Health and Wellness

Health and Wellness tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-1250480 %ISSUE_DATE%T09:25:32-07:00 Drug-free patient care, techniques and research. TypePad American Chiropractic Association Announces New Corporate Members tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55741 2012-01-30T12:00:32-07:00 2012-01-30T12:00:07-07:00

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) today announced that the following organizations have demonstrated their support for ACA's mission to advance the chiropractic profession by joining the association as corporate members. Do Dietary Supplements Really Increase Mortality? tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55722 2012-01-29T12:00:32-07:00 2012-01-29T12:00:07-07:00

In an article scheduled to appear in the Feb. 26 issue of DC, I provide the raw data on cardiovascular protection with statin use in the JUPITER trial. While it was publicized that heart attacks were reduced by 50 percent, the raw data demonstrates only a 1 percent reduction if everyday math is applied. The subjects in JUPITER were also described as being "thin," even though the average BMI was 28.

By David Seaman, DC, MS, DABCN In an article scheduled to appear in the Feb. 26 issue of DC, I provide the raw data on cardiovascular protection with statin use in the JUPITER trial. While it was publicized that heart attacks were reduced by 50 percent, the raw data demonstrates only a 1 percent reduction if everyday math is applied. The subjects in JUPITER were also described as being "thin," even though the average BMI was 28. Recent Report Highlights Growing Dangers of Anti-Inflammatory Medications tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55720 2012-01-29T12:00:32-07:00 2012-01-29T12:00:07-07:00

In the Sept. 27, 2011 posting of the Biomedical Central Journal: Family Practice, R.J. Adams and colleagues commented on concerns raised by the common prescribing of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, particularly with respect to their important and sometimes fatal adverse side effects. They state, "Non-steroidal anti-inflammation drugs (NSAIDs) are one of the most common causes of reported serious adverse reactions to drugs, with those involving the upper gastrointestinal tract (GIT), the cardiovascular system and the kidneys being the most common.

By James P. Meschino, DC, MS In the Sept. 27, 2011 posting of the Biomedical Central Journal: Family Practice, R.J. Adams and colleagues commented on concerns raised by the common prescribing of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, particularly with respect to their important and sometimes fatal adverse side effects. They state, "Non-steroidal anti-inflammation drugs (NSAIDs) are one of the most common causes of reported serious adverse reactions to drugs, with those involving the upper gastrointestinal tract (GIT), the cardiovascular system and the kidneys being the most common. The Problem With Statistics tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55719 2012-01-29T12:00:32-07:00 2012-01-29T12:00:07-07:00

I'm not sure when I began to mistrust statistics; I think it was in college in the late "'60s." I remember reading in the Peoria Journal Star newspaper something to the effect that 50 percent of high-school students in Peoria either smoked marijuana or knew somebody who did. A confusing conclusion, I agree, since it could have meant that there was only one student smoking dope, but 50 percent of the students knew who that person was!

By John Hanks, DC I'm not sure when I began to mistrust statistics; I think it was in college in the late "'60s." I remember reading in the Peoria Journal Star newspaper something to the effect that 50 percent of high-school students in Peoria either smoked marijuana or knew somebody who did. A confusing conclusion, I agree, since it could have meant that there was only one student smoking dope, but 50 percent of the students knew who that person was! Balance Strategies to Improve Health tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55717 2012-01-29T12:00:32-07:00 2012-01-29T12:00:07-07:00

You already know how complicated the process of human balance is; but are you aware of the simple tools many providers are using to improve their patients' balance? Balance requires coordinated participation of the sensory (visual, vestibular and proprioceptive) and motor systems. The basic concept of balance is achieved when the body's center of gravity is maintained in a tight pattern over the base formed by the feet. Because of the potential complexity, treating balance often requires cooperation among several health care specialists.

