#best health insurance florida

[barakatinsurance]

Unexpected event doesnt come with a knock if in case you get ill what you have do burn your savings or delay you plan. Is it good to do that.

Health Insurance Companies Florida

I think not so book a health insurance today

[healthinsurancebrokerflorida]

https://barakatinsurance.com/

Your health is your most important asset, and at Barakat Insurance, we believe that protecting it shouldn't be a financial burden. That's why we offer a range of health insurance plans designed to protect your health and finances. Our experienced insurance brokers can help you find the right policy to fit your needs and budget, ensuring that you have access to the care you need when you need it.

[tomorrowusa]

Don't risk a rerun of the 2000 election.

In the first presidential election of the 21st century many deluded progressives voted for Green Party candidate Ralph Nader.

Their foolishness gave us eight years of George W. Bush who plagued the country with two recessions (including the Great Recession) and two wars (one totally unnecessary and one which could have been avoided if he heeded an intelligence brief 5 weeks before 9/11).

Oh yeah, Dubya also appointed one conservative and one batshit crazy reactionary to the US Supreme Court. Roberts and Alito are still there.

Paul Waldman of the Washington Post offers some thoughts.

Why leftists should work their hearts out for Biden in 2024

Ask a Democrat with a long memory what the numbers 97,488 and 537 represent, and their face will twist into a grimace. The first is the number of votes Ralph Nader received in Florida in 2000 as the nominee of the Green Party; the second is the margin by which George W. Bush was eventually certified the winner of the state, handing him the White House. Now, with President Biden gearing up for reelection, talk of a spoiler candidate from the left is again in the air. That’s unfortunate, because here’s the truth: The past 2½ years under Biden have been a triumph for progressivism, even if it’s not in most people’s interest to admit it. This was not what most people expected from Biden, who ran as a relative moderate in the 2020 Democratic primary. His nomination was a victory for pragmatism with its eyes directed toward the center. But today, no one can honestly deny that Biden is the most progressive president since at least Lyndon B. Johnson. His judicial appointments are more diverse than those of any of his predecessors. He has directed more resources to combating climate change than any other president. Notwithstanding the opposition from the Supreme Court, his administration has moved aggressively to forgive and restructure student loans.

Three years ago the economy was in horrible shape because of Trump's mishandling of the pandemic. Now unemployment is steadily below 4%, job creation continues to exceed expectations, and wages are rising as unions gain strength. The post-pandemic, post-Afghan War inflation rate has receded to near normal levels; people in the 1970s would have sold their souls for a 3.2% (and dropping) inflation rate. And many of the effects of "Bidenomics" have yet to kick in.

And in a story that is criminally underappreciated, his administration’s policy reaction to the covid-induced recession of 2020 was revolutionary in precisely the ways any good leftist should favor. It embraced massive government intervention to stave off the worst economic impacts, including handing millions of families monthly checks (by expanding the child tax credit), giving all kids in public schools free meals, boosting unemployment insurance and extending health coverage to millions.

It worked. While inflation rose (as it did worldwide), the economy’s recovery has been blisteringly fast. It took more than six years for employment rates to return to what they were before the Great Recession hit in 2008, but we surpassed January 2020 jobs levels by the spring of 2022 — and have kept adding jobs ever since. To the idealistic leftist, that might feel like both old news and a partial victory at best. What about everything supporters of Bernie Sanders have found so thrilling about the Vermont senator’s vision of the future, from universal health care to free college? It’s true Biden was never going to deliver that, but to be honest, neither would Sanders had he been elected president. And that brings me to the heart of how people on the left ought to think about Biden and his reelection.

Biden has gotten things done. The US economy is doing better than those of almost every other advanced industrialized country.

Our rivals China and Russia are both worse off than they were three years ago. And NATO is not just united, it's growing.

Sadly, we still need to deal with a far right MAGA cult at home who would wreck the country just to get its own way.

Biden may be elderly and unexciting, but that is one of the reasons he won in 2020. Many people just wanted an end to the daily drama of Trump's capricious and incompetent rule by tweet. And a good portion of those people live in places that count greatly in elections – suburbs and exurbs.

Superhero films seem to be slipping in popularity. Hopefully that's a sign that voters are less likely to embrace self-appointed political messiahs to save them from themselves.

Good governance is a steady process – not a collection of magic tricks. Experienced and competent individuals who are not too far removed from the lives of the people they represent are the best people to have in government.

Paul Waldman concludes his column speaking from the heart as a liberal...

I’ve been in and around politics for many years, and even among liberals, I’ve almost always been one of the most liberal people in the room. Yet only since Biden’s election have I realized that I will probably never see a president as liberal as I’d like. It’s not an easy idea to make peace with. But it suggests a different way of thinking about elections — as one necessary step in a long, difficult process. The further you are to the left, the more important Biden’s reelection ought to be to you. It might require emotional (and policy) compromise, but for now, it’s also the most important tool you have to achieve progressive ends.

Exactly. Rightwingers take the long view. It took them 49 years but they eventually got Roe v. Wade overturned. To succeed, we need to look upon politics as an extended marathon rather as one short sprint.

Republicans may currently be bickering, but they will most likely unite behind whichever anti-abortion extremist they nominate.

It's necessary to get the word out now that the only way to defeat climate-denying, abortion-restricting, assault weapon-loving, race-baiting, homophobic Republicans is to vote Democratic.

[gatekeeper-watchman]

Daily Devotionals for November 9, 2024

Proverbs: God's Wisdom for Daily Living

Devotional Scripture:

Proverbs 27:23-24 (KJV): 23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. 24 For riches are not forever: and doth the crown endure to every generation? Proverbs 27:23-24 (AMP): 23 Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and look well to your herds; 24 For riches are not forever; does a crown endure to all generations?

