Opinion: Emergency Rooms Shouldn't Be Parking Lots For Patients

Patients in hospital ERs can wait hours for inpatient beds to open up. The delays can be maddening. A solution for this longstanding problem has been elusive in the U.S., despite progress elsewhere.

(Image credit: UpperCut Images/Getty Images)

* This article was originally published here

Vegan Whole Wheat Biscuits

Biscuits are an undeniable classic American treat and a must-have on your Thanksgiving table. Those Vegan Whole Wheat Biscuits are a lot easier to make than you might think, and much healthier, too!

It is my understanding that no Thanksgiving feast would be complete without some warm, fluffy biscuits on the table.

I can totally understand why: those light, puffy and airy little pastries are so crazy delicious and just so much better than your old plain rolls… Totally fit for the occasion!

Whatever you do, though, if you’re gonna serve some to your guests, don’t settle for store-bought… biscuits are so easy, and fairly quick to make at home, once you’ve gotten the hang of it, you’ll want to make them all the time.

Plus, yours are gonna be so much healthier!

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Vegan Pot Pie

This Vegan Pot Pie topped with Whole Wheat Biscuits is not only a super fun variation on this great classic comfort dish, but it’s also much quicker and easier to make, too!

Can you think of a dish that’s more comforting than Chicken Pot Pie? Well… there might be a few, but this one certainly ranks very high on the list. Not only that, but it also happens to be a very popular addition to Thanksgiving menus!

If you’re anything like me, though, you probably tend to stay as far away as you can from any dish that requires you to make / handle pie crust. I don’t know why, but there is something about pie crust… it takes forever to make, usually will leave the entire kitchen covered in flour by the time all is said and done, and will drive you completely insane by tearing and breaking all kinds when you try and roll it down to a neat, thin circle. Argh! I’ll gladly pass, thanks!

Well, this super fun vegan version, which is topped with biscuits instead of pie crust is just as tasty as the real deal — if not more if you ask me — and so much easier to make, too! No fancy crust to roll, no flour everywhere (well, ok, maybe a little bit…) and no tears and breaks. Plus, biscuits are so much better to eat than pie crust, and much healthier, too!

For me, it’s a no-brainer. Vegan Pot Pie topped with biscuits instead of crust is totally the way to go!

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Life, liberty -- and access to microbes?

Poverty increases the risk for numerous diseases by limiting people's access to healthy food, environments and stress-free conditions. Researchers argue that poverty also compromises health by creating unequal access to beneficial microorganisms.

* This article was originally published here

After Complaints, BYU-Idaho Reverses Medicaid Decision

Brigham Young University-Idaho faced a backlash after it introduced a policy barring students from using Medicaid to meet requirements for health coverage to enroll in the school.

* This article was originally published here

Vegan Chocolate Chia Pudding – The richest and creamiest!

This Vegan Chocolate Chia Pudding is crazy thick and creamy and has a decadently rich and intense chocolate flavor. Yet, it’s loaded with wholesome ingredients and is actually good for you! Oh, and did I tell you it was stupid easy to make? I think I’m in love…

A quick search on Google will probably yield hundreds of results for Chocolate Chia Pudding. So why on earth would I want to add another one on top of that pile? (or well, probably at the very bottom, but hey…)

Quite simply because I like to rethink and reinvent recipes… And while there are indeed hundreds of variations on this very subject, I think that no two are the same, and none uses the ingredients that I chose to use…

Quite frankly, this combination resulted in the richest, creamiest, dreamiest chocolate chia pudding that I’ve ever eaten. It’s so heavenly, there is simply no way that while eating it, you may ever imagine, let alone realize, that this actually is healthy and good for you.

But really, it is… so much so that you could totally have it as a snack, or even as part of breakfast…

It’s most fantastic as a dessert, though, if you ask me. And one that’s so easy to whip up, you’ll want to make it all the time…

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Don’t worry, be happy with your health plan!

The Likes have it

Joe Biden said in a recent debate, “one hundred sixty million people like their private insurance.” I agree with Biden’s assessment that it’s foolish to advocate scrapping insurance companies as his rivals Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders want. It’s stupid politically to take such an extreme view and it’s also worth noting that other countries with nationalized health insurance (like the UK and Germany) have private insurers, too.

Still, what does it mean to say people like their private health insurance? I suppose I would be counted in that number. And, by and large I would say I do “like” my insurance, which is with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. They cover the doctors and hospitals I want to use and the drugs my family takes. Their customer service is good. Their website is ok. They’re flexible in their approach to enforcing policies.

