell his wife to fuck up their marriage, but $2,000 a month a new car and $50,000 if it is a boy is to good to fuck up. So I guess I’ll have the little bastard. Oh he won’t be a bastard now because I will be married before I drop my little money maker.
Charlette
July 28th, 2009 at 9:34 am
Sometimes I get surprised by white men when I think I have heard everything stupid, racist, idiotic and just plain self-serving my father, brothers, friends and other male relatives can spiel.
The gaul of Sgt Cromley to want to go to the White House and meet with a man he tried to frame is one thing. But to go knowing that there are publicly aired contradictions to his lies is a new low.
The facts show that this man lied about the presence of a witness at the scene. He lied about what he put in his report. He asked for more cops to intimidate a old cripple black man. He lied about what happened at the scene.
The point not mentioned by any of the white media is Sgt Cromley attempted to get this man arrested and charged with a felony misconduct assault against a police officer.
That is a charge that carries serious ramifications. The black man would have had to incur expensive legal services to fight it and endure the emotional trauma of not knowing whether an all white jury would convict him on the trumped up charge of misconduct.
The teaching moment we whites are using to minimize the crime Sgt Cromley committed against this black man is disgusting. It is but one the typical ways white men dismiss their racist behavior against OTWs.
It is appallingly obvious that now that the facts are showing that SGt Cromley is a liar and a perjurer on his police report, the media is anxious to forget this story.
If it had been a black policeman who attempted to frame a white man with a false police report, every channel would be blaring “reverse discrimination” claims 24/7.
White men have no shame. This perjurer is willing to march into the White House knowing that those two prominent black men know what he tried to do to one of them. He knows that they are also speculating on how many OTWs this racist has framed, embarrassed, and terrorized with his badge in the past.
The truly horrible thought for them and other OTWs who are forced to endure this travesty of justice is that they also know that this racist will get to continue to be a terror to other OTWs.
White don’t see the seriousness of it because it is not a threat they will have to endure from this bigot. As I said when I think I have seen the limits of white men’s self-serving behavior, I am proven wrong.
OTWs, I am speaking up as a white woman to say you have my apology for whatever you feel it is worth for my race’s evil that is practice upon you daily.
Sgt Cromley, God will have your measure when your hour is up. It won’t be the the god you and your fellow bigots pray to. That being will be the master of where you and your kind will dwell if there is a Hell after death.
I wish you a speedy flight there.
Haley
July 28th, 2009 at 9:38 am
No matter how much you push the envelope, it’ll still be stationery
July 29th, 2009 at 4:42 am
Hi Michelle,
Just caught Obama’s “town hall meeting” yesterday (by 5 minutes).
The internet site was messin’ up, but found it on one of the cable news channels on T.V.
I called both of my senators to tell them that as a constituent, I wanted “health care reform” to pass.
Both times, I was logged in as such.
Thanks for the links.
Al
July 29th, 2009 at 6:37 am
Accepting Your Parents’ Limitations
Roni Lang, LCSW
Greenwich Hospital
Matching our parents become less able to care for themselves is one of life’s greatest challenges. Adult children often feel awkward and ill-equipped to assume the caretaker role.
Although this shift in roles may be uncomfortable and frightening, it also can provide opportunities for connection and growth. What to do…
Accept your conflicting emotions and those of your parents. Aging brings up a complicated tangle of feelings in both parents and children. Along with love and appreciation, we also are likely to feel, at various times, resentment, sadness, fear, frustration, guilt, anger and impatience.
Underlying all these emotions is the issue of loss. The parent fears losing independence and, with it, self-confidence, power and control. Adult children not only suffer by witnessing their parents’ pain but also must cope with their own losses. They lose the image of a parent who always can be counted on to take care of things. Instead, the “buck stops” with the adult child.
Simply recognizing these feelings can keep us from being blindsided and overwhelmed by them.
Begin discussion early. If you bring up aging and health issues before a crisis hits, it makes communication and planning easier. Introduce the topic in a friendly, low-key way.
Example: “I just wrote out my health-care proxy and power of attorney. This is really important to me. If I can’t speak for myself, I want doctors to know that my husband will speak for me. Who would you want to speak for you if you couldn’t speak for yourself?”
