Health Care for All in the U.S.? Speech reaction

I just listened to President Obama's speech on health care reform, presented last night. As a Canadian, I feel like I'm peeking in when I do this but I'm glad I watched it because it did clear up a few things for me.

I do understand that many people are against health reform, but my outsider view sees that as a function of not truly understanding what it is the U.S. government is trying to do. It seems to me that those who are adamantly against reform are the ones who seem to be spreading mis-truths about the issue. So, this is what I got from President Obama's speech:

• if you have health insurance and are happy with it, you do NOT have to change from what you have
• if you are employed and don't have insurance, you will be able to get insurance
• if you have a pre-existing condition or illness, you can NOT be denied insurance coverage
• if you have a small business or want to have a small business, there will be ways to help you get coverage for you and your employees
• there will be a small public option for those who can't get insurance any other way
• there will be no death panels
• efforts will be made to contain health care costs, resulting in savings that will help pay for this system
• no-one will go bankrupt because they can't afford to get sick

So, if I understand correctly, those seniors who are waving "hands off my medicare" are worried about nothing. Those who are afraid that they'll be told they can't get treatment because they are considered expendable are worried about nothing. Business owners who feel they need to close their doors because they won't be able to afford to insure their employees are worried about nothing. And, those who are making a fortune in insurance companies by spinning things their way DO have something to worry about because they'll now be held accountable.

Can someone explain to me what's so bad about all this?

Doc Raps About H1N1

The more people who know about the proper way to reduce the risk of H1N1 transmission, the better. So, if it takes a rapping doctor to do it, why not?

John Clarke, MD, medical director for the Long Island Rail Road, has made his own hip-hop rapping video to help spread the word about H1N1. His video was one of 200 submissions to a contest run by the US Department of Health for best H1N1 (swine flu) health warning. Dr. Clarke is now in the final 10.

Check it out at http://www.youtube.com/USGOVHHS - Just go to the right hand side where they list the different videos and click on H1N1 Rap by Dr. Clarke.

Texting in the Dentist Chair?

I know that getting dental work is rarely at the top of anyone's favourite to-do lists, but it's something that needs to be done in order to prevent serious consequences. I also understand a patient's desire to focus on something else while the dental work is going on and that's why many people use earphones to listen to music during the process. But answering your cell phone and texting while undergoing dental care? That's got to be pushing it.

But, if you think about that there are people who are stupid enough to text while driving, there have to be people who don't think twice about texting while in the dentist chair and that is precisely what some dentists are complaining about.

A news release put out by the Chicago Dental Society says,

More than four out of five dentists surveyed by the Chicago Dental Society revealed that patients send and receive text messages on their cell phones while receiving dental care.

The survey was conducted between July 16th and July 25th via email and among dentists in the Chicago Dental Society's Facebook Fan Page.

In addition to the dentists who said their patients regularly text in the dental chair, 46 percent said this habit hampers their ability to provide care. The high number of dental chair texters is also surprising, given that 32 percent of the dentists indicated they have a cell phone/mobile device policy posted in a visible location in their office.

I don't know. If you're THAT important, maybe you should reschedule your dental appointment for a time when you can arrange for someone to replace you or at least answer your calls and texts.

What do you think?

Murder, Accident or Stupidity?

I try to stay away from the Michael Jackson thing. I think it's sad that he died and I do believe he was a musical genius. His music was catchy and had something special about it. I also believe he died too young and sometimes wonder what else he may have given the world had he lived longer. But, the whole circus that his death has become is really too much.

As I said, it's sad that he died. I do think it's important that we know if he died accidentally or if someone helped him die - be it intentionally or not. But, are we owed the constant coverage?

I have to admit when I first heard of this death and his doctor's odd (to me) actions, I had many questions. The 9-1-1 call that was played clearly said that the doctor was performing CPR on MJ as MJ lay on his bed. Anyone who knows CPR knows that unless you have a hard board underneath the victim, CPR is useless on a bed. They have to be put on the floor. You need to have a hard surface for the compressions to have any effect.

Then, the news came out with the propofol, the strong sedative that is dangerous if it's not used properly. Propofol is a great medication when it's used for what it's meant to be used for. Obviously, MJ wasn't doing that. Red flags anyone?

Then there were comments from those around MJ or who knew people who knew him. They commented to the effect of "what else could anyone do, if MJ wanted something, you gave it to him." Uh, no. You don't have to. You only have to if you want to keep your lifestyle and your association with him. Otherwise, saying "no" is very easy. It's one syllable, two letters. N-O.

I'm not a fan of what MJ became over the past couple of decades, but I do wish that we could go back to remember MJ the musician. Not the freak show that he became and the circus that was his death.