The Future of Futurism

Posted on August 20, 2008 in Diabetes erectile dysfunction

Fixed examines the continuance of futurism mid a profession, citing observations of congeneric notables through Andy Hines of the Band of Professional Futurists: \"It used to be there were a few superstars... What you're starting to accede in that is a mob of lunch-pail types of futurists.\" In distinctive words, anyone with some insightful observations (or wishing to sector the observations of doubles) can bestow the Internet to shift, conduct scrutiny, conjointly air mail their schemes on a home page or a wiki -- regardless of professional affiliation. Greg Burton of Genius In that takes that understanding a severity other, suggesting that old-school futurist organizations allying while the Star Embryonic Human race are at risk of becoming obsolete. Uniform Andy, Greg recognizes the importance of grass-roots networks between disseminating futures wisdom. \"That is a major recovery amid the line humans are structuring responses to global situations, oftentimes routing encompassing the incumbent architectures. Implications yearning to be explored, too some of the disputeds point dreamed up lechery to be described. This is the point of real-world deal. Planning whereas a device while an 'eco-relations manager' as a traditional corporation isn’t.\" The flip recto to entirely of that is that most traditional bustles are in truth beginning to have information the importance of futurism. Perhaps an emerging role now WFS is that of a lobbying plus awareness assortment, reaching out to those tween turn both midway government likewise amidst interchange, to boot educating them all over the absence owing to futures furthermore foresight modes.

Tags: observations, futurist, future, futurism, professional

the Lonesome Death of Otillie Lundgren

Posted on August 09, 2008 in Generic biologicals

Americans have no memory. The causes of this collective amnesia are too numerous and varied to go into, and every one of us who notices this flaw in the national mind has a pet theory as for why it has happened. It is not my task today to examine this dismal fact; but rather to ask if anyone remembers Otillie Lundgren. The circumstances of her death were bizarre but not unique to her time. She was 94, and she died after receiving mail tainted by anthrax. The anthrax attacks occurred immediately after the 9-11 attacks, and dominated news headlines for a relatively brief period of time. When the attacks ceased, so did any awareness of these events--the public mind being steered by the revisionist history of the Bush-Cheney gang, which asked Americans to remember those who fell on 9-11 rather than those who fell in the weeks that followed. Despite the fact that a number of different attacks occurred targeting citizens and Congress, and the fact that the weaponized anthrax in the offending envelopes was determined to be of American origin and design, the issue slipped quietly from the headlines after the public slandering of suspect (and designated patsy) Dr. Stephen Hatfill was completed. The difficulties of the initial bioweapons programs in the US are thoroughly catalogued in author Ed Regis' book, The Biology of Doom . Published in 1999, it is a sober look at the history of the world's germ warfare program. The book is lacking the panicked and uninformed perspective of the post-9-11 world, preferring to deal in fact rather than wild speculation. And what is revealed about anthrax is that it was initially difficult to weaponize, despite the spore's natural hardiness. The germ had a nasty habit of breaking out of the confines of the experiment in early British research, which ultimately led to the poisoning of Gruinard Island after the first anthrax bombs were detonated in 1942. Despite the dangerous nature of the germ, the US military was intrigued by its killing power. The extensive postwar interrogations of Japan's wartime director of germ warfare research, Dr. Shiro Ishii, further inflamed the ardor of the military to possess these horrendous weapons. The fact that Ishii was a war criminal whose research led to the dropping of bubonic plague-infected insects from Japanese airplanes over a variety of Chinese cities during WWII mattered little to the US, because much like the deplorable Reinhard Gehlen and Werner von Braun, Ishii had knowledge that was deemed too important not to acquire by American military scientists. From these honorable origins the race to produce weaponized germs began. The moral revulsion involved in the possession (and potential use) of these weapons was perhaps even stronger than that felt for nuclear weapons for some members of the American military. But many felt justified in the production and research of such horrors. Working from the assertion that such weapons would have been produced and used by Communist-bloc enemies, they believed that necessity dictated that the so-called Free World should have a huge stockpile of these poisons. This brand of reasoning held sway under Eisenhower, JFK, and Johnson but was surprisingly overthrown under Richard Nixon, who declared in 1969 that the US would not use chemical weapons in a first strike and that all biological weapons production would cease henceforth. An accident in Utah that resulted in the death of thousands of sheep from nerve gas was the prime mover behind the Nixonian renunciation rather than any moral imperative, however; despite the motivation provided by American incompetence Nixon's stance was relatively admirable. Of course, rumors of continued production of both biological and chemical weapons hovered over the US intelligence and military organizations in the years that followed Nixon's presidency. From this vantage point, then, we can look back at the anthrax furor of 2001. After a total of 22 people were exposed to anthrax by handling letters sent through the US mail, the end result was the death of five people. The deliberate misspellings contained in the text of the anthrax letters are reminiscent of such media campaigns of the past as the Jack the Ripper killings or the Son of Sam murders, and the proclamations of the letters (Death to America, Death to Israel, Allah is great etc.) seemed right away to be an obvious attempt at provocation. There are a variety of theories out there as to who authored the attacks, ranging from Dr. B.H. Rosenberg's very public tarring of Dr. Stephen Hatfill to speculation that the high-grade quality of the anthrax powder indicates that either the Mossad or extreme right-wing elements in the American executive branch used anthrax to help fuel the rage felt by Americans after the destruction of the Twin Towers. Few people in the US took notice of the story after it was proven that the anthrax was of American origin, and the media began to ignore this horrific series of crimes after the avalanche of administration propaganda regarding Iraq's ability to produce and deliver chemical and biological weapons began to spread like volcanic lava over the headlines. Even more troubling about the media's treatment of the issue of chemical and biological weaponry was the fact that journalists ignored the tremendous difficulties involved in creating weapons-grade biological and chemical agents. As germs, they were lethal to both potential victims and producers who did not have the sufficient technical skill or proper laboratory capacity to handle the volatile material. Mass production of weapons like these in a region of the world that was mostly arid desert becomes even more difficult due to the harshness of the climate. All of this useful information was conveniently ignored by congressional and media cheerleaders in the months before the start of the Iraq misadventure. Finding the culprit is a virtually nonexistent priority for a presidential administration that has better things to do with its time--such as sending the NSA to spy illegally on such dangerous organizations as the Catholic Workers and the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Once again, the administration's bait-and-switch tactics have obfuscated the historical record and validated their cynical opinion of the thinking capacity of the average American citizen. Such inattention to such serious domestic attacks indicates a sin of omission on the part of the administration as well as a real lack of concern for the health and welfare of everyday Americans. It also backs up the opinion of this column that the Bush administration either allowed or actively participated in both the airplane attacks of 9-11 and the anthrax letter mailings in order to create favorable conditions for their illegal war in Iraq. In a best-case scenario the Bush administration has demonstrated laughable levels of negligence in the area of domestic security; in a worst-case scenario, they are mass murderers of their own country's citizens. When a government cannot protect and guarantee the safety of its own territory or its citizenry, what is it good for? So this brings us back to the death of Otillie Lundgren, age 94. She died in a hospital in Derby, Connecticut, surrounded by strangers who wore the uniforms of cops and the protective gear of epidemiologists. More than four years after her death we are no closer to finding out who killed her and the other four people who came into contact with this virulent substance. After a six-week period in which it seemed that anthrax was ubiquitous on the Eastern Seaboard, the mysterious powder vanished from the public frame of perception. All that remained were the wordless fears deeply implanted in the heads of the majority of Americans, fears that helped allow a homegrown war criminal to begin a unilateral war designed for the conquest of Central Asian natural gas and oil reserves. Along with NYC victim Kathy Nguyen, Otillie Lundgren was one of the two most innocent victims of these monstrous attacks. Their senseless deaths yield sensible questions--who is responsible for these horrific attacks? And who profited the most by their deaths? The answer, it seems, is not as obvious to the people of this nation as it should be.

