The Future

http://singularityhub.com/2009/06/08/growing-organs-in-the-lab/

yeah they grow organs in the lab now 

http://www.physorg.com/news165512266.html

nano-tech

Health Care Reform

Here's a great summary of what has been labeled as health care reform which is actually health insurance reform 

http://www.slideshare.net/danroam/healthcare-napkins-all

a lot more to be added to this section later 

This looks interesting http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2009/09/08/liz-fowlers-plan/

of course a lot of the folks appointed to overhaul the health care payment systems have ties with the industry they are supposed to regulate 

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/28/health/views/28essa.html?_r=1

---------

Effective July 26, 2009, Washington state law requires that all fees and charges for health care services by health care providers and licensed facilities must be disclosed at the request of the patient. Providers and facilities may refer a patient to the patient’s insurer for specific information on the insurer’s charges and fees, any cost-sharing responsibilities required of the patient, and the network status of ancillary providers who may or may not share the same network as the provider or facility. Providers and facilities must post a sign in patient registration areas indicating that patients may ask about the estimated charges of the health services. This practice will comply with all applicable requirements.

--------

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/28/us/politics/28dodd.html?ref=us

Frequently Asked Questions

This list will constantly be changing as I figure out exactly what can and can't be done through this community.  Think of me as a free supplement to your health care;  sort of like supplemental insurance except without the paperwork.  Or think of me as an eccentric retired uncle physician who enjoys giving away his knowledge and skills to family members.  

I'm still not crystal clear on any limits to prescribing authority and ordering tests and labs,  but the goal will be avoid getting into writing a ton of prescriptions or ordering a lot of routine tests since the infrastructure to collect and store that data won't present.  

What can I do?

Provide advice,  answer questions,  do limited physical exams (check ups,  well child checks, sports physicals) 

Deal with acute problems like colds, flues, bronchitis, sinusitis

Help you manage your chronic medical problems such as diabetes,  high blood pressure (you'll still need to involve your primary care provider)

Home visits

Work visits

Group visits

Walk in the park visits

Hiking visits

Biking visits

Educational lectures to small groups, class rooms etc

Blood pressure checks

What can't I do?

Referrals to specialists (that requires dealing with insurance companies) 

Refills of chronic medicines (requires access to medical records and fax machines)

Prescribe pain medicines, benzodiazepines, stimulants or any other controlled substances (that's just asking for trouble)

DOT physicals or other work physicals that require lab work or other special testing 

Hospital care (requires insurance company credentialing) 

Fill out paperwork for your insurance company 

Deal with nursing home faxes or faxes of any sort

Nursing Home visits ( except to visit;  can't write orders there without insurance credentials )