Food for Thought (Health Care)

I told you this would appear every now and again on my blog.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23838035 "Clinton details caps on health premiums".

I wonder what will happen if a cap is put on the cost of Health Care. While my ideas - mentioned in a previous post - are not perfect, this article made me think. Imagine you are a pizza restaurant owner, and the government tells you, "you can't sell a large pepperoni pizza for more than $5.00. Little Caesar's does it, why can't you?". Now, think of the quality of pizza that you might get at Pizza Hut, Barro's, or another pizza restaurant chain, and compare it with Little Caesar's. While I typically like Little Caesar's, it just doesn't compare to Pizza Hut or Barro's. So imagine doing that with Health Care. Health Care Insurance companies are just going to reduce the quality of the service, they are going to reject treatment more often because it costs too much, and all this so they can "stick it to the man" who is trying to control their profit.

I do like the portion of the article that suggests that the insurance companies must spend 85% of premiums on health coverage. Maybe that would open them up to covering a procedure that is more expensive, but has less recovery time. But it may also produce the same result as above. What if requiring them to spend 85% of premiums on coverage causes them to downsize because they cannot afford to pay all their employees? Claim processing time would increase and quality of service would decrease.

I have to say that it is a tough spot to be in right now. I'm glad that I don't have to decide what to do. What do you think?

Don't Blink, You're Gonna Miss This

So, I'm not the kind of person who LOVES one type of music and hates another. I'm pretty open to all types of music. But since I met my wife, I started listening to country music a lot more. "Don't Blink" and "You're Gonna Miss This" are perfect examples of why I like listening to country music... a lot of country songs are good clean songs with a good message. Don't blink, for example is a song about a guy who's saying that life passes quickly, so take advantage of the time you have. You're gonna miss this is a good song that says, even though something you are going through may be difficult, you're gonna miss it when you are older. It referrs to a person who is having a bad day, and the dad says, you're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast when you are my age... I love to sit at home and hold my baby. I remember these songs when I'm holding her and think, "I'll have to remember this when she's a teenager, or when she's two and screaming in the back seat because she can't have fruit snacks".

So, with that being said... Don't Blink, or You're Gonna Miss This.

American Idol

So, I was watching American Idol the other day, and I noticed that the girl from Arizona looked really familiar. Brooke White is in the top 10 of American Idol and is from Mesa, AZ. Well when my wife told me she was good friends with a girl named Tiffany Harris in High School, it hit me. I actually went on a blind date with Brooke in high school. Jeremy, Conor and I went on a "triple blind date" where we were set up by a friend of ours to go with these three girls. Brooke was the one that I was set up with.

So, I thought that was funny. Here's an article from AZ Central that talks about Brooke.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0319B1-talker0320.html

Happiness Not Under Our Control?

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1721954,00.html (Is Our Happiness Preordained?)

Okay, so this article takes it one step too far. I am always saying to myself, that the world today has to find a way to "classify everything", and uses that classification as an excuse to not strive towards constant improvement. If you ask me, that way of thinking is a mockery to the wonderful creation that is the human body. Choice is a wonderful thing we have, and it is being slowly etched into people's minds that we don't really have a choice, because my gene's tell me that I'm not going to be happy how hard I try. So, to tell someone that they cannot be happy because their gene's say otherwise is ridiculous. Happiness is a choice, not a result of your gene's. Now, I did not read the entire article and I hope that it gets better, but I stopped because science is trying to tell me that my happiness is dependent on my genetics. What's next, are they going to say that I can't be happy by watching a comedy because my gene's don't coincide with a happy life? Maybe that's an exaggeration, but to anyone who reads this I want them to understand that I, you, and anyone else can be happy. The choice is ours. I can have a happy life, and I can enjoy it to the fullest. I don't care what anyone else thinks. Think of Rudy. Quoting from the movie, his dad tells him, "Notre Dame is for rich kids, Smart Kids, IT'S NOT FOR US". Well I hate to break it to you Mr. Ruddiger, your son proved you wrong. He went to college, graduated, and the majority of his younger brothers and sisters did too because of Rudy's example! Look at a story like that and tell me that the gene's in his family stopped him from pushing, and pulling his way to his goal. He did it!

With that thought, I leave you. Let me know what you think!

Presidential Election

Okay, my homework is done and it's time for bed. I just need to put one more comment up here that will get me started on a topic that I'm sure will arise quite often over the next 6 to 8 months.

While I am not 100% in favor with John McCain and his views on political issues, he is a far better candidate (in my opinion) than Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama. One issue that raises major concerns in the debate is "Universal Health Care". Now believe me, I am one who will always believe that those who need health care should have it. But I also think that those who receive the benefits should earn it. No free rides here.

The problem with the health care plan that Clinton and Obama are proposing is the lack of preparation for one key issue, "The Cost of Health Care". Health Care is expensive for many reasons, some of which I will list here: 1) Insurance Companies, 2) The cost of health care related education, 3) The increasing population, and 4) Technology. If the cost of health care is converted over so that the government is paying it all for everyone, nobody will have any money left over after taxes. That's just all there is too it.

Health care insurance companies are the only organizations in the public health care sector that make money. They profit more than 1 billion dollars a year, while hospitals are having to take out loans just to keep their staff paid.

Did you know that to attend dental school for 4 years, it would cost more than $160,000 just in tuition expenses? Add in living costs, and emergencies and you are well over $200k to become a dentist. So is it any wonder that a dentist charges $1000 for one root canal? I don't think so. While we should not undermine the quality of medical education, it should become more affordable so that it does not increase the cost of care down the road.

Also, the population is increasing at alarming rates in some areas, that the health care sector is understaffed. I don't think a single hospital in the valley has enough nurses that are necessary to keep their stations running smoothly. All this does is decrease the quality, while the cost rises with inflation.

Finally, technology is getting better and better, but that means that the cost is going to increase. However, better technology often brings with it shorter recovery times, and less invasive procedures. Improving technology is one area that should not be restricted.

If you ask me, there should be regulations set on the insurance companies. First, limit how much money they can make. If they go over that amount, all the excess funds should be placed into an account that will pay for health care for those who don't have insurance. Excess profits can also be funnelled to hospitals to help reduce debt so that they can have nice facilities and sufficient staff.

There should also be a program started that will help new doctors pay off debt. I would bet $100 that there would be thousands of doctors that would give more money to charity and to the needy if their debt was paid off. Limit their salary to $100 k a year for 5 years, and every dollar they make after that goes to health insurance for those who don't have it. As a reward for such generosity, their student loans will paid off. How does that sound?

I'm curious to hear what you think. Maybe I was just rambling, but that's what a blog is for.

M Kuh?

Some of you may be wondering about the title of this blog. To keep a long story short, it's a phrase that I use quite often in place of the word, "okay". Why? That's where the long story part comes in, which will not be divulged at the present time. To say the least, it was the only think I could think of because as I was creating this blog I was thinking, "okay, okay, I guess I'll start a blog". So, M Kuh fit the ticket. If you think I'm a bit strange after reading this, then I guess you are entitled to your own opinion.

The purpose of the blog is nothing more than a place to speak out, voice my opinion, and get others' feedback so I can see if I'm totally crazy or if the majority agrees with me. Everyone, at one point or another, needs someone to listen to them. But I just want to hear others thoughts on what I consider to be normal.

Well, with that introduction, I better get back to my homework that is due tonight at midnight.