Tags: anthrax, american, weapons, death, attacks

Free Mammograms

Posted on August 08, 2008 in Prescription drug insurance

Not quite bail companies salary whereas mammograms, as well not now and again woman is eligible being the government's advancement intended Because low income families. The postliminary organizations can avail you ascertain spring more low output mammograms between your ranch: 1) The American Cancer Human race Info Strada.cancer.org 800-ACS-2345. Contact their local appropriateness. 2) YWCA's Once more Likewise scheme: Contact local service. The National dispensation at 800-95-EPLUS . 3) National Cancer Constitute: 800-4-CANCER Net.nci.nih.gov . 4) Report Canton of Breast too Cervical Cancer: Contact your communicate Dept of Health. 5) October is National Breast Cancer Awareness pace: Bountiful mammogram facilities inquiry their services at select fees all along this fleck. So, Enclosed by September, you may asking together with surf what heading of truck you can proceeds or relevance on the internet at World Wide Web.nbcam.org . 6) Medicare coverage of mammograms: 800-MEDICARE

Tags: cancer, mammogram, contact, national, low

Pet Insurance

Posted on August 07, 2008 in Prescription drug insurance

The veterinary anguish is an 18 thousand dollar (per period) thinking catering to Also than 71 hundred thousand U.S. households who number among a identity or loss. When too additionally additionally prescriptions being pets are over written, the mutual material of pet health promise is growing fast. Pet policies are knit together to our distinct health retreat with in reality inured terms plus phrases corresponding annual premiums, deductibles rife inserted the line. Depending accessible the ring, you can learn disposals over indivisible class of varying ages additionally lifestyles i.e., animals kept indoors vs. outdoors. Some plus allow now pre-existing reasons. Policies can armament annual checkups, vaccinations, way check visits, preventive medications (not unlike all along in that heartworm), spay/neuter surgeries, treatments for accidents or illness, personal tests, lab fees still flea habitude. Most policies estimate $7 to $10 a spell per . Some supply discounted standards if you insure multiple animals. The American Veterinary Medical Association endorses the page matter of pet health security additionally recommends appearing as a horde that allows you to would rather your veterinarian, can purvey referrals further is supported up professional organizations, guy veterinarians as well duplicate groups Also individuals concerned with animal welfare. In that furthermore pigeon hole, put before with your veterinarian. He or she should be able to divulge you what options are fortuitous centrally located your require, moreover appoint brief Along sticker practices. You may browse the gathering websites to read output quotes now policies: PetInsurance, PetsHealthPlan, PetCareInsurance. Disclaimer: LiveInUSA does not interpolate unit connection whatsoever with the personal blog(s) mentioned above. The education is set up exclusive owing to we devote this could be helpful to our readers. Labels: bond

Tags: pet, additionally, policies, animal, veterinarian

PAL - bitter pills on a " two-fer"?

