from your Easter friends ............
Sunday, April 5, 2015
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Death of Sense and Sensibility
Feeling sick today? Want to stay home from work?
No problem.
Just get a doctor's note and you will be excused.
“I have no test for the common cold and therefore believe him, however you feel his time and mine should be wasted by making him sit in the walk in clinic for hours and me spending time writing a sick note that I could be spending on people who genuinely need my attention,” the note continues. “Please reconsider your policy on this - there are surely better ways of wasting your tax dollars.” - Opposing Views
BOOM!
No problem.
Just get a doctor's note and you will be excused.
“I have no test for the common cold and therefore believe him, however you feel his time and mine should be wasted by making him sit in the walk in clinic for hours and me spending time writing a sick note that I could be spending on people who genuinely need my attention,” the note continues. “Please reconsider your policy on this - there are surely better ways of wasting your tax dollars.” - Opposing Views
BOOM!
Thursday, April 2, 2015
The Last Supper
The Last Supper is never referenced in the Bible as such. The Gospels do describe Jesus telling his disciples to find a place for them to have their last meal but it is never referred to as The Lord's Supper or The Last Supper.
This "Feast of the Unleavened Bread" (seder) was a traditional meal served the evening before Passover. One of Leonardo DaVinci's most famous paintings appears above. Jesus is present, as are all 12 of the disciples, including Judas who would later betray him.
At this meal Jesus made several predictions but most, according to the book of Luke, went unnoticed. The lone exception is when Jesus said that one among them would betray him.
An argument broke out about who it was and most say this moment was appropriately captured by DaVinci. A study of each figure reveal something about their personalities.
Peter (fourth from the left), the impetuous one, is holding a knife as if he is ready to defend Jesus against the betrayer.
Judas (to Peter's left) is clutching what some believe to be a bag containing the pieces of silver he was paid to betray Jesus. He also has spilled a salt cellar which is considered a sign of bad luck.
The food on the table is typical of the seder and included wine, bread and fish. In this case it is eels which were a common fair in the fishing villages where Jesus spent most of his ministry.
This meal effectively blends the elements of the seder and the beginning of a new tradition of what will become communion among the Christian community. Communion celebrates this last meal by reciting scripture from the Bible and conveys specific meaning to the wine and unleavened bread.
Bible scholar and theology professor Henri Nowen explains The Last Supper in this manner.
It is the Christ in us who heals. Who will be a healing reminder of wholeness?
In his second paper Nouwen explained that not only does the memory of past wounds lead to healing in others but the memory of love sustains us in the present. In John 16:7 Jesus says to his disciples at the Last Supper, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.”
How many times in your life have you looked back and said, “Aha. I never understood why that happened. But now I can see how the puzzle pieces fit together.” Although the disciples would grieve Jesus’ absence, only in death would they realize the full impact of Jesus’ life. - Laurie Haller
This painting commemorates old traditions and establishes new ones and also inevitably ties Hebrew tradition with modern Christianity.
This year Passover and Easter intersect as they often do. Friday, April 3rd marks the beginning of Passover, 2015 but also is considered the day Jesus was crucified ("Good" Friday).
Pesach and Easter.
Two wonderful traditions that remind Christians and Jews that we are all brothers with the same heritage.
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
ADHD and Mortalit ... Hey look, a squirrel!
So, one of my favorite medbloggers, Dr Kevin Pho, has an interesting post up at his blog about ADHD and early death. Written by Dr Claudia Gold, it's about a recent study that purports to show that "diagnosis with ADHD doubles the risk of early death." Dr Gold then goes on to discuss the clinical issues involved (although not clinically - it's actually a very fascinating article, and well worth the read).
I had an immediate, visceral reaction though: as always when reading these kinds of articles linking Condition X to increased mortality risk, I tend to say "show me the money." That is, the folks who have the most to lose (or gain) from this type of information are those whose actual money is at risk: life insurance carriers.
I quickly checked a couple different life insurance apps; none of them mentioned ADHD by name or acronym. Of course, they all ask about meds, so if one was on Ritalin, for example, then that condition would likely show up.
So, I reached out to one of our esteemed underwriters to see what affect, if any, such information would play in determining insurability. After all, the insurance company stands to make (or lose) a lot of money if they misunderstand the underlying issues.
The good news is that, in and of itself, ADHD is not generally a disqualifying condition, although depending on severity, one's rate may be better or worse than someone without the condition. What was interesting, though, and echoed Dr Gold's take, is that there are often other conditions, such as anxiety or depression, that are often associated with an ADHD case, and that these could very easily affect an underwriters decision.
Folks whose ADHD is well controlled, and who are stable as a result, have little to worry about, especially as adult. Where it gets dicey is in children (and, one presumes, especially teens, although I didn't specifically ask about them).
The bottom line, then, is that the ADHD iteslf is unlikely to be much of a challenge, it's the associated conditions that could cause an underwriter to balk.
Something to consider next time you're shopping for life insurance.
I had an immediate, visceral reaction though: as always when reading these kinds of articles linking Condition X to increased mortality risk, I tend to say "show me the money." That is, the folks who have the most to lose (or gain) from this type of information are those whose actual money is at risk: life insurance carriers.
