New optimism on U.S. healthcare, but obstacles remain

By John Whitesides

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Congress has started work on a broad overhaul of the healthcare system in a rare spirit of optimism, but brewing battles over its cost, scope and structure could still scuttle hopes for a solution.

From President Barack Obama's declaration that "the stars are aligned" on healthcare to a recent cost-cutting pledge by a half-dozen industry groups, momentum has built steadily on an issue that has eluded consensus for decades.

The first test comes in a few weeks when Congress unveils legislation, launching months of expected wrangling over the specifics of tax hikes, spending cuts and the government's role in a revamp that could cost as much as $1.5 trillion.

"It's true that the planets are aligned for healthcare as never before, but there are still big obstacles," said Drew Altman, president of the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonpartisan health policy group.

"We are about to enter a very different stage of the debate once everyone sees the specifics and how it will be paid for," he said. "Getting a comprehensive agreement is a high hill to climb. We have failed many times."

The push for reform is still haunted by the most spectacular of those failures, the collapse of the Hillary Clinton-led effort in 1994. But analysts say Obama so far has avoided some of the pitfalls that doomed that plan.

Obama has pursued a more open approach than Clinton in developing the legislation, which he hopes will curb costs and expand coverage to many of about 46 million uninsured Americans.

He asked congressional leaders to put together the bill, rather than presenting it to them as a finished package, and brought to the table many of the groups like insurers who helped kill the Clinton plan.

Congressional leaders have backed a quick timetable for approval, limiting time for opposition to mount. The first proposal will be unveiled in the next few weeks and Obama wants to sign a final bill before the end of the year.

'TACTICALLY SUPERIOR'

"The whole approach has been eminently superior, tactically, to 1994," said Ed Howard, executive vice president of the Alliance for Health Reform, a non-partisan health policy education group.

Obama has a strong political hand after a decisive White House win in November over Republican John McCain, and has large majorities of fellow Democrats in both houses of Congress to work with.

Obama and McCain backed dramatically different approaches to healthcare reform. But the issue rarely won the spotlight in a 2008 campaign dominated early by the debate over wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and late by the collapsing economy.

Since then, the economic pain of the recession has strengthened the drive for reform, spotlighting worries about spiraling costs and bolstering Obama's argument that reform is vital to an economic cure.

"The status quo has been shown to be unsustainable right before our eyes," said Len Nichols, director of the Health Policy program at the New America Foundation. "Healthcare is an economic issue again. How do you go out there and tell people we will not do anything about this?"
But economic concerns will fuel what is likely to be the biggest battle over the plan: How much will it cost and how is it paid for?

OPPOSITION EXPECTED

Lawmakers have floated a variety of possible tax proposals to help pay for covering the uninsured. Nearly any tax hike will run into opposition from interest groups, and many could drain public support.

"A lot of middle-income people who have insurance are probably going to read an article soon saying they are going to have to pay a lot more for this at a time when they are economically hurting," said Bob Blendon, a health policy and political analysis professor at Harvard University.

"And they are going to say, 'That's not what I mean by health reform'," he said.

Republican opponents have been slow to organize and uncertain how to proceed as they search for the proper way to frame their warnings that Obama's approach could reduce choice and lead to a government-run healthcare system.

"We're dealing with shadows. No one knows what is going to be in the bill so it's impossible to assess," said Gary Ferguson, a Republican pollster who specializes in healthcare.

The leader of the first organized campaign against the overhaul is Rick Scott, a multimillionaire ousted as head of the huge healthcare firm Columbia/HCA during a fraud investigation that eventually led to $1.7 billion in judgments against the company.

But the insurance industry, which helped kill the Clinton plan, could still spring to life if the legislation includes a public insurance plan favored by Obama and many Democrats that would help cover the uninsured and create competition for private insurers.

Opponents say it could drive companies out of business. But Blendon said given the economy, it will be easier to find a compromise on the issue of a public plan than on the money.

"Because of the problem of finding the money to pay for it, the bill could wind up being more modest in the beginning or it could be phased in over a longer period of time," he said.

"There are so many options here. The one option Obama can't accept is to go back to Democrats and say 'I couldn't get a bill passed.'"

Philippines closes Congress after H1N1 virus death

MANILA, June 23 (Reuters) - The Philippines closed down the lower house of Congress for five days on Tuesday and sent about 3,000 workers home after cases of influenza A (H1N1) were reported in the offices, officials said.

A 49-year-old woman who died last week from symptoms exacerbated by the flu was a staff member on a congressional committee, said Ramon Roque, a doctor and deputy secretary-general of the House of Representatives.

The legislature is not currently in session.

Roque said the House was taking steps to clean and sanitise the offices to prevent the spread of the virus as well as prepare the facility for the resumption of sessions and the president's state of the nation speech next month.

The health department said 28 more positive influenza A (H1N1) virus cases were reported on Tuesday, bringing the total number of new flu virus cases in the country to 473 and one reported death.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque said about 85 percent of the new flu virus cases in the country had recovered, but more schools have suspended classes due to a rising number of cases on campuses.

