More Americans Getting Chronically Ill...

   and this would be nothing new since we have gotten physically lazy and we don't eat right. I also happen to think that many of our chronic illnesses are coming by way of all of the additives which we have in our foods, among other things.

  (Reuters) — More Americans are burdened by chronic illnesses such as diabetes and high blood pressure, often having more than three at a time, and this has helped fuel a big rise in out-of-pocket medical expenses, a study released on Tuesday showed.

The rise in Americans with multiple chronic illnesses comes as obesity and sedentary lifestyles have grown more common. Obesity contributes to many chronic ailments including diabetes. U.S. health officials say the rate of new cases of diabetes soared by about 90 percent in the past decade.

  Look at the jump in Americans with three or more chronic illnesses. This isn't a pretty picture.

    It jumped from 13 percent in 1996 to 22 percent in 2005 for ages 45 to 64, to 45 percent for ages 65 to 79, and rose from 38 percent to 54 percent for those 80 and older. Among all ages, it went from 7 percent in 1996 to 13 percent in 2005.

Chronic disease accounts for three-fourths of the more than $2 trillion spent on health care yearly in the United States.

The chronic disease increase was seen not just among the very oldest age groups but also in middle age and early old age -- regardless of sex, race, ethnicity and income level.

Technorati Tags: United States,Healthcare Reform,Healthcare,Chronic Illness,Diabetes,Obesity,Barack Obama

Barack Obama: "I expect to be able to sign a bill shortly after taking office. By the end of January or the first of February."

   Let the games begin! Let's see if President -elect Obama and the Democrats can deliver on a fiscal plan by the end of Obama's time frame. With Republican obstructionist such as Mitch McConnell against any help what-so-ever for the middle class and the poor in America, this will be a tough feat for Obama so push through.

   Obama's proposal  to stimulate the economy includes tax cuts of up to $300 billion — including $500 for most individuals and $1,000 for couples if one spouse is employed — as well as more than $100 billion for businesses, an Obama transition official said. The total value of the tax cuts would be significantly higher than had been signaled earlier.

New federal spending, also aimed at boosting the moribund economy, could push the overall package to the range of $800 billion or so. Some $77 billion would be used to extend unemployment benefits and to subsidize health care for people who have lost their jobs.

The rest would go toward job-creation projects such as roads and bridges and toward long-term goals such as alternative energy programs.

  Republican House  Minority Leader John Boehner is worried about the cost of this economic recovery package.

"This is not a package that's ever going to be paid for by the current generation," Boehner said. "It's being paid for by our kids and grandkids."

Republican lawmakers want more details, Boehner said, but he replied "yes" when asked if he expected a stimulus plan to be enacted within six weeks.

  Hey John=boy!  Where was all of that concern about our kids and grandkids paying for our over indulgence's when you and the Republicans where busy shafting all of us and running up the bills?

    It would be nice if both Senate Majority Leader and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi would get over all of that bi-partisan bullshit and create a real bill to be shoved down the Republican's throats.

    The Democrats control both the House and the Senate, yet they still have to ask the Republicans for permission to do their jobs. WTF?

Technorati Tags: President-elect,Barack Obama,Stimulus Bill,Economy,Harry Reid,Nancy Pelosi,Mitch McConnell,Republicans