Thought for the Day

Verse 23 - Although these verses were addressed to farmers, we can relate to them today in regard to our businesses. We are to take responsibility and know the state of our affairs. Large flocks of sheep and goats made a man wealthy in ancient Israel. This proverb advised a wealthy man to personally know the condition of his flocks and ascertain that his overseers fulfilled their responsibilities properly. They were to protect and keep count of them, taking special care of the sick, injured, and pregnant ones; paying special attention to the babies.

Having riches or employment now does not guarantee we will always have them. We need to give diligent care and management to our livelihood. Romans 12:11 says, "Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord." Negligence creates problems that can lead to severe financial difficulties. Many factors can lead to bankruptcy, such as over-extending oneself (due to greed or lack of sound business principles) or extenuating circumstances beyond one's control. Sometimes it is not people's fault that they are forced into bankruptcy since they are victims of illness, tragedy, or uncontrollable disasters. Despite this, many of the bankruptcies which are filed today could have been avoided if diligence had been practiced. "He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich" (Proverbs 10:4).

Verse 24 - Just as a king will not rule throughout every generation, riches do not last forever. There is a good deal of truth to the statement, "money talks: it says 'good-bye'." Money says "good-bye" in numerous ways, such as in poor planning for the future. As people age, their work capacity diminishes, which usually decreases their income. Without wise and diligent care of their finances, people may spend all their money when they are young and leave themselves with nothing to live on when they are old. If we heed the Lord and apply good business principles in regard to our finances, we can rest assured that we will have enough when we are in our senior years. Living for God is one of the best insurance policies anyone can have. He can provide what no human agency can, such as good health. He promises that the righteous will still bear fruit in old age (Psalm 92:12-14), meaning that they will remain productive. We must diligently take up our responsibilities if we desire God's blessings, and not forget to help others along the way. If we bless others, God will return those blessings to us when we are in need.

Prayer Devotional for the Day

Dear heavenly Father, thank you for Your abundant provision in my life. I am grateful, not only for financial provision, but for the spiritual blessings that You have also given me. I do appreciate daily strength and health so that I am able to be diligent in all of my affairs. Give me wisdom so that I might prepare for the future properly. Ultimately, my faith and trust are in You, as You hold the future; however, may I not neglect those things in the natural that need to be done, so that I am not ill-prepared. Lord, also, I do not want to forget to give and help others along the way as well. May I be a good steward over all that You have given me. I ask this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Good Morning World 11/9/2024 4:03:36 AM Jacksonville, Florida USA From: Steven P. Miller, @ParkermillerQ,   gatekeeperwatchman.org  TM ‎Founder and Administrator of Gatekeeper-Watchman International Groups. #GWIG, #GWIN, #GWINGO.

[afeelgoodblog]

#075 - The Best News of Last Week - February 27, 2023

🐈 - Do you know Gacek, the most famous cat in Poland?

Hey there! It's Erica here, and I'm excited to share with you some of the most uplifting news stories of the week. In a world that can sometimes seem filled with negativity, it's important to focus on the positive and find inspiration in the good things that are happening around us. Let's dive into this week's collection of wholesome news!

1. 8-year-old boy missing from Washington state for 8 months is found in Missouri

A boy who has been missing from Washington state since at least mid-June was found safe in Missouri, the FBI office in Seattle said Tuesday.

Authorities said 8-year-old Breadson John had vanished by June 17, when a welfare check at his home in Vancouver, Washington, just across the state line from Oregon, determined his absence.

2. World’s biggest four-day working week trial hailed a ‘major breakthrough’

The trial of a four-day working week in the UK, the largest of its kind in the world, has been celebrated as a “major breakthrough” after the majority of participating companies announced their intention to continue with the shorter week.

The trial, which ran for six months from June last year, required firms to reduce their working hours for all employees by 20 per cent without any reduction in wages.

At least 56 out of the 61 companies confirmed they will continue with the four-day working week, while 18 of them have made the policy a permanent change.

3. This dying baby turtle survived after drifting 4,000 miles to Ireland

A family strolling on a beach in Ireland earlier this month spotted a seafarer that had washed up on the rocks. Less than a year old, the female loggerhead survived a months-long journey across the Atlantic Ocean, teeming with dangers including predators and plastic. Although she was still alive, the turtle was dehydrated, massively underweight.

They called her Cróga, the Irish word for “brave.” After finding Cróga in the northwestern part of Ireland, the family called a few groups that rehabilitate whales and dolphins. There, Cróga’s rehabilitation began.

4. A Hernando toddler found alive after being missing for nearly 24 hours

A 2-year-old boy was lost in the Florida woods for 24 hours. Everyone feared the worst. Hundreds of volunteers came out to look for him.

One volunteer came to a fork in a field: right or left? He trusted his gut, went left and soon heard a whimper. It was the little boy, crying but in good health.

I found something interesting while reading this article: If you are part of a SAR team looking for a child to not only call their name but also that they aren’t in trouble. Young children sometimes hide from potential rescuers because they’re afraid they’ll get in trouble.

5. German man remains free of the HIV virus years after receiving stem cell treatment.

Researchers are announcing that a 53-year-old man in Germany has been cured of HIV.

Referred to as "the Dusseldorf patient" to protect his privacy, researchers said he is the fifth confirmed case of an HIV cure. Although the details of his successful treatment were first announced at a conference in 2019, researchers could not confirm he had been officially cured at that time. Today, researchers announced the Dusseldorf patient still has no detectable virus in his body, even after stopping his HIV medication four years ago.

6. South Korea court recognises same-sex couple rights for first time

A South Korean court has for the first time recognised the rights of a same-sex couple in the country. In a landmark ruling, the Seoul High Court found a government health insurer did owe coverage to the spouse of a customer after the firm withdrew it when it found out the pair were gay.

The men had held a wedding ceremony in 2019, but same-sex marriage is not recognised in South Korea.

Activists say the ruling is a leap forward for LGBT rights in the country.

