The fears over what is buried in the Obamacare legislation has everyone - both patient and doctor - nervous and worried. One of my doctor friends passed on an article that I feel has much merit for us today. Titled, Reflections On A Medical Career, the article was written by Dr. Robert S. Dotson, an ophthalmologist who has practiced medicine for over 30 years. His observations sent a cold chill through me.
As he revealed this country's history of implementing "universal" health care, I wondered how we could have been so blind. From LBJ's part in the creation of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965, to Nixon passing the HMO Act in 1973, through Carter's failed attempt to introduce National Health Insurance, and Clinton's failure to implement "Hillarycare", all the way up to GW's nod to Big Pharma with the expansion of pharmaceutical coverage for those under Medicare --- it was all an incremental slog towards a national health care system that would undermine the best medical care in the world. Between bad policy and the plundering of American patients by insurance and pharmaceutical corporations, we better get ready for a new dynamic in our health care.
But we patients aren't the only ones who have been hurt. Doctors face falling reimbursement rates, climbing overhead costs, Big Brother in their businesses, and rising drug, insurance and professional costs. And with the decline in the US dollar, they face increases in staff salaries, rent, and taxes. The state of our economy is hurting both individuals and businesses, and the medical field is not immune. Like other small business owners, doctors are finding that their incomes are being reduced, as their operating costs are exploding.
Needless to say, the "new" system that is being proposed scares the hell out of me: widespread vaccinations with untested "stabs" are mandated in the new Affordable Care Act. Not only does that raise the specter of experimental medicine, but it introduces the possibility of biometric "nano-chipping" in unsuspecting patients. And despite all of the White House's denials, there is clear provision in the Act for bureaucratic decision-making bodies which will make end-of-life decisions for us all. Translation: "Death Panels".
So what does Dr. Dotson see as a remedy to our declining health care system? Just as there are those who say the only way to bring about a renewed economy is a complete collapse of the failing one, our Good Physician thinks that the medical system is totally and completely broken. Since the collapse of the entire health system is unlikely, he offers this sage advice. Here are some steps to keep yourself healthy and avoid the healthcare system for as long as you can:
1. avoid excessive use of tobacco or alcohol or, for that matter, caffeine;
2. avoid poisons like fluoride, aspartame, high fructose corn syrup, and addictive drugs (legal or illicit);
3. avoid unnecessary and potentially lethal imaging studies (TSA’s radiation pornbooths, excessive mammography, repetitive CT scans – exposure to all significantly increases cancer risk);
4. avoid excessive cell phone use and exposure to other forms of EMR pollution where possible (the NSA is recording everything you say and text anyway);
5. avoid daily fast food use and abuse (remember: pink slime and silicone) ;
6. avoid untested GM foods (do you really want to become “Roundup Ready?”):
7. avoid most vaccinations and pharmaceutical agents promoted by the establishment;
8. avoid risky behaviors (and, we do not need a bunch of Nanny State bureaucrats to define and police these);
9. exercise moderately;
10. get plenty of sleep;
11. drink plenty of good quality water (buy a decent water filter to remove fluoride, chloride, and heavy metals);
12. wear protective gear at work and play where appropriate (helmets, eye-shields, knee and elbow pads, etc.):
13. seek out locally-grown, whole, organic foods and support your local food producers;
14. take appropriate nutritional supplements (multi-vitamins, Vitamin C, Vitamin D3);
15. switch off the TV and the mainstream media it represents;
16. educate yourself while you can; And, lastly…
17. QUESTION AUTHORITY!
Dr. Dotson seems to feel that following these simple steps will "add healthy years to a person's life and help one avoid most medical encounters during his or her allotted time on earth." This is good advice for the saddest of reasons. And he reminds us that we need to care for our neighbors and our families. We have been spoiled by the best medical care on the planet, and people are going to have to start living with more aches and pains, sniffles and coughs, than they are used to. We must be sympathetic and supportive as much as possible. His final advice is not to give in or give up. You are ultimately responsible for your own health care, so be wise in how you live your life and treat your body.
