Those of you who know me, know that I’m probably one of the healthiest people you’ll meet. I eat well, I sleep well, I keep stress low, I exercise (sometimes I even run!). I take my vitamins. I get bodywork.

A couple of years ago my low back started hurting, then my hip. It was really painful. I got some massage. I had a mercedes benz health plan thru my partner’s job at the time. So I went to the chiropractor, the acupuncturist, the DO. I got the recommended XRays and MRI. It got a scary sounding diagnosis. In the end it was massage 2 times a week for 3 weeks that did the trick. No problem since then.

Until now. Now that I’ve been denied coverage because I had some pain and took care of myself. I’m one of the latest causualities in the pre-existing condition debate.

Perhaps there will be change soon. Senator Ron Wyden was among 13 others who voted the Baccus bill out of committee yesterday.

“Archimedes is the group I went to Salem with on the 26th [March]. John Kitzhaber started it. The head is speaking at Central Library on April 14th. Note below that PCC TV (Channel 30) is also broadcasting the presentation live.

Reframing the Health Care Debate
Tuesday, April 14, 7:00 pm
Board Room, Multnomah County Building, 501 SE Hawthorne Boulevard, Portland
Guest Speakers: Liz Baxter, Executive Director, The Archimedes Movement

Liz Baxter, Executive Director of The Archimedes Movement, will discuss the crisis in the U.S. health care system on April 14th at 7pm. The event will be held in the Board Room of the Multnomah County Building, 501 SE Hawthorne Boulevard, Portland. The event is free, and the public is invited to attend.

Oregon has one of the fastest growing rates of the uninsured in the nation. Health care premiums continue to rise sharply. The cost of healthcare in the U.S. is twice that of other countries yet the quality of care and the outcome is frequently less. The discussion is aimed at finding a solution that invests in our health and
guarantees all families affordable, quality health care in Oregon.

Liz Baxter joined forces with Governor Kitzhaber in October 2005, working with him to launch the Archimedes Movement with the goal of finding solutions to common problems facing Oregonians. (www.WeCanDoBetter.org). Their current focus is on the crisis in the U.S. health care system.

Portland Community Media will broadcast the discussion on Channel 30 live on Tuesday, April 14, at 7 p.m. Repeat broadcasts will be aired on Channel 30 on:
Tuesday, April 21, 7:00 am
Sunday, April 26, 6:00 pm
Tuesday, April 28, 5:00 pm

The discussion is presented by the League of Women Voters of Portland. The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government.
The League of Women Voters of Portland * 310 SW 4th Avenue, Suite 520 * Portland, OR 97204 * 503-228-1675 * lwvpdx@aracnet.com * www.lwvpdx.org”

As a massage therapist, working on an area of inflamation is contraindicated – we’re not supposed to treat it. With MLD I’ll will learn – among other things – how to treat inflamation gently, effectively, and safely.

Learning to treat an area of inflamation within hours of onset, will allow me the ability to help clients enhance the recovery process. By adding this tool to my bag of tricks, I can help even more people who have had surgery or have been injured.

This links to a pdf of the “Final Recommendations” the document that intends to frame the course of health care reform in Oregon.

During September, the Board will conduct public forums across the state to receive feedback on this draft plan. In Portland the forum is Monday September 8, 2008 at the Convention Center from 6:30 to 9PM. I hope to see you there. For other meetings around Oregon look here.