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At newstarget.com an overuse of prescription drugs is linked to overdose, damage to the body and organs, and addiction. But what isn't addressed is that the high cost of these medications are funneled into health insurance costs, which is one of the many reasons why so many people today can't afford medical coverage. The article is clear: "pharmaceuticals don't treat health conditions, only symptoms." The goal isn't to make you better; in fact the opposite would be better. Drug companies want you to keep using prescription drugs, so there isn't any real reason to help people get well in the long term. And this kind of chronic sickness is inflating health insurance costs. In fact, the rising costs of technology and prescription drug use is the #1 reason why health insurance premiums have gone up, and many people can't get health coverage if they're sick, since the drugs cost so much. This leaves consumers in the old "catch 22." They want to get well, so they use the prescription drugs, but the drugs cost so much that they can't get health insurance, so they stay sick. What ought to be happening is that doctors and health organizations need to focus on overall health and wellness in order to prevent or cure the sicknesses that exist in the first place. This, plus an overall reduction in prescription drug dependency, would not only result in healthy bodies and long lives, but would lead to more affordable health insurance for everybody.
At prnewswire.com, the woes of travellers who lose their luggage are addressed, alongside a suggestion to get travel insurance when planning for a vacation so as to avoid the trauma of losing your goods. In the article the Department of Transportation is cited as having received more complaints about lost, delayed, and damaged luggage than ever before. And, "these high levels of lost andmishandled luggage scenarios will likely persist in 2007 because airlinerestrictions regarding carry-on items, in place now and for the foreseeablefuture, mean travelers will continue to check their luggage." In other words, if you travel often there's a very high likelihood that you'll lose your stuff at least once this year, maybe more. So, what can fearful travellers do? Thankfully different companies offer travel insurance that could include perks like a baggage insurance plan, baggage delay and loss protection, and more. Travel insurance is also good for last minute trip cancellations, alongside the usual protection in the event of a sickness or injury during the trip. If you want to enjoy your trip without fear of losing your belongings, it's smart to view travel insurance like one more necessity when you book a trip. And, if you travel often, look into year-long plans that will cover you wherever you go, whenever you feel like going there.
In a controversial move, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has insinuated that affordable health insurance may be on the horizon, but mostly for those who take "recommended approaches to prevention and management of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and other serious illness." In other words, as it is laid out at the latimes.com, healthy people may have a break coming their way. The controversy involves whether or not Americans should be forced to pay for their unhealthy behavior. On the one hand, the general lack of affordable health insurance has often been attributed to things like the rising costs of obesity, smoking, and other poor health choices. Those who choose a healthier lifestyle still have to pay for those who don't since healthcare costs don't differentiate between the two. Under Schwarzenegger's plan, those who make healthier lifestyle choices will be rewarded by "vouchers and credits for goods and services to behavioral benchmarks." Those against the measures argue that the state shouldn't be involved in personal decision making, that it's biased against those who are overweight and/or smoke, and that "our eating, smoking and exercise habits are less a matter of choice than of the consequences of genetic "luck" or cultural cues." But for those who make healthy decisions the ability to earn affordable health insurance doesn't just sound like a good idea, it sounds like healthcare solution they've been waiting for. It's unclear what will happen, but for now there are a few health insurance agencies offering insurance alternatives the let consumers choose what kind of coverage to have, alleviating some cost, and still allowing for the coverage that people feel they need.
The high price of dental insurance in the United States is leading many citizens to travel south of the border for dental procedures. Unfortunately, medical tourism can often accrue another cost - the pain and suffering that patients endure when they end up with dental care from an unqualified dentist. Dental insurance is often overlooked for two reasons: first, with health insurance costs as high as they are, many people scrimp on dental and vision insurance in order to make their medical coverage premiums. And secondly, many people don't think that dental insurance is worth the high price in the first place. But this couldn't be farther from the truth. Poor oral hygene has been linked to everything from halitosis, to early decay, to heart disease. And medical tourism has been linked to poor dental care, pain, suffering, and infection. At chron.com, former Army dentist Charlie Norwood says that "Some patients are lucky, and find a qualified dentist who delivers good treatment at a bargain price. Other patients are not so lucky, suffer serious injury from unqualified hacks, and end up hospitalized or worse from infection. Quality in dental care in the border towns is found solely in the luck of the draw." The real answer to medical tourism would be affordable dental insurance, health care, and vision benefits. Until then consumers are urged to shop around for at least basic dental coverage; for very small sums basic services are covered by most dental carriers, ensuring quality care for routine cleanings and fillings.
Affordable health insurance is not the topic at
boston.com, mostly because the article is about the US congress, and its plans for the first 100 hours. This first "100 legislative hours" are set to tackle national security, increase the minimum wage, cut interest rates on student loans, and more. But nowhere do they claim that they'll be making affordable health insurance available to working class Americans. Certainly raising the minimum wage might help, but keep in mind the cost of insurance has gone of twice as fast as inflation, growing by 80% in the last 10 years. Even with an increased minimum wage, paying for medical coverage won't be substantially easier. And while it's certainly noble for the US congress to lower the costs of prescriptions, too many families can't afford insurance at all, let alone pay for the drugs that come with it. Meanwhile, an estimated 88% of Americans feel that affordable health insurance should be one of congress' top priorities. Hopefully, with enough public outcry they'll get the message. Until then, Americans will have to continue shopping around and pressuring health insurance companies to offer good coverage at sensible rates.
The lack of affordable health insurance on the west coast is addressed at
indybay.com, revealing that without decent medical coverage public health care programs are facing a tremendous burden, citizens are paying dearly, and immigrants and their children are suffering the effects of poor health. The state of California boasts one of the most successful economies in the world, meaning that if the state became its own nation, it would be around the 6th most economically successful country on earth. California alone grosses around $1.5 trillion dollars per year. And yet, more than 6.6 million people live without California health insurance. Part of the problem is a general lack of affordable health insurance; in the last 10 years the cost of medical coverage has gone up 80%, while the minimum wage just hasn't budged, making it impossible for the average person to find and afford decent coverage. Furthermore, California's labor and agriculture industry is driven largely by immigrants, many of whom are afraid to apply for California health insurance since they are in the state illegally. But, as is to be expected, people get sick, and the strain of sick workers is costing California citizens millions of dollars. In this situation no one wins; affordable health insurance is impossible to find for legal citizens, and many immigrants turn up in clinics so sick that according to educator Karl Smith many immigrant children have appeared in his classroom with "teeth so rotten it interfered with their ability to form English words properly." The answer to these tragedies may be on the horizon, as state and federal legislation aimed at making affordable health insurance available seems to be occupying the news. But until then, Californios will have to struggle on, educating themselves on the best medical coverage out there, and voting for representatives who make it a priority.
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