Read this story (http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090111/LOCAL18/901110401).
What can we say about a society that defies the course of nature in order to pay the bills?
“I can't afford to get pregnant.” It's said so many times, it's almost a cliché. Eve couldn't “afford” to get pregnant, either. But she did, and we are here.
Money should not dictate the perpetuation of the species, should not delay the creation of life or stifle the gratification of being pregnant, having a newborn, being a child, starting a family, etc.
But that is what has become of our society. I am not against capitalism; I am against oppression – and when greedy enterprises threaten the very existence of humanity and take away the only pure and true thing that has been necessary for all of us – pregnancy and birth – then it is time to take action. There can no longer be concern for those who deny pregnant women and their unborn children proper maternal care. They have lost the right to have a say in how, and when, our society moves forward.
It is time for Congress to stand up for natural laws, those unalienable, as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution – a right to life.
A right to life is not possible without a right to birth, which is not possible without a right to become pregnant. And with a mother's right to become pregnant, a child has a right to life. It's a beautiful cycle; but economic forces – those completely man-made, little more than concepts of measurement that have no real value whatsoever in the natural world – would destroy the sanctity of life and the right to a good life by stealing proper prenatal care from our nation's children.
Couples are afraid to have children in this environment, and for what reason? Money. Many other reasons can be cited, but money is at the root of all of them. Money buys health care. Money buys formula and diapers. Money buys food.
Without money, our society has no life.
Ironic, isn't it, how those who would espouse the teachings of the Bible in public actually believe it is better to profit as a company than to prosper as humans?
Government-subsidized Health Care In A Year?
Could the U.S. government be voting on government-subsidized health care a year from now? They will be if Pete Stark has his way. The health care reformist and sometimes-cantankerous California representative was quoted in a recent Wall Street Journal article as predicting that it would take a year to clear a public health care plan through Congress (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123008136111331971.html).
This is great news for those of us who know the horrors of facing pregnancy without insurance. But there are plenty of people ready to rain on Stark's parade if they have their way, including Democrats from his own party, pharmaceutical lobbyists and the health insurance industry.
Two things that set Stark apart from the rest: 1) he does not think Congress should negotiate terms with insurance companies; and 2) he does not think a public health care plan should pay whatever price pharmaceutical companies determine for prescriptions. He wants costs to be fair and affordable, something I've been championing as Advocate Aaron for years as well.
Like the rest of us, Stark faces several challenges in his plight to form a public health system, and is often criticized for being blunt and vocal in his positions. Stones are thrown his way because he unyieldingly stands for what he believes in -- I thought that's what we elected these people for!
Some of the arguments Stark and his supporters have to counter include the pharmaceutical industry's stance that restrictions on drug prices will limit the availability of drugs to people who need them as well as innovation that fuels new medical discoveries. Insurance companies claim premiums will rise as younger people take out the publicly-funded health care policy.
These industries simply want to maintain and proliferate profitability. That's fine for some corporate entities, but not those in which lives are at stake. The availability of products, in these cases, literally means the difference between life and death.
Medicare and Medicaid already pay whatever the drug companies charge, and in doing so drain public funds that could be used elsewhere – or to provide live-saving drugs to more people. And because these programs constitute two of the largest 'clients' drug companies have – they're billion-dollar clients – it might be the drug companies who cannot afford to exist without publicly-funded health care, and not the other way around.
Publicly-funded insurance would, as Stark points out, have lower overhead costs than current private health care plans, which would mean lower premiums. Naturally, private health care companies don't want us to believe this, simply because they want to make a buck.
These insurance companies have had their chance – if they would have taken the initiative to develop a health care plan that the millions of uninsured could afford, the volume of takers alone should have covered the costs – if even for a small profit. Intelligent business dictates that a little PR goes a long way, and preventive business measures (just like preventive health care practices) pay big dividends.
If the insurance companies have no consideration for the health of those who cannot afford insurance, then why should the U.S. citizenship give a damn about their business health? I get a bit cantankerous myself at times.
If Stark's prediction is to come true, there are only two options: 1) the pharmaceutical companies and the insurance companies get on board and work within the demands of the American people, or 2) the American people take it upon themselves to provide health care and the pharmaceutical companies and the insurance companies die. There is no room for debate. That time has passed.
This is great news for those of us who know the horrors of facing pregnancy without insurance. But there are plenty of people ready to rain on Stark's parade if they have their way, including Democrats from his own party, pharmaceutical lobbyists and the health insurance industry.
Two things that set Stark apart from the rest: 1) he does not think Congress should negotiate terms with insurance companies; and 2) he does not think a public health care plan should pay whatever price pharmaceutical companies determine for prescriptions. He wants costs to be fair and affordable, something I've been championing as Advocate Aaron for years as well.
