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Health Facts

Vermont Takes the Lead in Genuine, Effective Medical System Reform

An unlikely experiment is underway in one of the few American states where conservatives were unable to convince majorities of the populace to view government leadership as the Devil’s preferred path to socialism, if not Stalinism. Vermont, a bastion of good sense in this benighted era of irrationality, is one of, if not the, best of the states. The newly-elected governor, Peter Shumlin, wants to overhaul the state’s medical system. His plan for doing so is nothing less than the boogeyman to the Tea Party types, namely, single payer. Watch out for death panels! The governor’s goal is nothing less than a public option for the entire state. Best of all, there is no role in single payer as the governor sees it for the rapacious insurance companies. Michael Moore must be besides himself with joy.
Of course, a waiver from the federal government to implement a single payer plan will be required. The new governor believes that “the waiver is the easy part. The hard part is designing a single payer health care system that works and that delivers quality health care, gets insurers off our providers’ backs and has a reimbursement system that makes sense.” He adds, I believe if we design that system, we can sell it.”
The new governor sees the shift to single payer as an economic necessity as well as a move that will boost quality of life. A plot line showing a steep upward trajectory of rising costs convinced him that a single payer plan is essential. He has stated that such a big step is needed for the well-being of government itself, as well as companies and the citizens of Vermont.
The governor argues that costs will increase a billion dollars in the next year in Vermont. The average family will pay $7,000 more. This is on top of $32,000 paid now. This hurts the state economy and increases property taxes.
The governor campaigned on single payer, so the ambitious redesign plan comes as no surprise to voters. Key features include:
* Health benefits managed directly through citizens, not employers.
* Reimbursement related to outcomes, not pay for treatment/fee for service.
* Reliance placed on upgraded standards of uniform medical records and payments.
* Plans for implementing a single payer system and other options are shaped by the state legislature. The head of this study, a Harvard Economics Professor, made his own position clear in a New York Times interview: “You can have universal coverage and good quality health care while still managing to control costs. But you have to have a single-payer system to do it.” (See Anne Underwood, “Health Care Abroad,” The Business of Health Care, NY Times, November 3, 2009.)
In Vermont, unlike my own hapless state of Florida, Democrats control the executive and legislative branches. This makes prospects for a single payer system more likely than in most other states, if not any other state.
My chief wellness adviser in Vermont, Dr. Judd Allen, reported this week that the governor’s election and the drive to adopt a single payer health system in Vermont, “is perhaps one of the few bright spots in the election results. I worked very hard in Shumlin’s campaign and we only won by a few thousand votes. It is a big deal. I’ve written our governor-elect about helping with the transition.”
If the governor puts Dr. Allen on the case, look for Vermont to become a national model for the future of American medical system reform.
Be well and look on the bright side, even if you don’t have the good fortune to live in Vermont.…

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Good Health

Effective Dental Health Care For Pregnant Women

Contrary to what others advice and believe, dental health care must not be neglected even during pregnancy. This is because the condition of the mother’s gums and teeth can affect the baby’s health inside her womb. Several medical surveys show that preterm delivery and babies with low birth weight are both caused by dental and periodontal infections.
Now, how do you start with this? Firstly, inform your dentist whether you are trying to get pregnant or already in the early stages of pregnancy. By doing so, he can help you prepare for oral health problems that may come your way during the conceiving stage up to the delivery stage. Secondly, take efforts to know which of the dental procedures are not advisable for you to undergo.
Challenges on pregnant women’s dental health care usually start from the presence of plaque. The latter is a film of bacteria which can wound the gums and seep deep into the gums and into the bloodstreams. Take note whatever infection present in the bloodstream can reach the fetus any time. The good news about this is that it can be prevented through a thorough periodontal exam that which may be done months or years before your planned pregnancy.
In the case that you are already pregnant, do not forget to religiously practice oral hygiene at home. This can prevent potential problems in your gums and teeth. Seeing the dentist while pregnant is another measure to observe. Moving forward, you can also undergo professional cleanings which can equip your gums and teeth from the harms of dental illnesses brought about by the hormonal changes during pregnancy. Enamel erosion and gingivitis are two common examples of these illnesses.
Some specialists suggest that cavity fillings and installation of crowns may be done to reduce possibilities of further infection from gingivitis or enamel erosion. In fact, root canal may also be administered so long as local anesthesia is used. Dental x-rays are the procedures to be avoided since its harmful rays are believed to harm the fetus. If ever emergencies require them, abdominal shields may be used. As for the medicines associated with these treatments, they should only be taken under prescription by the dentist. Do not risk the health of your unborn child by buying over-the-counter pain relievers. Cosmetic treatments like teeth whitening and implant installation must be postponed until your baby is born. The same goes for treatments with which application of electricity will be used.
Again, dental health care must be observed with persistence even before you plan to bear a child in your womb. Apart from regular brushing and flossing of your teeth, you should not miss regular dental check-ups at least twice a year. Opt to all kinds of healthy foods as well. Avoid sugars and feast on foods that can make your gums and teeth stronger. Keep a copy of ovulation calendars when planning your pregnancy so that you can keep your wellness in tune and track dental concerns after giving birth.…