28 June 09 (am)

Workout notes Boredom via Columbia Terrace: 2:58 (2-1 from 30 minutes on); 29 at McClure and Sheridan, 1:29 at half way. Sunny, some wind; a few cars (started after 7 am; I need to start 1 hour earlier).

This is my course.

I had a few pings behind my right knee and on my right lower leg; they went away when I quickened by stride and focused on pushing off.

Here is what I want to look like eventually. I’ve got a ways to go yet.

Articles

Why romance in marriages is so hard.

Religion in the military: the evangelicals take things too far.

Science: A red supergiant star is contracting.

hat tip: science avenger.

Update A local blogger points out that states with “concealed carry” gun laws have higher rates of gun deaths.

Health Care: A Medical Doctor weighs in. He provides many examples; I’ll report one of them:

[...]Reflecting on the past week, a bunch of cases come to mind. While these stories may lack drama, it is nonetheless troubling to me how frequently my treatment recommendations are impeded by difficulties with health insurance. And I am sure my patients are not alone in suffering the consequences: [...]

Mr. J, a security guard with diabetes, hurt his knee while fishing and had severe pain and swelling. When I initially saw him a few weeks ago, there did not seem to be any major structural damage to the ligaments, so I recommended a conservative approach with rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medications. Now, several weeks later, the pain and swelling had not subsided, so I ordered an MRI to evaluate for more subtle damage to the knee. After several attempts at prior authorization, the private insurance company refused to pay for the test. Baseball players get MRIs the same day for any bump or bruise, but even going through the appropriate prior authorization process, I could not order an MRI for my patient with private health insurance. I am not looking forward to all the phone calls that it will require to protest this denial of necessary diagnostic test. [...]

I could fill many pages with stories like these of my patients whom are hard working, have private health insurance through an employer, but just cannot get the care that they need, because of unreliable coverage. It frustrates me that executives of health insurance companies spend millions on advertising to disparage public health insurance, and Republican politicians are stone walling meaningful health care reform because they are afraid that a public health insurance option would put private health insurance companies out of business. I do not care who provides health insurance for my patients. Whether they have public or private insurance, I just want them to get the best care possible. If private health insurance companies provide a high quality product, they will not be “forced” out of business by a public plan. [...]