What are the health benefits of raw garlic?
I’ve heard garlic (raw) is a natural antibiotic. What are other health benefits of eating raw garlic and also how much should I eat daily to be able to get the benefits?
There are none that are proven by science. There is some evidence that it’s possible that garlic kills some bacteria and/or viruses in a petri dish, but that’s a far cry from having any health benefits for a person who eats it.
My favorite anecdote (and yes, I am aware that anecdotes are not evidence, but they are amusing) about the reported health benefits of garlic is this:
Friend: Do you have any raw garlic? I have a cold?
Me: Why garlic?
F: Garlic is a natural anti-viral.
M: Really? I had never heard that.
Friend #2: Yeah, that’s what he eats garlic every day. Didn’t you wonder about that?
M: Yeah…
F1: Yeah, I eat a head of garlic every day.
M: Well if you eat that much garlic every day, and garlic kills viruses, and you got this cold anyway, why do you think that more garlic would kill the virus that gave you this cold? At the very least, this cold is immune to garlic. Possibly, garlic is not anti-viral.
F1: <silence>
why is group health insurance better than individual?
My employer is offering group insurance. My individual insurance seems like a better deal but everyone keeps saying group is better? Why is this?
I do not have insurance now. my employer is not going to pay any portion of it, but he says by having group it will ensure that I not be dropped if it turns out that I do have something serious. I don’t feel that i am in good health and I haven’t been to a doctor so that I won’t be diagnosed with any pre-existing conditions. The group insurance is very expensive compared to an individual plan. any advice?
It’s like size 10 jeans; Might be the best fit for someone else, but it’s not necessarily the best fit for EVERYONE.
Here’s the scoop on group health insurance: you take everyone in the group, lump them together, and AVERAGE the price for their insurance. Group coverage actually costs MORE than private coverage. Additionally, on a group policy, YOU don’t get to choose your coverage – your boss does (or at least, they pick the plan). And, usually the employer kicks in about half the cost. Additionally, they have to accept EVERYONE who is an employee, on the group. If an employee is newly added, and they don’t have prior coverage, they can STILL exclude coverage for preexisting conditions for up to 18 months. Lastly, there are some coverages you can get on grouip policies that are almost impossible to get on private policies – like coverage for maternity, and/or infertility issues.
Don’t confuse "prediagnosed" with "preexisting". If the sypmtoms are there NOW, and you don’t have insurance NOW, then the condition IS preexisting.
On the down side, unless you’re newly eligible for group coverage, you can only "sign on" during open enrollment – once a year.
Unless you plan on keeping your job forever, or flat out aren’t eligible for private health insurance, if the coverage on a private policy is much less expensive for the same coverage (which isn’t uncommon, if you’re under 30), there’s really not much of an advantage to take the group plan.
What health insurance is best and affordable for my wife?
We had a baby 3 months ago, but I am looking for health insurance that is good and affordable for my wife. Any suggestions?
I recommend you this site where you can compare quotes so you can find the best option for you
http://cheapinsurance.notlong.com
Farewell to Worst Health Insurer Abuses
State Capitol, St. Paul, MN, September 22, 2010. TakeAction Minnesota convened a party to say goodbye to many health insurer abuses and to celebrate the beginning the consumer impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act signed into law by President Obama six months ago. Long awaited features of the new act include extended coverage for young adults; prohibits excluding coverage for children with pre-existing conditions; provides free preventative care; Bans insurance companies dropping coverage when we get sick; empowers consumers to appeal insurance company denials and eliminates lifetime limits on insurance coverage. ;Two consumers, Mark Brull of Edina and Julie Olson of Minneapolis told their family stories of how this new act will improve their life, Cristal Thomas, Regional Director, Region V of the US Dept. of Health & Human Services described some of the details.
Duration : 0:18:20
New Health Care Benefits Take Effect
Six months after President Barack Obama’s health care plan became law some measures are starting to take effect that will change how some families and children are covered. (Sept. 23)
Duration : 0:1:37
West Wing Week: 9/24/10 or “Immeasurable Courage and Uncommon Valor”
Welcome to West Wing Week, your guide to everything that’s happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, walk step by step with the President as he announces that Elizabeth Warren will lead the effort to get the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau off the ground, participates in a live CNBC town hall, awards Chief Master Sergeant Richard L. Etchberger, U.S. Air Force, the Medal of Honor posthumously for the valor he displayed in combat, travels to New York for the United Nations General Assembly and much more…
Duration : 0:5:6
Health insurance changes go into effect
President Obama explains key changes to be made to health insurance plans through the Affordable Health Care Act.
Duration : 0:1:45
What health insurance is the best and affordable for my wife?
We had a baby 3 months ago, but I am looking for health insurance that is good and affordable for my wife. Any suggestions?
Try this site
http://www.usainsurancequotes.net/
Here you can compare quotes from different companies
How do we get insurance companies to reduce medical insurance premiums to employers?
Let’s face it, here in the U.S. the medical insurance premiums for group health coverage is rising faster than inflation. As a result, a lot of companies are either reducing the levels of coverage in order to offset the cost of insurance, increasing the deductible, and or increasing the cost to the employees for the insurance premiums.
The problem is that insurance companies have no incentive to reduce insurance premiums. They continue to get record profits and this issue is out of control.
How do we get the insurance companies to decrease insurance premiums to the rate of inflation, or better yet, start reducing the cost of premiums for a change?
As an insurance agent and previous benefits coordinator, I cannot agree more with your concern. The cost of medical premiums are at an all time high. Even worse though, is individual coverage. Insurance companies, like BlueCross, have the right to exclude a pre-existing medical condition (rider) of an applicant. I cannot tell you how many times a day I hear people say, "if they aren’t going to cover my medical issue, what’s the point of having insurance?!". I fear it’s only a matter of time before insurance companies can place the same riders on employees covered under group plans. I don’t have an answer to your question that is realistic, but I definitely agree it’s time something is done to regulate the costs and coverages. The only conclusion that I have been able to come up with is social care, like Canada, but I don’t think we will see that anytime soon in the US – especially since, in my state, they are already reducing benefits and raising premiums given to low income children and to those who are unable to get coverage (decline due to serious medical conditions). I think the only thing we can do is to start pleading with our state governments to get involved. Insurance is regulated by each state individually, so you can image the multiple mountains set before us.
Who is opposed to letting health insurance companies compete across the entire country, and why?
Some argue that allowing health insurance companies to compete all over the country would reduce costs. Most conservatives seem to favor this while most liberals do not. What are the arguments for and against doing this. Who has a vested interest in the geographical restrictions.
Most insurance companies have offices in all states. Public option will make them finally have real competition.*