Health Insurance company, Guardian Life, releases high cost patients

Ian Pearl, a 37 year old male from New York, suffers from muscular dystrophy. Although it is not mentioned by the Washington Times artcle what kind of muscular dystrophy Mr. Pearl suffers from, it is noted that he requires around the clock care as the muscles that help him breathe have failed him. In other words, he is unable to breathe without assistance. Ian currently lives in Florida to help with his breathing, however, his insurance policy is still through the New York company Guardian Life Insurance Co..

In the article it is revealed that emails were presented in a court hearing, regarding possible violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), from company Vice President Tim Birely in which he makes reference to getting rid of dogs on those plans which are costing the company too much to justify keeping around. Mr. Birely in these emails was specific to New York as policyholders who were referred to as "domicile and some historical [nonsense]" in thier needs.

Guardian spokesman Richard Jones said "We certainly don't think this particular case has anything to do with health care reform." However, it would seem this is what President Obama's plan seeks to eliminate; for profit insurance carriers.

My personal belief is that this is a business out to make a profit, as they state in the article, and even though they say they sympathize with Mr. Pearl's conditon, they truly have not investement in human life or the preservation of such. If you do not help them make a profit they will seek to eliminate you from their policy. In the article Ian's father revealed that they have been hounded by Private Investigators from Guardian for years, YEARS, in an attempt to find misinformation from the family to be able to drop them from their policy. They have applied to the Department of Health  and Human Services for HIPPA violations by Guardian but have not heard anything back as of yet.

So if you still think for profit health insurance is the best thing for this country you are likely either a shareholder in the company making millions or a company executive of an insurance company as I just can't see how anyone can think making a buck is more concerning and better for public relations than saving a human life. If Guardian executives were smart they would grandfather Ian Pearl in and spin it that they value human life, but obviously they are not smart...like most of these big insurance companies who feel they are untouchable.

Jim

For fun, or for victory?

So yesterday I went to see my nephews play baseball. It was a bright sunny day, yet not too hot. There was a nice cool breeze in the air. The game was already in progress and as we setup chairs you could hear the regular parents yelling at or for their kids, as well as other kids on the team. As I listened it became evident to me that even though most of these involved parents advocate the "fun vs. victory" idiology for their children playing this American past time, most if not all of these same parents become victory chanters within minutes of game start.

It is an impressive and, although confusing or the children to be sure, quick turn of expectations for the children. "Don't hesitate to run", one parent chants at the runner on third who hesitated to steal home as it seemed, and did, the catcher had retrieved a bad throw from the pitcher. Why not say something supportive like "you got it next time, good eyes on the catcher"? Let the 4 coaches on the team actually do the coaching.

Don't misunderstand me. I am all for parents being involved, even other family members, in the game and "cheering" your team on. I think the line gets blurred when they start to think they have what it takes to coach the team. Why do they suddenly decide they are the coach and umpire when watching the event? Why can't they just support their team and the members of it? I mean, they are not even keeping tabs on who wins or loses in this summer/fall baseball league as they promote "fun & learning" versus compitition. The are not setting them up for the fall of defeat or how it feels to lose a game. They are simply allowing them to have "training" before they enter true competitive leagues. Much like the exhibition games of the NFL.

So how do I feel? I think it is a good idea to have these off season fun leagues, as long as the parents help the players keep in mind that winning or losing is NOT part of these particular games....it is about learning and practicing and growing in the game and their abilities. Help them at home, take them to the park to practice, be involved instead of a parent yelling from the sidelines at their children. If you know so much, and I hope most do this, take your kid out and practice, with friends if you are unable to be physically involved. Take them to the batting cage. Ask the coaches if they can help with more practice days or ideas; although most of these guys/gals have a day job and volunteer to help your kids. FOR FREE! So work with them, be helpful, be involved, and be supportive of your kid. Remember, your there for more than the tan on game day, your kids are looking for your approval and support.

- Jim

Jon and Kate Divide 8

So I read, or have been reading, over the last few days on the news tickers that the TLC show Jon and Kate plus 8 is going to be seeing some stressful episodes due to a divorce filing by the now famous couple. Can anyone be truly surprised by this? I mean how long would any relationship last if you are constantly having to play to the camera? Talk about never being able to relax and take the mask off.

But lets consider, for the sake of argument, that what viewers have witnessed on this TLC peeping tom show is truly is how they would be acting with no cameras around; which I have serious doubts about. Can anyone truly be shocked by this divorce? I have watched some episodes, I admit it. But not for the purposes that TLC intended I am sure. I just happened to be scanning channels and saw it and decided to see what all the fan fare was about.

I watched like two episodes and could only wonder why anyone would want to go through having camera crews around 90% of your waking hours. Oh sure you get paid, and I am sure they got paid well, and you get free trips out of it. Likely they also get other amenities like diapers or spending allowance on clothes, or maybe not. But regardless I saw it as a representation of what our society has become; a peeping tom of reality shows that lets you witness how others behave so you can judge others 24/7 and avoid ones own pathetic life.

Why else would you watch something like this, or any other reality show for that matter, beyond trying to consume your own boredom. Anyone remember the Truman show? How we have become that society in that story is frightening, hell....we probably were already there. In the end, I hope Jon and Kate find happiness and that their children are not scared for life when later they found out that not only did their parents divorce but their whole childhood was a television show that they had not choice but to participate in. Sad, sad, sad.

Recent Readings

So I am in the process of reading this book called "The Shack" and can I just say it is GREAT! I don't usually say anything about most books. Oh sure I have my favorite author and such, but there was something so much deeper about this book. The writer is in the Pacific NW so he actualy knows the area and references he gives, more than just out of pure fiction and a general knowledge of the area. I live in the NW as well so it is interesting to read the details he gives and know I have been there.

I am not giving away anything, that is I know someone could read the cover and find out, but I wish I had not. It did give away a bit of the mistery of the book in the first 30 or so pages. They refer to the "Great Sadness" which if you read the back of the book you pretty much can sum up what that is rather easily, however, if they had left that out it would have made it much more suspenseful to find out what "The Great Sadness" is about.

So if someone reading my rantings here decides to try it out, PLEASE...don't read the back cover of the book until AFTER you get past page 100 lets say. It is a rather short book too....only about 300 pages. But from what I have read so far, it is CRAZY good and truly makes you think about yoru life, the lives you touch everday, and how you are as a human. It does not make you feel bad about yourself, moreover it makes you think about how you interact with others you do or do not care for. It is not a self help book or anything of that sort, it is a fictional character and situation; however, it truly grips you with the story and TRUST ME...you will get a tear forming on your eye here and there.

Read it....if nothing else you will enjoy the story.