7. A fat cat has become the top-rated tourist attraction in a Polish city with a perfect 5-star average on Google Maps

A fat black-and-white cat called Gacek has become the top-rated tourist attraction in the Polish city of Szczecin.

Gacek has a perfect five-star rating on Google Maps. His name, pronounced gats-ek, means "long-eared bat" in Polish. Gacek first drew international attention when he appeared in a YouTube documentary in 2020

- - -

That's it for this week. If you liked this post you can support this newsletter with a small kofi donation:

Buy me a coffee ❤️

Let's carry the positivity into next week and keep spreading the good news!

[darkmaga-returns]

Healthcare is the place where scientific expertise meets lived experience most intimately. The problems have no easy answers, but we can all see for ourselves how badly the system is failing.

Nov 21, 2024

If a plane ticket to Florida cost $5,000 and a jet went down every day, would any of us “trust the science” from Boeing, United, and the Federal Aviation Administration?

A couple of weeks ago, one of my kids wound up in the emergency room for a minor but painful problem. The doctors prescribed ibuprofen while they tried to figure out how to treat it.

After an hour, someone realized the answer might be an over-the-counter product the hospital didn’t have in stock. They sent us out to get it. The product worked, and the hospital quickly discharged my child.

This week I received the “statement of benefits” related to this episode. The hospital billed our insurer almost $3,000; our deductible is $150.

Best health care in the world!

[cryptidshadows]

I don't know if this is in your purview, but in a novel I'm working on, the main character - the one who cracked my egg in realization, in fact - is a gay trans man who started transitioning at 17 in 2005, in south florida, just north of miami. i figure he started socially transitioning between 16-17 (he didn't have a lot of friends in high school) and medically transitioning at 18 while going to college, with the support of his lesbian mom and her transbian friend, his "aunt". what advice or input would you give me on what it was like to be in early transmasc transition in the mid-2000s? i've had a surprisingly hard time over the last few years finding out what personal experience of that was like. thank you for sending out the transsignal on this!

Your novel sounds fantastic and I’d love to read it someday! I’ll preface this post by saying that it includes brief descriptions of experiences with transphobia.

I first came out in Georgia, but began HRT in Florida, and even in the 2010s, it was a process. In order to start HRT, you were “required” to have lived as your “chosen sex” for a full year, as well as have a signed letter from a licensed therapist that indicated you had been in therapy for at least 1 year as well, and had been diagnosed with Gender Identity Disorder. So your character socially transitioning from age 16-17 before getting approval to start HRT sounds accurate!

My insurance, of course, did not cover hormone therapy (or any kind of transition-related health care) and my appointments at Planned Parenthood were awkward at best, with staff asking tons of invasive questions out of fascination while continuing to misgender me despite my corrections. They weren’t necessarily hostile, but definitely bewildered at the idea of it. When I went to CVS to pick up my prescription for the first time, I was refused, and told that “we don’t serve your kind here.” I had to switch pharmacies to get my HRT filled. I was loudly and purposely outed by doctors, pharmacists, my dentist, and at a job interview. I was harassed repeatedly while out walking, at the laundromat, in other public spaces. I was threatened enough at my previous job that I had to quit.

I did not know any trans people in high school (I graduated in 2005). Looking back, I had a friend who fit the description, but was never out as trans. We likely didn't have the language to describe what it was at the time, especially since what little trans rep that existed in media was, well, very caricatured, and not typically positive.

Finding resources during that time was tricky too! In the mid-2000s, Tumblr didn’t exist - my first resources were Susans.org (a trans support forum and web site that’s been running since 1995) and Livejournal. I was able to safely connect with people in those spaces, and it was mostly through Susans.org that I found the resources I needed to start transitioning. If your character was well-off enough to have Internet access in the mid-2000s, this is what I’d recommend! Libraries were a resource as well for local communities, both for access to these emerging online spaces, and also for the few books on the subject which were invaluable resources during a time when info was scarce.

I hope this is useful! Feel free to reach out if you have other specific questions you're looking to answer!

[mydarlingdahlia]

Please please please read this. The things I am going to say below need more attention than they are getting.

The USA sucks right now. Florida, for example.

This is the state that I live in. And I am fearing for my safety as of now. For one, I couldn’t even name all of the anti LGBTQIA+ laws and bills that have been passed. Some of my coworkers who have kids (and are apart of the LGBTQIA+ community) are risking having their kids taken away from them.

If your kid is in preschool all the way up to eighth grade, sorry! They’re “too young” to be exposed to anything remotely related to sexual orientation or gender identity. Preschoolers and all of the younger kids, I can get behind that a little. But middle schoolers? Sure, maybe they shouldn’t get top surgery or anything (not saying they aren’t allowed to) but they don’t have to be shielded from that kind of stuff.

And we have a gender affirming care ban, and an anti transgender bathroom bill.

And academic freedom? Thanks to our Governor, Ron DeSantis, say goodbye to that. Oh, and your healthcare? You can be discriminated against by a nurse or doctor or denied medical care by your religious, moral, or ethical beliefs.

I am going to go into detail about some of these bills, so be prepared to read.

Expansion Bill (HB 1069): In an intentional effort to erase transgender and non-binary people from the curriculum, HB 1069 bans instruction of sexual orientation and gender identity from Pre-K through Grade 8, creates an anti-LGBTQ+ definition of sex based on reproductive function, and would force school staff and students to deadname and misgender one another. In April, Florida’s Board of Education also voted to expand Gov. DeSantis’s shameful “Don’t Say LGBTQ+” bill from 2022 to all grades.

