The Health Revolution
Posted by Michelle Moquin on August 22nd, 2009
Everyone knows I support Obama’s health care plan. I certainly make it known here pretty clearly. No plan is going to be perfect; we already know that from past history on almost every bill ever passed. Medicare is far different and much better now than when it first came out in the mid 60′s. And I believe that a new health care system will improve over the years too.
But what is critical right now, is that we change our present health care system and make it affordable and available for all etc., etc. I’m not going to go through what Obama’s plan includes; you’ve been reading, so you know what is in the details.
What I want to talk about today is what has not been addressed in his plan, and although as I mentioned, no plan is going to be perfect, I think there are some important issues that do need to be addressed while we are in the process of changing and improving our health care system.
A friend of mine sent me an article from Natural News: “10 Things That Are Missing From Obama’s Health Care Reform Debate.” I found it interesting. It is another viewpoint on a more preventative and nutritional level- something that has not been discussed much: Addressing the root causes of disease. (Thanks “Zucchini Flower” :)
#1) Ending the FDA’s suppression of natural cures and safe, effective nutritional supplements.
#2) Initiating a real investment in public education to teach people about how to prevent disease with nutrition.
#3) Ending Big Pharma’s monopoly on drug prices and drug patents (not to mention patents on human genes and animals).
#4) Restoring the ability for local doctors to practice local medicine without being controlled from bureaucrats in Washington.
#5) Cracking down on junk food advertising, soda advertising and pharmaceutical ads that convince people to purchase products that will only harm them.
#6) Banning dangerous chemical ingredients that cause diseases in the first place (aspartame, MSG, sodium nitrite, etc.
#7) A real effort to improve school lunches and serve food that’s nutritious instead of food that’s cheap and convenient.
#8) Ending bizarre food subsidies on crops like corn that end up making high-fructose corn syrup the cheapest sweetener for manufacturers to use.
#9) Affirming health freedom for parents who wish to opt out of the current system of forced vaccinations and gunpoint-enforced chemotherapy.
#10) Requiring honest food labeling where irradiated and GMO foods are clearly labeled as such.
I think there is a lot of good stuff here and worth addressing. Maybe a write to your Senators and Representatives is in order if you feel strongly about all of these issues, or even if you feel strongly about some of them. I certainly do.
Need more info? Check this out:
Are you in support of having a health care system that includes nutrition and prevention? I am! who wouldn’t be? Show your support and Sign the Health Revolution Petition now! You may have noticed that I also posted an icon in the left hand side column in support of this petition. It will be there permanently until health care reform is passed. Let your wishes be known by signing the petition and writing your peeps. Thanks again for all that you do.
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: Your Bad Ass Bitch Editor
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August 22nd, 2009 at 9:43 am
I’m with you Michelle. For those of you who are aware of the insurance industry’s attempt to sabotage the single payer option check this out. I found it on the net.
—————————————
http://kucinich.house.gov/
Congressman Dennis Kucinich has written HR676, a public option, and has support from 85 members of the House.
If you want a public option, you should tell your members of Congress and President Obama.
Medicare and the Veterans Administration are government run. I am a US. Navy vet and I get excellent care from the VA Health Care System.
—————————–
Ruth
August 22nd, 2009 at 9:55 am
THE TRUTH ABOUT MEDICAL MARIJUANA
The times they are a-changin’ for medical marijuana. Currently 13 states (representing a quarter of the US population) allow patients to buy and use medical marijuana for treatment of a wide range of maladies — the only caveat is, you need to find a sympathetic doctor to write your prescription. Patients are finding medical marijuana helpful for a range of problems, from soothing the nasty side effects of cancer chemotherapy to easing pain. While those involved with the legitimate medical use of marijuana had been vulnerable to Justice Department prosecution even in states where medical marijuana had been legalized, the Obama Administration announced early this year that those efforts would cease.
IS MARIJUANA A “WONDER DRUG”?
For insight, I spoke with Lester Grinspoon, MD, associate professor (emeritus) of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, author of Marihuana Reconsidered and coauthor of Marihuana: The Forbidden Medicine. He told me that the marijuana plant (cannabis) has been used since ancient times to treat a variety of ailments — only in the past century (and particularly in the US) has it been controversial and therefore difficult for patients to actually obtain. Now it seems that the “mountain of anecdotal evidence” that marijuana can be helpful for these conditions and others has finally spurred its gradual acceptance as a therapeutic with little toxicity.
“Marijuana will eventually be seen as a wonder drug, much like penicillin was in the 1940s,” predicts Dr. Grinspoon, noting that marijuana is remarkably nontoxic and far safer than most medicines prescribed every day. It’s effective and versatile, bringing much needed relief to people suffering from the debilitating symptoms of cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis and other medical conditions. Moreover, marijuana often has fewer side effects and appears to be more effective and less expensive than many of the approved drugs to treat these conditions. Specific proven uses of marijuana include:
Nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite associated with chemotherapy.
