O-mama - Opinionated Moms

Well it's about time. I have always thought that school lunches should be better. In some cases it is the only meal that a child gets.

MAMAS - How do you feel about the GOP opening up the debate on ABORTION again?

Dozens of GOP governors filed a lawsuit against the new healthcare law. One federal judge has ruled the new HEALTHCARE LAW "unconstitutional" because of the individual mandate ...which was a Republican idea and implemented by Mitt Romney in MA. (Could be a liberal's dream as it paves the way for a public option!) Attached is a comprehensive article...let us know your opinions MAMAS! http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/health_insurance_and_managed_care/health_care_reform/index.html

THIS WEEK I HAD 3 CALLS FROM DOCTORS, I NEEDED TO UP MY DEPRESSION PILLS, I NEEDED BLOOD WORK FOR LUPUS, I HAVE TO HAVE SURGERY, THERE'S ONLY ONE PROBLEM I OWE $2000 AND CAN'T HAVE THE NEEDED SURGERY UNTIL THAT'S PAID, I'M DISABLED, BED-RIDDEN SINCE MARCH SO WHAT DO I DO NOW????? THEY SAY I MAY HAVE SJOGRENS SYNDROME I'D NEVER HEARD OF IT BUT WHAT I FOUND ON THE INTERSITE SCARES ME SO MUCH IT LEADS ME TO BEGGING IF ANYONE CAN SEND ME EVEN $1 TO HELP I WOULD AT LEAST EASE THE DEPRESSION, PRAY THAT THE LORD WILL SEE TO IT THAT I CAN GET HELP. MARILYN LAJOIE 80 HILLVIEW DR BANGOR ME 04401 HAS ANYONE ELSE KNOW ANYONE WHO HAS SJOGRENS SYNDROME?? WHAT HAPPENS??

Depending on the age of the child it may be true that the child has ADHD. I teach 4 year olds and last year when they packed my class full of 3 year olds IN JANUARY I was about to lose my mind. There was one child in particular who had just turned 3 that her activity level concerned me. The thing is, when teachers express a concern about a child's activity level it is normally because the child seems active COMPARED to their peers. The "H" in ADHD is what drives most teachers to distraction. Many parents don't have the chance to compare a "snapshot" of their child against many peers. Additionally, many parents will deny that something may be "wrong". (Although in the situation of my own children ADHD is a gift that I treasure when they aren't driving ME crazy) All three of my children are ADHD, my youngest being the most active of all. I was concerned about his activity level as young as 18 months, but did not discuss the issue with the Dr. until mid-way thorugh kindergarten when issues arose in school. (although there had been PLENTY of issues beforehand including getting kicked out of daycare at age 2) So all three of my boys take meds and it is by far not a "magic" solution, but it helps to keep the chaos down to a dull roar on most days.

There is a potion that magically strips away pounds from your body, improves your overall health, lengthens your life, makes you more attractive to the opposite sex, and keeps you lean forever. Even better, you can have as much of this magic weight-loss potion as you want, for free, and start stripping away pounds—perhaps even several dozen pounds this year alone—without exercise, without dieting, without visiting the set of Nip/Tuck. What is this magical elixir? It’s water. To view the five-point plan from the new book "Drink This, Not That!," visit: http://health.yahoo.net/experts/eatthis/sip-your-way-flat-belly

When I see toddlers with a bottle that has coke in it, I know why the "transition" from breast milk or formula might be difficult for that child! Past generations had no trouble with this "transition" and we all drank our milk and are just fine! Nutrition companies and the milk industry want to make money, they don't really care about your child.

Are the Tea Partiers really just upset about healthcare reform? or about that and the economy? or about race? I'm hearing it all on the news today...

Happy Monday O-MAMAs! Read in the news today that the insurance co's are not planning on insuring kids with pre-existing conditions until 2014? So has this reform been passed all for naught? What do you think?

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/03/24/dollar-bill-throw.html?sid=101 This man says in this article that he doesn't know why he snapped and now he is being threatened. I have to say we need to take a look at the effect that the 24 hour news channels are having on it's viewers - they are winding people up into a frenzy and now we are witnessing out of character behavior that is getting really scary. We need to bring back the civility of debate.