Extreme Gender Affirming Care Ban (SB 254): Even among the crowded field of extreme and damaging bans on best practice, age-appropriate health care, this bill stands out as particularly mean-spirited. SB 254 would penalize providers by inflicting criminal penalties (including felony penalties) on providers who give gender-affirming care; it would take licenses away from those providers; and it would prohibit Medicaid from covering gender-affirming care for transgender youth or adults. It would also forbid public funds, including those of a public university, public hospital, city or county, and Medicaid, from being used to provide benefits that include gender-affirming care – for transgender people of all ages. And – uniquely – it allows the state to use gender-affirming care or the “risk” of such care for a child as a reason to give Florida family courts exceptional jurisdiction to set aside another state’s custody determination. By singing this bill, DeSantis is disrespecting the United States Constitution as well as the rule of law, not to mention transgender Floridians, their families, and their medical care providers.

Anti-Trans Bathroom Bill (HB 1521): HB 1521 criminalizes transgender people for using the restroom that matches their gender identity. The bill prohibits gender-inclusive restrooms and changing facilities in schools, public shelters, healthcare facilities, and jails.

License to Discriminate in Healthcare (SB 1580): This bill will allow healthcare providers and insurers to deny a patient care on the basis of religious, moral, or ethical beliefs. It creates a license to discriminate by allowing healthcare employers to discriminate in hiring, and it bars medical Boards from disciplining doctors for spreading misinformation

So far in 2023, HRC is opposing more than 520 anti-LGBTQ+ bills that have been introduced in statehouses across the country. More than 220 of those bills would specifically restrict the rights of transgender people, the highest number of bills targeting transgender people in a single year to date. This year, HRC is tracking:

More than 125 gender-affirming care bans — bills that would prevent transgender youth from being able to access age-appropriate, medically-necessary, best-practice health care; this year, 14 have already become law in Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, South Dakota, Utah, Iowa, Idaho, Indiana, Georgia, Kentucky, West Virginia, North Dakota, Montana, and Oklahoma;

More than 30 anti-transgender bathroom bills filed;

More than 100 anti-LGBTQ+ curriculum censorship bills, and;

45 anti-LGBTQ+ drag performance ban bills.

By comparison, last year in 2022 politicians in statehouses across the country introduced 315 anti-LGBTQ+ bills, 29 of which were enacted into law. These efforts — the result of a coordinated push led by national anti-LGBTQ+ groups, which deployed vintage discriminatory tropes seeking to slander, malign, and stigmatize LGBTQ+ people — only yielded a less than 10% success rate, as more than 90% of anti-LGBTQ+ bills were defeated. The majority of the discriminatory bills – 149 bills – targeted the transgender and non-binary community, with the majority targeting children. By the end of the 2022 state legislative season, a record 17 bills attacking transgender and non-binary children were enacted into law.

I have done my research. I know the stuff that I am talking about.

Oh! And we have something to else to worry about as fanfiction writers and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

The KOSA bill.

KOSA, or K O S A stands for Kids Online Safety Act. This bill will be presented to Congress in about a month or fronting it as a way to keep kids safe online or to give parents ways to regulate what their kids are accessing online.

You might be thinking right now, why is this a problem?

We have to listen to what they are not directly saying out loud. Because surprise surprise!

The people who actually wrote the bill are extremely transphobic and homophobic. Republicans are looking for ways to censor the internet, but only in ways that push their beliefs forward and everyone that does not fall in line with that are going to be deemed as a groomer or a predator.

Which is incredibly rhetoric to be spreading.

Any site that has any LGBT topics like AO3, Wattpad, Tumblr, fanfiction in general, will fall as victims to this act.

And it has bipartisan support, so that means support from both Democratic and Republican sides are being like “yeah let’s get this out there”.

So who are they targeting? Platforms such as Wattpad, TikTok, Twitter, and AO3. And this bill, if passed, could possibly take down AO3 if set into motion.

Remember how bad the uproar was when AO3 was under the DDoS attack? What if it was all just gone? This bill is basically breaking the first amendment: Freedom of RAPPS. (Religion, Assembly, Press, Petition, and Speech.)

Here is some more information about the KOSA bill here.

If parents don’t want their kids doing things they shouldn’t online, the parents should handle it. Not the government.

Come on. It’s fucking 2023. And there are probably some people out there who aren’t against this bill and against LGBTQIA+ members saying “oh this generation has gone so downhill” or “back in my day we didn’t have trans or gays”. No, no. You did.

They were just so closeted out of the fear of being prejudiced against. And now that people are coming out of the closet, your bigot and outdated mindset doesn’t know what to do.

People and children are being prejudiced against for no damn reason. What’s the point of it all? So the conservatives can have their way? If you try to get rid of something, it’s just going to go underground.

Like all of the controversy with abortion. So a 12 year old has to be forced to push out a baby when their body isn’t physically ready, but as soon as the baby is born you don’t give a flying fuck about what happens to it.

“Abortion is murder!” And killing the mother in the process of birth isn’t? What if a child got raped? Would you be on the living, breathing host’s side, or the unborn fetus’s side? What if having a baby is detrimental to their health? What then?

Would you say having an abortion is fine if the host will die? But if it’s an 11 or 12 year old they have to give birth? Where do you draw the line? Cause I don’t fucking see it.

Most of this stuff isn’t just in Florida, it’s the whole country.

Please reblog and share this with your friends, I don’t care if you have zero or 20k followers. Please. We need to get this out there.

-C

[biological-catastrophe]

Hello! I need to complain because America is a fucking joke. Vent under the cut as well as TW/CW list

TW/CW: School shooting, (preventable) death, cancer, abortion, homophobia/transphobia

This country is a goddamn joke. I could go on and on about how bad it is and I really need to because it’s grinding my gears.

They’re passing a law that makes it ILLEGAL TO BOYCOTT COMPANIES SUPPORTING ISRAEL. They don’t give a fuck about our constitution. In one breath they’re saying this and another saying the fact we can’t afford a place to live is because we keep spending money on Starbucks and avocado toast. And how the fuck are you going to enforce this?? You gonna hold a gun to my head and make me buy McDonalds or Starbucks?? What the fuck?? We already can’t afford to live here.

