I want to take this opportunity to wish you a happy and healthy holiday season.  As many of you know, my wife, Elaine, passed away the end of August, so this will be a difficult season for me.  Thank you to those who have sent me positive thoughts and energy.  I am pleased to be able to say that the people I have the opportunity to work with are the most compassionate and caring people I could wish to have in my life and have provided me much comfort during this ordeal.

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 her 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.

The Foundation should be operational by February 2007. I will keep you updated through our newsletters as to the progress.

Green tea improves blood lipid levels, say scientists
Regular consumption of the antioxidant rich green tea could reduce blood lipid levels and cut the risk of developing heart disease, suggests a small trial from Portugal... Read

Take folic acid to protect against heart disease, say scientists
Despite some controversy in reports of the benefits of folate consumption on cardiovascular disease risk, the evidence is now enough to recommend the vitamin for heart health, British scientists have reported... Read

Study: Long-term aspirin use cuts head and neck cancer risk
Long-term use of aspirin appears to reduce the risk of head and neck cancers. Researchers found that taking aspirin for fewer than 10 years did not have a significant effect, but there was a 30% reduction in such cancer cases among people who took aspirin daily for more than 10 years.   HealthDay News

Research: Hospital practices more to blame for infections than illness
Hospital practices play a greater role in causing infections acquired in the hospital than does illness in a patient, according to two new studies. A third study combats the idea that hospitals profit from such infections by indicating that hospitals in fact lost thousands of dollars for each patient with an infection.   Reuters,   USA TODAY

More support omega-3 may protect against colorectal cancer
A diet rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) could reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by 85 per cent, suggests a new study from Japan... Read

The fishy link to low rates of depression
Australian researchers found omega-3 fatty acids to be the most promising nutrient for alleviating the symptoms of depression, a finding that adds to the putative benefits associated with the lipid... Read

Omega-3 fatty acid may slash dementia risk - study
Increased bloods levels of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenioc acid (DHA) could slash the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease, suggests a new study from the US... Read

Scientists probe omega-3 DHA as anti-obesity agent
The omega-3 fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), suppressed the development of fat cells in vitro, and could lead to reductions in body fat, US researchers have reported... Read 

Omega-3, fibre, vitamin E linked to lower Lymphoma risk
A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fibre, beta-carotene and vitamin E appear to offer significant protection against non-Hodgkin lymphoma, says a Swedish-Danish-American study... Read

Licensed NDs Double in 5 Years; Massage Use Doubles in 10 Years

An academic study by some medical geographers shows the significant growth, nationally, of natural health care's smallest licensed profession - naturopathic medicine, plus state by state activity. And the American Massage Therapy Association takes advantage of its 10th year of consumer surveys to see how much consumer use of, and perspective about, massage has changed.

CDC: Life expectancy rises, but many live with pain
The U.S. CDC's annual report on health in the U.S. shows life expectancy reached a record 77.9 years in 2004, but it also found that many Americans suffer from pain caused by headaches and joint and back issues. Deaths from heart disease fell 16% between 2000 and 2004, and cancer deaths dropped 8%, but diabetes is a growing threat.   The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (free registration)

Survey: Americans believe patients should pay for "unhealthy behavior"
A majority of Americans say obese people and those who smoke should pay higher premiums for health coverage, according to a survey of about 1,500 people reported in the journal Health Affairs. "When it comes to personal responsibility, consumers increasingly support making people pay more for unhealthy behavior," the Health Affairs report said.   The Washington Post/Reuters (free registration)

Research Finds Antioxidant Therapies Do Not Interfere with Radiation Treatment
[2006/11/10][Cancer Treatment Centers of America ]
Research findings presented this weekend at the Society of Integrative Oncology's Third International Conference indicates that Cancer patients can get the nutritional benefits from taking antioxidants without the risk of interfering with radiation treatment.