Nearly 30 universities, some state colleges and elementary schools have been closed for up to 10 days since the flu virus first surfaced in the country on May 21. (Reporting by Manny Mogato; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)

Sympton of Femail Hair Loss

A widening of the part or a decrease in pony tail width is usually the most noticeable sign that hair loss is occurring. Hairs tend to be miniaturized or of various lengths and diameters in the affected area. An abnormally high number of hairs found on brushes or combs, pillows or in the shower drain may be the first noticeable indicators of the condition. However, female pattern hair loss may not be visually identifiable in an affected area until significant thinning or hair loss has occurred.
Hair loss is not usually a cause for concern. However, it can be an early sign of certain diseases (e.g., diabetes, lupus, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism). Hair loss may also develop as the result of poor nutrition (e.g., iron deficiency), skin damage or as a side effect of certain medications. Women who are troubled by their hair loss should consult a dermatologist, especially if the condition is accompanied by other symptoms such as itching or skin irritation.
The article reprinted from http://digghealth.com/sympton-femail-hair-loss/ In most cases of female pattern hair loss, the hairlines at the front and back of the head remain intact. As opposed to the “bald spot” or receding hairline that commonly distinguishes men with hereditary hair loss, women typically experience an overall thinning of the hair just behind the frontal hairline or middle scalp area and extending back to the crown (top of the head).The article reprinted from http://digghealth.com/sympton-femail-hair-loss/

Prevention cancer， what we should eat vegetables?

Cancer cases around us in the frequent occurrence of aggressive treatment is the best approach। But in everyday life a little attention to diet, can prevent cancer happen? The answer is yes। Here I will give you some vegetables can prevent cancer, according to their own taste preferences often selective eat something, you can achieve the role of cancer prevention. Concanavalin Suitable for esophageal and gastric cardia, gastric cancer patients with nausea hiccup when eating, there are only uh Jiangqi effect। Concanavalin inquiry old civil commonly used powder, 30 grams each to eat, and Japan served 2 or 3 times, every 30 days for a course of treatment. Lumbar pain of kidney cancer, the public has 50 grams of beans with a knife, with one kidney, kidney soup into taking it in 1 day at times served.

Bean Alias beans. Suitable for leukemia, nasopharyngeal cancer, thyroid cancer, osteosarcoma, malignant mole, chorionic epithelial cancer, breast cancer, cervical pain, ovarian pain, testicular cancer, colorectal cancer patients to eat. This is because the seeds of sugar bean protein, trypsin inhibitor, and red blood cells containing the human body has a strong activity in PHA, as a result of PHA have a certain anti-cancer effect, and there is, the cancer patients should eat more. Bean sprouts Is a good anti-cancer vegetables, not only because of its nutrient-rich, containing a large number of anti-cancer effect of the amount of vitamin C and carotene. More importantly, Levin sprouts contain an enzyme, can block the carcinogenic nitrosamines in the body's synthesis. At the same time, bean sprouts in chlorophyll, cellulose can also control a number of colorectal cancer and other cancer, cancer patients eat bean sprouts, the promotion of nutrition, disease control the development of certain benefits. Kelp Chinese traditional medicine, the sea with Huatan, Ruanjian, Sanjie role, is commonly used in Chinese medicine to treat cancer drugs, more should be used on the gall tumor, sputum of nuclear and other, which is equivalent to modern medicine said thyroid, esophagus, stomach, breast, lymph system benign or malignant tumors, cancer is always an ideal anti-cancer food, suitable for thyroid cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, esophageal cancer, cardiac cancer, uterine cancer, malignant lymphoma patients take. Porphyra Cold, sweet salty, there Qingre, Ruanjian, Huatan function is ideal for cancer patients anti-cancer food, suitable for brain tumors, breast cancer, thyroid cancer, malignant lymphoma, and a variety of tumors with lymph node metastasis regular use, which inhibit tumor growth, narrow the masses to ease the development of the disease have a certain effect. Seaweed Modern pharmacological studies confirmed that the algae have a certain anti-cancer function, is also a kind of anti-cancer anti-cancer food, traditional Chinese medicine that cold seaweed can Ruanjian, Sanjie, Xiaotan, suitable for head and neck, thyroid, digestive tract, lungs and lymph System of people taking a variety of malignant tumors. Usually associated with kelp with food, more appropriate. Auricularia Sexual-ping, sweet, can Yiqi, Yangyin. Modern study found that black fungus in the body contains a polysaccharide with a certain degree of anti-cancer activity. This role is not to direct inhibition of cancer or destroy cancer cells, but by increasing the body's immunity to cancer, and this is what Chinese medicine uphold effect. Therefore, suitable for various types of cancer Auricularia patients and radiotherapy, chemotherapy or postoperative physical infirmity are edible. White fungus Sexual-ping, sweet light, there Ziyin, Moistening Lung, Yangwei, Sheng Jin function is a kind of anti-cancer nutritional Fuzheng tonic. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that tremella can promote the transformation of lymphocytes in the body, improve immune function. Tremella polysaccharides on anti-tumor cells have a certain extent, on the various types of cancer patients and chemotherapy and radiotherapy after the weak, and is particularly suitable. Hericium erinaceus Or Hericium is a nutritious edible fungi, suitable for various types of cancer patients, especially the consumption of the digestive system cancer patients. Hericium erinaceus is not only nutritious, it contains polysaccharides, peptide on the cancer cells have a stronger inhibitory effect, at the same time enable the body protein composition of any significant increase, resulting in the interferon, and enhance the anti - cancer effects. Therefore, cancer patients often eat Hericium erinaceus helps increase the body's immune globulin, to enhance lymphocyte transformation rate, or mention of white blood cells, enhancing immune function, play a role in cancer prevention of cancer. Flammulina According to Japanese scholars, Flammulina mushrooms contain a Su-Park, which Park Su-mushroom can effectively inhibit tumor growth, with obvious anti-cancer effect. Japan's Nagano is the production of Flammulina a place where most residents in the county is often taken as a result of this edible fungus and rarely get cancer, the region of tumor incidence was significantly lower than other regions. Can be seen in patients with various types of cancer Flammulina is an ideal food. Volvacea Cold, sweet, can Qingre Yangyin Shengjin. In addition it is rich in vitamin C has a good effect against cancer, the straw mushroom fruiting bodies also contains a heterologous protein, also has a certain anti-cancer effect. Suitable for various types of cancer patients use can enhance the body's anti-cancer ability to treat cancer. Ostreatus In recent years, China's medical workers found that ostreatus is also a kind of anti-cancer food, it has a direct role in cancer prevention of cancer, and suitable for stomach cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, cervical cancer patients to take. To some extent, can stabilize the patient's condition, control of cancer development, and reduce the postoperative metastasis and recurrence. Commonly known as mushrooms. The United States, Japan scientific staff, in the mushrooms found in a 1,3-β-glucosidase by the anti-cancer tests showed that cancer patients treated with this material, can enhance the body's ability to inhibit cancer, strengthen the anti-cancer role. China's pharmaceutical workers also found that mushrooms contained Lentinan to enhance the effectiveness of anti-cancer drugs, though not directly kill the tumor cells, but can stimulate the reticuloendothelial system. Therefore, various types of cancer patients, fresh mushrooms, can improve their immune function and anti-cancer ability to enhance the radiotherapy and chemotherapy efficacy, the prevention of chemotherapy after radiotherapy-induced leukopenia. Persist after the operation and long-term consumption mushrooms, the prevention of cancer recurrence and metastasis is also quite beneficial. Fish maw Also known as isinglass, white fish. Sexual-ping, sweet, can Bushen, Yijing, reduces swelling,