The problem is the cost, which soared to about $2800 per month for family coverage, even for a high-deductible plan. At a colleague’s suggestion, I switched to an even higher deductible plan –which is also one where you have to pay for your own prescription drugs within that deductible instead of the first-dollar coverage I had previously. So while the premium dropped by several hundred dollars a month, I ended up with a co-pay on a generic drug of over $1000 –which would have been $100 before.

And did I mention that since it’s an HMO I needed to buy separate insurance for a dependent who’s at school out of state? And that the out-of-state insurance doesn’t cover expenses arising from participation in college sports? So I had to buy a third policy.

I don’t really blame my health insurer for the high and rising premiums. The main driver is the price of healthcare procedures, which continue to go up. I’ve been healthy, but still routinely see bills for my care in the thousands of dollars that would cost hundreds at most in other places. Some of that cost is attributable to the paperwork burdens imposed by the plans.

Warren and Sanders have a point about problems with health insurers and the lack of universal coverage. But in my view, the real way to address problems in the US healthcare system is to build on Obamacare, focusing not just on coverage (which Obamacare provides, especially if Medicaid expansion is fully implemented), but also on the cost, efficiency, and appropriateness of the care provided.

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By healthcare business consultant David E. Williams, president of Health Business Group.

 

 

The post Don’t worry, be happy with your health plan! appeared first on Health Business Group.

* This article was originally published here

Tiny devices made of DNA detect cancer with fewer false alarms

A new cancer-detecting tool uses tiny circuits made of DNA to identify cancer cells by the molecular signature on their surface. The circuits work by attaching to the outside of a cell and analyzing it for proteins that are more abundant on some cell types than others. The devices distinguish cell types with higher specificity than previous methods, giving researchers hope their work could improve diagnosis, or give cancer therapies better aim.

* This article was originally published here

How an AI solution can design new tuberculosis drug regimens

With a shortage of new tuberculosis drugs in the pipeline, a software tool can predict how current drugs--including unlikely candidates -- can be combined in new ways to create more effective treatments.

* This article was originally published here

Vegan Mashed Potatoes

These Vegan Mashed Potatoes are so good, creamy and buttery, no one will ever guess that they’re not “the real deal”. No need to tell them… that’ll be your little secret!

When I first decided to go Vegan, I remember thinking that I would never again be able to eat decent mashed potatoes… and I was devastated there for a while. For seriously, how can one hope to make real good mashed potatoes without milk, butter, sour cream, or even chicken stock?

Well, as it turns out, the answer to that question is pretty simple: nutritional yeast!! You would not believe the amount of flavor and richness that a little bit of nutritional yeast confers to the mash!

To be honest, the addition of vegan butter helps too, in adding yet another level of depth and creaminess to this comforting side dish, but the nutritional yeast alone adds so much flavor, I wonder how I ever did without it!

Of course, there are also a few other rules to follow if you’re hoping to whip up a memorable mash, but I can guarantee you that adding tons of cream and butter aren’t one of them…

Let me prove that to you, if you will…

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* This article was originally published here

Technique identifies T cells primed for certain allergies or infections

Researchers can now identify T cells reactive to a particular target from a patient's cells, and to perform high-throughput single-cell RNA sequencing of those cells.

* This article was originally published here

Switching to renewable energy could save thousands of lives in Africa

New research finds that if Africa chooses a future powered by fossil fuels, nearly 50,000 people could die prematurely each year from fossil fuel emissions by 2030, mostly in South Africa, Nigeria and Malawi.

* This article was originally published here

For Supporters Of Abortion Access, Troubling Trends In Texas

Three years after winning a big legal battle, abortion providers still find themselves losing the ground war when it comes to keeping clinics open across the huge, populous state.

(Image credit: Gabriel C. Pérez/KUT)

* This article was originally published here

A Young Immigrant Has Mental Illness, And That's Raising His Risk of Being Deported

Behavioral problems, criminal arrests and limited access to health care leave a father worried that his 21-year-old son will be deported to Mexico.

(Image credit: Hokyoung Kim for NPR)

* This article was originally published here

Polio Vaccine May Stall The End Of Polio

Health officials have long known that virus from the oral vaccine can contaminate water supplies; they underestimated how big a problem this would be.

(Image credit: Sunday Alamba/AP)

* This article was originally published here

Why Even Universal Health Coverage Isn't Enough

As U.S. presidential candidates prep for their next debate, a doctor-to-be asks them, and us all, to remember that even universal access to health care won't fix other disparities that hurt health.

(Image credit: John Minchillo/AP)

* This article was originally published here

30 Healthy Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes

A roundup of 30 Healthy Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes to help you plan your menu and keep things healthy and cruelty free this Holiday Season!

