Atlantic Complementary Blog

In this huge drama about health care costs, emotions have led us away from two facts: We in the USA have the most expensive health care system and  the worst outcomes of any non third world country.  Remember that.

We, the end user, have the power to take control but we too often make our decisions based on fear.

Richard J.  Ablin’s article in the New York Times today points out yet another instance of using our health care dollars unwisely, much like  the  overuse of mammograms.  “The Great Prostate Mistake“.  It’s long been known that prostate cancer is often very slow growing.  Many men will die with prostate cancer, not of it.

Let me quote Richard. “I never dreamed that my discovery four decades ago would lead to such a profit driven public health disaster. The medical community must confront reality and stop the inappropriate use of P. S. A. screening. Doing so would save billions of dollars and rescue millions of men from unnecessary, debilitating treatments”

Not too long ago, I was very excited about health care reform because our President declared that it would encourage the use of interventions that WORK.  That’s good for me since Hypnotherapy works, has only positive side effects, helps many people who were given little help or encouragement by Western Medicine and is affordable.  I now realize that this battle is about dollars and cents.

So, I haven’t been writing about this topic.

Two days ago, David Leonhardt wrote an article in the NY Times that’s worth reading.  It takes a look at the impact of health insurance on innovation and economic growth in the US.

He suggests that 1.5 million people are making career decisions based on health insurance benefits.  This means they may not be choosing a company where their expertise and skills can make the most difference.

This scenario coincides with a decade during which time the US has had “the slowest economic growth since before  WWII. The No 1 reason, I’d argue, was our innovation deficit.”

Take a minute to check out this well thought out article ending with comments by some well known economists about both the House and Senate versions of the health care reform bills.

Ode Magazine has a rather lengthy but informative article about focusing on prevention rather than treatment  of disease and integrating both lifestyle changes and complementary healing modalities to reduce health care costs.

According to this article “Health care costs are continually rising but people are not getting any healthier. Any reform that does not address this fact will fail.”

The article refers to a study recently published in the Archives of Internal Medicine of over 20,000 Germans. Non-smokers who maintain a healthy weight, healthy diet and exercise 30 minutes a day reduce their risk of developing diabetes by 93%, heart attack by 81%, stroke by 50% and cancer by 36%.  In a country where about half the population has a chronic illness (that would be US) making these changes could take bring us a lot closer to having an affordable and effective health care system.

Ode Magazine Article

What a wonderful day. I’m spending the day in the comfort of our motor home, in Meredith,  Lakes Region of New Hampshire. Rain is falling gently on the roof and I’m feeling very grateful as I contemplate the passage of time, growth, and the changing seasons.

Summer has transitioned into autumn. As shadows grow longer, days shorter, air so cool and very clear, I’ve been thinking about the summer that was filled with friends, family, fun and learning experiences.

Each July, we have a family vacation at a kid friendly campground in Freedom, NH, Danforth Bay Campground. This July was no different. It’s so much fun watching the kids enjoy the swimming, kayaking, biking, making tie dye shirts and roasting marshmallows over the campfire, getting so exhausted that they collapse into bed at night.

Then there was a beautiful August.   My friend Toby, invited me to “Crew” on his sailboat. This must be a sign of desperation since sailing is totally new to me. I  love being on board the sailboat and I’m happy to pitch in to keep it moving forward. But, there is a steep learning curve.

Toby has the idea that if I can drive a motor home on land, I can sail his sailboat. It could be true. I’m not yet sure. There are some major differences. It’s a good thing that Toby is a very patient man.

The moment you set foot on the dock, many things change. Ropes become “lines”. Words I’ve used for years such as “Right, left, back, front” are just never heard. There are all sorts of fasteners for fenders, steps, those handles you switch from one side to the other depending on what sail you want to adjust. Nothing like driving.  Using what I learned in kindergarten, I can just “stay in the lines” with the motor home. There are no “lines” in the ocean. Red and green corks bounce in the waves where the fog lines should be.  There are hundreds of lobster pots to dodge. And, while Toby raises the mainsail, It’s my job to aim the 30+feet of Sabre into the wind. While he is raising the jib, my assignment is to keep it heading any direction except into the wind. Can you guess how I know?? Picture sitting totally still…. in irons?? even more jargon. I offered to start the engine.  That seemed to be the wrong answer.

The joys and fun of summer have been replaced by the cool, clear autumn air, the crisp, sweet taste of fresh apples, and the promise of winter to come. I am cherishing this time to move forward with optimism, hope and joy. I hope you are too.  There is always  next year to continue learning that new language and keep the Sabre on course.