Health Care Community Discussion

Synopsis | Electronic Correspondence | Discussion Summary | Participant Survey Questionnaire

III. DISCUSSION SUMMARY

On December 28th, 2008, approximately 250 people attended a community health care discussion in Tempe, Arizona, hosted by Dr. Martha Grout. Each attendee was given 3 minutes to speak. This is a summary of the comments:

Paul M, Naturopathic Doctor: "There is a saying in politics that making bills is like making sausage because in legislation, there are a lot of competing interests, and the most well funded interests have the most influence in Washington. I am concerned that truism about influence means the AMA, the pharmaceutical industry, the big agricultural interests, will be at the table and we will not see change. The one equalizer in a democracy like ours is the people. Studies show many people are using CAM – complementary and alternative medicine. My message is, you will hear from us."
Received a unanimous vote of approval from the audience

Clint: "I would like to see this administration put pressure on medical schools to look at alternative medicine as the first method of treating a patient who is injured or has a disease. The government has the leverage to do this because there is phenomenal money the government passes along to institutions. A second point is insurance - I know wonderful docs who quit their practice because of difficulty filing for insurance. We pay in taxes significant amounts to support organizations to do the job Medicare was supposed to do. Medicare can do the whole thing."

Dr. Chang, Accupuncturist: "Take the walls down. Use whatever works. Traditional Oriental medicine has worked for thousands of years. Don't shun it just because you don't understand it."
Received a unanimous vote of approval from the audience.

Jamie C: "Vaccines can be dangerous. Our 1st child was injured with a rhogam shot (used to preserve the life of a baby when it has blood compatibility issues with the mother). It was preserved with thimerosal (mercury). The nurse told us to just take him home and love him. We found alternative medicine and he is doing well, but insurance doesn't pay. It is crushing the amounts of debt we incurred to maintain life of our child. Four jobs between my wife and I. We are 50,000 a year in debt. The therapies we do because we love our child cost $20,000 to $30,000. When we found homeopathic medicine, out son started walking. It is my hope Obama will take a look at other things besides pills."
Received a unanimous vote of approval from the audience.

Frank T, Naturopathic Doctor: "I think we are missing the forest for the trees, and the Participation Survey is too. There is the question of government's cheap money being involved which usually means prices go up and quality goes down. That will not bode well for alternative health care providers. This debate is coming during a recession. They are going to want to move quickly and not have much discussion. Everybody is going to fighting for a piece of the pie; how might our voices be heard?"

Woman: "We don't have freedom of choice in what we breathe or what we eat. There are severe conflicts of interest in the USDA and FDA that allow Monsanto to sell foods that hurt human health. Chemical companies found guilty of wrongdoing gladly pay the low fines because it is cheaper than cleaning up what they produce. The government should help farmers who sell organic foods, healthy foods. And healthy foods should be in our schools. Also, we need education about vaccinations and the freedom of choice about food supplements. It is of great concern to me that this new administration will consider all aspects of health."
Received a unanimous vote of approval from the audience.

Tessa, Phoenix: "I spent a good part of my career in medicine. I was trained as a nurse, then went into industrial hygene when OSHA was developed and we began fighting for the right to know about chemicals. We need to know what is in the environment. We already have the laws on the books. But as the old adage says, we have only those rights we are willing to fight for."

Pat S of Classic Cooking: "I have lived in the United States for more than 30 years. I was shocked when I first saw the Nixon's administration's food pyramid. My concern is education of children, how to eat properly, and how to cook. Maybe the next administration should focus on having all those organizations – USDA, Dept of Ed, Homeland Security – work together with agriculture to grow more local, healthy food. We need to do prevention in order to stop obesity."
Received a unanimous vote of approval from the audience.

Linda S, Phoenix: "A few months ago, the New York Times had an open letter by Michael Pollen, author of the Omnivore's Dilemma. I urge everyone to read his open letter, it is fantastic. Buried in that article is one of the best ideas I had heard of – a federal definition of food that had to do with the number of micronutrients per calorie. And I would like to see that applied to the Farm bill, food stamps, school food programs – everything the government has to do with food."
Received a unanimous vote of approval from the audience.

Jessie: "On Dec 22, the Diane Rehm show on NPR had a wonderful program pointing out the desperate need to do something about the FDA. Change the FDA, Mr. Obama."
Received a unanimous vote of approval from the audience and big applause.

