Future Primary Care Shortage

by: jdwolverton

Mon Oct 13, 2008 at 18:23:58 PM PDT

Retail clinics work. They are quick, have long hours and have reasonable quality as long as you don't have anything too exotic and the ARNP knows when they have an inappropriate patient. The only issue is that there's no long term patient/doctor relationship. Then again, there doesn't seem to be a patient/doctor relationship in traditional medical settings anymore either, but that's my point.

These clinics are here to stay

Uninsured and Lucky to be Alive Part 2

by: nightowl724

Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 10:18:02 AM PDT

If you've read my other diaries, you know I usually don't write about myself and I usually approach my subjects with snark. I laugh to keep from crying. However, this time I was asked specifically to write a serious and personal post. I hope those who have insurance get a sense of what it's like not to and those who don't pick up a valuable tip or two. I invite readers to share their stories and suggestions in the comments section.

In Part 1, I related the background of my story. In Part 2, I am revealing the rest of my story, starting with the onset of my medical problems.

10 Survival Topics for the Uninsured Part 2

by: nightowl724

Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 12:43:01 PM PDT

The topics are important whether you're a patient or a caregiver. They'll help even if you have insurance; co-pays and uncovered items kill budgets. And, you never know when you might lose your coverage.

It took years to find this information. Unfortunately, I learned much of it too late to help my family. Since it's hard to do when you're stressed, I hope you can learn from my experiences now. I invite you to share your stories and suggestions in the comments.    

In Part 1, the subjects included planning for the unthinkable, the Hill-Burton Act, and ways to avoid paying full price for prescriptions, OTC drugs, and medical devices. In Part 2, the topics include finding and asking for help, dealing with long-term illness and debt, as well as some final thoughts and a resource list with links.

Health Care Series: Uninsured and Lucky to be Alive Part 1

by: nightowl724

Tue Aug 19, 2008 at 10:40:38 AM PDT

If you've read my other diaries, you know I usually don't write about myself and I usually approach my subjects with snark. I laugh to keep from crying. However, this time I was asked specifically to write a serious and personal post. I hope those who have insurance get a sense of what it's like not to and those who don't pick up a valuable tip or two. I invite readers to share their stories and suggestions in the comments section.

In Part 1, I relate the background of my story. In Part 2, I will reveal the rest of my story, starting with the onset of my medical problems.

10 Survival Topics for the Uninsured Part 1

by: nightowl724

Mon Aug 18, 2008 at 05:46:51 AM PDT

The topics are important whether you're a patient or a caregiver. They'll help even if you have insurance; co-pays and uncovered items kill budgets. And, you never know when you might lose your coverage.

It took years to find all this information. Unfortunately, I learned much of it too late to help my family. Since it's hard to do when you're stressed, I hope you can learn from my experiences now. I invite you to share your stories and suggestions in the comments.    

In Part 1, the subjects include planning for the unthinkable, the Hill-Burton Act, ways to avoid paying full price for prescriptions, OTC drugs, and medical devices, and dealing with long-term illness. In Part 2, the subjects will include handling debt and getting help, as well as some final thoughts and a resource list with links.

Single Payer Health Care: what your doctor read this week

by: river

Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 23:24:35 PM PDT

Several months ago I subscribed to Medscape, a weekly web medical journal. Subscriptions are limited to the profession, but I lied and said that I was a nutritionist, so I get this publication in my inbox every week. It's full of interesting articles on various medical issues; my main areas of interest are usually endocrinology and diabetes, and nephrology.

This week's lead editorial is by Dr. Quentin Young, National Coordinator, Physicians for a National Health Program. I have permission from PNHP to reproduce this here in full, as most Kossacks probably do not have access to a Medscape subscription. I have followed this with a few excerpts from the comments from both health care professionals and laypeople. This is what your doctor is reading this week.

(click on "there's more")

YOYO v WITT : McCain v Obama in Song with Poll

by: nightowl724

Sun Jun 01, 2008 at 07:00:24 AM PDT

You're on Your Own (YOYO)
(sung by McCain to the tune of To Each His Own)

So, to those who disdain and won't vote for McCain:
BushCo's lovely promise has come true.
You're on your own.  You're on your own.
And, we now own you.

We're in This Together (WITT)
(sung by Obama to the tune of So Happy Together)

Imagine me and you.  I do.
We'll stick together day and night.  It's only right,
To care about the world we love, yo use our might.
We're in this together.

Complete songs below the fold...

Healthcare: Got No Heart (Young at Heart movie/song parody)

by: nightowl724

Fri May 30, 2008 at 22:18:58 PM PDT

I created a contemporary version of this story. The Tones, a musician and a housewife, have no health insurance. Barney and Laurie are wildly happy until Barney is in a terrible car accident. He almost dies because the hospital demands cash before treating him. He survives, but the Tones lose everything. In a bad economy, they must work as live-ins for room and board and get second jobs to pay the medical bills. Barney becomes a bar entertainer and Laurie becomes a prostitute.

Scary tales can come true. It can happen to you,
'Cuz they've got no heart.

Oh no! Things don't look good for Old Blue Eyes and Clara Bixby...

The "Change You Deserve" (hilarious)

by: los anjalis

Sat May 17, 2008 at 14:56:54 PM PDT

In response to Barack Obama's calls for change, the Republican's have unveiled their new "Change You Deserve" campaign for 2008. It turns out the slogan was also used to market the popular anti-depressant, Effexor. Sometimes those Republicans just get things so right.

Check out the link to the drug's possible side effects!  (akathisia, elevated blood pressure, memory loss, brain zaps, vertigo, nausea, wow!  How telling, about the GOP's proposed change we deserve...)

And here's more information about the "Change You Deserve" intiative, from the republican house leader's website.  Make your own conclusions...

KCET reschedules "Unnatural Causes" Sat. May 17th 9-11

by: diannah

Tue Apr 08, 2008 at 15:25:40 PM PDT

Thank goodness!
And a somewhat believable story on how the whole thing may have gone down. See the story...