Like the rest of us, Stark faces several challenges in his plight to form a public health system, and is often criticized for being blunt and vocal in his positions. Stones are thrown his way because he unyieldingly stands for what he believes in -- I thought that's what we elected these people for!
Some of the arguments Stark and his supporters have to counter include the pharmaceutical industry's stance that restrictions on drug prices will limit the availability of drugs to people who need them as well as innovation that fuels new medical discoveries. Insurance companies claim premiums will rise as younger people take out the publicly-funded health care policy.
These industries simply want to maintain and proliferate profitability. That's fine for some corporate entities, but not those in which lives are at stake. The availability of products, in these cases, literally means the difference between life and death.
Medicare and Medicaid already pay whatever the drug companies charge, and in doing so drain public funds that could be used elsewhere – or to provide live-saving drugs to more people. And because these programs constitute two of the largest 'clients' drug companies have – they're billion-dollar clients – it might be the drug companies who cannot afford to exist without publicly-funded health care, and not the other way around.
Publicly-funded insurance would, as Stark points out, have lower overhead costs than current private health care plans, which would mean lower premiums. Naturally, private health care companies don't want us to believe this, simply because they want to make a buck.
These insurance companies have had their chance – if they would have taken the initiative to develop a health care plan that the millions of uninsured could afford, the volume of takers alone should have covered the costs – if even for a small profit. Intelligent business dictates that a little PR goes a long way, and preventive business measures (just like preventive health care practices) pay big dividends.
If the insurance companies have no consideration for the health of those who cannot afford insurance, then why should the U.S. citizenship give a damn about their business health? I get a bit cantankerous myself at times.
If Stark's prediction is to come true, there are only two options: 1) the pharmaceutical companies and the insurance companies get on board and work within the demands of the American people, or 2) the American people take it upon themselves to provide health care and the pharmaceutical companies and the insurance companies die. There is no room for debate. That time has passed.
A Spark of Light in New Jersey
New Jersey's uninsured pregnant women – and their unborn children – have an ally in the statehouse. Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver is sponsoring a bill that would allow for continued prenatal care for young and minority women if a clinic closes. In effect, the bill would give “the commissioner authority to determine whether to dedicate funds from the Health Care Stabilization Fund to support obstetrics at a financially distressed health care center” (http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newjersey/ny-bc-nj—xgr-legislativepr0111jan11,0,6201915.story).
While this might not be the state's long-term solution, if passed it will at least lend hope that legislators are paying attention to the crises faced by many uninsured pregnant women – and are willing to take strides to end it. In New Jersey, African American and teenage women are especially vulnerable to economic conditions that lead to a lack of maternal insurance, and therefore a lack of prenatal care.
Nobody wants to be without health insurance, and many people simply cannot gain access to it due to economic conditions beyond their control. Even worse, the medical community often turns away those who need their help the most, and insurance companies refuse to write policies for those with a “pre-existing” condition such as pregnancy. And, even more heinous, are those insurance companies who refuse to cover pregnancies conceived within six months of policy initiation.
In New Jersey, at least one person who is in a position to affect change is listening. Let's hope that the rest of the state's assembly is listening, too. Let's hope this bill passes, and we can continue moving our cause forward, baby step by baby step.
While this might not be the state's long-term solution, if passed it will at least lend hope that legislators are paying attention to the crises faced by many uninsured pregnant women – and are willing to take strides to end it. In New Jersey, African American and teenage women are especially vulnerable to economic conditions that lead to a lack of maternal insurance, and therefore a lack of prenatal care.
Nobody wants to be without health insurance, and many people simply cannot gain access to it due to economic conditions beyond their control. Even worse, the medical community often turns away those who need their help the most, and insurance companies refuse to write policies for those with a “pre-existing” condition such as pregnancy. And, even more heinous, are those insurance companies who refuse to cover pregnancies conceived within six months of policy initiation.
In New Jersey, at least one person who is in a position to affect change is listening. Let's hope that the rest of the state's assembly is listening, too. Let's hope this bill passes, and we can continue moving our cause forward, baby step by baby step.
This Is News?
The recent $50 million settlement by Oxford Insurance and its parent company, UnitedHealth Group, to halt accusations by the New York attorney general's office that the health insurance providers overcharged millions of Americans hundreds of millions of dollars got a lot of media coverage (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28628880/). But it isn't news – this is what we've been talking about for years!
