Over the last 15 years there has been a cry to curb the costs of health care and from this cry has arisen the HMO or Health Maintenance Organization. This entity which is more common in the US has in the last 5 years also begun to creep into Canada.

The philosophy behind HMO’s is that efficient business practices can help curb health care costs and by doing so also improve the quality of healthcare.

Is this however actually happening?

Well let’s take a closer look.

Physicians who work in HMO’s are caught, in a manner of speaking, between a “rock and a hard place”.

That is they are caught between maintaining costs of providing services below a certain defined threshold while providing the top quality healthcare demanded by their patients. Their ability to achieve this feat ultimately becomes a measure of their performance and is reflected in their income.

In today’s litigious healthcare environment the cost of personal liability insurance has risen significantly across the profession in North America. Most of these costs are born by individual physicians.

As conventional medicine rarely attempts to uncover and treat the underlying causes of illness, rather it aims at symptom control, most patients are essentially placed “on ice” until their problem festers and re-erupts in some other more serious form. The patient then presents once again to the HMO physician who is once again faced with the task of “hiding” the problem.

Each time that “symptom management” is attempted more invasive and harmful treatments need to be employed. These treatments are also increasingly more expensive. Throughout this process the patient is under the delusion that because they are receiving such expensive treatment, supported by expensive and advanced technology, they are receiving top quality healthcare.

In fact this is far from the truth.

What is actually happening is that they are being made progressively more ill and their financial resources are being progressively being depleted.

It’s interesting that many individuals are awakening to the truth of what is going on and are beginning to take greater responsibility for their own health by educating themselves about prevention.

Prevention is about proper nutrition, regular exercise, awareness and avoidance of toxic chemicals (i.e. environmental, hygiene products, drugs, alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, EMF’s, etc.), regular and ongoing detoxification routines that cleanse the liver, use of therapeutic grade essential oils that boost immune system function, adequate supplementation with minerals & vitamins, regular de-stressing through approaches such as meditation, yoga, MRP, chi gong etc, and so on.

Many will say that they don’t have the time or money for such preventative approaches. Well in the long run I would say that it is actually a much cheaper and healthier approach than the conventional one. The only thing that is stopping you from adopting it is fear.

Nick Arrizza M.D. is trained in medicine and psychiatry. He is an international healer and coach as well as the developer of the powerful Mind Resonance Process(TM) MRP

YL Web Site: http://www.youngliving.org/arrizza
Personal Web Site: http://www.telecoaching4u.com

Share This

Previously we have discussed the obesity epidemic, the Surgeon General’s warning, associated risks of this condition, the definition of obesity and overweight, as well as some of the excuses and lifestyle factors associated with obesity.

In this issue we will discuss some methods of fat calculation, and cut off levels associated with increased risk.

Methods of Fat Calculation

There are numerous ways in which to calculate the approximate fat content of an individual’s body. Some of the more commonly known methods are: BMI (Body Mass Index), DEXA (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry), bioelectrical impedance analysis, skin caliper pinch tests, and underwater weighing.
The most direct measures of body fat, such as underwater weighing or DEXA scanning, are impractical for use. Indirect estimates of body fat are more practical. (1)

Body Mass Index

One of the most commonly used methods is BMI due its ease of use. The calculation for this is BMI = weight (in Kg)/height (m)

Share This

Start Investing in Yourself today and feel healthier and more in control of your healthcare costs and finances. The first step is to take the Invest in Yourself Challenge. It is time to examine your life and what you term your “comfort zone”. Now ask yourself if your “comfort zone” is good or bad for your overall health. Everyone likes to feel comfortable but have you learned to be comfortable doing things that may be contributing to compromised health. Do you overeat when you are feeling an emotion? Are you comfortable with your present weight? Do you know what your body mass index is and if you are in the normal or risky category? Do you know your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels? Do you know what your family history is? I know alot of questions and why are they so important?

Your lifestyle does affect your health and compromising health costs you money. Hopefully you have health insurance but the average person still needs to pay some of the balances not paid by your health insurance. Do you know the average middle income person who has health insurance and develops a single disease, such as cancer, diabetes or heart disease, approximately 46% of them will have to claim bankrupcy. Yes, it is hard to believe but true. The associated costs of an illness can deplete your savings in no time. But, according to national research the average person is saving o% these days. The average out of pocket expenses are rising as we speak to approximately $2100 per year and that is up from $1200 last year. Healthcare is not going to be getting any cheaper so the only way for you to control and contain these costs is to Invest in Yourself and implement these strategies for life: take time for self,maintain height/weight ratio,motion, life ergonomics, 5 food group menu planner , destress daily and positive body image.You owe it to yourself and your loved ones to be the best you can be. Maintain your independence,optimal health and finances and Invest in Yourself right now. Do not waste another precious moment. Your Life, Health and finances are dependent on it.

Patricia McGowan is a RN,BSN,CSHE and has been a professional nurse for over 20 years. I am a wellness and health professional and certifed in health ergonomics. I have counseled many clients with positive results. I am an author with my partner, Sonia Hernandez, and our first book in our Invest in Yourself series is Invest in Yourself, Health is the New Real Estate. Our website is http://www.investnyourself.com

Share This