Loss of appetite and wasting disease associated with AIDS/HIV.
Chronic neuropathic pain caused by damage to nerves that commonly afflicts people with HIV and diabetes.
Intraocular pressure associated with glaucoma (temporarily).
Muscle spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury.
Marijuana has also been shown useful for people with epilepsy and autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis. Furthermore, emerging evidence suggests that marijuana may have beneficial effects in treating intestinal inflammation and colon cancer.
BIG PHARMA JOINS THE PARTY
Recognizing the medicinal value (and potential profits) of marijuana, the pharmaceutical industry has created two drug extract versions: Sativex, currently available in Canada and now in clinical trials in the US, which is an oral spray used to treat nerve pain associated with multiple sclerosis… and Marinol (dronabinol), an FDA-approved drug (capsule) taken before chemotherapy for nausea and vomiting. However, Dr. Grinspoon told me that anecdotal evidence indicates neither drug is as effective or acts as quickly to help patients feel better as does whole, smoked marijuana.
Why? Dr. Grinspoon explained that the cannabis-derived medicines don’t contain the entire spectrum of cannabinoids found in whole marijuana, which seems to work synergistically to create the desired result in patients. “We still haven’t discovered the entire constellation of compounds in marijuana, but whatever they are, they seem to work best together,” he said. Furthermore, smoking as a delivery method produces almost instantaneous results, allowing patients to “fine-tune their dose to get the needed relief.” In comparison, since oral medications must be ingested and metabolized, patients may not feel their effects for an hour or more.
KEEP RISKS IN PERSPECTIVE
Opponents of medical marijuana have many objections, including the dangers associated with smoking marijuana… the possibility of long-term cognitive impairment… and the side effect of “getting high” (though not everyone sees this as a negative).
Smoking hazards: According to Dr. Grinspoon there is no epidemiologic evidence of lung cancer or emphysema that can be attributed to smoking marijuana alone — but other delivery systems are being explored. For instance, a smokeless vaporizer might be an option for people concerned about lung irritation or exposure to potential carcinogens. Available online, this device frees the active constituents from the herb without burning it and producing smoke, therefore producing less irritation in the lungs.
Getting “high”: Dr. Grinspoon acknowledged that the therapeutic benefits of marijuana (symptom relief) may not be achievable without the psycho-active effect of getting “high.” However, patients who smoke whole marijuana can often reduce or avoid this effect by controlling their dosing.
Like any drug, marijuana is not a completely harmless substance. Side effects associated with usage may include increased heart rate, decreased blood pressure and dizziness. The occurrence of any of these varies with the individual and the amount and strain consumed.
Medical marijuana is now legal in Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. However, as policy makers and the public gradually recognize the value of medical marijuana, more states are likely to follow suit.
Source(s):
Lester Grinspoon, MD, associate professor (emeritus) of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, Boston, and coauthor of Marihuana: The Forbidden Medicine (Yale University Press). http://www.rxmarijuana.com.
August 22nd, 2009 at 10:58 am
Okay, Peter Thank you for your insight. I would like to inform those off the island and people who may be interested in Guam’s coming of age in the field of human rights.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Several lawmakers have banned together to co-sponsor legislation that would protect individuals who are victims of hate crimes. Bill 219′s main sponsor, Senator Eddie Calvo, noted that in light of recent disputes and heated public hearings over issues like domestic partnerships, it was brought to light that Guam doesn’t have hate crime laws like most other communities.
Said Calvo, “This is a bill that is based on legislation in the U.S. and other communities and I think what is so important especially as this island evolves over the next few years is that we have some legislation to ensure that although we are diverse and although we continue to have disagreements, we will continue to have harmony.”
The measure is co-sponsored by a majority of senators in the legislature like Speaker Judi Won Pat, Vice Speaker B.J. Cruz, Senators Ray Tenorio, Tina Rose Muna Barnes, Adolpho Palacios, Telo Taitague, Frank Blas, Jr., and Judi Guthertz. Won Pat emphasized her support for the bill as an important safeguard, saying, “Fortunately, we haven’t seen that here and I think it would be best for us to prepare rather than wait until it actually happens and then do something about it so that would be the primary intent of the bill.”
Bill 219 will increase fines and penalties up to $10,000 for petty misdemeanors and up to five years imprisonment for felony convictions for criminals whose crimes are prosecuted as hate crimes under this law.
==============================
Hafa adai
Anna
August 22nd, 2009 at 11:28 am
Right now insurance companies and executives decide what treatments you are allowed to have, denying coverage to people, denying procedures, medicines etc. It’s not between a doctor and their patients, that is the second biggest lie they always tell.