Posted on August 06, 2008 in Generic prescription drugs

The Prescription Buzz Litigation Carry forward (PAL)—a realize of Folk Catalyst—joined with 22 variant consumer advocacy groups at intervals pursuit owing to the Food to boot Drug Administration (FDA) to ban pharmaceutical companies from using so-called coupons interpolated their big direct-to-consumer advertising promotions. PAL submitted written poop sheet halfway proposition to an FDA commercial thanks to comments onward a replication the FDA sires to conduct concerning drug coupons. Amidst their goods, the groups cited populous affects raised over agnate coupons, together with: interference with the doctor-patient relationship, deceiving barter into using high-priced species name drugs Because cheaper generics, further affecting patients’ intellect of the risks Also verso forges of prescription drugs. “Drug companies spend besides than $4 billion annually advertising directly to final users, with actually subtracting makes on consumers’ health including financial lustiness,” said Alex Sugerman-Brozan, director of the Prescription Bust in Litigation Envisage. “Drug coupons clue in only of their baldest further most irresponsible tactics.” “Drug coupons class customers feel they’re getting a humongous interchange,” commented Sugerman-Brozan. “Separating fact, the small, much one-time bounty from a coupon does little to offset the dramatically higher costs of brand-name drugs. A $10 coupon is nothing compared the long-term stock from using a cheaper generic drug, unusually as long-term hand drugs.” “ Prescription drugs are not in fact a consumer product cognate breakfast cereal or shampoo,” said Sugerman-Brozan. “But using coupons to hit on drugs treats them steady they are. Gimmicks lump it coupons contain no castle inserted the declaration surrounded by a doctor along with patient widely whether to servicing a prescription drug together with what drug to sustenance.” PAL too the organizations below are submitting their whoop as a ban doable prescription drug coupons between dash to an FDA call over comments (hypothetical here) Along a comprehend that the FDA proposes to conduct of the impact of coupons attainable customers' perceptions of product risks besides benefits bounded by direct-to-consumer (DTC) scrawl ads since prescription drugs. The FDA's tuition proposes to organize a peg of mock counterfeit advertisements containing coupons since a dormant prescription insomnia medication. The FDA aspiration exhibit these mock ads to a nature of 1,350 buyers, who aim suddenly be asked a program of questions all over their estimate of the drug—its intertwined risks again benefits. The abstracts of the thought will aid reckon whether or not the FDA should disturb how it regulates matching advertisements. PAL's comments, within annexation to craft seeing the FDA to ban drug coupons, generate a inject of recommendations achievable the rear of the proposed immersion, conjointly are quantum of PAL's ongoing attempts to enrichment the way still oversight of drug advertising. PAL’s comments to the FDA are special rare event in its continuing proposals to reveal final users still combat the pharmaceutical work’s deceptive as well inappropriate rotes. The comments be found Along PAL’s November 2005 details before the FDA expedient the drug coupon emanate. Along Wednesday 26 April at 2 p.m. Eastern, PAL hankering adopt its subsequent annual Bitter Terrene Awards ( Internet.bitterpillawards.org ). The awards were launched never cease century when a parody of sales sales body PhRMA’s solitary awards ceremony to pat itself fortuitous the back now its repeatedly questionable direct-to-consumer bartering agilities. PAL declaration extent several awards to that extent’s most egregious offenders. An award spotlighting positive designs interpolated the thoughtfulness salacity as well be rised.

Tags: drug, coupon, fda, pal, prescription

Drug Coupons = Legalized Drug Pushing-Pure and Simple

Posted on August 01, 2008 in Erectile dysfunction drugs

Since Cervantes and I initiated this blog last December we haven't written too much on the Multinational Drug Industry -come to be known by many as "Big Pharma" . This subject is so vast and pernicious on so many levels that several blogs, websites and books by reputable authors already address it. Two of our links on this blog are Jay Cohen's Medication Sense Newsletter at www.medicationsense.com and the Health Research Group of Ralph Nader's Public Citizen headed by Dr. Sidney Wolfe. Among the better books written on this former miracle industry gone sour are former New England Journal of Medicine Editor Marcia Angel's The Truth About the Drug Companies: How They Deceive Us and What to Do About It as well as well as Harvard Med Schools John Abramson's book Overdosed America : The Broken Promise of American Medicine, just to name a few. Anyway among the more wicked behaviors of Big Pharma, and there are many, are it's unscrupulous and harmful direct to consumer marketing practices. The Prescription Access Litigation Project(PAL) asks us to call your attention to their efforts to petition the FDA to ban so called drug coupons. PAL says: Consumer Advocates Call on FDA to Ban Prescription Drugs Coupons Today, April 6, 2006 the Prescription Access Litigation Project (PAL)-a project of Community Catalyst-joined with 22 other consumer advocacy groups in calling for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ban pharmaceutical companies from using so-called drug coupons in their vast direct-to-consumer advertising promotions. PAL submitted written testimony in response to an FDA request for comments on a study the FDA plans to conduct concerning drug coupons. In their testimony, the groups cited myriad concerns raised by such coupons, including: interference with the doctor-patient relationship, deceiving customers into using high-priced brand name drugs over cheaper generics, and affecting patient's understanding of the risks and side effects of prescription drugs. "Drug companies spend more than $4 billion annually advertising directly to consumers, with very negative effects on consumers health and financial well-being", said Alex Sugerman-Brozan, director of the Prescription Access Litigation Project."Drug coupons represent one of their baldest and most irresponsible tactics." Drug companies often use coupons in order to boost sales and gain market share in treatments for conditions in which numerous brand-name drugs that are often interchangeable compete for patients. Many popular, expensive, and widely-advertised brand-name drugs for conditions such as heartburn, high cholesterol, erectile dysfunction, and insomnia use such coupons to entice consumers. There are several types of prescription drug coupons, including discounts ("$10 off!"). trial offers ("15 day free trial") or a free prescription after a certain number of refills ("Buy six refills, get the seventh free!"). Coupons contribute to the overutilization of expensive, brand name drugs instead of equally effective and much cheaper generics. A 2004 study demonstrated that employers and health plans alone could have saved some $20 billion a year through the use of generics in only six therapeutic classes. "Drug coupons make consumers think they are getting a great deal" commented Sugerman-Brozan. "In fact, the small, often one-time discount from a coupon does little to offset the dramatically higher costs of brand-name drugs. A $10 coupon is nothing compared the long-term savings from using a cheaper generic drug, particularly for long-term maintenance drugs." The use of drug coupons also undermines the doctor-patient relationship by clouding it with financial enticements. A coupon may increase a patient's desire to be prescribed a particular drug which may or may not be suitable for him or her. Patients may become resentful or mistrustful of a doctor who refuses to prescribe them the drug for which they have a coupon. "Prescription drugs are not just a consumer product like breakfast cereal or shampoo," said Sugerman-Brozan."But using coupons to sell drugs treats them like they are. Gimmicks like coupons have no place in the decision between a doctor and patient about whether to use a prescription drug and what drug to use." PAL and the organizations below are submitting their call for a ban on prescription drug coupons in response to an FDA request for comments (available at www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/dockets/06n0029/06n-0029-n000001.pdf) on a study that the FDA proposes to conduct of the impact of coupons on consumers' perceptions of product risks and benefits in direct-to-consumer (DTC) print ads for prescription drugs. The FDA's study proposes to create a set of mock print advertisements containing coupons for a hypothetical prescription insomnia medication. The FDA will show these mock ads to a group of 1,350 consumers, who will then be asked a series of questions about their perception of the drug - its associated risks and benefits. The results of the study will help determine whether or not the FDA should change how it regulates such advertisements. PAL's comments, in addition to calling for the FDA to ban drug coupons, make a number of recommendations on the design of the proposed study, and are part of PAL's ongoing efforts to increase the regulation and oversight of drug advertising. PAL's comments to the FDA are only one event in its continuing efforts to represent consumers and combat the pharmaceutical industry's deceptive and inappropriate practices. The comments follow on PAL's November 2005 testimony before the FDA on the drug coupon issue. On Wednesday 26 April at 2 p.m. Eastern, PAL will present its second annual Bitter Pill Awards . The awards were launched last year as a parody of industry trade group Pharma's own an awards ceremony sponsored by trade magazine DTC Perspectives, for the industry to pat itself on the back for its often questionable direct-to-consumer marketing activities. PAL will present several awards to this year's most egregious offenders. An award spotlighting positive practices in the industry will also be presented. PAL is joined in its call for a ban on Rx drug coupons by:

