Take Charge of Your Health Care Carnival March 26, 2009

Welcome to the March 26, 2009 edition of Take Charge of Your Health Care Carnival. It’s still a bit chilly here in the U. S. Northeast, but it is so refreshing to see the tulips and daffodils sprouting, trees and bushes budding, and my crocuses bloomed 2 days before the start of spring. Spring is always a new beginning, and this can be your new beginning in getting started on a health regimen.

Starting with our April edition, all blogs submitted to the carnival should have comments enabled. Also, as with previous editions, I will only accept 2 articles per author for each edition. If you submit more than 2 blog posts, I will select the 2 best or most appropriate articles. I want to keep this carnival manageable and also with a focus on good quality and content. I personally review every blog post submitted for content.

With nice weather on the horizon, I am going to add a new category—Recreation. Recreation is important to both mental and physical well being. Perhaps this could also belong under the category of diet and fitness, but I am thinking more in terms of lighter activities, recreation, brain fitness, activities that promote well being and better mental health.

A good internet marketing friend of mine is having a contest. Submit a graphic of an Easter egg and receive free advertising on her website. Visit her website at: http://wildheartsworks.com for more information.

We had a large number of quality submissions this month. Thanks for your enthusiastic support of this carnival.

Alternative Medicine

Brandon Harshe presents Advocating Upper Cervical Chiropractic: An Interview With Dr. James Tomasi posted at The Atlas of Life. Editor’s note: This inspirational article offers hope to those suffering from painful and debilitating Trigeminal Neuralgia. Alvin Hopkinson presents Passing Kidney Stones posted at Kidney Stone Remedy, saying, "Here then are some tips that may help you go through the process of passing kidney stones with as little pain as possible:"

Sarah Scrafford presents 50 Surprising Ways to Boost Your Brain's Performance posted at Online Best Colleges.com, saying, “with these 50 tips and ideas for flexing your brain power, you’ll be able to boost performance right now and in the future.”

Dean Moyer presents Sciatica Relapse Question posted at The Back Pain Blog, saying, "This week we attempt to answer the question, Sciatica and Food: Is There a Secret Cure? Apparently, planting your face in a watermelon isn't the panacea we've all been hoping for. (At least, when it comes to sciatic nerve pain.)"

James Colquhoun presents Heart Disease Prevention Made Easy posted at FOODMATTERS. Editor’s note: Good post on the role that nutritional supplements play in helping to prevent or reverse heart disease.

Aparna presents Zinc pills to help rosacea posted at Beauty and Personality Grooming, saying, "Rosacea is a common but little-known disorder of the facial skin that affects mostly fair-skinned people. It’s often mistaken for acne. While the cause of rosacea is unknown and there is no cure, today medical help is available that can control the signs and symptoms of this potentially life-disruptive disorder. Some symptoms include redness on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead, small visible blood vessels on the face, bumps or pimples on the face and watery or irritated eyes."

Kara-Leah Grant presents How to build a home yoga practice posted at Prana Flow NZ, saying, "One of the best ways to stay healthy at very little cost... develop a home yoga practice. Find out how!"

Brandon Harshe presents Superior Brain Congestion-Inferior Body Starvation posted at The Atlas of Life. Editor’s note: The author discusses some of the benefits of chiropractic treatment.

Lindsay presents 3 Home Remedies to Fix Your Allergies Naturally posted at Off the Urban Grid. Editor’s note: Some good advice for those that suffer from allergies. The author even suggests the burning of Bees Wax candles to reduce allergens.

Tami Blodgett presents "Inspired Choices for Staying Emotionally Balanced posted at Online Wellness: A Safe Haven, saying, "During this time of tremendous emotional, mental, physical, spiritual and economic upheaval, it is imperative that we set a conscious intention to stay rooted within ourselves. Catherine offers choices for Staying Emotionally Balanced. Online Wellness Association provides a safe platform for online practitioners and clients."

Sigrid Landau presents Learn The Natural Cold Sore Cures posted at A1 How To, saying, "It has been said that the viruses that causes cold sores actually do not leave your body once you contract them. However, this bitter fact must not keep you from looking for home remedies to lessen your pain."

Alvin Hopkinson presents How Fats in our Diet Cause High Blood Pressure posted at High Blood Pressure Treatment and Medication Reviews, saying, "Aside from salt we also include in our diet, fats that can cause high blood pressure. Fats in our diets come in different forms wherein some may promote good blood circulation while others will cause poor blood circulation."