The CBO released a report on the HC bill...but with the disclaimer that the numbers they came up with are preliminary since they do not have the language for the reconcilliation. So, apparently we don't have a REAL number to tell us how much this bill would cost. Anyone agree that spending money when we don't have any is a dangerous legacy to leave our kids and grandkids?

Gibbs is saying that as early as next week a healthcare bill will be passed.

Does Pelosi have enough oomph to push this puppy through? She's powerful but is going to have to make and keep a lot of promises through the reconcilliation process to get this done. Question to those smarter than I, how does Obama get all of his "new ideas" incorporated into a bill that's already passed? His is not a bill yet...will there be one and how does this all get mushed together to make a final final version?

I was horrified to hear that 45,000 people die every year because they don't have HEALTHCARE in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. If a terrorist killed 45,000 people, we'd be at WAR for trillions and trillions and trillions of dollars. Why can't we put things into perspective? Why can't we "afford" to protect those citizens?

Anyone watch the healthcare deal today on the networks or cspan? Thought it was a great showing of cordial and intelligent discourse. Anyone disagree?

So glad you have good healthcare DICK CHENEY. It saved your life...for the 5th time.

Fun recipes at Whole Foods!

The First Lady's campaign on childhood obesity is so inspired! Great job O-MAMA Obama!

Televised meeting! Can't wait!

Also, I wish Obama would let healthcare go a bit more...I get that its expensive, but how about some incremental changes up or down vote style to get something done for Pete's sake!

Glad to see that the first lady is getting out there with childhood obesity! Less TV and more outside and play, right?

I feel like TV is killing my kids..one smarty pants comment at a time. Anyone else?

What will happen to healthcare now that Scott Brown goes to Washington? I say it's back to the drawing board...congress needs to get real and we need to get something done. Enough with public option and down to brass tax!

Happy New Year Gal! Sked those mammograms!

Glad to see that Nick Jonas is using his powers for good!

As of today it looks like Obamacare has won! I see that Reid has is 60 votes! At least the public option is dead so hurray for that!

The healthcare debate is another step closer to the finish line...Democrats have made compromises to secure the votes of Liberman and Nelson. Good? Bad? After the Senate votes, it will go to conference committee with the House bill and be merged. So, we still don't know what will be in the FINAL bill. All I want to know...are my premiums going to come down...and are the insurance companies going to have to cover people when they actually need healthcare? Anyone?

Hi O-MAMAs! What do you think about Joe Leiberman joining the Republicans on this healthcare deal?

I'm a good GOP gal, and I'm glad that reform is on the table. WIth the public option out of the bill, what more do the Senators want conceeded before they agree to pass legislation. Things cannot stay as they are, so what is the solution?

So here's the latest update on pap smears (just what you wanted on a Monday morning!): Latest guidelines are NO pap until 21 years old. None.Nothing. Nada. If your little girls are sexually active, they should probably get in to be tested for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, etc. but no pap. Turns out these girls have such great immune systems that the majority clear the HPV virus (the one that causes cervical cancer)in 1-2 years. And... only 0.1% of cervical cancer happens before age 21. Then after age 21 until age 29 pap every 2 years. From age 30 to 65ish, after 3 negative paps, only needed every 3 years. Yeah! Unfortunately, you should still go every year and have all the other stuff checked. Hooray, for us!

Check out all the news from this weekend!

Lots to be thankful for in 2009! Love to all of you O-MAMAs!

@TMama: Agreed. Get your boobies squeezed ANNUALLY, if not a lot more often! (-:

Here's another one for you: A doctor Blake Cady (nice name) from Brown University just finished a study showing that unscreened (no mammo) women accounted for 75% of all breast cancer deaths from 1990-2007. The rate that they died of it was 56% for the unscreened and 4.7% for those having mammos. So, I'm having mine checked every year until I feel like dying of something.

