Natural Health Newsletter from Alternative Health Insurance Services
Features on Alternative Medicine and Natural Therapies
July 2007
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A Personal Note From Steve Gorman, President of Alternative Health Insurance Services, Inc.
We are pleased to present the July edition of our newsletter.
I hope you continue to find the information in our newsletters to be of value and always welcome any thoughts, suggestions, comments, etc. You may view prior newsletters by clicking on the link listed near the bottom of this newsletter.
Each issue will continue to feature information about The Elaine Anestos Gorman Foundation in the hope that our readers will help spread the word and educate more people about the existence of Inflammatory Breast Cancer.
Starting in this issue, we will be featuring a special benefit program each month that is available to our clients. Usually these programs are only available to employees of larger corporations, but we have negotiated a special arrangement where we can offer them to individuals and families as an association program. Vision benefits are the Featured Program for this month.
This issue also contains updated news about an exciting new benefit available to our clients that covers acupuncture and chiropractic maintenance as well as herbal remedies. This new program will be available August 1 to clients that have obtained their health insurance coverage through Alternative Health Insurance Services.
With all of the debate and rhetoric about health care in America, we have included an article that will inform you about some of the pitfalls of a single payer, government-run health care system. While this is an emotionally charged issue, people should be aware of how single payer health care systems really work. Some of the things that government-run healthcare advocates don't tell you (or don't know) are shocking!
To our existing clients, thank you again for your continued support. To those receiving our newsletter for the first time, I hope you enjoy it and thank you for the opportunity to be of service.
Sincerely,
Steve Gorman |
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Alternative Medicine Saves Money
Patients who visit chiropractors and other holistically oriented physicians serving as primary care providers (PCPs) have lower utilization costs and higher patient satisfaction than patients treated by conventional medical doctors. This is according to a study published in the May issue of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics.
Over the course of the seven-year study, patients visiting chiropractors and other complimentary alternative medicine (CAM)-oriented PCPs had 60% fewer hospitalizations, 62% fewer outpatient surgical cases, and 85% lower pharmaceutical costs compared to total network HMO utilization rates and costs. The chiropractors and other CAM doctors treated and managed cases ranging from upper respiratory tract infections and allergies to headaches and orthopedic and other medical conditions. In 2005, the chiropractic PCPs managed 60% of their enrolled patients without requiring a referral to a conventional medical specialist. Data from patients enrolled between 2003 and 2005 demonstrated a high degree of satisfaction. To get a copy of the study, e-mail Angela Kargus at akargus@aca.org.
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Supplement GMPs Issued
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued long awaited Good Manufacturing Practices for Dietary Supplements. The 815 page rule "establishes the minimum CGMPs necessary for activities related to manufacturing, packaging, labeling, or holding dietary supplements to ensure the quality of the dietary supplement." According to the rule, the compliance date is 12 months after publication in the Federal Register, while businesses with fewer than 500 but more than 20 employees will have 24 months, and business of fewer than 20 employees will have 36 months. FDA has also issued an interim rule, separately, regarding an alterative to the required 100-percent identity testing of components that are dietary ingredients. In its initial comments, the American Herbal Products Association observed the following: "The final rule is relevant only to dietary supplements, and not to dietary ingredients. This is a more narrow scope than was addressed in FDAs proposed rule in 2003. Every dietary ingredient used in a dietary supplement will be required to meet 100-percent identity testing, such that manufacturers will be required to conduct at least one appropriate test or examination to verify the identity of any component that is a dietary ingredient. Manufacturers will also be required to confirm the identity of other components. There will be no requirement for providing an expiration date on dietary supplements, but companies that use such dating will need to have supporting data. The AP coverage, notes, among other things, that for the first time, "manufacturers of vitamins, herbal pills and other dietary supplements will have to test all of their products' ingredients."