Undoubtedly, New York isn't the only state in which this occurred, nor is Oxford/UnitedHealth the only company that should be investigated. The research firm that provided the reimbursement rate figures, Ingenix (also owned by UnitedHealth), serves several other insurers. The article says that other companies will be investigated – but how many? How many other research firms fix the numbers? How many other insurance companies are overcharging?
And what happens to the millions of Americans who are overcharged? Women with newborns, those struggling with diabetes or fighting cancer – how do they also contend with bills totaling tens of thousands of dollars? How many people have died because they could no longer afford treatment after being overcharged?
The health insurance conglomerate denies the allegations, of course, but was willing to pay $50 million to make them go away. That's a lot of money to pay if you're innocent.
Some good will come out of the settlement, though. The $50 million is to be used for a nonprofit organization that will determine patient reimbursement rates, and the story did grab the attention of the media (about time!).
Still, it doesn't seem as though justice was served. If you swindle people out of money, you should not be allowed to use that money to buy your way out of trouble. And now, the company is left with a gaping $50 million void in the budget – whose dollars do you think are going to fill that void?
Undoubtedly, New York isn't the only state in which this occurred, nor is Oxford/UnitedHealth the only company that should be investigated. The research firm that provided the reimbursement rate figures, Ingenix (also owned by UnitedHealth), serves several other insurers. The article says that other companies will be investigated – but how many? How many other research firms fix the numbers? How many other insurance companies are overcharging?
And what happens to the millions of Americans who are overcharged? Women with newborns, those struggling with diabetes or fighting cancer – how do they also contend with bills totaling tens of thousands of dollars? How many people have died because they could no longer afford treatment after being overcharged?
The health insurance conglomerate denies the allegations, of course, but was willing to pay $50 million to make them go away. That's a lot of money to pay if you're innocent.
Some good will come out of the settlement, though. The $50 million is to be used for a nonprofit organization that will determine patient reimbursement rates, and the story did grab the attention of the media (about time!).
Still, it doesn't seem as though justice was served. If you swindle people out of money, you should not be allowed to use that money to buy your way out of trouble. And now, the company is left with a gaping $50 million void in the budget – whose dollars do you think are going to fill that void?
How To Help The Unwilling
With so many pregnant women fighting to get adequate maternity care for themselves and their unborn children, I'm saddened when I read that a mother has harmed herself or her baby. Smoking and drinking alcohol during pregnancy are incredible problems that tug the heart strings; they make me want to reach out and help the child whose mother has no regard. Illicit drug use from crack baby fame is another atrocity that must be stopped.
These things get a lot of media attention, and we vilify those women who partake in such child-dooming practices. But there are other conditions, below the surface, that are not a direct result of addiction but rather obsession. Perhaps you've heard of “pregorexia”, a fad term that has made a condition out of women who refuse to nourish their bodies during pregnancy (http://www.earnedmedia.org/remr0119.htm).
The thought is that media hype of pregnant celebrities makes pregnant women try to stay thin during their own pregnancies. These women eat far less than they should, exercise far too much, gain little weight during pregnancy – which means malnourishment, low birth weight and death for their babies.
The problem is even worse for those who are already thin or who have had eating disorders in the past. Because thin women gain more weight, on average, during pregnancy than women who are already at a healthy weight, they become concerned that they are becoming overweight and work to reduce the natural and healthy affects of pregnancy.
NEWS FLASH: Pregnancy is not supposed to be sexy. You're supposed to be sexy when you're not pregnant, so that you can get pregnant. This is the natural order of things. Every woman's body undergoes changes, and women are very beautiful while they're pregnant. But trying to remain thin during pregnancy is not only disgusting, it jeopardizes the health and life of your baby.
How do you help a woman have a successful pregnancy and deliver a healthy baby if she is unwilling to try?
This is a conundrum many social researchers have faced. Despite the choice versus life debate, it would be very difficult to force a woman to eat right and take care of a child in the womb through legal means. Psychology can help, but is not fool-proof. Public policy and organizations like Maternity Health and Maternity Advantage can only do so much – no one can force feed another human being.
Education remains the key. If you are experiencing issues with pregnancy weight gain, or know someone who is, Maternity Health can lend expert advice for getting help. And if the celebrity image is contributing to the problem, then perhaps it's time for celebrities to show some humility, take off the makeup and the compression shirt, and show the world what it is really like to be pregnant.
Be proud of your pregnancy. It is your legacy. Show the world that you care so much about the precious and helpless child inside that you're willing to sacrifice looks on the outside for a few months. You can always watch your diet and hop back on the treadmill after your new bundle of joy is born.