By Mark Charrette, DC You already know how complicated the process of human balance is; but are you aware of the simple tools many providers are using to improve their patients' balance? Balance requires coordinated participation of the sensory (visual, vestibular and proprioceptive) and motor systems. The basic concept of balance is achieved when the body's center of gravity is maintained in a tight pattern over the base formed by the feet. Because of the potential complexity, treating balance often requires cooperation among several health care specialists. Foods Consumed by the Healthiest People, Part 3: The Sardinian Diet tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55710 2012-01-15T12:00:32-07:00 2012-01-15T12:00:07-07:00

As you read this article, the first anniversary of the Jan. 23, 2011 death of our colleague, Jack LaLanne, DC, grows near. Dr. Jack lived 96 years and 4 months; beginning at age 15, he dedicated his final 81 years to living a long, fit and healthy life. When I was growing up I remember him referred to as a fitness freak and a health-food nut who (on TV) seemed to live on blended concoctions that washed down handfuls of supplements. Everyone now knows that his "abnormal" behavior paid off, and that he was years ahead of medical science.

By G. Douglas Andersen, DC, DACBSP, CCN As you read this article, the first anniversary of the Jan. 23, 2011 death of our colleague, Jack LaLanne, DC, grows near. Dr. Jack lived 96 years and 4 months; beginning at age 15, he dedicated his final 81 years to living a long, fit and healthy life. When I was growing up I remember him referred to as a fitness freak and a health-food nut who (on TV) seemed to live on blended concoctions that washed down handfuls of supplements. Everyone now knows that his "abnormal" behavior paid off, and that he was years ahead of medical science. Medical, Inc. – Exposing the Modern Medical Monopoly tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55672 2012-01-01T12:00:32-07:00 2012-01-01T12:00:07-07:00

Chiropractic patients appreciate the benefits of natural health care and are acutely aware of the dangerous power of the "medical monopoly." But what about the 86-92 percent of consumers who do not visit a chiropractor? What about the general public that remains bound by the overwhelming influence of pharmaceutical companies, drug-prescribing medical doctors and a pro-MD managed care industry?

By Editorial Staff Chiropractic patients appreciate the benefits of natural health care and are acutely aware of the dangerous power of the "medical monopoly." But what about the 86-92 percent of consumers who do not visit a chiropractor? What about the general public that remains bound by the overwhelming influence of pharmaceutical companies, drug-prescribing medical doctors and a pro-MD managed care industry? ACA Continues Support of Chiropractic Research With JMPT Alliance tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55651 2011-11-15T12:00:32-07:00 2011-11-15T12:00:07-07:00

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) has recommitted itself to supporting chiropractic research by extending an agreement through 2018 with the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT), the chiropractic profession's premier research journal. As part of the agreement, ACA members will continue to receive a subscription to JMPT as a member benefit, which includes online access to the journal's vast, searchable archives.

National University of Health Sciences (NUHS) and the School of Public Health at the University of Illinois at Chicago are partnering to offer two new coordinated degree programs for students interested in health sciences and research. Now students may earn their Doctor of Chiropractic degree while concurrently earning a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree or a Master of Science in Clinical and Translational Science (MS CTS) degree from UIC.

When I was in the Navy during the Vietnam War, there was a sign posted just outside the base where I was stationed in California. The sign provided the running total of the number of U.S. military personnel who had died in Vietnam during the war versus the number of U.S. citizens who had died on U.S. highways during the same period of time. The numbers weren't even close. The casualties on our highways were much higher.

By Donald M. Petersen Jr., BS, HCD(hc), FICC(h), Publisher When I was in the Navy during the Vietnam War, there was a sign posted just outside the base where I was stationed in California. The sign provided the running total of the number of U.S. military personnel who had died in Vietnam during the war versus the number of U.S. citizens who had died on U.S. highways during the same period of time. The numbers weren't even close. The casualties on our highways were much higher. Research Abstracts From the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55559 2011-09-23T12:00:32-07:00 2011-09-23T12:00:07-07:00

The JMPT is the premier scientific journal of the chiropractic profession, dedicated to the advancement of chiropractic health care. The National University of Health Sciences, owner of the journal, upholds the journal's compliance with the highest publication standards, which expressly support editorial freedom and best publication practices. The JMPT is an independent publication that strives to provide the best scientific information that improves health care practice and future research.

