One of the key thoughts behind the idea of healthcare reform was to cut the cost of medical care. In America, more than 1 of every 6 dollars we spend is for health related expenses. (It was on track to be one of every 5 by this year- but that was before Obamacare [PPACA] was proposed and enacted.)
Continue reading Medicare sets the tone
It’s hard to believe how different health care is than normal technology. When we are dealing with computers, automobiles or other technology, things get cheaper and more efficient with time. In health care, new innovations either make things possible- sometimes at lower costs, but just as often these developments just cost more money. Which is why health care comprises some 20% of our GDP.
Continue reading Healthcare Cost Spiral
I’ve written about Obamacare often. (Here’s one such article– you can find more searching for Obamacare or PPACA via the search box to the right.) So have others. While the original goal of the concept was to improve the health of Americans, it seems that we settled for insuring most Americans and making health care more accessible. (A valid goal, but far less lofty.) But, there always is the hope that we can reduce the costs of healthcare, too.
Continue reading Sour Grapes, Low Hanging Fruit, and Fine Wine…
It turns out that a lot of what we were taught about sleep and dreaming is incorrect. Dreams are a critical component of sleep- they serve to consolidate our memory, and improve our memory performance.
Continue reading Sleep and Memory Consolidation
When I taught Anatomy and Physiology, my students were amazed when I told them that we had active infections in our body- colonies of microbes in our gut. And, these colonies truly were responsible for the digestion of most of our foods- and the rendering of many vitamins available for our use.
Continue reading Memories… It’s not just a song, but a prescription for health!