I’m lucky my parents are still letting me live with them because I could never afford a place to live. I’m pretty sure I did my math right but: minimum wage is $7.25 USD an hour. The average apartment is $2,000 a month. To afford JUST THAT, someone would have to work near 70 hours a week. Not including food, insurance, medicine, gas, anything besides rent. And with the pay I got at my last job ($10 an hour), I’d have to work 50 hours a week for rent. “Oh those jobs are only meant for like high schoolers” so you only want these fast food places to be open from 5-10 pm? You don’t want them to be open during school hours then? Hypocrites.

And SPEAKING OF SCHOOLS, the school shootings are not a joke. I think I talked about it already but there was an active shooter on my college campus while we were outside. We have lockdown drills so many times, it’s ingrained in us what to do since kindergarten what to do. I met a girl who got shot like 7 times and survived. I’ve grown up always having an escape route out of the school. Nobody cares. Nobody cares that a literal toddler was able to get ahold of a gun and SHOOT HIS TEACHER, and the teacher warned about the kid making threats before and the school didn’t do anything. Nobody cares that someone a girl rejected could bring a gun to school and shoot her and many others. It’s hypocritical that they ban abortion and then don’t care for the kid as soon as they’re born.

And god, the abortion ban. I live in Texas as I’ve said. Here, the law is called the heartbeat bill. Abortion is allowed until the fetus has a heartbeat. But by the time people have that, they generally don’t even know they’re pregnant. It’s basically a total abortion ban. And they’re so fucking sneaky with it. You can SUE people and doctors who have abortions. A man sued three women of a million dollars EACH, including is then-wife. And I also heard rumors of them trying to ban state travel for abortions as well which is also unconstitutional.

And do we even want to talk about health care??? I saw a video the other day of a girl and her best friend who both have cancer and can’t afford it. They can’t afford LIFE SAVING TREATMENT. Are you fucking joking?? People can’t afford insulin and are dying from it. People can’t afford life saving shit and die. What the fuck kind of dystopia is that?? I had to go get an MRI and it was THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS???? What the fuck???

And do we even want to get started on the homophobia/transphobia?? The ‘don’t say gay’ bill in Florida and the numerous drag ban bills. Texas is doing the thing similar to the heartbeat bill where you can sue a ‘person who is not conforming to their assigned gender at birth’ or something like that. Femboys and masculine women could get sued. What the fuck? It’s so expensive and hard to get HRT and surgeries for people. They are trying to raise the voting age so people can’t vote against it. They started with kids and now want to include adults into their 20s. I’m sick of it. I’m just sick of all of this.

And I can’t complain about all of this and not talk about the 2021 Texas Freeze. Basically what happened, February of 2021 we had a horrible freeze, at nights it got into the negatives (for reference, ‘cold’ here for me is in the 40s. This is all Fahrenheit. 40°F = 4°C; -3°F = -19°C). Our power plants weren’t ready for this. We lost power during a lot of this. Some people didn’t have power for WEEKS, people died from the cold because the power plant people were greedy and lazy and didn’t put in proper weather safeties. This could have been prevented. Pipes burst, people died and got ill, the state was in a panic for weeks. We had power about half the time, but god was it cold.

I hate this country. I hate it so fucking much. This country is a fucking dystopia, some sick work of apocalypse fiction. I want to leave so fucking bad. I can’t wait till this place crashes and burns.

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

By: Bernard Lane

Published: Aug 24, 2023

The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) and American medical societies have sacrificed child safety and standards of scientific evidence in pursuit of fashionable causes and financial self-interest.

This is the charge levelled in a blistering court brief filed last week by Alabama’s Attorney-General Steve Marshall and 15 other Republican states in defence of Missouri’s law restricting medicalised gender change for minors. A county court judge is to decide whether the law—under challenge from transgender-identifying plaintiffs—is put on hold or goes into effect as scheduled on August 28.

“While medical organizations are certainly capable of establishing true, evidence-based standards of care [for the distress of gender dysphoria], they have utterly failed to act responsibly when it comes to pediatric gender transition procedures,” the amicus brief says.

WPATH, the Endocrine Society and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) are central to the debate about the safety of youth gender clinics because their endorsement is regularly invoked—in the absence of a sound evidence base—to justify “gender-affirming” medical interventions such as puberty blocker drugs and synthetic cross-sex hormones for minors.

This in turn is provoking a more intense counter-attack on the trustworthiness of the gender-affirming treatment guidelines and policy statements issued by medical societies, who have put their reputations on the line amid political polarisation.

In Alabama and Florida, state administrations fighting challenges to laws shutting down youth gender medicine have retaliated by issuing subpoenas to expose in court the nature of the internal processes that led to adoption of contentious treatment policy documents.

These preliminary skirmishes may foreshadow potential lines of attack on medical societies enlisted in the trans rights cause, should a test case reach the Supreme Court of the United States.

“The WPATH standards of care for the health of transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) people, now in its 8th version (SOC8), is the foremost evidence-based guideline for the provision of TGD healthcare. SOC8 is based on the best available science with input from over 100 global medical professionals and experts and represents best-practice guidelines for the provision of gender-affirming healthcare. Gender-affirming interventions are based on decades of clinical experience and research and are not considered experimental. Gender-affirming hormone therapy is a component of widely accepted medically necessary care for TGD people.”—WPATH, statement denouncing Missouri’s emergency restrictions on youth gender medicine, March 2023

Who’s in charge?

Last week’s multi-state intervention in favour of Missouri’s “Save Adolescents from Experimentation” Act protests that medical associations are being touted “as the real regulators [of healthcare], authoring standards that no mere state could contradict.”

According to the Alabama-led brief, the trans-identifying plaintiffs’ argument would constitutionally entrench WPATH’s “shoddy standards.”

The brief says that while others debate how best to help children with gender dysphoria, WPATH has “taken its gender ideology to the extreme and included in its latest standards of care [SOC8] an entire chapter on self-identified eunuchs.