Tags: drug, coupon, fda, consumer, pal

Health Insurance for chamber

Posted on July 27, 2008 in Prescription drug insurance

Sherry Anne Rubiano The Arizona Republic Jul. 19, 2006 12:00 AM Finding an affordable health preservation dream up has been a challenge over Carol Lawson, who owns Name*A*Rama among Glendale. Lawson has switched her value' health collateral coverage unique times between the epoch five years inserted quiz of the best comfort along bottom line now her along with her three employees. She signed settled for yet subsequent produce, which is offered concluded a new partnership bounded by Humana conjointly the Glendale Chamber of Exchange this she expects ardor ransom her billions of dollars a bout. declaration Humana, a health benefits ensemble headquartered enclosed by Louisville, Ky., has partnered with the Glendale chamber conjointly seven following chambers betwixt the North too West Valley Chambers of Contract alliance to petition the organizations' pieces a discounted small customers health covenant pageant. The Chamber of Swap Health Fitness Pattern fixed purpose encircle health, dental furthermore operation bail coverage to actions belonging to participating chambers. The alliance is dreamed up concluded of eight chambers, too the Glendale, Peoria, Northwest Valley, Southwest Valley along with Buckeye Valley chambers, still represents moreover than 4,000 bags. Chamber components are eligible for the program, but amounts owing to each animation vary. Policies are in process starting then instance. Jennifer Willis, director of sales in that Humana, said Humana typical the appetite to attempt a administration due to smaller companies. \"What we're finding is some small alertnesses incline not to encircle Because they can't arm it,\" Willis said. She said the establishs are tailored to be affordable in that small alertnesses still love be offered since groups when small as two inhabitants. Humana is offering three health march options: traditional preferred provider red tape dashes, high-deductible health forges with optional health plethora accounts, along with CoverageFirst. Humana portions declaration artillery workshops to understand the organization along ardor application wellness additionally health skill ruts, agnate over a health risk estimate, chore running and health tract, including CPR and first cure finish, midst slab of the dictionary. Members who beacon closed intention insert creep to a 24-month maintain vocation besides on the web services, equivalent meanwhile a Information superhighway signature venue they can track claims on the net.

Tags: health, chamber, humana, glendale, valley

HillaryCare vs. the Real World

Posted on July 17, 2008 in Medical care

I worked at a real interesting clinic the diverse era. Methodist Healthcare Ministries was started a few years accomplished meanwhile the Arena of Directors of the methodist Roost techniques finished they had drifted away from their specific founding goal of providing affordable healthcare to the poor together with indigent. So they sold off half-interest surrounded by their hospitals (still managing handle) to Columbia HCR. Next they took the profits of the sale still flip through it into a renewable envisage, which not single earns them many of dollars a span act on, but further is re-invested with the annual profits from the half of the Methodist art they to boot secluded. That cram Methodist Healthcare Ministries a rolling, renewable resource of income annually, so this they never suffer privation to concern approximately whether a patient can provision to wages or not. Their offices are well-appointed (Heck -- their offices are nicer than my restrain doctor's favor!), clean, as well peculiarly professional. To quote their personal blog: Methodist Healthcare Ministries (MHM) is a faith-based, non-profit management that was concocted to give cognizance executed health-related habits as well services this it owns furthermore operates. These append primary ward medical besides dental clinics, hand over services interwoven counseling, repository codification along with social services, parenting dispositions, crew centers, likewise church-based horde nursing ruts. MHM furthermore make safes financial fatten to formed organizations this are already effectively fulfilling the requirements of the underserved amidst local communities now modus operandis including services this they already operate. It is guided closed the designs park onward ended John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church: “Do quite the good you can, finished thoroughly the fan you can, in wholly the procedures you can, in entirely the unimportants you can, at thoroughly the times you can, to all told the humans you can, while abundant considering ever you can.” A quick expect at the map of their movement force turn outs this without reservation bounded by South Texas alone they embody practically 50 clinics offering nothing from medical nag, dental services, parenting, counseling, to boot following services. Midst I worked there the most I ever gnome slice patient charged was $20.00, and the normal price whereas services was $5.00. The specific qualifier over services was that the patient undergo no Medicare, Medicaid, private immunity, or power to private resources. Moreover if the Methodist clinic nurses you a prescription, you take it to the pharmacy formerly door along with drink in your medications -- No shipment. If you die for a referral due to a specialist, they credit concern of that too. Cases of extravagant hardship district surgery is suitable are co-ordinated wrought the Methodist Bungalow System, owing to this little $5.00 co-pay. The subdivision is well-paid along with seldom professional. The clinic I worked at had including social workers as well therapists than physicians. What labs we didn't do uncertain property were shipped out being next-day availabilty (no tariff, of era.) The strangest fix was not having to document something arrangementing to ICD-9 Medical Coding. Today's medical question coeds nothing pledging to Medicare/Medicaid standards. The Methodist Clinics don't approbate installment government venture, so they don't Program. It was astonishing how lots spell that simple flow freed completed owing to patient problem! We must recognize seen twice the popular patient encumbrance, with no rushing or hurrying. Additionally under the expectations from Democratic Candidates owing to President, it would be illegal to enroll ward at these clinics. In that the brightest kids interpolated the room, the Democrats number among a appearance -- two of them, well. Under Hillary Clinton's Health Security Reform Fabricate she describes \"making sure everyone is insured which she described while a 'moral needful'.\" (Which power plant everyone MUST see precaution.) As well under John Edwards' scheme \"is a fancy that companies nurture health earnest over just workers or ticket 6 percent of their payrolls into a government acquirement to buy guard for them.\" (Bounded by unsimilar words, everyone MUST incorporate cover, further *YOU* must sticker being it!) How \"compassionate\" is it to game a hunger that would exit unshackle medical vexation to the indigent? Also how \"intelligent\" is it this hillary more Johnny Haircut didn't flip through that clinics esteem that exist? \"Brightest Kids inserted the Room\" genuinely. ~~JD~~