@TMama: Very confusing!?! I read something about "outdated" equipment being really bad and that most clinics, etc. don't use latest and greatest so there is fear of over-radiating healthy tissues. In better hospitals/radiologist centers, they have state-of-the-art equipment and encourage regular checks. So, my net take-away...make sure the equipment is top notch and get your boobies checked annually!

OK, If it wasn't confusing enough, the USPSTF came out with new reccomendations today. They are the group that makes reccomendations for Medicare and Insurance companies. Here's their recc's and the response by Amer. College of OB/Gyn's. You decide. For release: November 16, 2009, 5 pm Response of The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to New Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force* In the November 17 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) updates its recommendations on screening for breast cancer in the general population (see www.annals.org), including the following: The USPSTF recommends against routine screening mammography in women aged 40 to 49 years. The decision to start regular, biennial screening mammography before the age of 50 years should be an individual one and take patient context into account, including the patient's values regarding specific benefits and harms. (grade C recommendation) The USPSTF recommends biennial screening mammography for women aged 50 to 74 years. (grade B recommendation) The USPSTF recommends against teaching breast self-examination (BSE). (grade D recommendation) The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, however, currently continues to recommend the following services: Screening mammography every 1-2 years for women aged 40-49 years Screening mammography every year for women age 50 or older BSE; BSE has the potential to detect palpable breast cancer and can be recommended. The College is continuing to evaluate in detail the new USPSTF recommendations and the new evidence considered by the USPSTF. Any changes to College guidance will be published in its journal Obstetrics & Gynecology. So is it another cost saving measure at the expense of lost lives or realistic secondary to high false positives in younger women, risk of radiation, fear, etc.?

We need a good example of a system that works!

Great PBS special Weds. night on comparing Healthcare systems in several countries with National Healthcare. It is so within our reach if we are willing to turn our back on special interests and lobbyists and turn instead to the needs of our people. BTW, my favorite was a combo of Taiwan and Switzerland.

@momof3: Put it this way, it's certainly a symbiotic relationship.

@TMama: I actually think it's the other way around...I think the lobbyists OWN Washington.

The AMA( I can only conjecture that the AARP is the same) is controlled by Congress. Go to Sermo.com for the doctors's perspective. I know of only one other doctor that is still an AMA member and he is retired. I don't beleive they will willfully "kill Grandma". She will die a slow neglectful death.

The AMA and AARP support the Healthcare Reform bill...why would they if it was truly a "government bureaucrats" were going to take it over healthcare and "kill grandma?" I doubt the American Medical Association and the American Association of Retired Persons would support a bill if any of those scare tactics were even remotely true...ladies, what do you think?

@momof2: I was only able to get my 15 mos. old his seasonal flu shot, since he was high risk. My drs. office was completely out of swine flu shots and seasonal shots for my older children. They told me they would call when they received their next shipment if any?! Today I went to a flu clinic at CVS about 1/2 hr from my house, and I was at least able to get our seasonal flu shots for the family :) they ran out of swine flu shots just before we got there...bummer!

Does GOP bill promise anything we can get behind?

so i freaked out about a fever when it was just strep!! never thought id be so happy about strep throat!

And...did y'all read that artificial egg AND sperm...so should we just all go away and let the clones take over?

Interesting House bill out today...Sorry to say that the whole deal makes me nervous. I feel like we are being pushed into something. I think we need change...but is this it? This is the BEST we can do, or this is the FASTEST we can do?

The new Reuters report finds more than 1/3 of waste in our healthcare system...that's more than $500 billion annually...the report goes on to break down how much is fraud, how much is preventable illness, etc. Interesting!

I have a question???? Who is going to PAY for the reimbursements? If Medicare is almost bankrupt as it is....how are we going to pay? Are our children going to pay? Do we not worry about that until later? Do the Congress people not worry about that because they will be out of office then? Why does't anyone ask this on the chat shows?

@momof3: FluMist is live virus so it's not completely uncommon to get a mild flu from it. Just saves you the trauma of "Am I getting a shot?"

Wash your hands a lot and tell your kids not to touch their faces! Not so easy, right?!

