April 26, 2006

Whoremaster Ranks Swell As REALTORS Converge
On Capitol To Plunder Health-Care Industry

How does it happen that a bill that puts to many Americans at risk of diminished health care can get so close to approval? National Assn. of REALTORS® president Thomas Stevens has issued another Call to Action for passage of Bill S.1955, known as the "Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act." State REALTORS® presidents, including Pennsylvania Assn. of president Len Ferber, have been visiting Senators and urging support of the bill. The REALTOR®  position gives members the impression that the bill will expand coverage to those who need it most. It does not tell the truth about the onerous effects of the bill.

"Not so," says AARP:

"Many states require health insurers to cover specific diseases or treatments and forbid them from refusing to cover older or sicker people or from charging them higher premiums. Health plans sold under this bill would not have to follow those rules.

"Certain states have adopted laws designed to prevent older or sicker people from being priced out of the insurance market or from being charged unaffordable premiums...allowing insurers to charge higher premiums for older people would create an incentive for employers not to hire older workers, who tend to use more healthcare services. He suggested that the bill would sacrifice older workers in the service of helping younger small-business employees.""

"Not so," says the American Optometric Assn.:

"S. 1955 would render useless state-enacted patient protections for eye and vision care, any-willing provider and insurance equality laws intended to protect health care providers and consumers.   If enacted, S. 1955 would preempt all state-mandated benefit legislation, not just those that are specific to eye and vision care. "

"Not so," says the American Diabetes Assn.:

"...a bill that could leave millions of Americans with diabetes without insurance coverage for their diabetes needs. The bill, S. 1955, will pre-empt the 46 state laws, passed over the last decade with bi-partisan support, that require state-regulated health plans to cover diabetes education, equipment, and supplies. As American Diabetes Association volunteers, this legislation directly impacts our mission. We must join together and stop it.

"Today the organization is asking for your help in our efforts to lobby Senators and secure their opposition to S. 1955 in its current state as it fails to protect state diabetes coverage regulations."

September 07, 2005

The Stress Doctor Counsels Survivors
And Has Advice For The Rest Of Us

  The recent tragedy in the Gulf Coast Area brings back memories of the December 26th Tsunami that claimed nearly 250 thousand people. Hurricane Katrina will be considered the US Tsunami to recent date, with the lose of life climbing weekly as more bodies appear as the flood waters recede for the next phase of the relief and emotional recovery stage of this horrible disaster. My Foundation’s Relief and Recovery Effort that took me to Ground Zero and then Asian torn Tsunami area is now geared-up to deploy into the Gulf Coast region to train and counsel many who will be in a state of survival for months to come.

Tips on how to help yourselves and those in harm’s way during this crisis:

  • Monitor media over exposure that can emotionally place you along side the victims and their tragedy to become your own.
  • Monitor TV exposure to young children to protect them from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
  • Understand the common symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder that include:
    • Emotional leakage (crying often about the tragedy) or numbness;
    • Nightmares and daytime preoccupation with the tragedy;
    • Sleeping difficulties/Insomnia;
    • Emotional stress creating physical fatigue.
  • Get involved with helping out even if you are across the country by contributing time, effort, energy and/or monies, which we would all appreciate in the reverse situation.

Remember stress and disaster is not just a threat, but a challenge if we respond to it with a plan of action and with an attitude of gratitude. The Terry Lyles Foundation Relief and Recovery effort will directly touch those in the Gulf Coast area. --Dr. Terry Lyles

August 20, 2005

Inspiration From A REALTOR/Blogger/Starfish

Karen Hoyt-Mason is a fellow member of the Real Estate Blog Squad who offers a compelling online chronicle of her battle with breast cancer. She's still posting about the bubble and other real estate matters, but this recent post offers the reader a measure of humanity that simply annuls all the negative energy of the day. Read it and let that negative energy find another home!