We live in a time of measurement. All aspects of life are quantified, qualified, sorted out and ranked. The popular media apparently likes to use the crescendo of anticipation inherent in ranking, since I see TV shows exposing the "Top 10 Nude Beaches of Brazil" or articles detailing the "Top 5 Armenian Cemeteries of Los Angeles."

By John Hanks, DC We live in a time of measurement. All aspects of life are quantified, qualified, sorted out and ranked. The popular media apparently likes to use the crescendo of anticipation inherent in ranking, since I see TV shows exposing the "Top 10 Nude Beaches of Brazil" or articles detailing the "Top 5 Armenian Cemeteries of Los Angeles." Consumer Reports Surveys Readers on Alternative Health Care Use tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55538 2011-09-23T12:00:32-07:00 2011-09-23T12:00:07-07:00

If you're wondering what consumers - your patients and potential patients - think about chiropractic care, particularly as it relates to its effectiveness managing common health conditions, consider findings from a Consumer Reports online survey of more than 45,000 of its subscribers. Survey results suggest that with the exception of back and neck pain, consumers - and Consumer Reports itself - continue to buy into the pharmaceutical model Big Pharma and others spend billions annually to promote.

By Peter W. Crownfield, Executive Editor If you're wondering what consumers - your patients and potential patients - think about chiropractic care, particularly as it relates to its effectiveness managing common health conditions, consider findings from a Consumer Reports online survey of more than 45,000 of its subscribers. Survey results suggest that with the exception of back and neck pain, consumers - and Consumer Reports itself - continue to buy into the pharmaceutical model Big Pharma and others spend billions annually to promote. Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning? Part 2 tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55537 2011-09-23T12:00:32-07:00 2011-09-23T12:00:07-07:00

One day not too long after my first day at FEMA (the Javits Center, which was FEMA's home base), one of the leading U.S. marshals approached me and told me he was having trouble maintaining the perimeter at Ground Zero. He told me many doctors of chiropractic, massage therapists and others were trying to (and sometimes succeeding at) getting into the site. He told me he was worried about their safety, so he did not want uncredentialed people at Ground Zero. With that, he put a new job on my lap.

By Richard Gorgo Jr., DC One day not too long after my first day at FEMA (the Javits Center, which was FEMA's home base), one of the leading U.S. marshals approached me and told me he was having trouble maintaining the perimeter at Ground Zero. He told me many doctors of chiropractic, massage therapists and others were trying to (and sometimes succeeding at) getting into the site. He told me he was worried about their safety, so he did not want uncredentialed people at Ground Zero. With that, he put a new job on my lap. Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning? tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55536 2011-09-09T12:00:32-07:00 2011-09-09T12:00:07-07:00

Where were you when the world stopped turning? The famous Alan Jackson song with that very title, composed only days after the terrorist attacks that brought down the Twin Towers, still creates an emptiness in the pit of my stomach and hollows my spirit. The chilling lyrics remind me so much of those days. Hard to believe it's been 10 years; 10 tumultuous years. None of our lives has been the same since that day. It seems as if everyone has a story about it. This is mine, as myopic as it may seem.

By Richard Gorgo Jr., DC Where were you when the world stopped turning? The famous Alan Jackson song with that very title, composed only days after the terrorist attacks that brought down the Twin Towers, still creates an emptiness in the pit of my stomach and hollows my spirit. The chilling lyrics remind me so much of those days. Hard to believe it's been 10 years; 10 tumultuous years. None of our lives has been the same since that day. It seems as if everyone has a story about it. This is mine, as myopic as it may seem. Texas Chiropractic College Partners With Local Community Clinic tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55534 2011-08-23T12:00:32-07:00 2011-08-23T12:00:07-07:00

Texas Chiropractic College (TCC) and El Centro de Coraz�n have teamed up to provide chiropractic care at El Centro's Eastwood Clinic, entering into a formal agreement on Aug. 17, 2011.