"Compendium of Materia Medica," said it "casual blood stasis, swelling drug." "Common medicinal animals" in the description: "test governance malignant: dry fish 40 grams, 40 grams subsoil kitchen, a total of inquiry, Japan for 3 times 10 grams." Inner Mongolia civil governance gastric esophageal cancer, useful to Shannon fried fish cakes, crushed, 5 grams per serving, the Japanese way to serve 3 times.Yellow peas Commonly known as Chinese cabbage, winter people to eat one of the main vegetable. Detoxification with the exception of heat, Tom Lee gastrointestinal effect. Modern view that there are anti-cancer effect of Chinese cabbage, Chinese cabbage This is because contains trace elements copper, can inhibit the body's absorption of carcinogenic nitrosamines and synthesis. Therefore, cancer patientsquite appropriate. Cauliflower Modern scientists have discovered, cauliflower and other vegetables in the cabbage, which contains a variety of indole derivatives, these substances can increase the body of carcinogens benzene and methyl anthraquinone Benzopyrene resistance, which has anti-cancer effects. Therefore, cancer patients should eat it. In addition, cancer patients may also wish to eat escargot, loach, Coelomactra antiquata, Yangmei, onions, horse teeth vegetables, onions, water spinach, Malange first, chrysanthemum brain, winter bamboo shoots, Chinese wolfberry head, Sargassum, bird's nest, Adenophora, American ginseng , Astragalus, duck, carp, silver fish, mackerel, blood, kidney, sponge gourd, snake melon, Chinese cabbage, amaranth, Chrysanthemum, celery, wild rice stem, olives, loquat, orange cake and grapes.

Spicy foods can fight cancer！

Spicy food is a favorite of many people, but also cancer cell's "enemies." The University of Nottingham academics through research opened a spicy foods to kill cancer cells secret. Researchers in human lung cancer cells and pancreatic cancer medium was tested and found, Mexico pepper capsaicin to attack inside the mitochondria (the energy source of cells) caused the death of cancer cells. Capsaicin molecule belongs to the family, as well as aldehyde Fangcao adhesion to the protein inside the mitochondria of cancer cells, the trigger apoptosis (cell by environmental stimulation in gene regulation under the phenomena generated by natural death) also will not hurt the surrounding healthy cells. Principal investigator Dr. Tracy Timothy description: "When these compounds the core of the tumor cells to launch attacks, we believe that all cancers have been found the Achilles heel of the fundamental. Biochemical structure of mitochondria of cancer cells differ from healthy cells. This is Health of cancer cells and to the natural weaknesses