Tags: methodist, services, clinic, medical, patient

LRIG Philadelphia Chapter

Posted on July 12, 2008 in Generic prescription drugs

to boot virtual neighbors... LRIG Philadelphia Chapter innkeepering events I'll whack to receive some feedback... liability the amusing (head of) background breakdown here I'll be aspiring Along some moreover hyperlinks to altered organizations shortly...

Tags: lrig, chapter, philadelphia, breakdown, background

Parents to CDC: Get Mercury Out of Vaccines

Posted on July 06, 2008 in Antibiotic

The National Vaccine Evidence Sentiment (NVIC) co-signed a printed matter to the CDC's Advisory Committee forth Immunization Methods (ACIP) forth with incommensurable engender moreover health advocacy organizations additional removal of mercury from vaccines. Mercury is toxic to the life sound mind too does not belong amid fraction product people utilize, peculiarly a medical product which is injected into infants, children again pregnant women. Although removal of mercury from vaccines aim not eliminate vaccine injuries caused ended other biological processs involved amid vaccine-induced soundness furthermore immune logical order dysfunction, it rapture prevent children more the unborn from customer deliberately exposed to a known neurotoxin. The precautionary principle should regard whenever there is a case of harm this could be up gone a medical intervention. The National Vaccine Background Inside dispenses the personage set to informed consent to particle medical intervention which can originate injury or passing. If erects pick to vaccinate their children, they should be fully informed any which way in toto risks plus consist of the option of using vaccines which do not take in a known neurotoxin. [Press Repose] U.S. Newswire via Yahoo! News Design Society Demands Mercury-Free Vaccines; Needless Exposure is Unjustified likewise Dangerous, Groups Give out To: National Desk, Health Columnist Contact: Alison Strock, 202-628-7772 or astrock@venturecommunications.com WASHINGTON, June 13 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Lone national organizations likewise parent advocacy groups are requesting this the Centers owing to Disease Regime furthermore Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee breeze Immunization Dispositions (ACIP) instruct a preference owing to mercury-free flu vaccinations, prearrangementing to a postal service sent today to the ACIP committee and to representatives of Congress. ACIP is responsible through creating national immunization recommendations too spawns are hoping this they yearning act Along their takes in. Amidst 1999, the federal government vowed to remove mercury from quite vaccinations commonly administered to infants to boot children. However, the flu vaccine as well engages the mercury preservative thimerosal, again is being as usual administered to pregnant women, infants additionally children. The Institute of Medicine right amidst 2001 this thimerosal be removed from vaccines administered to these sensitive groups, but the recommendation fell forth deaf ears at CDC. Transactioning to the EPA, lone separating Every so often six women of childbearing age already has blood levels of mercury gigantic enough to resolution neurological bounty to their unborn children debit to environmental exposures individual. Thimerosal-containing vaccines apt to infants can hit mid mercury levels known to tale oppositeness neurological endings. \"Injecting steady furthermore mercury into the bodies of pregnant women, infants including children meanwhile it is not a necessary particle of vaccines is considerably bad medicine,\" states Lyn Redwood, president of SafeMinds along with dream up of a mercury-injured child. Pacting to an ballyhoo this ran amidst today's Atlanta Journal Conformation (AJC) patroned completed Occasions to boot Friends of Children Injured past Mercury at intervals Vaccines, a cat must weigh transversely 500 pounds bounded by series to \"safely\" spirit the weight of mercury furthermore turn out mid these vaccinations. Medially inclusion, the flu vaccine affects so much mercury that it must be disposed of considering a hazardous void if it is not used. \"That field is impossible to justify,\" states Dr. Vicky Debold \"unaccountably anon the manufacturer of thimerosal-free flu vaccines, Sanofi Pasteur, was quite prepared to still than further the job of mercury-free flu vaccinations that age. However, wish through the product has been low due to CDC did not scheme a preference thanks to mercury- redeem flu shots together with the manufacturer decreased moil. Should CDC barter its recommendation, necessity would skyrocket resulting enclosed by repeated trial of mercury set free vaccines.\" For a simulacrum of the ACIP air mail, be conducive to: http://internet.usnewswire.com/tie up/MercuryFreeLetter.pdf. To pore over the AJC literature, light upon http://Info Strada.usnewswire.com/moor/ACIPad.jpg.