Texas Chiropractic College (TCC) and El Centro de Coraz�n have teamed up to provide chiropractic care at El Centro's Eastwood Clinic, entering into a formal agreement on Aug. 17, 2011. Sunblocks and Sunscreens: Year-Round Advice for Parents tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55532 2011-09-09T12:00:32-07:00 2011-09-09T12:00:07-07:00

With an unusually hot summer winding down, many parents have been diligently covering their children with sunblocks and sunscreens for the past several months, believing it is best for their children. But how effective are these products at protecting them from the damaging rays of the sun? And just as important, how safe are the products themselves?

By Claudia Anrig, DC With an unusually hot summer winding down, many parents have been diligently covering their children with sunblocks and sunscreens for the past several months, believing it is best for their children. But how effective are these products at protecting them from the damaging rays of the sun? And just as important, how safe are the products themselves? Journal Bias: Obvious and Occult tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55518 2011-09-09T12:00:32-07:00 2011-09-09T12:00:07-07:00

Readers of scientific literature gleefully devour the latest great discovery. Likewise, health care practitioners eagerly consume the newest breakthroughs in their respective field. Veterans of both worlds, however, are also accustomed to the obverse: the overturning of the grand new theory or the refuting of last year's breakthrough. It's part and parcel of our world because the very nature of anything scientific is its vulnerability in the crucible of the scientific method. No theory can ever be proved beyond question, but all are subject to what Sir Karl Popper called "falsificationism."

By Arthur Croft, DC, MS, MPH, FACO Readers of scientific literature gleefully devour the latest great discovery. Likewise, health care practitioners eagerly consume the newest breakthroughs in their respective field. Veterans of both worlds, however, are also accustomed to the obverse: the overturning of the grand new theory or the refuting of last year's breakthrough. It's part and parcel of our world because the very nature of anything scientific is its vulnerability in the crucible of the scientific method. No theory can ever be proved beyond question, but all are subject to what Sir Karl Popper called "falsificationism." Too Much Important Information About Chiropractic tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55513 2011-09-09T12:00:32-07:00 2011-09-09T12:00:07-07:00

One would think that with 26 issues of Dynamic Chiropractic and 12 more of DC PracticeINSIGHTS published every year, we could easily provide you with "all the news that's fit to print"1 as it pertains to the practice and profession of chiropractic. But that is simply not the case. Chiropractic is too broad in its ability to heal and there is so much happening in our profession that much of what we would like to present is still not making it to the pages of DC and DCPI. In addition, many doctors (perhaps you?) don't feel they can effectively compete for space with our "regular" writers and columnists.

By Donald M. Petersen Jr., BS, HCD(hc), FICC(h), Publisher One would think that with 26 issues of Dynamic Chiropractic and 12 more of DC PracticeINSIGHTS published every year, we could easily provide you with "all the news that's fit to print"1 as it pertains to the practice and profession of chiropractic. But that is simply not the case. Chiropractic is too broad in its ability to heal and there is so much happening in our profession that much of what we would like to present is still not making it to the pages of DC and DCPI. In addition, many doctors (perhaps you?) don't feel they can effectively compete for space with our "regular" writers and columnists. New Kids on the Research Block: Paradigms Lost and Gained tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55510 2011-08-26T12:00:32-07:00 2011-08-26T12:00:07-07:00

Just as Odysseus was forced to pussyfoot his way between Scylla and Charybdis while passing through the Strait of Messina, clinical researchers have had to face their own horns of the storied dilemma by either capturing the Full Monty of health care interventions or reducing one or more aspects of their clinical experience to a form of measurement that is entirely objective and impartial. The problem is that these forms of measurement are but a tiny fraction of what is experienced by the patient, whereas capturing the full health care encounter is largely a descriptive undertaking subject to all manner of human error and bias.

By Anthony Rosner, PhD, LLD [Hon.], LLC Just as Odysseus was forced to pussyfoot his way between Scylla and Charybdis while passing through the Strait of Messina, clinical researchers have had to face their own horns of the storied dilemma by either capturing the Full Monty of health care interventions or reducing one or more aspects of their clinical experience to a form of measurement that is entirely objective and impartial. The problem is that these forms of measurement are but a tiny fraction of what is experienced by the patient, whereas capturing the full health care encounter is largely a descriptive undertaking subject to all manner of human error and bias. Substance Abuse: A Prenatal-to-Grave Public Health Issue tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55509 2011-08-26T12:00:32-07:00 2011-08-26T12:00:07-07:00

Deaths from substance use and abuse exceed in number deaths caused by all other diseases. Doctors of chiropractic nationwide have added substance testing (and education) as a service promoting healthful living or the restoration of health and wellness for patients. Half of all people living in America are affected by substance abuse or by abuse by a loved one. A leading contributor to deaths caused by cancer, stroke and heart disease, substance abuse is no respecter of age, gender, race, social or economic status, level of education, station in life, geographic location, or faith system.