Steve F, Pres of a medical consulting company: "I think one of the biggest problems is the Department of Agriculture; Tom Vilsack has very strong ties with Monsanto. Another problem is compulsory vaccines. Fifty-eight years ago, medicine changed the format in which they took care of patient; they began to specialize. Adult onset diabetes is a combination of problems, like cardiovascular disease. But the guy who is looking at the kidneys is not looking at the heart for example. It doesn't add up to good medicine."

Smith: "Our government should ban all advertising for pharmaceuticals. (Applause) We create our own diseases by watching TV and asking our doctors for drugs. 18,000 chemicals have been dumped in our society since WWII and no one in authority has called for much caution. And now we have GMO foods. We want them labeled. We want to know what we are exposed to."
Received a unanimous vote of approval from the audience.

Mina, parent of autistic son: "I feel that more needs to be done with the autism spectrum, more education is needed. In the past year, I am amazed at all the things I have had to go through with my son. I've watched them put him on meds that are detrimental to his health. In the past year, I have learned about vitamins, minerals, etc, and this kind of knowledge needs to be integrated into allopathic medicine - those doctors just treat symptoms. Massage therapy for example must be part of allopathic care, and it must be affordable."

Moderator – I'm hearing that we need to take down the walls, integrate alternative medicine and allopathic. Also put behavioral health in the mix, yes?
Received a unanimous vote of approval from the audience.

Michelle, mother of two kids with special needs: "If I buy a lipstick, I see a list of ingredients, and I make a choice if I want to use it. But with vaccines, we do not have a list of ingredients and we do not have an informed choice. My son has no immune system because of vaccines. No one is talking to each other about what works that is available in other states. You shouldn't have to go to another state to find something that helps you." Roxanne, parent of autistic son: "I make a plea to the administration. My son was normal until he was 13 months old and had 9 vaccines in one day. He started banging his head.... Then I learned what is in vaccines. The developmental pediatrician gave me 4 prescriptions – three for him and one for me. I decided to not go that route. I have a high functioning 11 year old child now because alternative treatments worked for us. We must never lose the ability to choose alternative medical therapies."
Received a unanimous vote of approval from the audience.

Woman: "We pay taxes to provide a roof over our heads, health and food, and education. These are quality of life issues. Healthcare should be free. I am already paying for it. Instead of a big privately owned health care system, we should have it paid by the government according to how many people they keep healthy. Another way to keep costs down is through education. Part of a student's curriculum in school should be about how to stay healthy. Instead of advertising the purple pill, let's advertise, 'eat your salad.'"

Moderator – She is suggesting that health care providers be paid according to the number of people they keep healthy. Interesting concept. In Chinese medicine it is said the poor physician is the one who sees the disease when it is plain as the nose on your face; the good physician can it see it coming before the patient is even aware.

Man: "Holistic health care is an important thing in many people's life. I was born 3 months early and would have died if my mother had not known about homeopathic medicine. I have seen many people transition from the allopathic way of taking pills to the holistic way of taking care of yourself."

Colleen, CEO of Sun Valley Wellness Institute: "We want the Obama transition team to know that we are solution oriented and our goal is to go into the schools to provide holistic health care. We have members of our board who are doctors, massage therapists, and such. We can be the change in our own area. Not everything has to be done by government. We can create community networks. We invite anyone who is a health care practitioner to get involved with us. We provide wellness scholarships. Together, we can accomplish the things we want to accomplish."

Jane M: "I am a doctor and a concerned citizen. I am so appreciative of this meeting. My work is about empowering people to have their own healing. I have seen miracles. I have seen autistic kids turned around and empowered. I want the Obama team to continue these meetings, and I want us to have choices for what kinds of therapies we want."

Mary Z, financial planning: "Affordability of health care is my issue. If you make 100,000 a year, you can have an MRI. But if you don't, how do you cover health care when you retire? We're looking at just 1 MRI a year on Medicare. If you are you on a transplant list, how would such a thing be paid for?"

Tyler, Southwest Center for Aids: "The naturopathic services we used to be able to offer were tremendous and had great impact. Now we've had to close our wellness center. Often, at the government level, people forget that HIV is still a huge issue. We have gone silent about HIV as an epidemic. I am living proof that HIV is something that happens. We have major consequences with the medicines these people have been on for years; they have unanticipated health problems."

Moderator – The idea put forth here is the possibility of government support not only for traditional pharmaceutical therapy but also for alternative therapies for chronic diseases like HIV, yes?
Received a unanimous vote of approval from the audience.

Susan H, Phoenx: "I have been in the alternative healing field as a teacher, as a healer. I suggest we open up to the European countries because they have some wonderful treatments there that the FDA still has not approved for the US. People are going to other countries to get treatments because these treatments are being held back in the USA. Many of the doctors feel their hands are tied and they cannot give their patients what they would like."