Victor presents Facing Reality in How to Get Rid of Panic and Anxiety. Self Help Guide. posted at How to get rid of anxiety and panic. Editor’s note: Some good psychological advice.

Consumer Driven Health Care

Nancy Miller presents Make Sure Your Pills Don’t Become Ills posted at Pharmacy Technician Certification. Editor’s note: Some sound advice on prescription and over the counter medicines.

Sarah McCurdy presents Preventing Acne. posted at Health Log, saying, "Many people want to know if there are ways of preventing acne. Well, if someone has a predisposition to acne, it cannot be totally prevented but it can be controlled somewhat."

Jerry Navarro presents Fourth Stroke Indicator - the Tongue posted at All About Family and Health. Editor’s note: Knowing these 4 stroke indicators can save lives.

Jerry Navarro presents Brain and Healthy Aging posted at All About Family and Health, saying, "Growing older and learning from your mistakes is a clear sign that our brain is improving."

Sarah Scrafford presents 50 Successful Open Source Projects That Are Changing Medicine posted at Nursing Assistant Guides. Editor’s note: The author presents a well-researched list of open source projects for the medical field.

J.D. Bell presents Barack Obama Says Grow Old and Die posted at It Takes Work. Editor’s note: We do need some form of National health care in the U.S., but this article raises some concerns and potential problems that need to be considered.

J.D. Bell presents The Answer: Popsicles, Pizza, and Painkillers posted at It Takes Work. Editor’s note: While I am not a fan of big Pharma, as a benefits consultant with AmeriPlan, our Prescription Advocacy Program, which is based on the Patient Assistance Programs sponsored by the Pharmaceutical companies, has the patient’s medications delivered to the patient’s own pharmacy or doctor’s office. These are not left over samples.

Roy Schwartz presents 10 (Proven!) Reasons to Quit Smoking and How You Can Start posted at A Disease A Day. Editor’s note: Some good reasons to quit smoking with some helpful hints on how to quit.

Nancy Miller presents Bioethics and a Woman’s Right to Choose posted at Becoming A Radiologist, saying, “With all these issues that affect the women who are pregnant and who wish to abort their unborn babies for some reason or the other, why is it that it’s the policymakers and lobbyists who get to decide on an inflammatory subject like abortion? Isn’t it more a question of personal choice and belief?”

John Catanach presents How Effective The Birth Control Shot Is posted at Woman Health News. Editor’s note: It is important to know the side effects and possible dangers of various birth control methods.

Dental Care

Dr Tooth presents Dental Tourism - Dentistry In The Time Of Crisis posted at WorlDental, saying, "Dental care in Europe and America is notoriously expensive. With the economic crisis wreaking havoc in the pockets of workers in the West, taking care of one’s teeth has become prohibitive."

Dr. Davon Jacobson presents Easy Dental Care with Highly Sensitive Teeth posted at *Health and Nutrition Facts*. Editor’s note: The author offers some helpful advice for dealing with the problem of highly sensitive teeth.

Diet & Fitness

Helene Zemel presents AC-11 and DNA Repair posted at Health Plans Plus, saying, "Most of us are familiar with the role that antioxidants provide in protecting our bodies from the damage and inflammation caused by free radicals. Are there also compounds that will actually repair DNA damage?"

robert galway presents Fitness posted at robertgalway.com, saying, "Fitness is also about good nutrition, flexibility, relaxation, sleep, and more. Fitness is good for your heart, lungs, bones, and joints. And it lowers your risk for heart attack, diabetes, colon cancer, and high blood pressure."

Mike Robbins presents Body Solid Fitness posted at BODY SOLID FITNESS, saying, "I was unbalanced, I was unhappy, I was depressed. Happily I found my way out of it. I began what I knew to do and got back in shape again. So I'm not one of those people looking from the outside in."

Mike Robbins presents Eat Fat to Lose Weight-Are You Kidding? posted at BODY SOLID FITNESS, saying, "The fitness/weight loss category has been through the mill when it comes to information on fat."

J.D. Bell presents Get On Your Bikes and Ride posted at It Takes Work, saying, "The title of this post is an obscure lyric reference to an old Queen song called Fat Bottomed Girls. This was the first thought that entered my head when I read about a gym in San Francisco that offers bikaraoke classes." Editor’s note: Bike riding is a great way to combine fun and fitness.