By Elizabeth Auppl; guest author for Joseph J. Sweere, DC, DABCO, DACBOH, FICC Deaths from substance use and abuse exceed in number deaths caused by all other diseases. Doctors of chiropractic nationwide have added substance testing (and education) as a service promoting healthful living or the restoration of health and wellness for patients. Half of all people living in America are affected by substance abuse or by abuse by a loved one. A leading contributor to deaths caused by cancer, stroke and heart disease, substance abuse is no respecter of age, gender, race, social or economic status, level of education, station in life, geographic location, or faith system. The Medical Home: Health Personalized tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55502 2011-08-26T12:00:32-07:00 2011-08-26T12:00:07-07:00

If you aren't familiar (or know nothing about) what's been termed the medical home model or primary-care medical home, you've got company, certainly within the chiropractic profession. According to a recent ChiroPoll, only 16 percent of DCs said they are "very" or "somewhat" familiar with the medical home model, and more than half (55 percent) posed the question, "What is it?" With these figures in mind, let's take a closer look at the medical home model and see how it is reshaping the health care system, how all providers practice and the care their patients receive.

By Peter W. Crownfield, Executive Editor If you aren't familiar (or know nothing about) what's been termed the medical home model or primary-care medical home, you've got company, certainly within the chiropractic profession. According to a recent ChiroPoll, only 16 percent of DCs said they are "very" or "somewhat" familiar with the medical home model, and more than half (55 percent) posed the question, "What is it?" With these figures in mind, let's take a closer look at the medical home model and see how it is reshaping the health care system, how all providers practice and the care their patients receive. Screening for the Primary Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Disease tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55501 2011-08-26T12:00:32-07:00 2011-08-26T12:00:07-07:00

In previous articles, I have highlighted evidence showing that eating foods high in saturated fat and/or cholesterol, as well as trans fats and deep-fried foods, are main culprits in promoting high blood cholesterol levels (total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol).

By James P. Meschino, DC, MS In previous articles, I have highlighted evidence showing that eating foods high in saturated fat and/or cholesterol, as well as trans fats and deep-fried foods, are main culprits in promoting high blood cholesterol levels (total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol). Building Bridges to Chiropractic Cultural Authority, Part Two tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55488 2011-08-26T12:00:32-07:00 2011-08-26T12:00:07-07:00

In a previous column [June 17 issue], I introduced the concept of building bridges to advance chiropractic cultural authority in your community. In this article, let's outline how to bring those bridges to fruition by more effectively identifying with policy-makers and others influential in the health care arena.

By Arlan Fuhr, DC In a previous column [June 17 issue], I introduced the concept of building bridges to advance chiropractic cultural authority in your community. In this article, let's outline how to bring those bridges to fruition by more effectively identifying with policy-makers and others influential in the health care arena. Vitalism, Chiropractic and the Neural Hologram tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55469 2011-08-12T12:00:32-07:00 2011-08-12T12:00:07-07:00

Implicit in chiropractic is a philosophy of vitalism, yet many chiropractors have been challenged by the theoretical constructs of the Palmers and Stephenson. Bound by the lexicon of the times in an era preceding the quantum revolution in theoretical physics, these pioneers sought to describe concepts that challenged the mechanistic world view of the allopaths.

