...as a nation, it's time to take control of our health

http://www.renewamerica.us/columns/benamon/060731

As I indicated in an earlier article, healthcare in America is in a downward spiral. Even more disturbing is the fact that the government can strong arm its way into our lives and determine what treatments we should undergo.

Such is the case of 16 yr. old Abraham Cherrix, who, after suffering through chemotherapy to treat his Hodgkin's disease (a form of cancer), decided to go herbal for his healing. He sought the help of a doctor in Mexico who helped him with his new herbal diet.

His cancer returned, and doctors recommended that he use radiation and more drugs to treat the cancer. Abraham decided against it. His parents did not force him to undergo more radiation treatments either. What happened? The Department of Social Services got involved. A social worker brought the case to court and asked that Abraham continue treatment doctors prescribed. The Judge's temporary order was a shocker. He finds Abraham's parents neglectful in their support for their son, and orders them to share custody with the Department of Social Services! Abraham would be living at home, but Social Services would have a hand in how his treatment went!

"I did not know the government could do this," said Abraham.

Just recently, Abraham and his family were back in court again, and the ruling stood. Abraham was ordered to the hospital to undergo treatment. His parents will appeal the ruling.

Surely a 16yr. old is mature enough that he is capable of knowing what is best for his body. In this shocking case, the government is making decisions for us now! It's alarming that it has come to this.

We, as Americans, should be able to choose what course of treatment is best for us and our bodies. The doctor, for example, can prescribe a treatment, but that doesn't mean we HAVE to take it.

-Take care of your body...you only have one

If we are to enjoy freedom in this country, we should have the freedom to live and to choose what goes into our bodies, and how we obtain health...which brings me to talk about this next report.

I stumbled upon some reading that spoke of the connection of great health to those who are wealthy. I couldn't believe what I was reading. That somehow, wealthy people tend to be healthier than the rest of us. That analogy is so far from the truth! Included in the article, were links to 5 ways to "buy your way out of death." I'll spare the nauseating contents and let you to read it below.

The article also mentions how pharmaceutical companies are all too happy to push the latest cutting edge drug. That's the problem in society now; we think drugs are the miracle that will cure us. Or that they are the fountain of youth. What are not widely mentioned are the side effects from those drugs... the side effects that leave people sicker than when they sought help.

One does not need to be wealthy to enjoy optimal health. If that were the case, then an explanation is needed for why certain celebrities have died prematurely.

It's all about lifestyle choices, how we choose to live, and what we put into our bodies. Also, it's about having a well-balanced diet and using portion control. Let's not forget exercise, an activity which anyone can do to live longer.

If money is to be spent making better health choices for the body, it surely doesn't have to clean out the bank account. Natural remedies, such as an internal cleanse to flush out toxins and waste buildup in the body (See colon cleansing info. below) is one way to better health. Or at least, adding fiber to the diet for cleaning of the body. To me, that's far more beneficial than spending an astounding amount of money on countless drugs with harmful side effects. Just simply find a natural alternative to drugs.

We have an unrealistic view of what it takes to obtain optimal health, and our attitudes towards human health and healthcare SURELY isn't what it used to be.

-Healthcare fraud

Many in the healthcare industry have dropped the ball. Excessive fraud is on its way to becoming the norm these days:

Thursday, 06/29/06

Hospital operator Tenet settles probe for $725 million
Case tied to overbilling Medicare prior to 2003

Associated Press


DALLAS — Tenet Healthcare Corp. has agreed to pay $725 million to settle federal investigations into the hospital operator's alleged overbilling of certain Medicare payments before 2003, the company said today.

The settlement will be paid over a period of four years and end all federal investigations by the Department of Justice and several U.S. attorneys, Tenet said.

..."Health care is a heavily regulated industry," he said in a prepared statement. "Regulators depend on providers to be trustworthy and to set and abide by their own high ethical standards. Some of this company's past actions did not measure up to the high standards that we have imposed on ourselves since these issues first arose."

Tenet also said it will waive its right to pursue $175 million in certain past Medicare payments.

In May, Tenet settled a three-year legal battle that included two trials by agreeing to pay a $21 million fine and close or sell a San Diego hospital accused of making kickbacks to doctors for referring patients. Federal prosecutors had accused its Alvarado Hospital Medical Center and its former chief executive of making excessive relocation payments to doctors who based their practices at the hospital from 1992 to 2003. Prosecutors said the hospitals disguised the payments to doctors as office improvements and overhead.

(See: Hospital operator Tenet settles probe for $725 million below):

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Now this is when it becomes all about the money. The problem of healthcare fraud is growing. And it is the taxpayer who suffers. Giving kickbacks to doctors who refer patients is only one of many methods of healthcare fraud. The emphasis is taken off of taking care of the patient, and quickly put on how to make a quick buck, or increase profits.

Many organizations, and even the Department of Justice, are devoted to stopping healthcare fraud. The Dept. of Justice has in place the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Program (HCFAC), but it doesn't stop the fact that the number of fraud cases are increasing. And to me, it's quite shameful. Sadly, it all comes back to one thing...the love of money.

-A fit nation is a strong nation

As a society, we really need to put more emphasis on the patient having the ultimate control over his/her body. Medicine is there if one decides to use it, but it should not be mandatory. If one can get well and obtain optimal health using alternative medicines, or natural remedies, then it should be promoted.

The reason for many disorders may be because the body is lacking something, or that our bodies are out of balance, and the answer is not always to pump our bodies with more drugs.

I wonder why we aren't being told about more natural remedies that could help us? Perhaps the reason is because it would cut into profits of the drug industry. This definitely makes one think.

It's time Americans take back their health...let's watch what we put into our bodies, and remember to get adequate exercise. Remember, a fit nation is a strong nation.


Related Reading:

Teen fights to treat cancer with herbs:
http://www.suntimes.com/output/health/cst-nws-sick10.html

Virginia teen loses fight to treat cancer his way:
http://www.wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=844640

How to buy your way out of death:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13830254/

Information on colon cleansing, and a host of other important information:
http://www.drnatura.com/

Hospital operator Tenet settles probe for $725 million:
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060629/BUSINESS01/60629002

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