Internet Resources:
Information on NPIcenter
Advance copy of the GMP rule
AP Story in the Orlando Sentinel
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Study: 50s, 60s not too late to see benefits from healthy lifestyle
Even if a person doesn't make efforts to exercise and improve their nutrition until their 50s or 60s, they can reduce their cardiovascular disease risk and achieve other health benefits, according to a new report. Measures such as consuming at least five fruits and vegetables a day, exercising at least 2.5 hours a week, not smoking and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the chances for heart problems by 35% and lower overall mortality risk by 40%.
Forbes/HealthDay News
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Study: Echinacea 'halves colds risk'
According to a Channel 4 news item citing research published in the journal The Lancet Infectious Diseases, US scientists pooled together evidence on the anti-cold properties of Echinacea from 14 different studies determining that when combined, they found that taking the product decreased the overall risk of catching a cold by 58%, while the duration of colds was reduced by an average of 1.4 days.
Internet Resources:
Article on Channel 4 News
Abstract on the Lancet Website
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Massage incorporated into medical treatments
Massages increasingly are being recognized for their potential medical benefits, from treating injuries and pain to general health and wellness, and some physicians are even beginning to discuss massage with patients and give referrals to massage therapists. More hospitals also are offering massage options and packages for patients. MSNBC/Forbes
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Study: Dietary calcium is better than supplements at protecting bone health
Research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition involved a study of 183 postmenopausal women asked to meticulously detail their diet and their calcium supplement intake for a week. A "supplement group," got at least 70 percent of their daily calcium from tablets or pills; "diet group," got at least 70 percent of their calcium from dairy products and other foods; "diet plus supplement group," consisted of those whose calcium-source percentages fell somewhere in between these ranges. The researchers observed that the "diet group" took in the least calcium, an average of 830 milligrams per day. Yet this group had higher bone density in their spines and hipbones than women in the "supplement group,."
Internet Resources:
Press Release on NPIcenter
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Study: Whole grains fight hardening of the arteries
According to a Reuters Health article citing a study based on those men and women participating in the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study, (published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition) those with diets containing the largest amounts of whole grains had the thinnest carotid artery walls and showed the slowest progression in artery wall thickness over a five-year period.
Internet Resources:
Reuters Health Article
Abstract in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
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Green tea may halve risk of colon cancer
According to a EUFIC release citing a study of a cohort of 70,000 Chinese women aged 40 to 70 years followed for 6 years, published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, regular consumption of green tea was associated with a 37% reduction in colorectal cancer risk.
Internet Resources:
EUFIC Release on NPIcenter
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Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Lower Blood Pressure
According to an aricle on Healthfinder.gov, citing a study published in the June issue of the journal Hypertension, which examined data from 4,680 people in China, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, the researchers concluded that high dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids was associated with: 0.6 mmHg lower systolic blood pressure (top number) and 0.6 mmHg lower diastolic blood pressure (bottom number), on average, for the entire study group, About 1.0 mmHg lower systolic blood pressure and 1.0 lower diastolic blood pressure among the 2,238 people who were not on a special diet or taking supplements or medication to treat high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes, and About 0.9 mmHg lower systolic blood pressure and 0.9 mmHg lower diastolic blood pressure among the 2,038 people without high blood pressure.
Internet Resources:
Article on Healthfinder
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The Dangers of a Government Controlled Healthcare System
Healthcare America gives Michael Moore credit for being honest about his true goal: a total government takeover of healthcare. The organization released a statement in response to filmmaker's three-part proposal for health reform. "Government-run healthcare seems like a simple answer to fix the challenges facing our healthcare system, but, government-run healthcare systems around the world force patients onto long waiting lists, limit access to lifesaving medicines, and often deny urgent treatments," said Sarah Berk, executive director of Healthcare America.