John Duke presents Acai Berry Capsules posted at Pure Acai - Acai Berry Info Blog, saying, "he acai berry fruit is rich in antioxidants, amino acids, essential omegas, fibers and protein. The intake of Acai Berry Capsules is therefore beneficial for weight reduction, boosting sustained energy level, healthy cholesterol management, improvement of digestive system, strengthening of immune system among others."

John Duke presents Pure Acai Berry Ingredients - Good or Bad? posted at Pure Acai - Acai Berry Info Blog, saying, "You will have heard of the acai berry recently catapulted from humble beginnings as a niche health food, to the worlds number one super food but you might not be aware of just how much good it can do your body. Hopefully this brief idea will give you a better idea as to why you should be considering adding the acai berry, or at least some acai berry products into the diet of you and your family."

Helene Zemel presents Despite the Weak Economy, Sales of Nutritional Supplements are Up posted at Work at Home Mom and Dad, saying, "Since the start of the economic recession, we read every day how retail sales are down for almost every product category including cars, restaurant meals, clothing, jewelry, and movies and entertainment. Despite the gloomy economic picture, there is one bright light. Sales of nutritional supplements have been increasing."

Kara-Leah Grant presents FEATURED POST: Top Eleven reasons to start practicing yoga TODAY! Prana Flow NZ posted at Prana Flow NZ, saying, "You know you've been thinking about starting yoga for ages now... here's eleven reasons why you want to take the leap and start practicing today!"

Joel Gray presents Summer Tea: Blackberry/ Raspberry Leaf Tea posted at Health Tips 101, saying, “During the warm and fall months, try a new flavor in your tea. Use the blackberry/ raspberry tealeaf to bring wild fruitiness to your drink. Read this article to know more about it.”

Ashley Cook presents Quick Home Meal Ideas posted at Frugal Girl, saying, "Some ideas for a quick, healthy, and cheap treat."

PK Shukla presents Nutrition Tips posted at Fenny Lopez, saying, "Nutrition forum is a great place to share your experience in dieting, eating habits or possible disorders. Are your eating habits supporting a healthy lifestyle? Read the questions and answers posted on this forum."

PK Shukla presents Latest Beauty Tips posted at Fenny Lopez, saying, "We at Latest Beauty Tips look forward to provide you the best. Latest-Beauty-Tips.com is a platform to discuss about beauty tips, fashion, health care, weight loss, cosmetic surgery, makeup trick and lot of similar issues. Please feel free to post all feedback, concerns, comments & suggestions here."

The Smarter Wallet presents 8 Weight Loss Tips and Weight Management Ideas To Battle The Bulge posted at The Smarter Wallet. Editor’s note: The author presents some helpful tips on how to avoid temptation during holidays and at restaurants.

John Catanach presents Weight Loss Surgery For Men Should Include A Medical ID posted at My Passion for Better Health, saying, "Big Little John is a blog about better health for men."

James presents Burn The Fat Feed The Muscle Review posted at Lose Weight In A Week, saying, "Burn The Fat, Feed The Muscle is a comprehensive 357 page fat loss guide. This guide has helped thousands of people lose weight and tone muscle naturally. Written by Tom Venuto, a professional bodybuilder of almost 20 years and certified conditioning specialist and personal trainer. You are assured to receive the most effective fat loss technique provided in his guide. Tom relates all he knows about fat loss in a very concise and easy to read manner."

Steve Faber presents Belly Fat Loser » The Ab Diet – the Lucky 13 Foods posted at Belly Fat Loser, saying, "Americans eat too much garbage every year. To be proactive about your health, diet is an area that absolutely must be addressed."

Bretislav Slansky presents The Best Workout Routines forToning posted at Workouts routines for Toning. Editor’s note: A good toning routine is important for optimal health.

Logan presents Stress - HOWTO Manage It posted at Lose Over Weight. Editor’s note: The author presents some good stress reduction techniques.

Logan presents The Secrets to Weight Loss After Pregnancy posted at Lose Over Weight, saying, “Over time, you should be able to lose the weight you gained during your pregnancy. In fact, you might find that you’re actually healthier after your baby is born.”

swapnil warang presents How to find out if you are overweight or not posted at switch2life. Editor’s note: Good information on how to determine Body Mass Index.

Health Insurance

Cory presents Exercising in a Recession posted at Eating Healthy, saying, "Thinking that exercise is too expensive is no excuse to avoid it. Here are some tips to get good, fun exercise for cheap."