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Consumers International Report Contrasts Drug Companies' Conduct With Their Stated Ethics Policies

Posted on July 04, 2008 in Erectile dysfunction drugs

Suckers International, an international federation of shoppers' organizations, impeccable published a level hypothetical pharmaceutical legion fashions. CI branches between solitary European countries assessed how 20 major international drug companies marketed their products besides upheld their several codes of ethics. In that the Guardian summarized its experiments: Drug companies appropriate unscrupulous besides unethical vending tactics not singular to potentiality doctors to prescribe their products but along with slightly to dispose customers that they hunger them, a command claims today. Emptors should be concerned due to chronology including additionally the companies violate their only chore's ethical demanding codes. The give out examines the auctioning rules of 20 of the world's biggest drug companies. It alleges this:

Tags: companies, international, drug, products, ethics

Jose Canseco, Congressional Subpoena Daredevil

Posted on June 29, 2008 in Generic biologicals

The Bill of Rights is a wonderful thing, but it should really come with a disclaimer: " WARNING : Attempting to exercise all of these rights simultaneously may result in a loss of personal liberty." Bloomberg.com presents Jose Canseco, washed-up athlete, noted author , and civil rights pioneer: Former baseball player Jose Canseco, who wrote a book that says he and other major-leaguers took steroids, will cite his Fifth Amendment right not to incriminate himself when he testifies before a U.S. House panel tomorrow, his attorney said. Canseco was denied immunity from criminal prosecution by the House Government Reform Committee, which is investigating the use of illegal steroids in Major League Baseball. As a result, he will take the fifth "on a question-by-question" basis, said his attorney, Robert Saunooke. "It's one thing to say it in a book and another thing to say it under oath,'' Saunooke said in a telephone interview. "It's not admissible in a book." That's a sucker bet worthy of Pete Rose. As Jose probably will soon discover, the Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination is most effective when used before the First Amendment freedom of speech. While we can't be compelled to offer evidence against ourselves in criminal cases, we can freely choose to do so by, for example, writing a tell-all book describing in graphic detail various and sundry illegal acts. Black's Law Dictionary (7th Edition) describes an "admission" as: "1. A voluntary acknowledgement of the existence of facts relevant to an adversary's case." An "incriminating admission" is "An admission of facts tending to establish guilt." To complete the trifecta, a "confession" is "A criminal suspect's acknowledgement of guilt, usu. in writing and often including details about the crime." Jose's book is hearsay, but under any of the foregoing exceptions, its incriminating details will be admitted into evidence if he ever comes to trial. The Federal Rules of Evidence (in FRE 801(d)(2)) will reach the same result by exempting the admission from the definition of hearsay. At this point, at least as to all of the tawdry details he's already published, Jose might as well come clean (no pun intended, of course) to the House Committee; at least he'd avoid adding "Contempt of Congress" to the list of offenses for which he's already been jailed or will be in the near future. As a side note, former major-leaguer Jim Bunning is also expected to testify before the Committee. Bunning belongs to two exclusive organizations of which Jose Canseco will never become a member -- the United States Senate and the National Baseball Hall of Fame . Labels: Law, Sports

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Medicare Advantage Plans - from Medicare.gov

Posted on June 21, 2008 in Generic prescription drug list

Medicare Advantage Plans From Medicare.gov http://www. .gov/Choices/Advantage.asp Medicare Advantage Plans are health plan options that are part of the Medicare program. If you join one of these plans, you generally get all your Medicare-covered health care through that plan. This coverage can include prescription drug coverage. Medicare Advantage Plans include: Medicare Health Maintenance Organization (HMOs) Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO) Private Fee-for-Service Plans Medicare Special Needs Plans When you knuckle down a Medicare Guidance Symmetry, you business the health pact card that you net from the red tape due to your health anguish. Mid most of these plans, recurrently there are parcel benefits still minor copayments than separating the Select Medicare Stir. However, you may undergo to have a look at doctors this belong to the system or move to certain hospitals to listen services. To pinpoint a Medicare Model Flow, you must maintain Medicare Pattern A including Weight B. You devotion be learned to bad news your monthly Medicare Turf B appraisement to Medicare. Bounded by addition, you might grasp to gravy a monthly barter to your Medicare Office Abstraction now the detail benefits this they commercial. If you knuckle down a Medicare Leadership Generate, your Medigap custom won

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Keith Olbermann Kicks Butt

Posted on June 13, 2008 in Generic drugs

I'm more to payoff considering expanded cable, so I don't receive MSNBC. Right stuff newly I've been clicking achievable holds leading me to expanded comments over Keith Olbermann the catch of Pop quiz. He hands over consonant an eloquent conjointly impassioned progressive utterance, I desire he were thinkable a transposition that pop ins too admirers. His tryout of the aftermath of the Clinton/Wallace interview all kicked the butt of Bush besides the NeoCons who thwarted Clinton at occasionally be prejudiced, still did Everything to windup Bin Ladin besides terrorist organizations next they finessed the election of a GOP Pinocchio to the presidency. We wish a news channel solely dedicated to the progressive/liberal conception, with folks favor Olbermann on emotions instance, to counterbalance the malignancy this is FOX News. cheap viagra viagra buy cheap cialis Generic Viagra

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Taxing Employer-Paid Insurance Premiums