Dr. Dawn, Chiropractor: "I am a pediatric and pregnancy specialist. And I help with AIDS. I would like to see funding available for what we know works, a combination of modalities. I am not sure it really works to break down the wall between the two worlds – the allopathic and the holistic medical worlds. We can work together but they have to be willing to value what we bring to the table, and they have to agree to non-invasive and non-surgical ... I cost $50; their test is $5000 and didn't work. We need to move away from the controlling influences of insurance companies and medical doctor telling me what to do."

Dr. Alan, has practiced integrative medicine for 30 years: "Science and medicine have become the gods. They break down the body into molecules and chemistry, rather than treating the body as a whole. This leads to innumerable problems with drugs that are synthetic. I know we are capable of healing with natural products. But we have come to think that science is better than nature and we are making big mistakes. One mistake in medicine is that doctors receive no education on functional medicine. Docs are taught to treat diseases once they have become established. What I learned is the environment is the most important element. Med schools do not train physicians about the brain and the nervous system which control everything in the body. When there are problems in the spinal column and associated muscular problems, these are the result of years and years. There is no way to treat that with drugs, because the problem is it does not function properly."

Rick: "I recommend for the Obama campaign the 3 modalities of medicine used elsewhere in the world – homeopathic, oriental, and allopathic Most other countries support all three. Also, other countries produce more homeopathic physicians. People need to choose what modality of medicine works for them."

Meren: "I have worked as a consultant with health care companies. I haven't heard much today that I don't wholeheartedly agree with. I want to propose that 2 things have to happen before any solutions can be had. (1) Campaign finance reform so the lobbyists can't block change (2) Continue your citizen activism so your voice can be heard as reform happens."

Helen P, Phoenix: "Something that is in the environment that we don't appreciate enough is electromagnetic radiation from cell phone and others electronics. The FDA did not do health tests on analog and digital phones when they were introduced. We are years down the road now and have reason to suspect EMF is hazardous. There is a lot of supposition about towers. The Russians did the science on cell phones, but we did not."

Man: "Soviet science was developing the solutions – stopping the damage, preventing further harm and making repairs to restore cellular function and communication. Technology available in the US for preventing further harm came from the Soviet space program. The applied science for stopping the damage has earned a US patent. It is known as MRET and was developed by a team led by Dr. Igor Smirnov, who is now living in California."

Nick M, DDS: "Aside from fluoride and mercury fillings, I think the fundamental problem is the system is broken. The docs are overwhelmed with information from reps from drugs companies. The modalities we use need to be indoctrinated in med school curriculum. If you talk in one group about the use of natural vitamins, the door is slammed. The problem is with the system."

Moderator – I am hearing that we ought to introduce alternative modalities into med school, yes?
Received a unanimous vote of approval from the audience.

Veronica, Phoenix, laser tech: "I've worked with a lot of MDs in my years. I am looking at attending Southwest Institute of the Healing Arts because there is no such school in Texas. As I went on-line and looked, there is not much available across the country. We need to have schools to provide holistic education across the US and bridge the gap. I suffered 4 years ago from fibroids and was scheduled for surgery. A friend recommended I see a natural doctor first, and I am so glad. I have been cured without surgery. I am also against compulsory vaccination."
Received a unanimous vote of approval from the audience.

Woman, senior executive with software company: "30% of our operating expenses go to medical care. It is important the administration work with integrative health care to lessen costs. Corporations have got to get on board with this. As I see some of the issues of our employees, the idea of paying a small amount only for mental health care is outrageous. We place a lot of emphasis on the healing of the body, but I suggest we put more emphasis on the mental health care." Christine, clinical hypnotherapist and medical intuitive: "I worked at the Phoenician resort for 15 years and I can tell you part of healing comes from our spiritual development and awareness. The Administration can incorporate awareness along with health issues."

Linda, Glendale, RN for 24 years: "I have a plan to make an electronic medical record. I saw a young man who went down to Mexico and came back with polio. I recommend people get vaccines."

Mary, diabled individual: "I wanted to mention that if a person becomes disabled and cannot do certain daily activities on their own, they are either forced into expensive nursing homes or, in some states they can get on the Altex program that is connected with Medicaid but you have to show that is the only way you could survive. You do not have long care term as do others who have insurance." Carolyn, patient: "An orthopedic doctor told me I may never walk again. Yet here I am, standing. We are able to regenerate ourselves and become our own doctors in between doctor visits. We need to take responsibility for our own health care."

