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Saturday, October 17, 2009

The other day I had an interesting discussion with a friend about doctors. I realized something that may be related to seeing a Naturopath instead of an MD, but I think ultimately affects all medical practices. When you, as the patient, are paying for services out of your pocket instead of through insurance (or there are a large percentage of people who do), you tend to get better customer service. The receptionist, nurses and doctors know that you can and will go elsewhere if you are not happy, so they go out of their way to work with you.

There is also the nice little thing about smaller offices knowing their patients, and therefore being more courteous (like calling you when your appt is cancelled instead of letting you fall through the cracks - I have never experienced this, but my friend recently did). When dealing with an HMO that has many doctors in the practice and strict regulations about how many patients an hour they must see, patients are the ones who suffer. You don't get the time you need and you don't get to develop a relationship with your doctor.

Having said that, we recently found a doctor who is on my husband's HMO who takes his time with patients and warns them that you will not be seen on-time because of this. I have been very impressed with him so far, and Jeff goes to see him again on Monday.

With all the talk of government-run health care, I have been more aware of the power of choices in medical care. I don't want to see any entity, whether a big insurance company or our government, step in and tell us how we should receive health care. I like the idea of a health insurance plan that you shop around for on your own and get to deduct the premiums. This puts the power back into the hands of you, the consumer. With that kind of responsibility, you are more likely to watch how much you are charged and maybe even demand things like tort reform! It is amazing how much of a difference there is in one's behavior when you have to be responsible.

This is sad and hilarious at the same time



I love the sarcasm!

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Saint Quotes

I'm working on a project and really liked these quotes from http://www.catholictradition.org/Saints/saintly-quotes2.htm.


"You say you see no reason why we should pray to the Saints since God can hear us and help us just as well, and will do so gladly, as any Saint in Heaven. Well, then, what need, I ask, do you have to ask any physician to help your fever, or to ask and pay any surgeon to heal your sore leg? For God can both hear you and help you as well as the best of doctors. He loves you more than they do, and He can help you sooner. Besides-----His poultices are cheaper and He will give you more for your words alone than they will for your money!"

-------- St. Thomas More


"Never read books you aren't sure about . . . even supposing that these bad books are very well written from a literary point of view. Let me ask you this: Would you drink something you knew was poisoned just because it was offered to you in a golden cup?"

--------St. John Bosco


"Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent."

--------St. John of the Cross


When tempted, invoke your Angel. he is more eager to help you than you are to be helped! Ignore the devil and do not be afraid of him: He trembles and flees at the sight of your Guardian Angel.

--------St. John Bosco


We can't have full knowledge all at once. We must start by believing; then afterwards we may be led on to master the evidence for ourselves.

--------St. Thomas Aquinas


When we speak about wisdom, we are speaking of Christ. When we speak about virtue, we are speaking of Christ. When we speak about justice, we are speaking of Christ. When we speak about peace, we are speaking of Christ. When we speak about truth and life and redemption, we are speaking of Christ.

--------St. Ambrose of Milan


Just as in one man there is one soul and one body, yet many members;
even so the Catholic Church is one body, having many members. The soul that quickens this body is the Holy Spirit; and therefore in the Creed after confessing our belief in the Holy Spirit, we are bid to believe in the Holy Catholic Church.

--------St. Thomas Aquinas


I will go peaceably and firmly to the Catholic Church: for if Faith is so important to our salvation, I will seek it where true Faith first began, seek it among those who received it from God Himself.

--------St. Elizabeth Ann Seton


The Church has ever proved indestructible. Her persecutors have failed to destroy her; in fact, it was during times of persecution that the Church
grew more and more; while the persecutors themselves, and those whom the Church would destroy, are the very ones who came to nothing. . . .
Again, errors have assailed her; but in fact, the greater the number of errors that have arisen, the more has the truth been made manifest. . . . Nor has the Church failed before the assaults of demons: for she is like a tower of refuge to all who fight against the Devil.

--------St. Thomas Aquinas


If it is "daily bread," why do you take it once a year? . . . Take daily what is to profit you daily. Live in such a way that you may deserve to receive it daily. He who does not deserve to receive it daily, does not deserve to receive it once a year.

--------St. Ambrose of Milan


Whoever does not seek the cross of Christ doesn't seek the glory of Christ.

--------St. John of the Cross

Thursday, October 1, 2009

"Large Arachnid" Bugs the Pope

Apparently this is a big deal in the secular media - at least radio stations according to Jeff.





OK, first of all that is not a "large arachnid". I have bigger spiders in my house! Yes they creep me out, and I don't like to run across them, but seriously people, lets not take the exaggeration too far!

I can't decide if the distraction made it so very few listened to the speech, or if overall more people will hear the message because of the publicity. What I heard of Benedict XVI's talk sounded interesting, and it is sad that people (myself included!) can be so easily distracted. I suppose that would be an argument in favor of the spider being there for bad reasons. Having a budding entomologist, I am aware that there are actually very few poisonous spiders in any given area, and the spiders want nothing more than to be left alone, so the chances that the Pope was in any kind of danger were very slim.

I went on to read the comments, and the number of anti-Catholic and anti-Pope sentiments was not surprising, but the one person claiming to be Catholic who commented that Catholics worship the Pope kinda got to me. I wish Catholics knew their faith better, but I suppose trying to stand up for your faith when it is criticized is better than saying nothing...well, maybe not. You know, finding answers to questions like that just isn't very hard, and then you can sound like you know what you are talking about instead of further confusing a group of anti-Catholics.

I do find it interesting that Pope Benedict XVI is looked at with such vehement hatred from Atheists and Secularists. He's doing something right because they feel it necessary to try and tear him down instead of ignoring him!