Health Care

I work at the University of Illinois -- a state operated school.  Just a few weeks ago, the employees received notice that the health care benefits we all received were being dropped, in order to utilize new companies and lower prices.  Our benefits are optional; not only are we given the choice of which benefits we want to have, but also we are give the option to not use them at all.

Personally, I am not a healthy person.  I have been utilizing the same health insurance since I was a child (my father worked here too--a PhD).  I will not give up health insurance, but I am definitely worried that I might lose the kind I definitely need.  One of my problems is gastric. I've had ulcers before; I really don't need more.

The state told us about the change on April 18th--just two weeks before our annual "benefit choice period" (the time when we can make changes to what we use).  The period lasts through the entire month of May.  It is now May 24th, and we have yet to be informed of our new choices regarding health care.  Also I believe I am developing another ulcer.

I can only hope the problem is dealt with soon.

Update June 13th, 2011.

After an announcement regarding new options was received during the last week in May, all UIUC employees were given 2 new choices for medical benefits options.  Both are OAP's: Open Access Plans.  I chose the Personal Care version.  I'm no longer worrying myself into a new ulcer, but I'm truly hoping that I don't have to take another trip to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Missouri.  If I do, I'll be required to pay 10% of the cost, after a $275 deductible.  The HMO I had before covered everything after a $200 deductible.

Update July 11, 2011

I received my new insurance card on Saturday.  Tomorrow I have to go to my doctors' offices and let them get the info from the card (they have to see it).  I guess I can stop worrying now.

More About Bin Laden

Well, I'm sure a number of people would think I'm going too far, but I tend to prefer real evidence.

I heard--the other day--that our government had proven the death of Bin Laden by the following evidence:

He'd been shot in the head (in the face, next to his nose), causing the complete destruction of his face, and causing one of his eyeballs to pop out; the bullet exited by way of a small hole in the back of his head.  The soldier who killed him said he had seen Bin Laden facing away from the door, and when he began to turn around, the soldier shot him at point-blank range, killing him instantly.  The soldier fired immediately because he was certain his opponent was carrying a gun, and was about to fire it.  Due to facial damage, identification had to be made via DNA evidence.

OK.

First, the small hole in the back of the head is indicative of an entry wound, not an exit wound.  Also, the large amount of damage to the face is evidence of an exit wound; something that is commonly proven in police and coroner reports.  This man was clearly shot in the back of his head.  He did not turn around.
Second, I'd like to know where Bin Laden's DNA was acquired prior to this killing?  Given that he was the most difficult man to make contact with, I'd be very interested in knowing how it was accomplished.

More later, maybe...  Assuming I haven't been arrested or shot...

Osama Bin Laden -- Dead?

Well, we've all been waiting for a bit of closure concerning Bin Laden for quite a while, but have we actually got it?

When Saddam Hussein was captured, tried and executed, this caused many American citizens to feel true closure.  We knew he'd been captured; we knew he was dead.  He'd been clearly seen on television, and we could easily recognize him. 

Not so with Bin Laden.  With him, we've been told he's dead (not captured, dead).  His body has been buried at sea, with no images of the body visible.  This does not allow true closure.  How is it possible that a claim on the death of a truly vile individual can be made without any real evidence that said person is really dead?  We are only taking the word of our government on this; how often have we been lied to before?

I am not a paranoid person.  I do not make assumptions regarding the questionable deaths of famous people (like Elvis Presley -- seen him lately?).  I am, however, intelligent enough to always question any pronouncements made by representatives of our government.  I was taught to always doubt, and I will always do so until the day I die.  If Osama Bin Laden is actually dead, then I am glad he will not foment disaster upon us again.  I will always remember, however, that he was only a leader, and that he had many followers.  We must remain vigilant, and not assume that all trouble is over.