Category Archives: Health

Fact check on Bernie Sander’s claim that Medicare for All (M4A) will save 2 trillion dollars

Posted on August 23, 2018 by Jim deMaine
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4 ways the Trump administration wants to change Medicare

Posted on August 23, 2018 by Jim deMaine

By Tami Luhby – Senior writer for CNN After unsuccessfully trying to overhaul Obamacare and Medicaid, the Trump administration is now trying to put its stamp on Medicare. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has issued a slew of … Continue reading →

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“You can breathe as long as you don’t inhale”

Posted on August 21, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Ed note: Remember Tom Lehrer’s song called Pollution? Coming true? Seattle is now in the “unhealthy” range in terms of air quality – at least through tomorrow. Cliff Mass gives us some perspective (Beijing better than Seattle!) as reported in … Continue reading →

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Warning! Stay inside due to unhealthy smoke haze

Posted on August 14, 2018 by Jim deMaine

From the Seattle Times today: “Regional wildfires have made the air quality so bad that five public-health agencies are jointly warning the public to beware of the haze. “The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA), alongside Kitsap Public Health District, King … Continue reading →

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Have you signed up for Smart 911?

Posted on August 11, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Ed Note: Almost by definition when you dial 911 you are in a panic. You want the operator to understand the situation – but the operator needs to gather some data – name, location, medical history, medications, etc. Using Smart911 … Continue reading →

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In a Haze About e-Cigarettes? 5 Things to Know

Posted on August 9, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Ed note: The battery powered nicotine vaporizing delivery system called e-cigarettes is gaining in popularity. There are many unknowns. How much safer is it than cigarette smoking? How harmful is second hand “vape.” It’s one more addiction for our addiction prone … Continue reading →

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Organ donation myths – by ZDoggMD

Posted on August 8, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Ed note: ZDoggMD posts many satirical and funny videos about the medical scene. Working in the ER and ICU he has many experiences to relate. This one however is a serious commentary on organ donation. The oldest known donor, by … Continue reading →

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The Terraces gets 5 star ratings in all categories

Posted on August 2, 2018 by Jim deMaine

In the categories of health, quality, fire, staffing, etc. Skilled Nursing (floors 7 & 8) in the Terraces at Skyline scores in the top 10% in their evaluation on the Medicare.gov website. If you wish to look at the details … Continue reading →

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Alan Alda tweets about his Parkinson’s and speaks on NPR

Posted on July 31, 2018 by Jim deMaine

I decided to let people know I have Parkinson’s to encourage others to take action. I was Diagnosed 3 and a half years ago, but my life is full. I act, I give talks, I do my podcast, which I … Continue reading →

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Fundraiser/Auction for Health Care for All

Posted on July 26, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Mary Margaret Pruitt stopped by to drop off a flyer for a Health Care For All fundraiser being staged at Horizon House Saturday evening. Saturday, July 28, 7:00-10:00pm 415 Westlake Ave N Pramila Jayapal, David Frockt, Adam Smith and others. … Continue reading →

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What causes my cough? Dr. Horan speaks today at 3PM in the MBR

Posted on July 23, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Do you have that nagging cough. Is it allergy, viral or something more serious? Dr. Katie Horan, the daughter-in-law of Lidia and Basil Filonowich, is a pulmonary specialist who practices at Virginia Mason. She’ll be talking today at 3 PM … Continue reading →

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NBC News and Lester Holt highlight care at home

Posted on July 11, 2018 by Jim deMaine

From Leading Age: It’s not every day that a study from the Journal of General Internal Medicine makes it on to the evening news. But the story I saw on NBC Nightly News this week must have resonated with anchor Lester Holt because he … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Aging Sites, Health, Safety | 2 Comments

Viewing the electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS)

Posted on July 11, 2018 by Jim deMaine

by Jennifer McClure, PhD, Senior Investigator and Director of Research, Faculty & Development, Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute The American Cancer Society (ACS) announced recently that eliminating cancer caused by combustible tobacco use is its highest public health priority. This announcement recognizes the disproportionately … Continue reading →

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Dance for your brain health!