You will be shocked at how single-payer, government-controlled healthcare systems are failing to provide care to patients around the world. For more details, visit http://www.healthcare-america.org/worldwide/index.cfm. |
Group Warns Against Canadian-Style Healthcare
Canadian think tank, The Fraser Institute, is warning California against adopting a Canadian-style, single-payer public monopoly. Brett Skinner authored the Institute's study, "California Dreaming: Canadian-style Health Insurance in the United States." He stressed that Canada's public health insurance monopoly is failing. "The fact is that the Canadian model is an example of what not to do in healthcare," Skinner said. "Many people think that Canadian patients get the same quality of care and health technology as American patients but for less money. Nothing could be further from the truth. Rising annual costs mean it is financially unsustainable and millions of Canadian patients wait so long for treatment that they are no better off than uninsured Americans."
Healthcare only appears to cost less in Canada because public health insurance does not cover many advanced medical treatments and technologies commonly available in the U.S. Canadians have fewer doctors, less high-tech equipment, older hospitals, and receive fewer advanced drugs than Americans do.
The study comes as the California legislature is considering the Universal Health Insurance bill (SB-840). Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed the bill was in 2006, but it has been reintroduced.
Canadians wait an average of nearly 18 weeks from seeing their family doctor to seeing a specialist. In 2005, 11% waited longer than three months to see a specialist; 17% waited longer than three months to get necessary, but non-emergency surgery; and 12% waited longer than three months to get necessary diagnostic tests.
Canadian doctors say patients wait almost twice as long for treatment than is clinically reasonable. Canadian patients often end up spending money in the United States because they are not allowed to buy healthcare at home.
The report also reveals that the Canadian system is not financially sustainable in the long run. Each of Canada's provinces is on a path to fiscal distress because public healthcare spending is growing so much faster than public revenue, according to a growing consensus among government and private sector researchers. If California truly wants to replicate a healthcare system from elsewhere and implement universal coverage, he suggests better alternatives, such as the one in Switzerland. For more information, visit www.fraserinstitute.ca
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FEATURED PROGRAM FOR JULY: Group Vision Benefits for Individuals
Individuals and families can enjoy the same comprehensive vision benefits that the employees of America's largest corporations have. Through a special arrangement negotiated by Alternative Health Insurance Services and Natural Health Guild, group vision benefits are now available for individuals and families from the nation's largest provider of eyecare coverage. More than 200 Fortune 500 companies use this provider to deliver vision coverage for their employees.
Protect your vision with regular check-ups. For more details, click on http://www.alternativeinsurance.com/html/visionplan.htm
Preview of Featured Program August: Critical Care Insurance provides you with a lump sum in the event you are diagnosed with certain major medical conditions. With our new program, you will have the option to receive up to $50,000 to spend any way you want. See our next newsletter for more details.
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Milk Thistle Supplements Mislabeled
Tests by ConsumerLab.com (West Chester, N.Y.) of nine milk thistle supplements showed that only two contained the expected amounts of silymarin compounds, believed to be the active constituent in milk thistle. Milk thistle is believed to have protective effects on the liver and to improve its function; studies also suggest it might also be helpful in type 2 diabetes. ConsumerLab.com reported that one milk thistle supplement provided only 20% of its expected amount of silymarin, and four other products provided approximately two-thirds of the expected silymarin; another fell short by 16%. ConsumerLab.com's Vice President for Research Dr. William Obermeyer suggested a few reasons for the deficiencies: First, supplement makers might rely on non-specific tests, such as UV spectrophotometric analysis, that can inflate a product's silymarin content by counting compounds that are not silymarin. ConsumerLab.com said it used a highly specific method, HPLC, in testing the products. Second, most products on the market are extracts, but poor extraction methods may leave silymarin components behind. Finally, a company looking to cut costs may simply not put in as much ingredient as promised on the label, ConsumerLab suggested.
Alternative Health Insurance has partnered with CNCA, a highly-trusted supplement brand that provides Milk Thistle PRO with superior levels of silymarin (80%) content. CNCA products are independently tested for purity, potency, and authenticity. You can get always receive up to a 10% discount on CNCA's Milk Thistle Pro all other CNCA products by visiting
http://www.cncahealth.com/membership/alternative-health.aspx.