Health insurers pitch plan to cover all children, adults
The health insurance industry is proposing a plan designed to provide health coverage for all uninsured children in three years and for most adults in 10 years. The $300 billion program would boost government support for Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program, as well as offer tax breaks for the working poor. "This bold program would expand coverage to tens of millions within a framework that is fiscally sound and promotes individual responsibility," said J. Grover Thomas Jr., chairman of America 's Health Insurance Plans.   The New York Times (free registration) (11/14),   Chicago Tribune (free registration) (11/14),   The Washington Post/Associated Press (free registration) (11/13),   Los Angeles Times (free registration)

Study: Diabetics may benefit from soy yogurt with fruit
People with diabetes are usually discouraged from eating sweet foods, but new research indicates they could in fact benefit from eating soy yogurt, especially yogurt containing fruit. The yogurt appears to help regulate enzymes that affect blood sugar levels, and it may also help people with high blood pressure, the researchers said.   Reuters

FIXING OUR HEALTH INSURANCE SYSTEM

Based on my extensive professional and personal experience with health insurance, I have seen and heard all types of suggestions and complaints about health insurance in America .  As a result, I have formulated some ideas on how the system can be made substantially better.

I have been a health insurance agent for more than twenty years and my wife recently passed away after a three-year battle with breast cancer, with medical bills (covered by insurance) of close to $1,000,000, so I can speak to the issues better than most.

I oppose a government run single payer health plan for many reasons.  The idea of having some bureaucrat deciding what medical procedures I can have is not what I want.  Another very significant reason I oppose such a plan is that it will result in health care rationing.

There are three significant things that can be done to significantly improve the situation:

1)  Allow health insurers to offer their programs nationally and agents to sell across state lines.  There is already legislation that has been introduced in the House and Senate to do this.  The result would be more options for all Americans and more competitive pricing on health insurance policies.

2)  Create an "assigned risk" system that requires each health insurer to take their fair share of high risk individuals with a ceiling on how much more they can charge these people over their preferred and standard rates.  Spreading that risk equally between all insurers in the market would enable those people who can not now get individual health insurance to do so and could be done without making the cost of health insurance for healthier people that much more expensive.

3)  For those who can afford to obtain health insurance and choose not to, make it impossible for them to discharge their medical bills through bankruptcy or statutes of limitations.  This would create the incentive for everybody to purchase health insurance and would result in lower costs for everyone.

I will speak more on these issues in future newsletters and welcome other thoughts and suggestions.  If you agree with the above ideas, please bring them to the attention of your Congressional representatives (both House and Senate).

There is a lot of health insurance rhetoric out there, but there are solutions other than getting the government more involved in our private lives.  While I agree that some government intervention and mandates are necessary to fix our healthcare system, a socialized program is not the answer.

FREE ACUPUNCTURE & CHIROPRACTIC BENEFIT

Alternative Health Insurance Services now includes a free benefit for our individual and group clients that provides up to 20 acupuncture and/or chiropractic visits per year with a $20 co-payment for each visit. This complimentary benefit is a bonus for doing business with us and is included with most of the health insurance plans we offer.

We have contracted with Landmark Healthplan of California, Inc. to provide a combined chiropractic and acupuncture benefit that utilizes Participating Chiropractors and Acupuncturists. A directory of these providers may be found on the Landmark website at www.LandmarkHealthcare.com or from Alternative Health Insurance Services.

Participants will have a co-payment of only $20 per visit and can receive up to 20 visits per year. Treatments must be medically necessary to treat an injury or illness. After an initial visit, subsequent visits need to be pre-authorized by Landmark. Each participant will receive a Schedule of Benefits and other materials that fully describe their benefits, limitations, and exclusions.

This benefit is being provided at no cost to California clients of Alternative Health Insurance Services who are actively participating in a permanent health insurance plan where commissions are being paid to either Alternative Health Insurance or Steve Gorman. These benefits are being provided only to each primary policyholder and their spouse/partner.

This program is only available as a complimentary benefit to clients who have purchased their health insurance plans through Alternative Health Insurance Services and can not be purchased as a "stand-alone" benefit.

NEW VISION BENEFITS are now available from America's largest provider of eyecare coverage.  Normally these benefits are only available to employees of large companies, but you can participate through our special program.  For more details, click on the Vision Benefit link on our website.