Logical, American Solution to Health Care Reform

Today's WSJ Opinion Journal has an excellent, straightforward article written by scholars from Stanford's Hoover Institution and the Columbia Business School outlining a common sense approach to health care reform. The piece outlines measures that actually address the primary concern that most Americans have with the existing system, the rising costs for the excellent health care we receive in this country.

The recommendations are summarized in this excerpt, "To reduce the growth of costs, individuals must take greater responsibility for their health care, and health insurers and health-care providers must face the competitive forces of the market. Three policy changes will go a long way to achieving these objectives: (1) eliminate the tax code's bias that favors health insurance over out-of-pocket spending; (2) remove state-government barriers to purchasing and providing health services; and (3) reform medical malpractice laws."

Will these happen while the Obama administration and the existing Congress are in power? Not a chance. It simply does not accomplish their primary goal. That being greater centralization of government power and more control over some of the most important and personal decisions most of us will ever make. Nevertheless, the case must be made forcefully, clearly, and repeatedly by those challenging the statists so that the American electorate can take corrective action this November and in 2012.

Overweight Kids at Higher Risk of Early Death

A new study in the New England Journal of Medicine reported that obese American Indian children followed for several decades were more than twice as likely to die before age 55 than non-obese children. High blood sugar levels were also a strong predictor of early death. While the death rate in this group is generally higher than others in the U.S. population it should still give parents of overweight kids cause for concern. Parents of young children should endeavor to make sure kids spend adequate time in outdoor play and physical activity. They should minimize their exposure to fast foods and soda pop, and commit to regular nutritious home-made meals in a family setting. Finally, model healthy eating habits and a physically active life-style for your children. It's a great way to spend time together.

Tebows Celebrate Life and Family

The long awaited Tebow Super Bowl add has aired. The majority Americans who are decent, family oriented and conservative probably smiled when they saw the add.

It tells you all you need to know about radical feminists and the far left that they are offended.



Focus on the Family

W.I.N.

I was recently diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and am now undergoing treatment at the Arizona Cancer Center. It's a rough time, but I am grateful for the love and support from my family, friends and colleagues. I accept this challenge like others in my life as something to work through and overcome. I will also use this opportunity to refocus my life on "What's Important Now?" inspired by coaching great Lou Holtz's powerful W.I.N. acronym.

What is important now? For me it is to refocus on my faith, family and health. To succeed I will need to stick to the task at hand and attend daily, even hourly to what really matters. This W.I.N message has resonated with me in part because I have tried to live by this philosophy for as long as I can remember, but I also realize that even a fairly disciplined person like myself needs refocusing at times. Keep sending prayers my way, and it's not too soon to ask yourself again "What's Important Now?"

Fore-foot or Heel?

There has been increasing interest if not an open debate in recent years whether running shoes are helping or hindering when it comes to preventing running injuries. Much of this discussion has been fueled by the recent best-selling book "Born to Run", by Christopher McDougall which includes a scathing commentary on the ubiquitous Nike shoe company. Now there is a Nature article showing that barefoot running is definitely biomechanically different than running in modern running shoes. This is especially true for runners who have always run barefoot. The lead investigator Dr. Daniel E. Lieberman confirms that the forces generated with fore-foot strike (barefoot) are markedly less than when the heel strikes first (running shoes). This information will undoubtedly lead to adjustments made by runners which you can already see in local road races. I also expect to see running shoe companies scrambling to adapt their products to the new reality that runners are searching for a more natural (barefoot like) foot strike to limit injuries.