Posted on July 11, 2018 by Jim deMaine

“The breaking down of cerebral white matter is one of the neural changes that drives age-related declines in cognition. Researchers set out to determine if specific physical activity could result in positive neural changes in older adults. In a recent … Continue reading →

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Herbal overdose

Posted on July 1, 2018 by Jim deMaine

The call came from the ER doc just as I was sitting down to dinner. A young man I’ll call Jason was being admitted to the ICU who appeared to have overdosed on something – as yet unknown. The ER doc had … Continue reading →

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Hearing Loop now in the MBR

Posted on June 26, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Hearing loop technology is now in the MBR and Cascade Room. The Madrona Room is scheduled for next year and the hearing loop is also being considered for the Glacier Lounge. Here’s a video which explains this mode of hearing … Continue reading →

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Paul Farmer: health as a human right

Posted on June 23, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Paul Farmer has changed the world’s thinking on how to bring health care to the poor. With both a PhD in Anthropology and an MD board certified in Infectious Diseases, this Harvard University Professor has built successful hands-on programs in multiple … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Health, Social justice | 1 Comment

“Speaking of Dying” with Trudy James – Wednesday, at 3:30 PM

Posted on June 12, 2018 by Jim deMaine

    Wednesday, at 3:30 PM Trudy James presented her film here. Trudy is a chaplain deeply committed to advocacy and education about end of life choices. After the 30 minute film Trudy, Jim deMaine, Elizabeth Graham and Jeannie Fessenden will … Continue reading →

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Medical Services at Skyline

Posted on June 8, 2018 by Jim deMaine

From Skyline’s website: “THE SKYLINE MEDICAL ADVANTAGE “Skyline recognizes the vital role that physicians play in providing and overseeing care for our health-services clients. “At  Skyline, we are dedicated to providing a superior medical environment for people in short-term rehab or who … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, CCRC Info, Health, Skyline Info | 1 Comment

Reagan, Deregulation and America’s Exceptional Rise in Health Care Costs

Posted on June 5, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Ed Note: It’s a complex subject but I think we’re all aware that health care prices are gobbling up a larger share of GDP (and our pocketbooks) year by year. The major issue isn’t that the utilization of services or … Continue reading →

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Nagasaki Survivor Visits Hanford and the “Home of the Bombers”

Posted on June 1, 2018 by Jim deMaine

An 81 year old survivor of the nuclear bombing of Nagasaki becomes the first visitor to Hanford. One of his wishes is to have the history of the suffering and the survivors part of the history of a new National … Continue reading →

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The smart home is coming!

Posted on May 26, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Mary Montgomery sent along this interesting article from Forbes Magazine. Some aspects of the smart home sound gimmicky to some but there are aspects which promote safety and comfort. I hear rumors that Skyline is considering having an apartment configured … Continue reading →

Posted in Essays, happiness, Health, Retirement, Science and Technology, Skyline Info | Comments Off on The smart home is coming!

Take two leeches and call me in the morning

Posted on May 24, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Click on this video to learn about those creepy but also useful leeches.

Posted in Health, Nature | Comments Off on Take two leeches and call me in the morning

Price, price & price

Posted on May 20, 2018 by Jim deMaine

This cartoon seems a bit unfair to me. I didn’t know many doctors in the pocket of big pharma but it does happen. Actually, I’m more concerned about the big business of health care where hospitals are “profit centers” looking … Continue reading →

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Would making drug ads reveal cost really bring down prices?

Posted on May 20, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Ed Note: In the New York Times yesterday, Robert Pear discussed the White House proposal to require that drug prices be posted in the ubiquitous drug ads we are subjected to. When I started practice, it was illegal to market … Continue reading →

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