The biggest lie is claiming we have the best healthcare in the world, we are # 31 or so by any objective measure you want to use. The only thing our healthcare is best at is making millionaires into billionaires.
Some of the people that run these hospital groups and insurance companies are making salaries of over $100,000,000 a year each, many other executives are making only in the tens of millions annually. That’s what this is really about, greedy corporate executives not wanting to have to account for or curtail their outrageous salaries.
And all the right wing lemming ditto heads perpetuate this and fall right into the hands of the very rich trying to get even richer at the expense of the rest of us.
Our existing system of corporate care kills hundreds of thousand annually by denying coverage, procedures, and medication. Pure unadulterated corporate greed. FYL ( For You Lemmings ), Medicare and Medicaid is the govt.
August 22nd, 2009 at 11:31 am
I received this from MoveOn.Org
————————————–
Last week we leveled with you – Healthcare reform could be in trouble because a small group of conservative critics were attacking public forums (and civil discourse). Now, you’ve probably seen media reports that these hecklers are getting their way as President Obama and others back away from the public option.1
But the media is wrong, and so are the hecklers. The public option is alive and well with the support of a super-majority of Americans.2 Not only that, powerful members of the House have stepped up to defend the public option and to smack down the crazy critics who equate insurance reform with Socialism and death panels.3,4
The only place the public option is in danger is in the US Senate – where a tiny group of Democrats and Republicans are stalling the process and trading away the most important parts of reform in the name of “bipartisanship.”5 It’s time to get these foot-draggers off the dime. Tell your Senators: Reform won’t wait – either get behind the public option and real healthcare reform or get out of the way.
http://act.truemajorityaction.org/t/120/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=35
The movement to fix healthcare didn’t happen overnight. We’ve been fighting for years for a system where everyone is guaranteed quality, affordable care when they need it. And with the election of Barack Obama and a more progressive Congress, it seemed like we might be poised for victory.
Which is exactly what has terrified the small fringe of right wing-whackos we see on the news every night. People who carry assault rifles to town hall meetings and call our first African-American President all sorts of names aren’t just conservative – they’re crazy. 6
But while most of the House supports real reform – including the public option – and a lot of Senators do too, the whole process is bogged down in one committee where a handful of Senators are trying to please everyone, including the gun-toting crazies.
We can win insurance reform – we’re closer now than we’ve ever been in decades. But we need the Senate to put their deliberations in gear and stop trying to appease the crazy people. Tell the Senate it’s time for reform.
-Drew
Drew Hudson
TrueMajority / USAction
August 22nd, 2009 at 11:44 am
Old Country Preacher
>
> An old country preacher had a teenage son, and it was getting time the
> boy should give some thought to choosing a profession. Like many young
> men his age, the boy didn’t really know what he wanted to do, and he
> didn’t seem too concerned about it.
>
> One day, while the boy was away at school, his father decided to try an
> experiment. He went into the boy’s room and placed on his study table
> four objects.
>
> 1 A bible.
> 2. A silver dollar.
> 3. A bottle of whiskey.
> 4. A Playboy magazine.
>
> ‘I’ll just hide behind the door,’ the old preacher said to himself.
> ‘When he comes home from school today, I’ll see which object he picks
> up.
>
> If it’s the bible, he’s going to be a preacher like me, and what a
> blessing that would be!
>
> If he picks up the silver dollar, he’s going to be a business man, and
> that would be okay, too.
>
> But if he picks up the bottle, he’s going to be a no-good drunken bum,
> and Lord, what a shame that would be.
>
> And worst of all if he picks up that magazine he’s going to be a
> skirt-chasing womanizer.’
>
> The old man waited anxiously, and soon heard his son’s foot- steps as
> he entered the house whistling and headed for his room.
>
> The boy tossed his books on the bed, and as he turned to leave the room
> he spotted the objects on the table. With curiosity in his eye, he
> walked over to inspect them.
>
> Finally, he picked up the Bible and placed it under his arm.
>
> He picked up the silver dollar and dropped into his pocket.
>
> He uncorked the bottle and took a big drink, while he admired this
> month’s centerfold.
>
> ‘Lord have mercy,’ the old preacher disgustedly whispered.
>
> ‘He’s gonna run for Congress.’
>
>
August 22nd, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Congratulations! Anon4 You sure hit the nail in the head. These greedy guys are the ones that have ruined the U.S. economy and will continue to do so if Americans don’t see what is happening around them. The big Insurance Corporations don’t care about our health. All they care about is how to get more money out of us without having to help us as they should. All they worry about is the big bonuses the 500 or so CEO’s will get this year and the next. This has to change in order for health care to be what it was meant to be in the first place. Insurance companies competing for our money is dangerous to our health. Change must come and soon!