August 15, 2005

10 Delicious Daily Habits Game Is Recipe
For A Healthy & Happy REALTOR®

Practice week is over. Joeann Fossland's game starts in earnest today. Here's my list:

1. Prepare a meal or cook SOMETHING.
You may think this is easy, but sometimes a whole week can pass without using the oven or range.
2. Eliminate 1 problem.
I've accomplished this task five times already today.
3. Drink 120 oz. of water.
It's only 3 PM and this one is done. I am VERY hydrated.
4. Swim or exercise 1 hour.
I had my Hydro class first thing this morning. Great way to start a day!
5. Talk to Jens and/or Andreas.
I had lunch with Jens today. He was in town from State College. Talk about a good day!
6. Write or blog for at least 60 minutes.
This post counts toward that goal.
7. Listen to a real estate interview online.
I listened to an Allan Dalton (REALTOR.com) interview on Broker Agent News Online.
8. Read a book at least 1/2 hour.
I'm still reading Ellen Gustafson's Silver Wheel. I'm not linking because her publisher is not coming through with royalty payments and there are lots of people selling this book online. I'll do a link at a later date.
9. Speak personally with a Real Estate Blog Squad member.
Great folks! I'll be speaking with Jane Bustad later today.
10. Write or edit real estate book 1 hour.
I'm in the final edit phase of a real estate how-to book that will be available very soon.

August 08, 2005

Today is National Cell-A-Thon Day;
Nation Rallies Support For Stem Cell Research

John Mudd, REALTOR®/Blogger has appealed to fellow real estate bloggers to gather support for National Cell-A-Thon Day:

"As a lifelong, insulin-dependent diabetic, I am asking you to call President Bush tomorrow, Tuesday, August 9th, at 202-456-1414, to ask him to sign H.R. 810 into law. The bill will cause embryonic stem cells to be used in various cure research, from cancer to diabetes to Parkinson's to Alzheimer's. Vetoing the bill will cause the same embryonic stem cells to be thrown in the garbage. We can save lives, or we can throw them away. Thank you in advance for any help or support you lend in the effort to get H.R. 810 signed into law."

July 27, 2005

NAR Cheers Whoremaster Health Care Bill
That Sails Through U.S. Congress

Notice to Employee Benefits Providers: Line forms at the left at the fancy new offices of The National Assn. of REALTORS® . What's that, you say? The benefits providers are all banks on this line? First Penn Bank, S&T Bank, M&T BankPNC Bank, HSBC, TCF Bank, United Bank of California, Chase/BankOne, Sovereign Bank.

July 26, 2005

NAR Pushing Dangerous Health Care Bill

I'm puzzled that The National Assn. of REALTORS® continues to support legislation that so clearly endangers the well being of its ranks and file and consumers. Here's information the "Bill of the Week" that NAR supports.

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July 07, 2005

Whoremaster Lesson Plan 103:
Establish Guiding Principle for Reform Bill

The Senate Health Education Labor Pension (HELP) Committee released a set of guiding principles for legislation on health insurance "reform."  The Senate HELP committee has jurisdiction over legislation to create Small Business Health Plans. The guiding principles do not include provisions for protecting state rights or limitations in coverage.

Previous posts here addressed issues of pre-empting state rights, CBO facts and opposition to the bill, and the real truth about AHPs. 

June 30, 2005

What's With All These Smiles & Handshakes?

I'm looking at my posting options and smiling a lot more than usual. We're overdue for more serious talk about predatory lenders, fair housing issues, and other polemics, so what's going on? I think I must be sipping too much Goji Juice. I've even stopped snoring! It's taking the sting our of my keyboard strokes. I have to work on that ;-)

June 22, 2005

Career Transition To Real Estate?
There's A New Blog Even For That

Many people who enter the real estate business arrive from other industries. Some are looking for a career change. Others have been downsized. Some are just tired of corporate life. There's a baby blog just launched by Gailann Bruen, LCSW, called Reinvent Yourself NOW! Gailann is a self-described "career change maven" who loves her job. Her first post, Tips to Survive Downsizing contains "Do's" and "Don'ts" that we should all consider regardless of where we stand in the employment picture. Gailann has an extensive background in mental health, stress management, trauma, as well as vast financial expertise. (Gailann taught graduate level financial courses at New York University some years ago.) I'm looking forward to more posts in the days ahead. This is one blog to watch!

Frances Flynn Thorsen


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