Den Levin presents Tips for Hypochondriacs posted at Battle Anxiety, saying, "Six self-help tips for people who worry too much about their help."

Mesquite Pete presents Mosquito Basics posted at Mosquito Basics, saying, "Some basic information about mosquitoes."

Jim presents » Health Insurance Plan Types posted at Blueprint for Financial Prosperity. Editor’s note: The author explains the difference between an HMO, PPO, and indemnity plan.

Steve Philips presents MedicaDepot.com The Blog- Botox, Radiesse, Juvederm posted at Medicadepot.com The Blog. Editor’s note: Some good information on various cosmetic surgery techniques.

Save Money on Health Care

ishanbansal presents How to Save Money on Prescription Drugs posted at Save Few Bucks, saying, "This article has practical money saving tips to save money on Prescription Medicines.”

Chris presents Medical Tourism - 5 Reasons to consider Goa posted at nomad4ever. Editor’s note: Medical tourism is becoming increasingly more popular due to the exorbitant costs in the West especially here in the U.S.

Miscellaneous

Jenny Jen presents PhotoLab Reviewed posted at JennyReviews.com, saying, "Health, Beauty, Software, and As Seen On TV Product reviews by Jenny and friends. Add Your Review for a Chance to Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card."

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of take charge of your health care using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

Technorati tags: take charge of your health care, blog carnival.

Take Charge of Your Health Care - October 20, 2008

Welcome to the October 20, 2008 edition of take charge of your health care. With Halloween just a few days away, it is important to give attention to safety when you send your children out trick or treating. Make sure that they only visit homes that you know to be safe. In many cities, shopping malls provide a safe place for children to trick or treat. Even better, have your children attend parties well supervised by adults. While there is nothing wrong with small amounts of candy and sweet treats, consider offering more nutritional snacks to the ghosts and goblins that ring your door bell this Halloween.

There were many good articles in this month’s carnival which I know that you will enjoy. Starting with next month’s carnival, all articles accepted must allow for comments. Also, next month we will have a special Thanksgiving issue with recipes, safety, diet, and fitness tips just for the holiday. To your continued good health!

Alternative Medicine

Dr. Jason B Richards presents Why hasn't my OB recommended chiropractic care? posted at Pregnancy and Back Pain, saying, “You don’t need anyone’s approval to seek a chiropractic opinion about health issues affecting you and your child. Consulting another health care expert is always helpful in the decision-making process.”

Shelley Duncan presents Acupuncture is Not Scary! SheSue Experience posted at SheSue Experience, saying, "Rather than using a 'band-aid' approach, acupuncture is used to locate what is wrong in the body and fix it."

Dean Moyer presents Sciatica Relapse Question posted at The Back Pain Blog, saying, "In this post we take a look at how epidural steroid injections are administered for the treatment of lower back pain in Sciatica and Epidural Injections - The Procedure. This is the final installment in a series of posts designed to answer several common questions and concerns associated with epidural injections."

Consumer Driven Health Care

Pregnancy Hut presents 1 Week Pregnant posted at Pregnancy Calendar, saying, "What to do during your first week of pregnancy" Editor’s note: This is a must read blog for any of our pregnant readers. Very informative.

Verna Morris presents 25 Awesome Virtual Worlds for Doctors, Nurses, and Patients posted at Nursing Degree Guide, saying, “The online world is full of communities, virtual playgrounds, research centers and networking corners for everyone in the medical field–including patients–to get together and swap information and support.” Editor’s note: This post is an excellent resource for both healthcare practitioners and patients.

Kristen McCarthy presents Organic is Next to Godliness posted at this-sustainable-life.com, saying, "Organic products have become the food of the bourgeois –and I’m not talking about the kind of food historically only available to the rich: calf liver pâtés, speckled Emu eggs, and ninety-nine dollar square watermelons –instead, I’m talking about the essential food groups that ensure our nutrition: vegetables, fruit, grains, and dairy."

Dental Care

NAOMI presents CHANGING FACE OF BRITISH DENTISTRY posted at Diary From England, saying, "Good luck with your next carnival. I thought you and your readers might be interested to read about the continuing saga of dental healthcare in Britain." Editor’s note: Both in Europe and the United States people are traveling to other countries to receive affordable dental care.

Helene Zemel presents Dental Discount Plans - What are Discount Dental Plans? posted at Dental Discount Plans, saying, "Dental Discount Plans provide the consumer with an excellent choice for saving money on dental care. These affordable dental plans are reasonably priced alternatives to expensive and often inadequate dental insurance coverage."

