ChattanoogaRox

Medicare cuts! Provided by AMA Patients Action Network

2008-06-11T01:19:00Z

Today I got the following email. You can write them at AMA Patients' Action Network <reply@patientsactionnetwork.com> You can visit their site at patientsactionnetwork.com

Dear Roxann:

In just a few days, on July 1, it may become more difficult for patients to find a doctor when Medicare physician payments are cut by more than 10 percent. If Congress is going to prevent these cuts, it has to act now!

Fortunately, there is a bill that can stop these cuts and protect you and your family’s access to care. S. 3101 has been introduced in the Senate, and we need your help to get this bill passed!

Here’s what you can do during the next few days:

1. Call your Senator NOW and urge them to SUPPORT S. 3101. Use our hotline at (888) 434-6200. This bill will prevent Medicare cuts for 18 months, which will help to make sure that doctors are able to continue caring for Medicare patients. You can also email them and tell them to support S. 3101.

2. In a few days, there will be a vote in the Senate to begin the debate on S. 3101. When the time comes, we will need you to contact the senators again and ask them to vote YES to begin the debate (don’t worry, we’ll remind you!).

3. When the bill itself is up for a final vote, we will need one last phone call to both Senator Alexander and Senator Corker asking them to vote YES on S. 3101.

It seems like a lot, but each of these steps is critical to passing this bill and stopping the pending cuts—and Senator Alexander and Senator Corker need to hear from you at each point. Thank you for your continued involvement in the Patients Action Network!

On a more serious note

2008-06-11T00:36:00Z

My seven year old granddaughter and I have been specially invited to go to upstate NY by my brother and his family. They want us to be there so bad they've paid for the tickets to fly there. I know I'm out of shape and much heavier than the last time I saw my family. That doesn't bother me so much. I clean up pretty good. The thing is they have no idea I've had to have most of my upper teeth pulled. All that's left is one on the left and three on the right with a gap in between. You can imagine I'm embarrassed. I was asked prior to this if my teeth were my own since they were so pretty. Although I know this action won't come before my trip to my nephew's wedding near the Canadian border I hope all of you will band together with me to write to your Senator, Congressman, or whomever to request all aspects of dental be covered. Whether you have bad teeth, abscesses, or no teeth there are medical reasons why you should see a dentist. I've done some of the research. People without teeth can have as much as 20 years of their life cut off the norm. If that's not bad enough without the ability to chew can cause stomach problems. An abscess can kill a person if it's not taken care of. Today I heard something that has me frying. What makes me angry about this is a woman from another country lives and works here and SHE had her teeth pulled and new dentures provided by our government. Read on if you'd like to see why this makes me angry.

Dear Senator Alexander,

It's possible we met during the year that Van Hillary was running for Governor. You seem to be such a nice man I am presenting an issue to you that strikes close to home. Would you please present a bill that includes dental care for those of us on Medicare/Medicaid? Teeth are not only for looks. The lack of them can cause a number of physiological problems including death 20 years earlier than normal if they are missing. It's an embarrassing situation to be in when you don't have all your teeth. I know because I'm one of those people. I worked for years both rearing a family and providing an income. I proudly served my country for 3 years. I helped people in domestic violence situations. Although a judge told me I had no business sticking my nose in the abusive affairs of these families, I helped kids, in particular, realize they too have rights, that they can be protected from abuse and neglect. Some of the girls I encouraged to seek help still come back with their children who call me NaNa. The girls regard me as the only mother they've ever had since their own was almost always out looking for drugs or men. Despite all the work I've done being a good mother, a good citizen, serving my country, and volunteering over the years I can't get my present teeth taken care of nor can I get a false plate. You see I have degenerative arthritis of the spine along with a number of other ailments that have rendered me disabled so that I can't work. My SSD and SSI income is small so that makes it impossible to pay bills and have dental coverage. Please, Senator Alexander, set up a bill that enforces coverage of all dental work and false teeth.

If we each write our representative that's at least 400 people in the US who have voiced their opinion. How about friends and relatives signing a petition?

Roxann

Remember this?

2008-06-11T00:29:00Z

My online friend, Rob, wrote this comment way back in March. Since some enjoyed my question about a blog I thought you might enjoy my reply to him.