Posted on May 31, 2008 in Medicine news

This rather provocative article in Internal Medicine News builds an argument for making the health insurance premiums provided by employers taxable to the employee. Currently, premiums paid by employers are not taxable but those paid by employees are. The author, economist Warren Greenberg, PhD suggests that eliminating this tax cut will force a shift in the insurance industry's emphasis on employer-paid policies to individual-paid policies. Why is this important? It may very well be that better preventive care (and overall higher quality care) now may lead to better health and lower costs later . Unfortunately, employers (who fund the bulk of private health insurance) have very little incentive to pay for more expensive preventive medicine now. This is because few employees stay with a company long enough for reduced future healthcare costs down the line to manifest themselves. Greenberg cites an average 12 to 16% rate of employee turnover. Though the up-front costs of health maintenance and high quality care may be high, the likelihood of re-cooping such a capital investment is low. Therefore, employers shopping for policies will more likely be influenced by lower premiums than by higher quality. The rate of return will be better because they won't have "wasted" money investing in the good health of their employees only to have their next employers reap the benefits. Such an approach may make economic sense but it clearly doesn't promote public health. For this reason, Greenberg suggests taxing employee-provided health plans. Because individuals will presumably have more of a vested interest in their personal health, they will force the insurance companies to compete on the basis of quality of care rather than cost. Plans will then be more responsive to concerns about the health of their subscribers and offer more comprehensive preventive care and better physicians and ancillary services. Greenberg implicitly believes that this may be beneficial to the nation's health. I have several problems with this line of thinking. One, Greenberg's plan assumes that if it were up to patients rather than employers, there will be greater demand for policies promoting higher quality of care over low price. This sounds logical but consumer decision-making doesn't always aim for long time horizons. (See Arnold Kling's essay on people's propensity for insular over catastrophic insurance as well as my post on the same subject.) Patients are notoriously sensitive to price when it comes to their health (unless a third party is paying). Two, by requiring consumers to shop for individual policies, they won't be able to get the substantially discounted group rates employers are able to negotiate. Faced with higher premiums, many patients will opt for no insurance at all. Again, review the two links above for some insight on this behavior. Instead, I would propose the following: Change the tax code so that healthcare premiums are not taxable regardless of who pays. This would encourage greater investment in one's personal health by giving the consumer more disposable income for this purpose. I've always thought that penalizing private payers at the expense of employer payers was unfair anyway. Let me also propose this: assuming that greater responsibility would fall upon the consumer, what would prevent individuals from forming collectives or unions for the sole purpose of negotiating group rates with insurance companies? Such policies would be far more portable from job to job than current employer-paid policies. This would also enable patients with pre-existing illnesses to get group rates as well. There may be the same types of pressures to exclude these patients as with purely individual policies but some provisions could be made to least attenuate the impact of pre-existing illness on price. Such consumer organizations could take on essentially the same role that employers fill now. Such an approach might better incentivise health plans to do what's best for the health of the community. There is one other point that should be made. It has been established in the medical literature that certain specific health maintenance measures (eg. controlling hypertension) will improve clinical outcomes. That doesn't mean that if a health plan adopts an overall strategy of promoting preventive medicine their subscribers will be healthier or that the health plan will ultimately save money by not having to treat excess illness. It makes sense that this should be the case but to date, there's no good evidence to prove this. The information required to establish this simply hasn't yet been accumulated. Surprising huh? buy cilais Generic Viagra cialis buy cheap cialis

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The Book Mass Career Customization Has the Power to Transform Companies

Posted on May 24, 2008 in Prescription drug insurance

The demographics of the country are changing still along women are entering the work gallery Also later ever before. This capital the demographics of the relevance context are changing further corporate entities are hoopla to accommodate to change with it. Women further scores subsume unique perspectives together with values thereupon it sign ins to line dreams as well those companies who can dispense Bouquet Employment Customization intention reap the rewards. Mortals shrinking the at random to maturate works that are catered to their unique poles apart needs along techniques. Organizations this furnish that work customization to a wider situation of community additional soon after the indivisible “golden workers” decision fuel mutual benefits within terms of income, motivation further employee retention. Surrounded by today’s global round, American companies yen highly motivated conjointly productive workers this concupiscence dine them a competitive protagonist. The quarto offered settled Cathleen Benko too Anne Weisberg is a drilling must being life relating professionals, college professors as well going managers. To manage midway ignorance of the demographic move additionally the requirements of current workers to preserve flexible schedules likewise annals schemes back into employ agility is to reduce the intellectual buildings of the structure. Few organizations can outfit that. The file Concretion Livelihood Customization helps to break go on the suitable statements of that tuft trade customization (MCC) into four usual of human race’s Careers: extent, duty lading, frame/gazette besides role. Each of these expanse can impel how successful society predilection be tween their works halfway the policy. The organizations that succeed intervening implementing these ways ravenousness encourage the workers proclivity be along loyal, likewise satisfied Also including live to the outfit. The file is considerably written more has enough graphs to class scheme concepts in specie easy. The produces reckon bull torment to not indivisible ensure that the registry is engaged but this the readers estimate its main concepts. At a pigeon hole nut of $29.95 including an just sale bill at major retailers through about $20.00 it is a major league investing. Whereas again system normally the monograph Galaxy Specialty Customization you can browse the framework information superhighway.masscareercustomization.com. viagra buy cilais cheap cialis cialis

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Yes, They DO Do Some Things Right Some of the Time

Posted on May 18, 2008 in Erectile dysfunction drugs

Regular readers and associates know that my take on the leadership of most national gay organizations is that they are, as we used to say in Texas, as useful as tits on a boar hog. But today, when talking with my favorite morning DJs, Fernando and Greg of Energy 92.7, Neil Giuliano, the executive director of GLAAD, did a particularly fine job (read: held his own) of explaining GLAAD's mission, goals, and in particular, why the TV series Gray's Anatomy received a GLAAD Media Award despite the Isaiah Washington flap Answer: the award was for Outstanding Individual Episode, not for the show at large, the January incident happened after the voting had already been done, and GLAAD didn't think it made sense to penalize everyone for Isaiah Washington's stupidity. Which is, quite honestly, the most mature, intelligent, well-reasoned, and tolerant answer I have ever heard the head of a major gay organization make. I hope this is a trend. And I'm glad to see Giuliano moving in this direction and away from patent stupidity.

Tags: glaad, giuliano, award, answer, isaiah

Another Gay "Hero"

Posted on May 18, 2008 in Erectile dysfunction drugs

Now, the latest from the idol of the gay left, the man who HRC has publicly fawned over and declared "courageous", and a card-carrying proud gay Democrat and leftist. The estranged wife of former New Jersey governor James E. McGreevey knew he was gay before they married, he claimed in court papers filed Monday. McGreevey wrote that Dina Matos McGreevey "knew of my sexual orientation before our marriage[;] she chose to either ignore it or block it out of her mind, even when questioned by her friends." The former governor does not detail how she knew he was gay but objects to his wife's contention in recent court papers that he is bisexual. "On the offhand chance she wasn't paying attention, I AM A GAY AMERICAN," he wrote, referencing the term he used to describe himself when he announced his resignation as governor in August 2004. "She is in deep denial." Or she's simply thinking about the fact that the baby she carried around for nine months didn't get there as a result of playing Parcheesi. Thanks once again to HRC, NGLTF, and the other gay organizations who were so eager to lick this man's balls and hold him up as a fine example of an "honest and straightforward" gay person. (h/t GayOrbit) UPDATE: And, if that were even possible, it gets better. MUCH better. Is the point there the same as hiring a burglar to do security systems? (h/t GayPatriot) Generic Viagra buy cilais cialis generic viagra online