Aparna presents Bad breath posted at Beauty and Personality Grooming. Editor’s note: Here are some good tips on how to detect bad breath before you go out in public.

Diet & Fitness

Marjorie presents Potassium-Rich Foods Preserve Muscle Mass posted at Laurel on Health Food, saying, "A recent study from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that plant foods high in potassium help preserve muscle mass as people age."

Kelly Sonora presents 20 Reasons You Should Stop Consuming Bottled Water posted at Web Design Schools Guide. Editor’s note: Drinking bottled water may pose some hazards to your health.

Fiona King presents 50 Surprising Causes of Weight Gain posted at Nursing Degree Guide. Editor’s note: You will want to be aware of these possible contributors to weight gain.

Victoria E presents Seeing the Sustainable Side of Getting Limber and Centered posted at Victoria Everman :: Sustainable, Creative, Enlightened Living :: San Francisco. Editor’s note: This is a review of the book Green Yoga. The author says, “The book covers the timely issues of all our major life systems - land, water, air - along with the overall concept of Mother Earth.”

CorporateFlyer presents Food Safety Starts At Home posted at Flight Attendant, saying, "A bit of information on food safety."

The Push Up Coach presents Pros And Cons Of A Personal Trainer posted at The 1000 Push Ups Club, saying, "Some reasons for and against a personal trainer."

Fenny presents Latest Beauty Tips posted at Fenny Lopez, saying, "We at Latest Beauty Tips look forward to provide you the best. Latest-Beauty-Tips.com is a platform to discuss about beauty tips, fashion, health care, weight loss, cosmetic surgery, makeup trick and lot of similar issues. Please feel free to post all feedback, concerns, comments & suggestions here."

Dr Martin W. Russell presents Exercise For Weight Loss posted at Dr Martin W. Russell, saying, “There is so much misinformation around about the benefits of exercise, particularly in regard to weight loss.”

Tonya presents Am I Pregnant? posted at My Pregnancy Blog, saying, "Discusses the signs that you may be pregnant."

Alan H. Wayler, PhD presents Healthy Eating - Who Says Deprivation Leads to Overeating? posted at A Weight Lifted. Editor’s note: Some good common sense about forming health eating habits.

Carol Solomon presents EFT Tips: THE 60-SECOND TECHNIQUE THAT STOPS CRAVINGS posted at EFT Tips, saying, "This 60-second technique stops food cravings and the emotions that drive them."

Health Insurance

Alvaro Fernandez presents Allstate: Can we improve Driver Safety using Posit Science InSight? posted at SharpBrains: Your Window into the Brain Fitness Revolution, saying, "Where insurance meets brain health, aging and driving skills."

Michelle McFarland-McDaniels presents Funding Autism Treatment with Health Insurance posted at Autism Assistance Resources and Information, saying, “Despite the well-publicized difficulties and frustrations some families have encountered while attempting to fund autism treatment through health insurance policies, it is very much worth your effort to find out which autism treatments your insurance will cover and to proactively seek payment of any eligible covered expenses by your health insurance carrier.”

Alexander presents 4 Tips For Preparing for Medical Expenses posted at Wealth Junkies, saying, "The 4 tips for preparing for medical expenses are: Get insurance; Get preventive care; Build a rainy day fund; and Know your rights!"

Visitors Insurance presents Visitors Medical & Health Insurance posted at Visitors Medical Insurance, saying, "Get quotes and the best rates for USA visitor travel, international and medical insurance for visitors."

Save Money on Health Care

Fiona King presents Obama vs McCain on Healthcare: Top 10 Issues posted at US PharmD. Editor’s note: “This is a very timely article for those of us in the U.S.”

Helene Zemel presents Discount Dental & Medical Plans – A Free Gas Certificate for You posted at Health Plans Plus, saying, "If you are one of the 47 million Americans who do not have a health plan or the 7 out of 10 Americans who do not have a dental plan, our AmeriPlan team is now offering all new members to our low cost affordable benefit plans a free Gas Certificate just for signing up and trying our program."

Michelle McFarland-McDaniels presents Autism Assistance Resources and Information: Funding Autism Treatment with Supplemental Security Income (SSI) posted at Autism Assistance Resources and Information. Editor’s note: The author provides some helpful information on how to apply for SSI benefits for your disabled child.

Silicon Valley Blogger presents Smart Moves To Lower Your Health Care Costs posted at The Digerati Life, saying, "Thank you!"