“In addition to advocating castration as ‘medically necessary gender-affirming care’ for males whose ‘gender identity’ is ‘eunuch,’ WPATH recently removed most minimum-age requirements for gender-modification procedures from its standards of care.

“According to the lead author of the [SOC8] chapter on children, WPATH dropped the age requirements to ‘bridge th[e] considerations’ regarding the need for insurance coverage [of treatment] with the desire to ensure that doctors would not be held liable for malpractice if they deviated from the standards.

“Just as with eunuchs, WPATH’s standards consider sterilizing gender-modification procedures to be medically necessary ‘gender-affirming care’ for minors suffering from gender dysphoria. This is the stuff of nightmares or farce, not constitutional law.”

The brief says that by supporting WPATH’s radical treatment guideline, the American Medical Association has failed to “use their institutional goodwill, built up over time, to be the voice of reason and put the safety of children first.”

It says WPATH has “suppressed dissent” from the dogmatic gender-affirming model, and “tried to cancel nearly every researcher that has looked at rapid-onset gender dysphoria” (the hypothesis that social influence helps explain the unprecedented surge in trans declarations chiefly by teenage females).

As for the American medical associations lined up in support of gender-affirming treatments, the brief says they are “interest groups, with a strong financial interest in our capitalistic economy to promote the procedures their members make a living by providing.”

At the same time, these “American medical organizations have become increasingly ‘performative,’ treated by their leaders as platforms for advancing the current moment’s cause célèbre.

“Add to this a replication crisis in scientific literature and the ability of researchers to use statistics to make findings appear significant when they are not, and it is no wonder that medical organizations find it easier to just go with the zeitgeist.

“Science is hard, and there is no reward in the current climate for any organization that questions the safety and efficacy of using sterilizing gender-modification procedures on children.”

The multi-state brief challenges the mantra that “the science is settled” in favour of the gender-affirming treatment model.

That model promotes early social transition, potentially locking in gender dysphoria, and puberty blockers almost always followed by cross-sex hormones meant to be taken lifelong—a combination expected to render patients sterile and for males, incapable of orgasm.

“[England’s National Health Service, the NHS] recommends that [puberty blockers] for children and young people with gender incongruence [a sense of mismatch between body and identity] should only be accessed through research. [The] National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) was commissioned [in 2020] to review the published evidence. “Overall, there was no statistically significant difference in gender incongruence, mental health, body image and psychosocial functioning in children and adolescents treated with [puberty blockers]. [The NHS] has concluded that there is not enough evidence to support the safety, clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of [puberty blockers] to make the treatment routinely available at this time. “NHS England commissions treatment based on evidence of clinical effectiveness, cost effectiveness and safety. WPATH standards of care do not determine clinical commissioning decisions for the NHS.”—NHS England, statement, 3 August 2023

Watch and wait

The brief in the Missouri case says: “In recent years, medical authorities in the United Kingdom, Finland, Sweden, and Norway have all looked at the evidence and determined that [medicalised gender change for minors is] in fact experimental.

“[American] states have every reason to wait for the results of the experiments to come in before allowing children to be sterilized… the medical interest groups [that the trans-identifying plaintiffs in the Missouri case] rely on are biased participants, not neutral arbiters of science. 

“Plaintiffs [litigating against Missouri] entirely discount the European experience, suggesting that no European regulator qualifies as a ‘reputable medical association.’

“But how can pediatric treatments that several European countries treat as experimental be definitively ‘neither harmful nor experimental’ for children in Missouri?

“Such treatments [as puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones] stunt children’s pubertal and mental development, lower their bone density, and gamble away their ability to have children as adults. 

“While healthcare authorities in Europe have curbed access to pediatric gender transition procedures, American medical organizations have run in the opposite direction: advocating unfettered access to transitioning treatments while quashing [their own] members’ calls to review the evidence.”

Apart from Europe’s evidence-based shift to caution, the brief in the Missouri case also cites recent reporting and commentary in the British Medical Journal and the Wall Street Journal potentially damaging to the authority of WPATH, the Endocrine Society, the AAP and their treatment policy documents.

Other recent developments illustrating the potential vulnerability of medical societies include—

In litigation over Oklahoma’s law banning paediatric gender medicine for minors, the medical watchdog group Do No Harm in June highlighted the inconsistency of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, noting its belief that adolescents can give informed consent “when it comes to the permanent and lifelong risks of experimental gender medicine, such as sterilization”. However, Do No Harm said the academy took quite a different position in the context of lifetime prison sentences for minors, where it protested that adolescents “are more likely than adults to engage in risky, impulsive, and sensation-seeking behavior … overvalue short-term benefits and rewards, and are less capable of controlling their impulses … [and] are also more emotionally volatile and susceptible to stress and peer influences.”

In March 2023, U.S. District Court Judge Liles C. Burke ruled that WPATH’s guidelines were “part and parcel” of the case brought by plaintiffs against Alabama’s law restricting paediatric transition. For this reason, WPATH could not block the state’s subpoena seeking documents about the guideline process, including the association’s “consideration, if any, of the U.K.’s NICE literature reviews [declaring the evidence base to be very uncertain, and] the Swedish and French statements regarding [the risks of] transitioning care for minors.” Judge Burke said that allowing WPATH to withhold such information “would, in essence, amount to acceptance of WPATH’s standards as ‘established, evidence-based clinical guidelines’ on WPATH’s word alone, and without further inquiry.”

In a challenge to Florida’s curbs on youth gender medicine, the Endocrine Society, WPATH and the AAP also resisted state subpoenas seeking to reveal the inner workings that led to their treatment advice documents. But District Court Judge Carl J. Nichols agreed with Florida in March that this information “goes to the heart of the lawsuit”, being the question “whether, based on current medical knowledge, the state’s determination that [certain] treatments [for gender dysphoria] are experimental is reasonable.” The judge pointed out that the plaintiffs challenging Florida’s law “lean heavily” on the positions taken by these medical associations. He said it was “also understandable that the state would try to defend the reasonableness of its position by seeking information that goes to the rigor of the process by which the guidelines and policy positions were adopted.”

