Read an interesting article by Conrad Fischer, M.D over on Pyschology Today about the rising cost of insurance. In a nutshell, the author says doctors aren’t getting rich off of those premiums, and neither are the hospitals. Indeed, more and more hospitals shutter their doors every day because, without a bailout from the government, they just can’t continue to operate. I know from a recent experience in a Las Vegas Emergency Room, some hospitals are in sad shape. Dr. Fischer blames the insurance companies and claims they are lining their pockets with our hard-earned dough.
Maybe. It’s a nice thought and one I’d like to believe. I don’t want the guy who is supposed to make me feel better also simultaneously jacking me up for his own, personal gain. I want to believe my doctor is just another hapless victim of the corruption of greed.
But here’s the thing: I find it hard to believe that doctors are unable to do anything about it. If they are truly that outraged, I don’t understand why things don’t change. I fully admit there’s a lot I don’t understand and I could be missing something really obvious, but if I am, feel free to set me straight. I don’t get it. The whole thing hinges on doctors. If doctors won’t give the diagnosis or prescribe the pill or order the x-ray — then everything stops. Does it not? If they refuse to cooperate until insurance companies start playing fair then wouldn’t the insurance companies at least have to make a half-assed attempt at being decent? As it is now they are just brazenly bending us over and sticking it up our backsides. They’re not even sorry. They don’t even have the decency to look away while they do it.
So, I entreat Dr. Fischer: prove it. Put your collective money where your mouth is. If you and your medical brethren are so outraged about the way things are going in the insurance industry then fight back. Help us. We can’t do it on our own. What are you doing to fix it?
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A Woman's Manifesto
Because a woman’s work is never done.
and is underpaid, or unpaid, or boring, or repetitious,
and we’re the first to get fired,
and what we look like is more important than what we do.
And if we get raped its our fault
and if we get beaten we must have provoked it
and if we raise our voices we’re nagging bitches
and if we enjoy sex we’re nymphos
and if we don’t we’re frigid
and if we love women it’s because we can’t get a real man
and if we ask our doctor too many questions we’re neurotic or pushy
and if we expect childcare we’re selfish
and if we stand up for our rights we’re aggressive and un-feminine
and if we don’t we’re typical weak females
and if we want to get married we’re out to trap a man
and if we don’t we’re unnatural
and because we still can’t get an adequate, safe contraceptive, but men can walk on the moon
and if we can’t cope or don’t want a pregnancy we’re made to feel guilty about abortion
and for lots and lots of other reasons
we are part of the women’s liberation movement.- Joyce Stevens, International Woman’s Day, 1975.
Man Vs. Heart Attack
I am somewhat worried about the dude on Man v Food. He isn’t looking so good these days and putting that food away like that can’t be good for him.