These things get a lot of media attention, and we vilify those women who partake in such child-dooming practices. But there are other conditions, below the surface, that are not a direct result of addiction but rather obsession. Perhaps you've heard of “pregorexia”, a fad term that has made a condition out of women who refuse to nourish their bodies during pregnancy (http://www.earnedmedia.org/remr0119.htm).
The thought is that media hype of pregnant celebrities makes pregnant women try to stay thin during their own pregnancies. These women eat far less than they should, exercise far too much, gain little weight during pregnancy – which means malnourishment, low birth weight and death for their babies.
The problem is even worse for those who are already thin or who have had eating disorders in the past. Because thin women gain more weight, on average, during pregnancy than women who are already at a healthy weight, they become concerned that they are becoming overweight and work to reduce the natural and healthy affects of pregnancy.
NEWS FLASH: Pregnancy is not supposed to be sexy. You're supposed to be sexy when you're not pregnant, so that you can get pregnant. This is the natural order of things. Every woman's body undergoes changes, and women are very beautiful while they're pregnant. But trying to remain thin during pregnancy is not only disgusting, it jeopardizes the health and life of your baby.
How do you help a woman have a successful pregnancy and deliver a healthy baby if she is unwilling to try?
This is a conundrum many social researchers have faced. Despite the choice versus life debate, it would be very difficult to force a woman to eat right and take care of a child in the womb through legal means. Psychology can help, but is not fool-proof. Public policy and organizations like Maternity Health and Maternity Advantage can only do so much – no one can force feed another human being.
Education remains the key. If you are experiencing issues with pregnancy weight gain, or know someone who is, Maternity Health can lend expert advice for getting help. And if the celebrity image is contributing to the problem, then perhaps it's time for celebrities to show some humility, take off the makeup and the compression shirt, and show the world what it is really like to be pregnant.
Be proud of your pregnancy. It is your legacy. Show the world that you care so much about the precious and helpless child inside that you're willing to sacrifice looks on the outside for a few months. You can always watch your diet and hop back on the treadmill after your new bundle of joy is born.
Racism Causing Premature Births
The documentary UNNATURAL CAUSES: In Inequality Making Us Sick? poses an interesting question: is racism in the United States causing African American women to give birth to premature babies? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdFzwPEfRhs
Regardless of social status, economic situation or education, the documentary reports that the premature birth rate for African American babies is nearly double that of white babies. A study conducted by leading researchers found no correlation to genetics; leaving racism as a potential reason for delivering early.
Researchers believe that the lifetime stresses and anxieties associated with unequal treatment are at the root of the problem. Premature birth often comes with life-threatening, sometimes fatal, complications – especially for women who can't gain access to proper prenatal care. For African Americans, the risk is even greater.
The war against unfair treatment for pregnant women is multi-front. On one front, we're battling the medical community, which denies treatment and inflates medical bills; on another, we're fighting insurance companies who refuse to cover maternity-related procedures; and we're fighting racism, too, a malicious socioeconomic disease that the U.S. has not been able to shake despite strides for equality.
Each baby born is a miracle in and of itself; the miracle of life and the only thing that can perpetuate humanity. Giving birth, and thus life, is even more amazing when you realize that so many forces are aligned against it. The fact that the majority of pregnancies end with a normal delivery and healthy babies is astonishing; but at the same time the fact that so many women and newborns suffer because they can't get proper prenatal care and have to face other stresses during pregnancy is appalling.
It is illegal to discriminate against a pregnant mother because of her race. Maternity Health and Maternity Advantage have resources to help ensure pregnant women are not being victimized by society; and more women who are in financial and other socioeconomic need should contact these organizations to prevent unfair treatment and to get the best care possible for themselves and their babies.
When war has been waged against you, you have to fight back. That's what we're doing, and we won't stop until we secure the rights of mothers to give birth to healthy babies – and still have the means to support them once they return home.
Want to help in the cause? You can donate to Maternity Health, a nonprofit organization that fights for the rights of mothers, here: http://www.maternityhealth.org/help.htm.
Regardless of social status, economic situation or education, the documentary reports that the premature birth rate for African American babies is nearly double that of white babies. A study conducted by leading researchers found no correlation to genetics; leaving racism as a potential reason for delivering early.
Researchers believe that the lifetime stresses and anxieties associated with unequal treatment are at the root of the problem. Premature birth often comes with life-threatening, sometimes fatal, complications – especially for women who can't gain access to proper prenatal care. For African Americans, the risk is even greater.
The war against unfair treatment for pregnant women is multi-front. On one front, we're battling the medical community, which denies treatment and inflates medical bills; on another, we're fighting insurance companies who refuse to cover maternity-related procedures; and we're fighting racism, too, a malicious socioeconomic disease that the U.S. has not been able to shake despite strides for equality.