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: as a French Canadian, I don’t ever get to celebrate Thanksgiving, so I can’t pretend to say that I know much of anything about what goes on and especially what gets eaten on that much celebrated Holiday… I do know, however, that food totally gets a prime spot on that day! 

From what I understand, Thanksgiving is also, and mostly, about giving thanks and telling people that you love them… Well, what better way to thank the animals and let them know just how much you love them than by leaving them off your plates?  I know, I know… easier said than done. This can be a little intimidating, especially given the fact that traditionally, the star of the menu is a whole roasted turkey, and that most of the other items on the menu also typically contain lots of dairy and / or more meat. But really, there are TONS of scrumptious recipes out there that are entirely cruelty-free AND that still scream of Thanksgiving. 

I’ve scoured the Net in search of the best vegan Thanksgiving recipes and put them together here, in this roundup. Hopefully these will inspire you to create a fabulous Holiday feast that everyone will remember… and will totally want to repeat, too! 

And also maybe, discover a new vegan blog or two that you’ll want to follow… 

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Why only some post-stroke survivors can 'copy what I say'

Researchers report that the left lateral temporal cortex must be intact in stroke patients with aphasia if they are to have their speech entrained. In speech entrainment, stroke survivors practice fluent speech production by following along with another speaker.

* This article was originally published here

Use of locum doctors rising despite limited evidence on quality and safety

There is little hard evidence to support the widely held perception that locum doctors present a greater risk of causing harm to patients.

* This article was originally published here

Meditation Reduced The Opioid Dose She Needs To Ease Chronic Pain By 75%

For some patients in pain, opioids are still part of the long-term solution, doctors say. But by adding meditation, hypnosis or other treatments, the opioid dose can be reduced.

(Image credit: Jessica Tezak for NPR)

* This article was originally published here

The healthcare cost revolution will not be televised either

Coming to a TV near you

The quote at the end of yesterday’s Boston Globe article (Consumers struggle to find information on health care costs, poll shows) made me laugh.

“We’re seeing more and more consumer awareness every year,” [an insurance executive] told the Globe. “It’s a revolution that’s occurring, but it occurs over time.”

When I read about this ‘revolution’ it brought to mind an expression/poem/song from long ago: The Revolution Will Not Be Televised! The timeframe for the healthcare cost ‘revolution’ is on the order of decades, and I don’t think anyone will be able to sit still for a TV show of that length!

Not surprisingly, the Pioneer Institute’s survey demonstrated that while people with commercial insurance are interested in obtaining  price information before receiving a healthcare service, they don’t often get it. Only 2 to 7 percent of people check costs on insurers’ websites, according to the Attorney General.

Although that number seems crazily low, it’s actually easy to understand once you consider the multitude of the barriers:

1. Patients don’t know what services they’re going to need
2. Choice of provider often trumps cost as a factor
3. Their health plans may not reward or punish them for saving or spending more money
4. Next year’s insurance premiums are unaffected by what they do this year
5. Those with a high deductible plan are likely to blow through the deductible anyway if they have serious medical expenses
6. Insurers’ cost estimators aren’t easy to use
7. The estimates may not be accurate anyway
8. People haven’t heard about the available tools

I’m an educated consumer with a high deductible plan but I don’t try to check the costs ahead of time.

So there’s no need to be glued to your TV (or other device) watching this ‘revolution.’

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By healthcare business consultant David E. Williams, president of Health Business Group.

The post The healthcare cost revolution will not be televised either appeared first on Health Business Group.

* This article was originally published here

Century-old food testing method updated to include complex fluid dynamics

The texture of food is an important part of enjoying foods. In order to completely understand these properties, better methods for testing are required to capture the motion inside liquid materials, especially in the case of foods that are complex liquids, like gelled desserts. Researchers introduce an updated method that can measure linear viscoelasticity and phase lag simultaneously in an opaque liquid, capturing information about complex rheological properties.

* This article was originally published here

Check out #CareTalk @HLTH2019

CareCentrix CEO, John Driscoll and I talk #CareTalk on the road to the HLTH conference in Las Vegas, where we interviewed some big names include Obamacare architect Zeke Emmanuel, Former CMS Administrator Andy Slavitt, Former Congressman Patrick Kennedy, Walmart Health exec Marcus Osborne, and Boston Children’s Chief Innovation Officer John Brownstein.

You can check out the whole series on the YouTube playlist.

The post Check out #CareTalk @HLTH2019 appeared first on Health Business Group.

* This article was originally published here

Classic Three Bean Salad

Ready in mere minutes and delicious any time of the year, this sturdy, Classic Three Bean Salad in tangy vinaigrette is the perfect make-ahead recipe for parties, potlucks, backyard barbecues or any social gatherings.