Note: GCN has sought comment from WPATH, the AAP, the Endocrine Society and the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

==

I've said it before and I'll say it again: what excuse will you give when you're asked why you stood by as this happened?

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What we need more is for a medical professional to refuse to treat desantis or his wife (or any legislatot who approved the law) because they are morally and ethically opposed to the desantis agenda. Watch how fast things change. They know they can't make the law state it's ONLY against the LGBTQ+ community. The law itself is probably violating patients' civil rights, but until the DOJ steps in, this could be the next best thing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

The law — coined the “Let Them Die Act” by opponents — allows health care providers and payers in the state to deny service on the basis of “a conscience-based objection,” including ethical, moral or religious beliefs. The law does not require health care providers and insurers who deny patients care to refer them to another provider.

[checkoutmybookshelf]

Damn Right the Perfect Queen Uses a Cane

Fairbanks is somehow simultaneously too small and too large a town. Apparently one of my very best friend's partner has been friend with Elva Birch since they were both teenagers, so that's a degree of Kevin Bacon I was super not expecting but shouldn't have been surprised by, because I KNOW how small a town Fairbanks is. None of which is strictly relevant to why we're talking about the second book in the Dragon Prince of Alaska series, but it is a fun little Fairbanks Fact. Which is even wilder because this book starts in Florida. So let's talk The Dragon Prince's Librarian.

This is, as is typical on this blog for sequels and mid-series books, a SPOILERIFIC REVIEW. Be warned.

Ok guys, I swear we aren't going to do all six books of this series here, and I know I am way overdue for the next Dresden Files book, but where I take just...every single possible issue with how the Dresden Files handles disability, this book handles it SO FREAKING WELL. Tania is realistically tired, realistically has good and bad days, realistically uses mobility aids, and realistically has that all-too-familiar feeling of "No, no, you don't even get to DREAM of being rescued from this situation because a) it will be too painful when it doesn't happen and b) you getting rescued doesn't fix the hideous inequities of the US healthcare system and frankly, that shit NEEDS fixing."

Additionally, I appreciate that Tania doesn't hate her cane. She recognizes that it lets her move and stand independently and it can up her quality of life, if only in small ways. What she hates is that the cane is UGLY. And that is entirely fair, because there is nothing worse than a boring, utilitarian mobility aid that stands out from you and your aesthetic rather than integrating with you. And Rian, absolute PRINCE that he is (pun fully intended), doesn't try to fix or cure Tania, he gets her a beautiful cane that integrates with her personality and aesthetic. That level of support literally made me cry. And then I cried MORE because while Rian couldn't fix the American healthcare system, what he COULD do was donate a ton of equally beautiful canes in Tania's name in such a way that the people who need them most can access them, the process for getting them is as simple and barrier-free as possible, and Rian took care of ALL of this so Tania did not have to expend spoons on it. The care and attention included in how thoughtful and well-executed this was was absolutely breathtaking. Literally, our reality is not this good, and I love that this book took such care and respect with how disability/chronic illness and mobility aids are handled. At no point did any of it feel patronizing, infantilizing, catastrophizing, or an attempt to "fix" something that was "broken" or "lesser." Just A+ no notes, and I don't say that often about representations of disability in books.

The other thing that I just felt in my bones about this book is how the end of Tania's academic career played out. She literally got gatekept and gaslighted because the Small Kingdoms erased every single trace of her master's thesis, her primary sources, and even her ADVISOR (who was paid to disappear, not killed). This very handily gets Tania kicked out of school, and as her health worsens, she also loses her job and health insurance, so by the time Rian shows up at her front door in Florida, Tania's life has literally fallen apart and it is 90% Rian's fault. Which makes the whole fated mates thing SUPER awkward, because she's rightfully pissed with him for torpedoing her degree and academic career, and also he then gaslit the hell out of her about that until he realized they were fated mates, came clean, apologized, and...proposed. It was awkward as hell, you guys.

And let me say, as someone who went to grad school, had someone gone from admitting they torpedoed my life and gaslit me about it to proposing marriage, they would have been super mega deadsies. Like, no questions asked, they just would have been annihilated by the sheer force of my rage.

But fated mates and romance novel, so Tania just mostly spends the whole book going "remember how you torpedoed my thesis?" in varying tones. Rian is literally never living that down, and he shouldn't, because frankly he was lucky to SURVIVE admitting that.

Overall though, I was so happy with the representation of disability and a healthy, positive relationship that includes a disabled person, as well as Tania and Rian as characters, I was willing to overlook insufficient consequences for fucking with a grad student's thesis. Because this book was a delight to read, and it is UNQUESTIONABLY my favorite book in the series.

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Navigating the Costs of Veterinary Care: Tips from Local Vets

Introduction

When it comes to our furry companions, ensuring they receive the best care possible can often feel like a daunting task, especially regarding financial considerations. As pet owners, we frequently find https://www.mapquest.com/us/florida/sheridan-west-animal-clinic-4305641 ourselves asking: "How much will this cost?" or "Is there a vet near me that offers affordable services?" The truth is, veterinary care costs can vary dramatically based on various factors, including geographical location, type of service needed, and even the animal's breed. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the intricate world of veterinary expenses, offering valuable insights and tips from local vets who understand the challenges pet owners face.

Understanding Veterinary Care Costs What Influences Veterinary Expenses?

Veterinary care costs can fluctuate due to several key factors:

Type of Service: Routine check-ups are generally less expensive than emergency surgeries. Location: Urban areas might have higher prices compared to rural clinics. Type of Animal: Different species can incur different costs for similar procedures. Clinic Reputation: Established clinics with experienced vets may charge more. The Cost Breakdown of Common Services

Let’s break down some typical veterinary services and their associated costs:

| Service Type | Average Cost Range | |------------------------|---------------------| | Routine Check-Up | $45 - $75 | | Vaccinations | $15 - $100 per shot | | Dental Cleaning | $300 - $800 | | Emergency Visit | $100 - $400 | | Spay/Neuter Surgery | $50 - $300 |

Understanding these costs helps prepare for what you might spend during a visit to your local vet.

