America's Affordable Health Choices Act???

HR3200 - "America's Affordable Health Choices Act." I have to laugh. Another misleading bill title. I went to check it out today at www.thomas.gov - mindblowing! I clicked on a random Section - 113. Written in legaleese, although I doubt THEY can understand it all - hundreds of pages of indecipherable text written like an endless labrynth. Is the joke on us? Can we ask that it be written in plain English, so that WE can understand the laws congress is proposing? Dear reader, how would you suggest WE divide these sections up among us to see if we can collaborate and figure it all out before it gets passed? This is scandalous!

Combatting Swine Flu

I find this swine flu alarm disconcerting. Media has a way of building up the "fear factor," which doesn't help matters. Furthermore, I don't trust vaccines, given things I've read about adverse effects. And, in fact, if it becomes law that children are required to have the vaccine in order to attend school, I think I'll go back to basics and home school my kids. I plan on investigating echinacea as an alternative to a swine vaccine and stick to hand washing and herbal disinfectants. Just using my common sense.

A Hard Look at Health Insurance

For the past year, I've been working as an agent/broker trying to help people identify affordable health insurance options (like high deductible health plans - HDHP). Having been self-employed for years, my husband and I have been responsible for purchasing our own. We've been watching the premiums escalate and compound over these years to unaffordable levels, while we have maintained a healthy lifestyle of regular exercise, sensible eating, and adequate sleep. I wish we'd been putting that $10,000+ per year into a money market account instead dishing it over to Blue Cross, never to be seen again.

The government's Universal Health plan will only compound matters further, while placing an even greater burden on hard-working individuals and employers. Washington's plan will not reduce the "real cost of services," which is the core issue. Their plan will not improve the quality of services, but will cause a further deterioration by placing more pressure on the existing system, while taxing the hell out of us.

The causes of illness - stress, obesity, junk food, substance abuse - need to be addressed through wellness education programs that impart the wisdom of nutrition, exercise, self-discipline, interpersonal support, and inspiration. Sometimes I'll meet someone to discuss health insurance, look at them and think, "Wow, you don't need health insurance, you need to start taking better care of yourself." I'd love to know people's thoughts on wellness.

Here's a wellness word I made up - farmaceutables - would love to hear your definition. I'll share mine at a later time.