By Christopher Kent, DC, Esq. Implicit in chiropractic is a philosophy of vitalism, yet many chiropractors have been challenged by the theoretical constructs of the Palmers and Stephenson. Bound by the lexicon of the times in an era preceding the quantum revolution in theoretical physics, these pioneers sought to describe concepts that challenged the mechanistic world view of the allopaths. Knee Osteoarthritis: Risk Factors, Diagnosis and Treatment Options tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55468 2011-08-12T12:00:32-07:00 2011-08-12T12:00:07-07:00

According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, osteoarthritis of the knee is one of five leading causes of disability among elderly men and women, and the risk for disability from osteoarthritis of the knee is as great as that from cardiovascular disease. Currently, 21 million Americans are affected by osteoarthritis and an estimated 10 million suffer from knee osteoarthritis, making it one of the most common causes of disability in the U.S.

By Meridel I. Gatterman, MA, DC, MEd According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, osteoarthritis of the knee is one of five leading causes of disability among elderly men and women, and the risk for disability from osteoarthritis of the knee is as great as that from cardiovascular disease. Currently, 21 million Americans are affected by osteoarthritis and an estimated 10 million suffer from knee osteoarthritis, making it one of the most common causes of disability in the U.S. ACCAHC Competencies for Integrated Practice tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55461 2011-07-29T12:00:32-07:00 2011-07-29T12:00:07-07:00

The Academic Consortium for Complementary and Alternative Health Care (ACCAHC), created in 2004 as a project of the Integrated Healthcare Policy Consortium and featuring representation from educational, accrediting, testing and certification organizations in chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy and naturopathic medicine, among others, has released Competencies for Optimal Practice in Integrated Environments.

By Editorial Staff The Academic Consortium for Complementary and Alternative Health Care (ACCAHC), created in 2004 as a project of the Integrated Healthcare Policy Consortium and featuring representation from educational, accrediting, testing and certification organizations in chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy and naturopathic medicine, among others, has released Competencies for Optimal Practice in Integrated Environments. Small-Town Hospital With Big Ideas tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55449 2011-08-12T12:00:32-07:00 2011-08-12T12:00:07-07:00

Bigfork Valley Hospital is a rural health care campus in northern Minnesota that consistently ranks among the top facilities in the state in the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems, the national hospital patient satisfaction survey. For instance, in the most recent survey, Bigfork Valley ranked first in Minnesota in whether patients would definitely recommend the hospital; and received patient ratings of 9 or 10 on a scale of 1-10 in explaining about medicines, in explaining about what to do during recovery at home, in pain control and in doctor-patient communication.

By Michael Olson, DC Bigfork Valley Hospital is a rural health care campus in northern Minnesota that consistently ranks among the top facilities in the state in the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems, the national hospital patient satisfaction survey. For instance, in the most recent survey, Bigfork Valley ranked first in Minnesota in whether patients would definitely recommend the hospital; and received patient ratings of 9 or 10 on a scale of 1-10 in explaining about medicines, in explaining about what to do during recovery at home, in pain control and in doctor-patient communication. Calling for National Health and Wellness tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55448 2011-08-12T12:00:32-07:00 2011-08-12T12:00:07-07:00

The National Prevention Council, created by executive order in June 2010 and "charged with providing coordination and leadership at the federal level and among all executive departments and agencies with respect to prevention, wellness and health promotion practices," has released the first-ever National Prevention Strategy: America's Plan for Better Health and Wellness.

By Editorial Staff The National Prevention Council, created by executive order in June 2010 and "charged with providing coordination and leadership at the federal level and among all executive departments and agencies with respect to prevention, wellness and health promotion practices," has released the first-ever National Prevention Strategy: America's Plan for Better Health and Wellness. Wellness Rebates: Motivating Patients to Reduce Health Care Costs tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55436 2011-07-15T12:00:32-07:00 2011-07-15T12:00:07-07:00

The original idea behind health insurance was probably a good one. The assumption was that the risk of catastrophic illness or uncompensated injury experienced by a single individual would be borne by a group of healthy people who didn't experience a need for that level of care in a given year.

By Donald M. Petersen Jr., BS, HCD(hc), FICC(h), Publisher The original idea behind health insurance was probably a good one. The assumption was that the risk of catastrophic illness or uncompensated injury experienced by a single individual would be borne by a group of healthy people who didn't experience a need for that level of care in a given year.