I quickly checked a couple different life insurance apps; none of them mentioned ADHD by name or acronym. Of course, they all ask about meds, so if one was on Ritalin, for example, then that condition would likely show up.
So, I reached out to one of our esteemed underwriters to see what affect, if any, such information would play in determining insurability. After all, the insurance company stands to make (or lose) a lot of money if they misunderstand the underlying issues.
The good news is that, in and of itself, ADHD is not generally a disqualifying condition, although depending on severity, one's rate may be better or worse than someone without the condition. What was interesting, though, and echoed Dr Gold's take, is that there are often other conditions, such as anxiety or depression, that are often associated with an ADHD case, and that these could very easily affect an underwriters decision.
Folks whose ADHD is well controlled, and who are stable as a result, have little to worry about, especially as adult. Where it gets dicey is in children (and, one presumes, especially teens, although I didn't specifically ask about them).
The bottom line, then, is that the ADHD iteslf is unlikely to be much of a challenge, it's the associated conditions that could cause an underwriter to balk.
Something to consider next time you're shopping for life insurance.
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Explosive Renter's Coverage?
Last week's terrible explosion claimed 2 lives (so far) and left scores homeless. Jeanne Salvatore, of the Insurance Information Institute, explains how renter's insurance helps in these circumstances:
My Answers.com article has a more detailed explication of this valuable coverage, as well.
My Answers.com article has a more detailed explication of this valuable coverage, as well.
Tuesday Potpourri
Interesting items for your early week perusal.
■ Item 1 - Not exactly a surprise:
"[A] survey of 743 personnel executives by the Society of Human Resource Management ... Nearly 14% of firms have cut part-time hours for workers ... and another 6% plan to do so."
But hey, free health care.
■ Item 2 - And some more good news (for certain values of "good"):
"The death spiral isn’t just a theory. Eight states learned this the hard way in the 1990s when they enacted two policies known as “community rating” and “guaranteed issue ... Obamacare includes both community rating and guaranteed issue"
Three guesses where this is heading (and the first two don't count).
■ Item 3 - As we head into the tax season home stretch, the IRS has "put out a plea for consumers and their tax preparers to look on HealthCare.gov for advice about exemptions from the [ObamaTax]."
Of course, since they ask for zero documentation, one wonders how many folks will just go ahead and check "yes." Trying to figure out the downside of that.
Happy Tuesday!
■ Item 1 - Not exactly a surprise:
"[A] survey of 743 personnel executives by the Society of Human Resource Management ... Nearly 14% of firms have cut part-time hours for workers ... and another 6% plan to do so."
But hey, free health care.
■ Item 2 - And some more good news (for certain values of "good"):
"The death spiral isn’t just a theory. Eight states learned this the hard way in the 1990s when they enacted two policies known as “community rating” and “guaranteed issue ... Obamacare includes both community rating and guaranteed issue"
Three guesses where this is heading (and the first two don't count).
■ Item 3 - As we head into the tax season home stretch, the IRS has "put out a plea for consumers and their tax preparers to look on HealthCare.gov for advice about exemptions from the [ObamaTax]."
Of course, since they ask for zero documentation, one wonders how many folks will just go ahead and check "yes." Trying to figure out the downside of that.
Happy Tuesday!
Monday, March 30, 2015
Face-Palming HIX Tricks
Regular readers may recall Bob's post a week or so ago lambasting the folks running the ObamaTax for shortchanging citizens by effectively locking out their agents and brokers:
"[T]there is also a concern for the lack of informed advice available to the consumer that dialogues with a navigator who has barely a few weeks of training (if that) buys through the exchange. What kind of counsel are they getting? Do the navigators understand the nuances of a PPO plan vs. HMO? And what about drug formularies?"
Of course not, but because the "agents are unnecessary (if not evil)" meme was fully entrenched, it seemed that folks who could truly benefit from having access to a knowledgeable, accountable agents were outta luck.
The good news is that at least one state, Washington, has seen the light:
"If you want to get people insured, you go to agents and brokers ... the board notes it is working to increase broker participation, and therefore increase enrollment participation."
And it gets even better: the folks running the beleaguered Maryland Exchange "said they were looking to brokers to reach those remaining uninsured. That including rotating brokers into their call centers." [ed: not sure how well that'll work, since agents work best independently, but perhaps time will tell].
Are eyes being opened at long, long last?
"[T]there is also a concern for the lack of informed advice available to the consumer that dialogues with a navigator who has barely a few weeks of training (if that) buys through the exchange. What kind of counsel are they getting? Do the navigators understand the nuances of a PPO plan vs. HMO? And what about drug formularies?"
Of course not, but because the "agents are unnecessary (if not evil)" meme was fully entrenched, it seemed that folks who could truly benefit from having access to a knowledgeable, accountable agents were outta luck.
The good news is that at least one state, Washington, has seen the light:
"If you want to get people insured, you go to agents and brokers ... the board notes it is working to increase broker participation, and therefore increase enrollment participation."
And it gets even better: the folks running the beleaguered Maryland Exchange "said they were looking to brokers to reach those remaining uninsured. That including rotating brokers into their call centers." [ed: not sure how well that'll work, since agents work best independently, but perhaps time will tell].
Are eyes being opened at long, long last?
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