Navigating the Costs of Veterinary Care: Tips from Local Vets Utilizing Preventive Care Strategies

Preventive care is often cited as one of the most effective ways to save money in the long run. Regular check-ups can help catch health issues early before they escalate into costly treatments.

Routine Check-Ups Matter

Local vets stress the importance of annual visits:

These appointments typically include vaccinations and wellness exams. Detecting issues like dental disease or obesity early can lead to significant savings later. The Importance of Pet Insurance Is Pet Insurance Worth It?

Pet insurance can be a lifesaver for unexpected medical expenses. Here are some points to consider:

Most policies cover accidents and illnesses after meeting deductibles. Some plans also offer wellness coverage for routine care.

While paying monthly premiums may seem burdensome initially, it could save you thousands over time if your pet undergoes significant medical treatment.

Finding Affordable Options Near You Searching for Budget-Friendly Vet Clinics How Can I Find a Vet Near Me That’s Affordable?

Finding an economical yet reliable veterinary clinic involves some research:

Ask for Recommendations: Friends or family can often refer you to quality vets. Check O

[sahraeyll]

Top Medical Billing and Coding Schools in Miami: Your Path to a Rewarding Career

Top Medical Billing and Coding Schools in‌ Miami: Your Path to ⁣a Rewarding Career

The healthcare industry continues to grow, and with it, the demand‌ for skilled ‌professionals in medical billing and coding. If you’re looking to enter this rewarding⁢ field, the vibrant​ city of Miami offers a wealth of educational opportunities. In this article, we’ll explore the top medical ⁤billing and coding schools in Miami, the benefits of pursuing this career, practical tips for success, and real-world insights from professionals in⁢ the industry.

Why Pursue a Career in Medical Billing and Coding?

Medical billing and ​coding is an essential part of the healthcare system, ensuring that‌ medical professionals are reimbursed for their services and that patient records are accurately ⁢documented.Here are some compelling reasons to consider a career in ⁢this field:

Job Stability: With the continuous growth of the ⁢healthcare ‍sector,⁢ there’s an increasing demand for skilled billing⁢ and⁢ coding specialists.

Good Salary: According to the Bureau ⁤of Labor Statistics, ⁢professionals in this field can earn a respectable income, especially with experience and specialization.

Flexibility: Many positions offer flexible working hours and the possibility of​ remote work.

Fulfillment: Contributing to patient care through accurate​ billing and​ coding can be rewarding on a personal level.

Top Medical Billing and Coding Schools in Miami

Here’s a curated list of the best medical billing and coding schools in ​Miami that can help you embark on your career journey:

School Name

Location

Program Offered

Duration

Contact

Miami Dade College

Miami, FL

Certificate in Medical‍ Billing and Coding

1 Year

Website

Herzing University

Miami, FL

Associate Degree ⁣in Medical Billing and Coding

2 Years

Website

Florida Career College

Miami, FL

Diploma in Medical Billing and Coding

10 Months

Website

Keiser University

Miami, FL

Bachelor’s Degree in Health Services Administration

4 Years

Website

American National University

miami, FL

Certificate in Medical ⁤Billing

9 Months

Website

Benefits of⁤ Studying Medical Billing and Coding

Enrolling in a medical billing and coding program provides numerous advantages:

Thorough Curriculum: ⁣Courses cover coding systems like ICD-10, CPT, and HCPCS, ensuring you are well-versed in essential coding practices.

Hands-On Experience: Many programs include practical training or internships, providing real-world experience⁣ and networking opportunities.

Certification ‌Preparation: Most programs prepare students​ for national certification exams, which enhance employability.

Networking Opportunities: Attending ​classes allows students to meet industry ​professionals and mentors who can guide them in their careers.

Practical Tips for ⁤Success in Medical Billing and Coding

As you embark on your journey in medical billing and ⁤coding, consider these ‍practical tips:

Stay Organized: ‌Being detail-oriented is crucial; institution plays a meaningful role in managing patient records and billing information.

Seek Certification: Consider obtaining credentials from organizations like AHIMA or AAPC to enhance your qualifications.

Continuing Education: Healthcare regulations and coding standards⁣ change frequently; ongoing education helps you ‍stay updated⁤ on industry trends.

Join Professional Associations: Engage with‌ groups like the AAPC or AHIMA for networking, resources, and continued learning.

First-Hand Experience: A Day ​in the Life of a ⁤Medical ⁤Coder

To give you a better understanding of this career, we spoke with Jessica, a certified medical coder working in a Miami hospital:

“My day typically starts with ​reviewing medical records​ from the previous day. I meticulously check the documentation for accuracy, and then ‍I assign the appropriate⁤ codes for procedures and diagnoses. After that, I submit claims to insurance companies. It can ‌be challenging at times, ​especially when dealing with denials, but the satisfaction of knowing I’m contributing to the healthcare system is incredibly rewarding.”

— Jessica,Certified Medical Coder

Conclusion: Start Your Journey in Medical Billing and Coding Today!

The road⁣ to a prosperous career in medical billing and ‌coding starts with choosing ​the right educational path. ​With the array of opportunities available in ⁣Miami, ⁤you can find a program that suits your needs and sets you ‍on the right track.Remember that investing in your education is investing ‌in your future. Take the first step today by exploring the institutions outlined in this article, and you’ll be ‌well on your way to ‍a fulfilling career in ⁢the ever-growing healthcare industry.

https://medicalbillingcertificationprograms.org/top-medical-billing-and-coding-schools-in-miami-your-path-to-a-rewarding-career/