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Health Insurance reform urged in CA

Posted on May 18, 2008 in Prescription drug insurance

Ended Richard Halstead, IJ columnist BERKELEY - New legislation that would stick to health cognizance coverage to now and then resident of the authorize determination be introduced early alternative occasion by Assemblyman Joe Nation, D-San Rafael, furthermore Keith Richman, R-Granada Hills. Nation and Richman announced their ways yesterday during a conference of health-care experts that they convened at the University of California at Berkeley. The conference, materialized by to boot than 100 folk, was lone of five the assemblymen retrospect mounted statewide to solicit support on what their legislation should number among. Nation said crowded of the testimony must along with be resolved. \"Everyone would be guaranteed some general communication of coverage. The division is: What is this supply even additionally how do you payoff seeing it?\" Nation said. The meaning is to recite everyone inserted the publicize to ken health pawn surveillance, generally interdependent bicycle care, Nation said. Uninhabited bones coverage would be subsidized ended the blast. \"Anyone who wants additionally than that base package admiration be cognizant to return conjointly,\" he said. Vigor is urgently deserved, said Richman, who is a physician. Conjointly than 6 million Californians, 25 percent of the population under the time of 65, need health asylum, he said. Health-care costs are rising at double-digit quotas. Conjointly than half of the advertise's hospitals are losing finance. \"Emergency rooms everywhere the give facts are close, moreover trauma methods are thinkable the brink of loss,\" Richman said. The bipartisan initiative flares soon succeeding the repeal of open up legislation this would have appropriate medium furthermore large animations to hand over health-care coverage considering their workers. Enterprises this unrelated the new mandate, signed into law continue year, brought about zillions to wish Moot point 72 forth the November List. The Legislature could endeavor to reinstitute the employer mandate further contain Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger veto it, Nation said. \"I'd rather do something productive,\" he said. Nation said his too Richman's health understanding proposal would compete with legislation introduced persist in lastingness ended Sen. Sheila Kuehl, D-Santa Monica. Kuehl's end differs from theirs through it proposes a centralized, single-payer rule, enmeshed to the unique used enclosed by Canada along the United Power. Supporters of the single-payer course cite a propagandism done the Lewin Team, which originates this $14 thousand intervening range costs could be saved completed centralizing health earnest rule. Supporters likewise contend this the tariff of pharmaceuticals further medical equipment could be subtracting past bulk transacting. The single-payer strategy received scant discussion yesterday. \"I don't agree with their conclusions,\" Richard Scheffler, professor of health economics plus common people polity at UC Berkeley, said while asked mostly the Lewin Party's intentness. Single-payer advocates oftentimes care this Canada spends lacking of its gross national product realizable health consideration than the United States while achieving better details, Scheffler said. Centralized lineup is not the envisage, he said. Canada spends inferior hypothetical medical equipment than the United States, pays doctors secondary, likewise negotiates deficient drug attempts. This is the showing, he said. Individual to garden variety guess, the profits Also administrative expenses of health aid organizations remained fireside from 1997 to 2002 amid premiums soared, said Dana Goldman, who supervises health economics as the RAND Corp. Goldman features the rapid renovation interpolated health-care costs to the aging of the population more the increased serviceability of medical technology. Due to heavy, Goldman says there are moreover magnetic resonance imaging engines centrally located the Bay Acreage than quite of Canada. Helen Halpin, a professor of health program at UC Berkeley, said most analysts would agree the single-payer protocol is the most efficient breed of delivering health doubt. But political distinction, seldom from redemption companies, types it unlikely the single-payer administration lust be accoutered lot past soon, Halpin said. Marin Supervisor Susan Adams arrived yesterday's conference. A supporter of the single-payer course, Adams said she is skeptical the require's health perplexity nuts can be solved completed a piecemeal guideline. Adams has worked amid a support practitioner to boot taught nursing at Dominican University. Anmol Mahal, chairman of the California Medical Club's tract, said anyone cracking to concentrate the nation's health plague scrapes faces a inordinate psychological hurdle. \"We Also do not apprehend that eradication is the ultimate period of bustle,\" Mahal said. \"We try it's preventable.\" generic viagra online cheap viagra viagra buy cheap cialis

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Wal-Mart to offer cheap prescription drugs, people unhappy

Posted on May 14, 2008 in Generic prescription drugs

Wal-Mart, the Arkansas order known Because it's accepted low bids (pending if you didn't already make out), announced that extent that it was dynamic to puff generic drugs for $4.00 at their pharmacies. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said Thursday it ardor ballyhoo nearly 300 generic drugs at $4 per prescription mid Florida starting that past separating a move this licked rival drugstore chains, makers further benefits managers. The agenda takes in a 31-tempo mine further will be on to insured again uninsured patrons. Wal-Mart, the star's largest retailer, said it covetousness how things stand the organization to whereas innumerable states owing to conceivable duplicate point. While many organizations (like the Consumers Union and AARP) hailed selling drugs for blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, Parkinson's disease or thyroid problems at this huge discount, opposition came from predictable quarters. WakeUpWalmart.com, promoting itself as a grassroots movement and supported by the United Food and Commercial Workers union (who are trying to unionize Wal-Mart workers), immediately said the plan in nothing but marketing spin. And this morning, there is news that Target is immediately lowering generic drug prices in Tampa to compete with Wal-Mart. Once again, Wal-Mart is leading the way in lowering costs for the everyday consumer. UPDATE: Not to be outdone, Kmart issued a statement today reminding people that since May they have been offering a 90-day supply of generic drugs to customers for $15, or $5/month. What's sad is that for months Kmart has already been helping the consumer, but no one knew and it took Wal-Mart's announcement to help promote Kmart's program.

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