Other questions you might ask: “If it became hard to take care of the house, what other options would you consider? How would you feel about live-in help? What about retirement communities or assisted-living facilities”… “Could we put together a list of your doctors’ names and phone numbers, and the medications you’re taking? I’d feel better having that information in case you ever got sick or had an accident.”
Caution: Don’t raise more than one issue at a time. Trying to tackle too much at once can lead to stress and defensiveness. If your parent doesn’t want to discuss the issue, back off and talk about something else. Raise the topic again on another occasion.
Determine if you need to get actively involved. If a parent is already declining, you need to be more assertive. Signs that you should get actively involved include…
Trouble with everyday tasks, such as cleaning, cooking, paying bills.
Neglecting personal care (wearing the same clothes every day, bathing less often).
Health changes, such as weight loss, lack of energy, difficulty walking.
Frequent confusion, memory lapses, trouble with problem-solving, getting lost in familiar areas.
Safety concerns, such as the stove being left on or medications in disarray.
Involve your parent in decisions. Most parents dig in their heels when their children tell them what to do. Statements such as “I think you should see a doctor” or “I don’t think you should drive anymore” threaten their independence.
Unless your parent is in immediate danger, give him/her as much latitude as possible. Present options. Encourage mutual brainstorming and problem-solving.
Example: “I notice you’ve lost a lot of weight. What do you think might be going on? Who do you think could help with this?”
Also, try to express your concerns, rather than giving orders.
Examples: “I get so worried when you drive. I’m afraid that something might happen to you.”… “As a favor to me, would you go to see the doctor? It would really put my mind at ease.”
Stay calm and connected. Strive to show empathy, affection and respect. Relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, can help you maintain your composure.
When family members come to loggerheads, it’s usually because both sides are trying to prove they’re right.
When you catch yourself raising your voice or getting impatient, stop trying to force your point. Instead, acknowledge what the other person is saying.
Example: “I really want to understand your point of view. Let’s start again. Tell me what you’re worried about.”
Often, a parent may be more receptive to the idea of accepting assistance when it comes from someone other than a son or daughter. If your parent resists your help, consider asking your parent’s close friend, sibling (your aunt or uncle), clergyperson or doctor to initiate the conversation.
Listen compassionately. When our parents say things that sound negative, the temptation is to try to talk them out of those feelings. We may think we’re helping them, but we’re actually protecting ourselves from feeling guilty or sad — and probably making our parents feel worse.
Example: On her first day as a resident at an assisted-living facility, Margaret said, “I hate this place. I’d rather be dead.” Her daughter replied, “Cheer up, Mom, you’ll love it here. Look how they’ve painted the walls bright yellow. You love yellow.” This kind of exchange is patronizing — it’s likely to make the parent feel even more helpless and childlike.
Instead of dismissing your parents’ feelings, acknowledge them. Then point out their strengths.
Example: “I know this change is hard. It’s going to take time to get used to. But you’ve worked through new situations before. I know you’ll be able to work through this one.”
Get support. A large network of public and private agencies and programs exists to help seniors and their families with caregiving assistance and emotional support.
To locate publicly funded and community programs, start with Eldercare Locator, a free national service of the Administration on Aging. The service links those who need assistance with state and local area agencies on aging and community-based organizations that serve older adults and their caregivers. For information and referral to community-based services, contact the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116 or visit eldercare.gov.
If your parent has been hospitalized, the hospital social worker can help guide you toward resources. You may want to consider hiring a professional geriatric care manager (GCM) — a nurse, social worker, gerontologist or other specialist who can help you navigate options and create an action plan. Contact the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (caremanager.org).
Personal interviewed Roni Lang, LCSW, a clinical social worker who directs the Family Caregiver Support Program of the Center of Healthy Aging at Greenwich Hospital, Greenwich, Connecticut, part of the Yale New Haven Health System. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the field of aging and family caregiving. She also is a frequent speaker on topics related to aging and patient care and is the recipient of the Excellence in Caregiving award from the Connecticut Alzheimer’s Association.