Seems like everyone around me is getting flu shots and then the mist deal where they can get it. So , looks like swine flu is going down! Everyone getting the vaccines?

@camomama: Nervous about the mist, too. TMama??? What do you think about the mist? By the way, TOTALLY agree with the whole tort reform issue, but I read that it really is a STATE issue and can't be reformed on the federal level. What's your take on that?

@momof2: I talked to my pediatrician today about the flu shots and she said to get both the swine and the reg. one. They are getting their swine flu shots next week and will call me when they have them. The 2 ways the dr. gives the swine are in the nose, or the arm. The nose method is a vapor you breathe? and it has traces of the live virus... I'm not sure about that one, or the arm which doesn't have any live viruses. It sounds so scary, have any mom's children had any strange reactions to the swine flu shot?

@TMama: Love it!

Do you live in California? There already is reform. Do you feel unprotected? A recent study from the New England Journal of Medicine surveyed 900 physicians in MA and 83% said they had at times ordered tests and procedures that they knew were probably unneccessary out of fear of being sued. I've done it. It's real. It's defensive medicine. I do agree the HMO have got to go. Anytime you have a middleman, you lose. We protect people that are injured by getting rid of bad doctors. Another great side effect of lowering healthcare costs is that doctors will have more time with patients and actually have enough time to think and make the right decisions. Less errors.

@TMama: Actually, I think everyone's getting screwed except the insurance companies! They just pulled a fast one and issued another shady report...ridiculous...healthcare reform needs to focus on patients and their doctors/nurses. Why can't we just cut out the insurance companies altogther...they just take our money, keep a lot and dole out as little as they can...medical malpractice is a joke, too. Of course it needs to be reformed because lawyers milk the system and squeeze as much money as they can, too. The question is...how do we protect people who are actually injured by negligence or intentional conduct and not unfairly burden doctors???

I'm not really angry about H1N1 either but do you want to know what really has me hot:(This probably belongs on the Politics button) The Congressional Budget Office stating that they know that limiting medical malpractice lawsuits could save $54 Billion and lower Medicare and Medicaid by $41 Billion. An additional $13 Billion (Did I just say BILLION!) would be gained from taxable wages over 10 years from the amount employers save on healthcare YET the White House opposes capping such jury awards because it "limits the rights of Americans who are injured by negligent or intentional conduct". These doctors are not gotten rid of they simply pay huge premiums and continue on their merry way while the rest of us suck up the price with outrageous healthcare costs. Is it really our American right to sue for $4M for pain and suffering? (OK, I feel better now)

@TMama: Thank you for the information that was great - I think you misinterpreted my post - I was asking for advice and then posted something that a facebook friend of mine had posted which confused me. (although I do have my angry moments - not about H1N1 )

@tiredmama: Ditto. Smart mamas make me happy...printing info and taking it to the doc for some more info. I'll report back!

@TMama: o.k., first of all, I have to say there are some SMART MAMAS on this site. Love it. Secondly, I am printing out this discussion thread and taking it to the pediatrician...I am going to take O-MAMAs advice and "talk to my doc" about it...I think we all should go in armed with info and ask questions. Thanks for all the info. You go girls!

@angrypop: You really are angry! I think your statements are a little too all encompassing. First, H1N1 is a novel virus which means it is genetically unlike any virus we have seen therefore, have no immunity. It is not some super virus. The Advsory Commitee on Imunnization practices (the people that advise the CDC) state that "most people who have become ill have recovered without requiring medical treatment". Thus, the target population is those at most risk: pregnant women, caregivers of children <6mo, healthcare and Emergency medical services, or anyone age 4-24 with medical conditions putting them at higher risk. The majority of hospitalizations have been children less than 4 years old. As for Thimerosal, it is not an adjuvant to boost antibodies. It is a preservative. It is only present in multi-use vials. If you want any vaccine without preservative ask for a single dose vial. From the CDC "only unadjuvanted vaccines will be used in the United States during the 2009 flu season"(All pediatric vaccines presently made for use in the US, other than Flu are Thimerosal free).Sanofi,Novartis, Afluria, GlaxoSmithKline in single dose or FluMist contain no preservatives. The reason not many people have had their H1N1 vax is that it is not out yet. The CDC has notified our clinic that deliveries will start mid to late OCT. As for me and my babies, we will have our Flu shots(both) and then maybe some Swordfish to challenge our Mercury clearance. It is still riskier to drive a car and I hate being sick!!