Dr. Dotson was forced to close his office in April of 2012. The expenses were too prohibitive, the regulations too restrictive, and the battle too tiring to continue. I fear that too many more physicians are going to know the heartache of saying good-bye to patients and practices.
Matthew 9:12-12 .... Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
Hi Belle - one thing missing among the cautions to avoid excessive exposure: the sun. Most EMR is in the gamma range. And that's essentially what you get from the sun's UV rays. Sure, some sunshine exposure is great, but excessive sun exposure isn't. A sun burn is essentially low-level radiation poisoning. All radiation exposure is cumulative, so the more sun burns, the more damage. You see this in skin cancers, cataracts, etc. And the higher your altitude and less cloud cover you have, the more UV exposure you get.
ReplyDeleteI'm a retired Navy submariner (23 years), and my lifetime radiation exposure from working in subs is less than what you'll get from the sun in one daytime airline flight from New York to LA!
Thank you for this important comment! My husband was diagnosed with melanoma 6 years ago, and it was from all the summers he worked at a skeet range with no sunscreen on his ears. Fortunately, we caught it early and it was in situ (on the first layer of skin) and had not penetrated further. It was removed, leaving clear, healthy tissue and we are now mindful of sun exposure and never go anywhere without sunscreen. This is such an important (and easy) area in which to guard your health --- something we can all do to keep the doctor away. Your comment was a much-needed addendum to my post!
ReplyDeleteAvoid HFCS! Seriously you have HFCS derangement syndrome.
ReplyDeleteAvoid vaccinations! This is your stay healthy advice? Are you serious???
Take nutritional supplements and vitamins?? If you are eating a good diverse diet you will get the vitamins you need and most supplements are superstition based snake oil.
First of all, thank you for your comment. You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but if you read the article with a discerning eye, you would understand that this advice is not mine, but the advice of a doctor who has practiced medicine for over 30 years. You may agree or disagree with his opinions (many of which are shared by the medical field and nutritionists alike). I presented this post as the observation of a man who has seen, from his unique perspective, the decline of medical care in this nation. Whether you (Mr./Mrs. Anonymous) choose to consume high fructose corn syrup, take untested vaccines, or rely on GM foods for your nutrients is your choice. Just as each of us must make their own choices. Dr. Dotson's 17 items are easy to follow and common sense. I'm sorry if you disagree with his list. You are free to choose among them or discount them all. I wish you good health.
ReplyDeleteThe best thing we can do is to STAY HEALTHY!! God provided everything we need to get healthy and stay healthy. We need not have any disease if we followed God's foods as laid out in His word (starting Genesis 2, Leviticus 11, etc.) As the Manufacturer of our bodies only He knows what will heal us and keep us healthy.
ReplyDeleteLook up the great health benefits of Black Seed "Nigells Sativa; raw, organic honey or Manuka honey; turmeric; the wide variety of nuts and seeds - sunflower, chia, clover, and so many more seeds for sprouting - I could go on and on - the hundreds of green herbs, seeds, and plants God has provided for our good health. Look at the example of Daniel and the 3 Hebrew children when they were taken to Nebuchadnezzars temple. They request vegetables, not the rich foods of the others. And were stronger and healthier.
There are huge profits in Big Pharma. Cancers will never be cured because there is big money in the drugs, treatments, etc. There are many cures using what God has provided for us. It takes doing our due diligence and wanting something better, not following the crowd.
Drugs are, in my estimation, sorcery. So many medications cause us to be in a stupor, cause even more severe health issues. Just look - really listen - at 1 or 2 drug commercials on TEEVEE and see the first 1 or 2 seconds of what the drug does (they mask only, never cure) and the rest of the commercial is devoted to the serious potential severe illnesses from the drug.
Revelation 18:23 "And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived."
This is America today!!