August 22nd, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Have the Republicans and Indendents forgotten that the military is a government run program. I’m not sure why people are so worried about the government running healthcare and not worried about the government having guns, planes, tanks, ships, and atomic weapons. Everyone is willing to go into great debt to have a strong military, but hate the idea when it comes to helping others.
August 22nd, 2009 at 1:32 pm
I got this from the web.
——————————–
The public health insurance option is the heart of health care reform and right now it’s under serious attack.
Even some members of the administration are pushing President Obama to give in to conservatives and drop it: one senior White House adviser told The Washington Post, “I don’t understand how [the public option] has become the measure of whether what we achieve is health-care reform.”1
This unnamed source apparently doesn’t understand that the public option is the key to lowering health care costs and expanding coverage.
But there is a group of progressives in Washington who DO understand. Sixty House Democrats have signed a written pledge to not vote for health care reform unless it includes a robust public option.2 That’s more than enough to block a bill without the public option.
These representatives are already facing pressure to back down, but if we stand strong with them, we’ll send a clear signal that the heart of reform can’t be compromised away. Can you make a contribution to the progressives in Congress who are standing tall for the public option? Clicking the link below will take you to ActBlue, where you can donate.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51789&id=16918-7692656-liswvdx&t=3
Progressive bloggers just launched a campaign to raise money for these progressive heroes and they’ve already raised $175,000. Let’s see if we can double or triple that! It’ll send a clear message to Washington that those fighting for the public option have millions of Americans standing with them.
And even though some White House advisers seem to have forgotten, the reason the public option has become central to reform is simple: we’re fed up with the insurance companies and we need real accountability for them. They’ve had decades to fix the problems with our health care system, but they haven’t done it. Health care costs are spiraling out of control, millions of people can’t get insurance, and even those of us with insurance can face bankruptcy or worse if we get really sick.
A public option will give Americans a real choice when it comes to our health care. It’ll end the insurance companies’ stranglehold on our health care system. And that’s exactly why those companies, and their allies on Capitol Hill, are fighting so hard to kill it.
Right now, the 60 Democrats who’ve pledged to vote against a bill without a public option are the strongest bloc fighting to win real health care reform, and they need our support. Clicking the link below will take you to ActBlue, where you can make a contribution to help them keep fighting.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51789&id=16918-7692656-liswvdx&t=4
Thanks for all you do.
–Justin, Daniel, Kat, Nita and the rest of the team
August 22nd, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Excellent point.
Follow up with an email or letter or phone call to your two US. senators and your congressman.
TELL THEM TO GET OUT OF IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN, REDUCE THE DEFENSE BUDGET BY 30% AND CLOSE SOME BASES IN EUROPE AND SOUTH KOREA.
Then we can have MEDICARE for more people.
Also, the VA hospital system is run by the federal government. I receive quality care at reasonable cost from the VA Health Care System.
August 22nd, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Nice try Michelle/Zen Lill and Al/Doug. But the sophisticated programs used to ferret out plagiarisms and fraud have caught you.
As for Howie, I’m sure that he/she is a friend of the both of you. You probably give him/her topics to intersperse into you blog from time to time.
I am impressed with the varied responses you have generated with your deceptions. It may be a model other aspiring bloggers can use to generate traffic.
Edward.
August 22nd, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Give it up Edward, your sophisticated programs are worthless (did you write them)? You are never going to convince me that I do not exist.
I don’t really care what you want to believe or are trying to prove.
You are way off track and I will suggest to you again, “Get a Real Job” as you could not be more wrong.
Al
August 22nd, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Edward,
perhaps you might update your sophisticated program from 1.0 to 15.3 because it is failing you and your reputation. In other words, you suck at what you do…
Our health care system will be overhauled, and the GOP who cannot seem to count to 50 will be shown the door and will be told, “don’t let it hit you in the ass (or Uranus) as you leave to collect your thoughts.”
It is time…
August 22nd, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Edward, I have never met Michelle or Doug in Person. I, Howie, am a Male who lives in Miami, Florida with my good friend Al as my Roommate. We have been turned-on to this blog in January 2008 and if you search the blog archives you will find that to be true.
Michelle does not NEED any false characters on her blog — she has some real good ones — some real whoppers. Michelle covers some great topics for people concerned with the future of this Planet politically, environmentally and socially.
Some days are slower than others, depending on Michelle’s daily Post and what people feel like blogging about. Some days there are so many comments that it is difficult to get on the blog. She needs no artificial help in that department.
It is sad that you are such a narrow minded person who would trust some inaccurate computer program that checks for syntax over everyone telling you they are real and have no reason to lie.
Take it or leave it, that is the truth.
HOWIE
August 22nd, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Edward, i’m with Al, Howie and Doug get a real job.
A real person
Mindy