My hubby and I were walking tonight and we started chatting about health insurance and how it actually limits a person and their "health care." What we noticed was that because someone has insurance they utilize the drugs that are recommended. They don't seek for any alternatives thinking that they are getting the best care and only have a small $20.00 copay monthly. Interestingly, as time goes on the patient may develop side effects otherwise known as new diseases that will need another type of medication to treat. Eventually the little $20.00 becomes $40.00 or more monthly. And all along health is getting further and further away from reality.

BUT if they didn't have insurance in the first place they might be motivated to look at their diet, stress level, environment and seek vitamin/mineral therapy.

So in actuality the health insurance may be more of a health hazard than the benefit that most people believe it to be.

What do you think?

verrry interesting.....personally, I work all the time, but do not have health care coverage, it isn't even offerred...same story for so many people. My thing is, try to lose a bit more weight, I am 5'5" and wt. 169, age 58, let's see: BP is 130ish/87, not the greatest, also, even though I sleep through the night, I am not refreshed, I posted that and got interesting, informative replies; I agree with you and your husband, I suppose there are times Western medicine is a must....but alternative, and preventative is what I favor.

I worked a union job for over 30 years and received low cost or free employment health insurance through my company, of course varying co-pays for visits and prescriptions are always necessary. We now pay $600+ monthly for health insurance, and have never been without it. In the event of a serious illness or injury, I think it's a smart investment. I rarely have doctor visits, and as I get older, I have also discontinued annual things like mammograms, flu shots, etc.

I've always looked at the 'big picture' when it came to my health. My insurance doesn't guide me in the areas of being health conscious in regards to diet, supplements or overall health involving exercise, etc. To me it's just security if there's a car accident or anything else that may cause extensive hospital bills. I support paying my own way, and not relying on the government or other taxpayers to be in charge of any of my debts.

__________________
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." ~Immanual Kant~

NatMedTalk and Beyond

I think you can overcome your problem pretty easily. I figure you only have around twenty pounds to lose to be in good health (and lower your blood pressure). Just suggestions...drink more water, walk everyday, even if only one mile, cut back on your food serving size, lower your carb intake (breads) and fats. Start slow...do a little bit...and you'll be amazed at the results. Glad you favor preventative and alternative...on the road, keep going!

I agree with K2C recommendations. But overall I think your numbers look pretty good. You do want to watch the weight and maybe lose a few pounds, but where you are at it is not a critical problem however you definitely don�t want to gain weight.

If your goal is to stay away from conventional doctors for insurance I would look for plans that only offer catastrophic coverage, brain transplants and the like, but for all the small stuff you can take care that yourself.

Of course what is small for one person is huge for another if they don't know how to take care of things at home

We have had some folks on this forum who have taken care of some very serious life threatening diseases at home without much help from a doctor.

People need accesss to information when even minor illness strikes and they need to be ready to take care of it. Thats why a few good books on alternative medicine on the shelf can be helpful as well as forums like these,, also a stock supply of those things that will get you over the hump is essential.

Most of the things that are huge just wont happen if you take care of yourself.

I don't have insurance right now and I keep my fingers crossed when we drive... not the best insurance Im sure.

But now a days even the big stuff that people want insurance for I still would not go to the doctor for. I can fix much of it on my own. I would feel comfortable tackling cardio vascular disease or MRSA, or a whole host of things that would scare most into the physicians office. Its just a matter of knowing what to do. The only thing I would miss perhaps is the ability to make a good diagnosis from a doctor, and of course even then you have to be very careful for they make wrong diagnosis frequently. The cost of most insurance will cover lab work. So I just pay for lab work out of pocket. If I need more like an MRI or sonogram, or catscan its time to think of Mexico.

Like with this vascular issue I had this past year, I spent a ton of money trying to find out what was wrong and never got an answer from the several doctors I went to and when I got into a vascular surgeons office he practically blew me off because they type of insurance I had would not cover the procedures that he did... I did not receive good pain control from them nor a diagnosis. Not even a guess and certainly no recommendations.

In Mexcio I got recommendations and good pain control with in 3 hours. I received a probable diagnosis based on the outcome of the recommendations. I was given supplements and a pain control medicine that worked. With sonogram, visits with 3 doctors, lab work, all came to $200. Their probable diagnosis I think is right. If I take the supplements, (now switched to my own version that provide similar action) I have no pain and the vascular issue is non-existant.

So if things get critical I head to Mexcio, with even air flight and lodging it is affordable and all is covered, not just what US insurance plans feel like taking the risk for or not... and I get a Mexican vacation to boot.

What do you keep on your self for an at home health emergency or illness?

__________________

I'm starting a new thread for this topic. It's a good question Arrowwind!