Each baby born is a miracle in and of itself; the miracle of life and the only thing that can perpetuate humanity. Giving birth, and thus life, is even more amazing when you realize that so many forces are aligned against it. The fact that the majority of pregnancies end with a normal delivery and healthy babies is astonishing; but at the same time the fact that so many women and newborns suffer because they can't get proper prenatal care and have to face other stresses during pregnancy is appalling.
It is illegal to discriminate against a pregnant mother because of her race. Maternity Health and Maternity Advantage have resources to help ensure pregnant women are not being victimized by society; and more women who are in financial and other socioeconomic need should contact these organizations to prevent unfair treatment and to get the best care possible for themselves and their babies.
When war has been waged against you, you have to fight back. That's what we're doing, and we won't stop until we secure the rights of mothers to give birth to healthy babies – and still have the means to support them once they return home.
Want to help in the cause? You can donate to Maternity Health, a nonprofit organization that fights for the rights of mothers, here: http://www.maternityhealth.org/help.htm.
Support For Pregnant Women
Sometimes, all we need is someone to talk to who understands what we're going through. When you're pregnant, you can be prone to solitary feelings when lonely, upset, afraid or confused. Help for pregnant women doesn't need to be in form of money or gifts – true support costs nothing at all.
When friends and family aren't available or don't understand, speaking with other pregnant women can help you get through tough times and even form the foundation for lifelong bonds of sharing and friendship. Be happy to be pregnant – it's good for your baby!
Here are five online resources where pregnant women can find free community support and camaraderie by connecting with other pregnant women who “get it.”
About.com Pregnancy and Childbirth Forum
Birth Care Forum
Gynosaur
The Pregnancy Place Forums
Pregnancy.org Bulletin Boards
There are literally thousands more – and a quick search with your favorite search engine will help you find additional pregnancy-related communities online.
Everyone needs friends to help them through tough times. I'm thrilled to see so many women coming together to share support, to share their stories, and to share their lives with one another. What a refreshing splash of humanity in an oft-troubled pond.
When friends and family aren't available or don't understand, speaking with other pregnant women can help you get through tough times and even form the foundation for lifelong bonds of sharing and friendship. Be happy to be pregnant – it's good for your baby!
Here are five online resources where pregnant women can find free community support and camaraderie by connecting with other pregnant women who “get it.”
About.com Pregnancy and Childbirth Forum
Birth Care Forum
Gynosaur
The Pregnancy Place Forums
Pregnancy.org Bulletin Boards
There are literally thousands more – and a quick search with your favorite search engine will help you find additional pregnancy-related communities online.
Everyone needs friends to help them through tough times. I'm thrilled to see so many women coming together to share support, to share their stories, and to share their lives with one another. What a refreshing splash of humanity in an oft-troubled pond.
Pregnant And Need Inspiration?
Are you pregnant and in need of a bit of inspiration? Head on over to YouTube and do a search for 'laughing baby'.
Being pregnant can be very trying, stressful, exciting, lonely, emotional and all out life-changing. But watching these videos, you realize how precious the baby inside you is – and how uplifting, gentle, exciting, fun and joyful motherhood is.
When your baby laughs, you'll forget about life's stresses – the small stuff, the things that, when put in perspective, are really not so important – and focus on the true joy of being a mother. Despite all of the bad things that can happen in this world, a laughing baby reminds us how special life is and transcends all the negative noise we're bombarded with every day.
A laughing baby is a great stress reliever and a wonderful way to celebrate life. Take good care of your baby – he or she is just waiting to laugh with you.
Being pregnant can be very trying, stressful, exciting, lonely, emotional and all out life-changing. But watching these videos, you realize how precious the baby inside you is – and how uplifting, gentle, exciting, fun and joyful motherhood is.
When your baby laughs, you'll forget about life's stresses – the small stuff, the things that, when put in perspective, are really not so important – and focus on the true joy of being a mother. Despite all of the bad things that can happen in this world, a laughing baby reminds us how special life is and transcends all the negative noise we're bombarded with every day.
A laughing baby is a great stress reliever and a wonderful way to celebrate life. Take good care of your baby – he or she is just waiting to laugh with you.
It's been two weeks!!!!
I last wrote about HOPE on January 23rd. I also told you that I was putting together a way in which we can start promoting all the GOOD that goes on in this world. Well, after two weeks I am just about ready to launch this new idea. I will start back with my regular blog tomorrow and over the coming weeks you will see how we all can start promoting the "GOOD."
Make a DIFFERENCE in someones life TODAY!!!!!
Make a DIFFERENCE in someones life TODAY!!!!!
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