Man: "I am pro choice. This should be the woman's right, no one else's. Women should get prescription for birth control if they want it without being denied by someone who doesn't believe in it."

E Smith: "We all want better and more affordable health with less risk. It is time we start taking responsibility of our own health. Doctors and paramedics don't know you, so how do you communicate your medical needs to them? 100,000 people die each year because of mistreatment from the medical profession. You can use an e-medstick, a computer stick that plugs into a USB port, to carry your personal health records with photo identification, address, etc."

Doris F: "One of the issues is how much medical care costs. Whether individual or group. I think when we look at the data, we are working and living in a for-profit system. Check out HR676.org, it calls for a national healthcare program excluding insurance companies. It is an expanded Medicare. You get to choose your own doctors and no co-pays. It could be implemented within weeks. We should demand senators and congressmen vote yes. If you pay taxes, you already pay into the system."
(40 people agreed)

Robert S, Healthcare statistician: "I represent 61 dentists, they recognize oral health has a significant impact on the body and needs to dealt with. Dentistry is ignored by most doctors, it should not be."

Joanne, Mesa, nutrition specialist: "Education starts at home. If you as a parent or grandparent are not taking time to make those children learn and be a good example, you cannot expect the kids to get it in school. Electronic medical records are also a concern. I am an advocate for my mother. She had a hysterectomy, but when a mistake got on her record that still had a uterus, how can you correct it? If you don't see the form, you can't correct it. How big of hassle is that going to be when there is a mistake on your electronic record and you don't know about and can't fix it?"

Moderator – Let's have a show of hands as to whether electronic medical records are a good idea. 19 said good idea, 23 said bad idea, most undecided.

Kalama, Tucson: "My daughter was born with a heart defect and not expected to live. It was a combination of allopathic and alternative medicine that is the reason she is alive today, 20 years later. I think there is a way to work together. Integrative medicine is being taught in some schools today and that needs to be expanded. We also need to understand energy medicine, things like the Emotional Freedom Technique. It shouldn't be left to the administration to 'fix the system.' We need a new medical paradigm and it must be driven by us."
Received a unanimous vote of approval from the audience.

Les: I am here to speak for the millions of unborn babies. We are killing our own nation. You say it is a woman's choice, but what about the babies, did they have a say? We need to stop killing our babies. The solution is education of the children about the consequences of sex. I am vocal about stop killing the babies.

Madhi, 4th year med student at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine: I want to ask the audience something. I hear you talk about innovative ideas here. Given the political structure where individuals with the big money get their issues addressed first – my question is, what if nothing changes? What are you going to do? What are we going to do as a people? Civil rights, women's rights, happened because the people made it happen, not the government. If Obama ends up being a regular politician and big business still carry out their agenda, what will you do?

Hope B, woman's advocate: I want to remind everyone that the veterans now at war will be coming home. The majority of the US homeless have been vets and the administration and the physicians need to be prepared for that. The vets should be encouraged to enter the medical field. We need to fix the problems with the government not funding people who wish to enter the alt med field.
Received a unanimous vote of approval from the audience.

Peter B, herbalist and organic farmer: I would like to remind the Obama administration that when we were put on this earth, we were given all that we needed – including herbs for healing. The government could learn to respect what God gave us for healing. I am also concerned that we've lost recess at schools, time to be out in fresh air, time to rest.

Moderator – This is the first time this issue has come up, how many feel it is important to restore recess at school?
Received a unanimous vote of approval from the audience.

Rex, Tempe: (1) The solution is the original Medicare fee for service for everyone, not just restricted to elderly and disabled. All of us can go to any store and get any foods. But when we have HMOS, you are stuck with a small number of doctors. (2) There is a small but vocal group called ADPT that want to get the disabled out of nursing homes into home-based care. We should support that. (3) It is a total disgrace when it comes to dental health care, especially here in AZ. Every year there is a large rally by the disabled community and speakers ask where the dental health care is in Arizona? Dental care should be on a par with other care.

Final person: "Health insurance and the FDA are the major reasons why medicine costs what it does."

For contact about this document:

Mary Budinger
602-494-1999
budinger@earthlink.net

© Copyright 2007 - 2012. All Rights Reserved. Arizona Center for Advanced Medicine.
Serving the Phoenix metro area including Scottsdale, Mesa, Glendale, Chandler, Tempe,
Paradise Valley, Peoria, Cave Creek, Carefree, Fountain Hills, Ahwatukee, Queen Creek