The following is being issued by Norman Traverse, M.D., Editor, HealthMadeEasy.com:

Recently there has been a frenzy of articles in the news media about a crisis in our healthcare delivery system. We are told there are 46 million people without health insurance.(1) Because of this believed “crisis” many are calling for immediate government intervention with a nationalized healthcare rescue plan passed within ninety days of President Obama’s inauguration.

According to the United States Census Bureau in 2006, there were 45.7 million people in the U.S. (15.3 percent of the population) who were without health insurance. Another way of saying this is that 84.7% of the American people do have health insurance! (2)

Does this mean that 15.3% of the population can’t afford health insurance or don’t have access to healthcare? Based on the Census Bureau data almost 18 million of the uninsured make more than $50,000 per year and almost 10 million of them have an income of more than $75,000 per year!(3)

It may come as a surprise to many, but the Census Bureau data shows that the average uninsured person in the United State makes an above-average income. A great many young Americans who are financially well off and are not covered by their employer, voluntarily choose not to purchase health insurance.

According to the Commonwealth Fund, Americans aged 19 to 29 comprise one of the largest and fastest-growing segments of the uninsured population. (4)

The Census Bureau Survey breakout shows that over 10 million of the people considered uninsured are not U.S. Citizens.(5) Even though they don’t have health insurance there is a federal law that says that all hospital emergency rooms must treat anyone who comes into the emergency room. Thus, if they can’t pay, they still can get free care.

Many of the 14 million of the uninsured poor and low-income Americans are eligible for either Medicaid or SCHIP (children’s health program), but have no knowledge of these programs and have not been signed up.

It is clear that there are many programs that are not being fully utilized. Is a government that has not fully implemented its existing programs, after so many years, capable of writing new and cost effective healthcare legislation? Can the 535 members of Congress control their own “earmarks” spending to implement the needed improvements or changes in our healthcare system without runaway costs?

Any major proposed changes in our healthcare system should be tested in at least 3 states that volunteer to see if it is cost effective and does not create additional problems. There should be a bipartisan committee containing practicing physicians, nurses, hospital administrators, auditors, statisticians and citizens evaluating the outcomes. Let us fix our healthcare system, but not destroy it.

To post your comments on this article, see the list of references and other articles about healthcare reform go to: www.healthmadeeasy.com


According to Millennium Research Group’s (MRG’s) European Markets for Urological Devices 2009 report, the prostate cancer device market-comprising brachytherapy seeds, cryotherapy, and high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) devices-will be driven by earlier detection of prostate cancer due to an increase in screening over the next five years.

Screening allows for early detection of cancer, enabling treatment at a curable stage that can be facilitated through minimally invasive devices, such as those required for brachytherapy, cryotherapy, and HIFU procedures.

Brachytherapy seeds will remain the largest prostate cancer device segment due to greater physician confidence in brachytherapy procedures and better access to reimbursement and equipment. Both cryoablation and HIFU will remain comparatively small segments; however, both will gain popularity over the next five years as access to equipment and training improves and more urologists gain experience with these procedures.

“To aid in our research we conducted a survey of almost 40 European physicians,” says Lexie Code, Manager of the Endoscopy division at MRG. “When asked whether they perform each technique, the most popular-used by 66.7% of participants-was brachytherapy. 52.4% have used HIFU, and 9.5% Cryoablation. Some used more than one of these techniques as well.”

MRG’s European Markets for Urological Devices 2009 report provides coverage of key industry competitors, including Coloplast, Astra Tech, KARL STORZ, C. R. Bard.

Source: Millennium Research Group


Chemicals Remain in Most Treated Water, Says Report

  • Author: Health Informer
  • Filed under: Health News
  • Date: Dec 8,2008

Consumers urged to look into solutions to their concerns

Following a USGS study released showing that man-made chemicals remained in two-thirds of the publicly treated water that was tested, the Water Quality Association is encouraging consumers to educate themselves on possible solutions.

According to a report by the U.S. Geological Survey, low levels of about 130 man-made chemicals were not removed by public treatment processes. The USGS examined water from nine selected rivers used as sources for public water systems. Tests were conducted before and after public treatment processes.

WQA, a not-for-profit alliance of water treatment companies, has become a resource for consumers and public policy makers seeking information about the issue. WQA offers an online fact sheet with answers to the issue of chemicals in water, available at wqa.org.

Filtering systems in the home provide the highest technologies available for treatment of drinking water, according to Joseph Harrison, technical director of WQA. Less than two percent of all water consumed is ingested by humans, making these “point-of-use” systems the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

While utilities are required to meet safety standards set by the U.S. EPA, home filtering systems act as a final contaminant barrier and can further purify water for drinking, Harrison said. While specific product performance standards have not yet been developed for every chemical, many point-of-use technologies have proven effective for emerging contaminants.

WQA provides Gold Seal certification for products that remove a variety of contaminants. Consumers can learn about different treatment systems and find locally certified dealers by visiting the WQA Web site’s Gold Seal and Find-A-Professional features.

More information is available at WQA’s Water Information Library online, which includes a search feature.

Throughout the year, the Associated Press has reported on pharmaceuticals being found in water supplies. According to an article in September, almost one in six Americans may be affected by these drugs in their household water.

Source: Water Quality Association


AARP: Health Care and Pension Reform Critical to Economic Recovery

  • Author: Health Informer
  • Filed under: Health News
  • Date: Dec 7,2008

AARP CEO Bill Novelli released the following statement in reaction to the latest Congressional efforts to help failing industries.

“We are in dire economic times that will only get worse if we allow America’s biggest automakers to fail. The immediate choice is between letting these corporations go under — taking with them the men and women who built those companies as well as many small suppliers who depend on them for business — or using taxpayer funds to help them survive and hopefully rebuild. This choice must be made, but it does not address critical underlying issues that affect all businesses, and in fact, all Americans.

“America needs a strong economy, affordable, quality health care, a sound pension system, and increased jobs. Congress can determine whether the plans submitted by the automakers create this path, but any rescue package may wind up being meaningless if we don’t address the greater issues.

“The current debate over proposed loans to the auto industry is connected to other important issues. First, health care costs continue to rise far faster than inflation. General Motors has long stated it spends more on health care than it does on steel. These soaring costs must be brought under control or health care for workers and retirees will continue to be at risk, as will the global competitiveness of the companies in all industries that continue to provide health coverage. While Congress should consider immediate options such as early buy-in for Medicare and subsidizing COBRA, long-term success will only come from slowing the skyrocketing costs of health care.

“Second, these troubled companies highlight the need to restore people’s confidence in the guaranteed pension system. Appropriate funding is critical to ensure that retirees have access to the pensions they were promised, and to ensure current employees that the pensions they are working toward will be there for them when they retire. Congress must look beyond this current crisis and ensure that the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) is financially sound. All workers and retirees who have a pension deserve to know that their promised retirement income is secure.

“Finally, any company receiving a government loan has a responsibility to its employees, retirees and the American taxpayer to manage those funds appropriately. Congress and the Administration have a responsibility to conduct oversight to be sure that funds loaned to any corporation are used properly and effectively to restore the vitality of the American economy and the jobs it creates.

“In summary, we believe that any government funds provided to failing companies must be used as an investment to rebuild our economy and add jobs. However, Congress and the Administration must go beyond this and address the rising cost of health care and the pension needs of all workers and retirees so that Americans can realize the security they earned.”

AARP

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world’s largest-circulation magazine with over 34.5 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP’s 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.


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