Seriously, this salad could not be easier, or quicker to make: 5 minutes and a great big bowl are pretty much all you’re going to need. Yet, it’s an undeniable classic that most people seem to genuinely appreciate at parties… Even though beans legumes don’t normally tend to be anyone’s favorites, when you put them on the table as part of this delicious salad, they seem to magically turn into some kind of crazy attractive yummy stuff that everyone wants to get their hands on! 

Maybe it’s because of the beautiful vibrant color of the green beans, the deep, almost jewel-like red of the kidney beans or the delicious aromas of the tangy dressing that brings everything together? 

No matter what it is, this salad always is a winning option! Next time you’re invited to a party, you should put it on your list. Hey, not only does it only take minutes to make, but it also can and should be made ahead of time, stays good for days and tends to disappear so fast, so you won’t be stuck bringing back all kinds of leftovers. 

Unless maybe, you wanted to bring back some? In which case, I totally suggest making a double batch! It’ll only take a minute more… totally worth it! 

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Naltrexone May Help Stop Meth Cravings, Research Indicates

There's no approved medication to help people addicted to methamphetamine. As fatal meth overdoses rise, researchers are struggling to find something that works.

* This article was originally published here

The Opium Cycle

There is a pattern that has repeated itself throughout the history of the opium trade.

(Image credit: Mark Nesbitt and Delwen Samuel/Wikimedia)

* This article was originally published here

Drug testing –the new back to school ritual

I guess I spaced out and forgot to post this episode of #CareTalk back in September, when it came out! I thought I could John to partake of the specimen cup but he refused.

In this video we cover Trump’s “phenomenal” health plan, drug testing of students, medical tourism, obesity and back to school resolutions.

Enjoy!

The post Drug testing –the new back to school ritual appeared first on Health Business Group.

* This article was originally published here

Voters Weigh In As Elizabeth Warren Takes Health Care Plan On Campaign Trail

Sen. Elizabeth Warren released a plan to pay for "Medicare for All" without raising taxes on the middle class, and now she's on the campaign trail talking about it.

* This article was originally published here

Vegan Mushroom Bourguignon

Filled with generous chunks of mushrooms and carrots in a rich and creamy red wine sauce, this Vegan Mushroom Bourguignon is a warm and comforting meal that has absolutely nothing to envy to its beefy counterpart!

Since I made the switch to a vegan lifestyle, I’d heard a few times of Mushroom Bourguignon and how it was an actual thing and a delicious one at that! But to be honest, I was a bit skeptical. I mean yeah… mushrooms IN Beef Bourguignon are an absolute must if you ask me, but the dish is called BEEF Bourguignon! How could it possibly be just as good, if not better, if one actually left the star ingredient out? 

But then I got curious and decided I had to try it, so I went ahead and elaborated this recipe. OMG! Let me tell you, this stuff is seriously yummy! This is actually the first vegan dish that made me go “WHOA!” in absolute — almost incredulous — delight when I initially tasted it. And that just kept happening with every subsequent bite, too! I can’t even begin to tell you how good it is. All I can say is the original stew has absolutely nothing over this one. It might not look like much, but it explodes with all kinds of rich, complex and sophisticated flavors, and the intermingling of the textures feels like this super cool party is taking place right inside of your mouth! 

Take my word for it, vegan or not, if you are a fan of mushrooms and cherish(ed) the famous meaty French stew, then I know for a fact that you will be all over this one…

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* This article was originally published here

Vegan Creamy Ranch Dip

Creamy, tangy, bursting with flavor, this Vegan Creamy Ranch Dip will instantly become your fresh veggies’ best friend, and the star of any party it gets invited to!

Go to a party, any party, and put a huge plate of beautiful fresh cut vegetables on the table, chances are they won’t be getting much attention. No one will even touch them, or barely, anyway. But put a great big bowl of creamy dip right in the middle of that plate and those crudités will now disappear faster than it took you to cut them!  

Cuz yeah… while veggies are excellent for you and we all know this very well, they also happen to be a tiny bit boring on their own. And, well, no one really cares for boring food… 

Unfortunately — for us vegans anyway (and for the cows, mostly!) — most dips are made with some kind of dairy product, namely cream cheese, yogurt and/or sour cream, which kind of leaves us vegans with nothing but the initial offering: a huge plate of beautiful [boring] fresh cut vegetables… 

Luckily, though, there are options, and very tasty ones at that! This Vegan Creamy Ranch Dip would totally be one of them. This stuff is so yummy, I can guarantee you that no one will turn their nose up at it. In fact, don’t mention that it’s vegan and no one will ever even know.

Although you might want to notify your vegan friends, cuz they will totally love you for it!  

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