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Integration News from the Integrator Blog News & Reports
http://theintegratorblog.com
As an on-going monthly feature, Alternative Health Insurance Services will link you to articles of interest from the Integrator, edited by John Weeks. Weeks is a 20-year veteran reporter and organizer in the field of complementary and integrated health care. The Integrator seeks to serve leaders in creating the connectivity between the diverse disciplines and stakeholders in the emerging field. One story from the current issue of The Integrator Blog appears below. Click on the link above to see the entire issue. Contact john@theintegratorblog.com with any news tips or commentaries.
Other Voice: National University of Health Sciences President James Winterstein, DC, on the Role of the Primary Care Chiropractor
The Integrator story on the primary care chiropractor underscored the irony in chiropractic about kind of integrative, whole person, natural health practice. Such practices appear to be gaining favor with the public. Witness the grown of integrative medical doctor and naturopathic practices.Yet the chiropractic whole-practice specialty societies atrophy. The irony is stronger given recent publication of data on savings from the chiropractor primary care provider HMO model developed by Alternative Medicine Integration Group. James Winterstein, DC, one of his profession's most outspoken advocates for "what used to be referred to as general chiropractic practice" offers his perspectives on this change. Despite trends, this president of the multi-disciplinary National University of Health Sciences (DC, LAc, ND, massage therapy) announces that he's "not giving up." More ...
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EXPANDED ACUPUNCTURE, CHIROPRACTIC & HERBAL REMEDY BENEFIT AVAILABLE TO CLIENTS OF ALTERNATIVE HEALTH INSURANCE SERVICES
Clients of Alternative Health Insurance Services (AHIS) now have the option to improve their benefits for acupuncture and chiropractic, as well as add a benefit for herbal remedies. Initially scheduled to become effective July 1, the starting date for this new benefit has been pushed up to August 1.
AHIS currently provides a complimentary benefit for all health insurance clients that includes up to 20 visits per year with just a $20 co-payment for medically necessary acupuncture and chiropractic services.
The new expanded plan that clients can purchase will expand coverage for acupuncture and chiropractic to include maintenance treatments which are not medically necessary. The same co-payments of $20 per visit will apply (click on
http://www.landmarkhealthcare.com/pdfs/SchedofBen_ComboExpandSample.pdf for more details on the plan.
The expanded benefit plan also includes an annual benefit for herbal remedies up to $500.
Services must still be obtained from providers who are part of the Landmark Healthcare network.
Existing clients will be receiving more details on how to enroll this month and can enroll into the expanded plan effective August 1. Those who do not enroll at that time will not be eligible to enroll until August 1, 2008. The expanded plan will replace the existing complimentary plan for those who enroll.
New clients will be able to enroll at the time their regular health insurance purchased through AHIS becomes effective. If they do not enroll at that time, they will not be eligible to enroll until the next July 1.
Monthly cost to participate in the expanded plan will be $12.12.
Please contact Steve Gorman at AHIS for more details at (800) 331-2713 or by e-mail at steve@alternativeinsurance.com.
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The Elaine Anestos Gorman Foundation
We have established The Elaine Anestos Gorman Foundation for the purpose of raising consciousness about inflammatory breast cancer (IBC).
IBC is an advanced and accelerated form of breast cancer usually not detected by mammograms or ultrasounds. Some women who have inflammatory breast cancer may remain undiagnosed for long periods, even while seeing their doctor to learn the cause of their symptoms. The symptoms are similar to mastitis, a breast infection and some doctors, not recognizing IBC, will prescribe antibiotics. If a response to antibiotics is not apparent after a week, a biopsy should be performed or a referral to a breast specialist is warranted.
For more information, visit www.RememberElaine.org. The website is constantly being updated with new information and links.
The Foundation is a tax exempt organization under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to the Foundation are deductible under section 170 of the code.
If you wish to make a contribution, please send checks payable to:
The Elaine Anestos Gorman Foundation
3265 Falerno Way
San Jose, CA 95135
I hope you will share this website with many people and help us make more people aware of this deadly and little known disease, which is on the rise.
Sincerely,
Steve Gorman
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