The Smarter Wallet presents How To Save Money On Generic Drugs posted at The Smarter Wallet. Editor’s note: To save money, always ask your health care provider for the generic version of a drug.

Pregnancy Hut presents How to Improve Your Chances of Conceiving posted at Pregnancy Calendar, saying, "Tips to help you conceive."

Linda W. presents Getting a Fertility Test posted at The Eclectic Female, saying, "How can you tell if you are having fertility problems?"

Joe Hayes presents Abdominal Hernia Symptoms & Treatment posted at Comments on: Abdominal Hernia Symptoms & Treatment, saying, "An abdominal hernia occurs when there is a tear or bulge in the inside layer of the abdominal wall. Surgery is the only treatment that will cure an abdominal hernia. It will not heal or "go away" on its own."

Miscellaneous

AdmirableIndia.com presents Hogenakkal Falls: Part 1 posted at AdmirableIndia.com. Editor’s note: Watching the beautiful videos of the Hogenakkal Falls had a very calming and relaxing effect on me.

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of take charge of your health care using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

Technorati tags: take charge of your health care, blog carnival.

Tell your Representative to support SCHIP

If you have been following the news or this blog, you know that President Bush vetoed bi-partisan legislation sent to him by Congress that would extend the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to include more currently uninsured children. The President claims that extending this program would be an extension of socialized medicine, yet the private sector has clearly failed, with 47 million Americans lacking health insurance, to protect the health care of its citizens, including working Americans.

This bill already enjoys a veto proof 2/3 majority in the Senate. The problem is in the House of Representatives. Although 45 Republican Representatives joined with Democrats in the House, the bill is still 21 votes shy of the 2/3 majority needed in the House to override the President’s veto. It is sad that there are some Republicans that will place Conservative ideology ahead of what is good for America’s children.

On October 18th, Congress will vote to override President Bush’s veto. What you must do is call your Representative at 1-866-544-7573. Ask the switchboard operator for your Representative’s office. If you do not know who your representative is visit: http://www.house.gov/. Insert your zip code in the upper left hand corner. Urge him or her to override President Bush’s veto and provide health insurance for millions of American children.

If you are one of the 47 million uninsured Americans and earn too much for Medicaid, visit Health Plans Plus for information on how to find an affordable benefit program.

Support the Children's Health Care Program

President Bush fooled many people into voting for him in both 2000 and 2004 by promising to be a compassionate conservative. He has gone back on his promise many times by vetoing stem cell research which could save lives, not properly funding the No Child Left Behind Act, and now by threatening to veto an extension of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) which could bring in an additional 4 million children who are currently uninsured.

Suddenly Mr. Bush is concerned about excess government spending for the children’s health care program. This program would cost an additional $35 billion over a 5 year period. This additional expenditure would be funded by an increase in the cigarette tax which just might help curb smoking a bit.

You have to wonder about Mr. Bush’s priorities. He certainly hasn’t worried about the huge cost in both lives and treasury to fund the war in Iraq—an immoral war that was declared under false pretenses. This war has now cost our country over $1 trillion. Think of what this money could have done for our country. It has been said that just one day in Iraq could provide health insurance coverage for one year to 380,900 uninsured children in America, yet the president worries about the cost of extending the CHIP program.

Mr. Bush has stated that not vetoing this bill would be giving health insurance to middle income children. Well, has he had to purchase health insurance on a $20,000 to $40,000 annual income? The cost of health insurance has been increasing by far more than the increase in salaries for many years. It now costs more than $1,000 per month to insure the health of a family of 4. Only the wealthiest families can afford to pay an extra $1,000 per month on top of other living expenses. It is virtually impossible to pay for private insurance if you are just getting by. Republicasn like to look to the private sector for financing, but because of the high expense, fewer businesses are providing benefits for their employees.

Both the Senate and the House have passed versions of a new Children’s Health Insurance Program bill which will extend coverage to many children currently uninsured. A number of Republicans voted along with all of the Democrats to support passage of this bill. The plan will also strengthen the CHIP benefit package by guaranteeing dental and mental health benefits.

What can you do?

It is important to get veto proof support within the Senate and House. E-mail or phone your Senators and Representatives, particularly if they are Republicans. Tell them to support families and vote for the CHIP reauthorization bill. Let them know that you expect them not to side with the President who has been wrong on so many issues.

If you are uninsured or underinsured, visit Health Plans Plus to save money on your health care.