Anyone else really feeling like this healthcare deal is only a political move? I keep hearing that no matter what congress does, the insurance cos are gonna march a wheelbarrow full of cash up to the Capitol and voila..make the whole thing go away? Pelosi et al are going to keep the bill off the internet so we can't read the final draft before the vote and now we have kids from Ron Clark academy singing about healthcare on CNN? Not that I think the song is bad or that he is bad...actually I dig his school, but dang..what's the real deal?

@momof2: had my regular flu shot at costco last saturday. have not had any H1N1 yet. will soon get my son's regular flu shot.

See the article above about the vaccinations...seems like not many being given yet

Anyone had their flu shots yet...?

@tmama: I don't know if it is a bunch of hooey - but I honestly don't know who to believe - the CDC does seem to keep changing it's guidelines.

thanks for sharing this angrypop...i had planned on getting the flu shot for my family as usual but wasn't sure about swine flu vaccines.

I have been searching for places to get the H1N1 shot - not that I or any member of my family has ever had even a basic flu shot before. However I really thought this was the year we should take the plunge - then a facebook friend posted this from mercola.com and now I am really torn.. NINE REASONS NOT TO GET THE SWINE FLU SHOT 1.The swine flu is simply another flu. It is not unusually deadly. 2.This is the first time both seasonal and pandemic flu vaccines will be administered. Both seasonal flu and swine flu vaccines will require two inoculations. This is because single inoculations have failed to produce sufficient antibodies. This is an admission that prior flu vaccines were virtually useless. Can you trust them this time? 3.Adjuvants are added to vaccines to boost production of antibodies but may trigger autoimmune reactions. Some adjuvants are mercury (thimerosal), aluminum and squalene. Why would you sign a consent form for your children to be injected with mercury, which is even more brain-toxic than lead? 4.This is the first year mock vaccines have been used to gain FDA approval. The vaccines that have been tested are not the same vaccines your children will be given. 5.Over-vaccination is a common practice now in America. American children are subjected to 29 vaccines by the age of two. Meanwhile, veterinarians have backed off of repeat vaccination in dogs because of observed side effects. 6. Modern medicine has no explanation for autism, despite its continued rise in prevalence. Yet autism is not reported among Amish children who go unvaccinated. 7.Researchers are warning that over-use of the flu vaccine and anti-flu drugs like Tamiflu and Relenza can apply genetic pressure on flu viruses and then they are more likely to mutate into a more deadly strain. 8. Most seasonal influenza A (H1N1) virus strains tested from the United States and other countries are now resistant to Tamiflu (oseltamivir). Tamiflu has become a nearly worthless drug against seasonal flu. 9. Public health officials are irresponsible in their omission of any ways to strengthen immunity against the flu. No options outside of problematic vaccines and anti-flu drugs are offered, despite the fact there is strong evidence that vitamins C and D activate the immune system and the trace mineral selenium prevents the worst form of the disease.

Pre natal vitamins are good for you..even when youre not preggo...try em!

How do you feel about the SWINE FLU vaccine?

Im looking forward to seeing the healthcare bills...I think that there are two major ones being looked at by the house and senate right now. Can we see them anywhere...im going to look for them and see if we can somehow get omama to post them so we know what we're talking about. Seems like the stimulus job creation is mainly focused on healthcare jobs...anyone else noticing that?

Did anyone see Obama's speech today about the $5 billion in research grants? The biggest investment in medical research & technology ever...focus is on autism, cancer and heart disease. Supposed to create a lot of jobs AND lay the foundation for amazing new medical breakthroughs...very cool! And, before the REPUBLICANS freak out, the $ is coming from the existing stimulus budget.