On Mar 21, 2008

And if all 400+ members show up at your house, do you have enough bathrooms? LOL

Hi lady. I think that's a great idea. Could be you are starting a trend of mixers all over the country. Maybe Disaboom ought to consider an organizer for each state. Local food markets would probably donate food and stuff for a non-profit group like this. Barb and I are going to Indiana again this summer.

Rob

I told Rob, "Don't have enough bathrooms but we do have a pool." Alright that doesn't sound like a very sanitary idea but it's funny. In an effort to comfort people who feel intimidated I've often said , "We all sit on the toilet the same way." Envision that by a pool. ROFLROL

Question? :-)

2008-06-01T03:08:00Z

What is a blog? It sounds like some word you spit out when you taste some horrible food. Blog, blog, blog. If it's not that then is it a log that someone decided to make appear different by putting a B in front of it? Was it put there just because it's on the Internet? Well, how can it be a log on the Internet? A log is something you burn in a fireplace, isn't it? Is there another more special meaning to this word? What place does it have here on Disaboom? I don't see any fireplace. It wouldn't be safe to burn it on my PC. Hmmm....there is, however, some warmth through the people. Are they using this blog? Perhaps it has something to do with the word blah. When people run off at the mouth in a cartoon isn't the bubble caption blah, blah, blah? They keep asking me to write in my blog. If it's that log with a B in front how the heck can I write in it? Hey, I've got it! Just like Bee Movie, this is a B Log. LOL

Sorry

2008-06-01T02:49:00Z

Please accept my humble apology that the Chattanooga Disaboom meeting didn't fly as I thought it would. I'd still love to see an annual meeting in this area. If anyone's interested please drop me an email. We can brain storm if you like.

Roxann

Disaboom Meeting in Chattanooga

2008-04-05T00:19:00Z

For those who are interested we are holding our first Disaboom meeting on Saturday, April 4, 2008 at 10:00 AM. The purpose of the meeting is to share our experience, strength, and hope with new friends. Our meeting place will be in the restaurant portion of Panera Bread at 417 Market St., Chattanooga. Panera Bread is next door to Taco Mac with their lovely out door seating arrangment. Jack's Alley is between the two buildings. If you crosss the bridge you've gone too far. Panera is back the other way in Downtown Chattanooga.

For the time being meetings will be held the first Saturday after the 3rd each month. That way we can savor their goods.

Hope to see you all there!

Rox

Meeting

2008-03-13T23:50:00Z

There's something I'd like to do but I'll need lots of help. I'd like to plan a meeting of Disaboom members in Chattanooga, TN where I live. If it's only a few local members I'll be happy but if it's a huge number of people that would be fantastic and I'd be thrilled! If anyone is interested in lending a hand or meeting as in Meetup please write me. ChattanoogaRox@gmail.com. I'd love to hear from you all......

Don't think me selfish for wanting it in my hometown. Chattanooga is a beautiful place, the weather is good almost year round (it's been nearly 70 the past few days) and there's so much to do! Take a look on the web. You'll see for yourself.

Incidentally, Tim Poindexter, the Community Manager of Disaboom has stated he'd generously send us T-shirts to wear.

Roxann

Help may be available

2008-01-25T04:15:00Z

Yesterday I wrote a letter to the local Office on Aging. I've been searching for assistance with or hopefully free dentures. My teeth cracked and broke as a result of a couple accidents. Although they don't have any help they gave me a number for another program that may be able to provide some assistance. The program is "Relative Caregiver program. It is a program that assists grandparents who are raising their grandchildren." This is probably a local program for our area but there may be one near you. I'll let you all know the outcome.

Incidentally, I want to share something that has helped alleviate some of the pain and relieved my lack of restful sleep. I bought an air mattress to sleep on. They have some that are for people up to 300# and more. They cost from $10 to $100+ depending on the manufacturer and the thickness of the mattress itself I guess. They come in all sizes from Twin to King and are made by many companies. Some have quilted tops, some include sheets or covers. A lot of them come with their own electric air pump so you don't have to bend over to manually pump air into the thing. The ones I bought are from Walmart. They are single height so I stack one top of another so I don't have to fall in bed although I'm often to that point from taking care of my 7 y/o granddaughter. LOL I've never slept better! I plan to get another double height as soon as possible but I can't complain. There are so few and so little pressure points that it truly is just like sleeping on air. I just wouldn't let a cat in the bed unless its been declawed.