Health Care: Part 5 – Where To Now?

I have never seen anyone on TV or heard on the radio, talk about a government free health care system. Today, everyone seems fixated on some kind of government involvement. Once again, no government program I have ever seen works to help the governed, they only work to the advantage of Washington DC. If you and I truly want the best health care system be need to wrap our arms around the concept of “individual responsibility”, not standing in the street like a beggar with our hands out.The only system that will work is a system absent of any government programs, absent of lawyers, and with health insurance that protects us from financial disaster. Only catastrophic coverage should be available. The beauty of such a system is that government is not needed, lawyers would be banned from profiting from people’s misfortunes, insurance would be available in a way that meets the definition of insurance (protection against loss), and lastly the graft and corruption now in our system would be eliminated. Such a system would rein in exorbitant costs that infect today’s system thus making it possible for today’s costs to come down as much as 70%.Here are some “facts” you will not hear from the news media or politicians. Americans take too many medications, go to the doctor too often and are afraid of financial disaster due to a catastrophic health issue. It is this “being afraid” of financial disaster that contributes most to our crisis and politicians know how to take advantage of this fear with unattainable solutions and promises that do nothing but keep them in office. Also, you cannot get healed by taking medications, or by going to the doctor, or having health insurance company pay for treatments, or by going to a hospital. The only true healing available to anyone is their own body, and it is a tremendous healer if you will only give it a chance. Everything else in health care is designed to “help” your body do its job.Now, here are some “truths” you will not hear from the news media or politicians. The fear of financial disaster can be alleviated by purchasing catastrophic coverage. In additions there are thousands of non-profit organizations just waiting to help people with unusual circumstances. I know this because I speak to many of them. Also, because of government run programs, ten percent of our population uses up ninety percent of all health care resources. Read this last sentence again, think about it and answer this question. Do you consider yourself in the ten percent of the most wasteful, or in the ninety percent that can get by with less? This may be the most important truth you will ever hear so please embrace it. If you take care of your body by eating properly and exercising properly, you will eliminate of sixty percent of all possible diseases and illnesses you could possibly come down with in your lifetime. Let’s learn to vote properly and become more educated about what health care truly is, the system will work. Learn more truths by going to my “.com” website, “the health care fix”. There is a lot there. There are also two books available on Amazon Kindle, “Health Care: It Can Be Fixed” and “Ten Tenets For Better Health”. Have a great and blessed day.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

How Can We Reform Health Care?

The United States is the only one of all industrialized nations that does not have some kind of system providing health care to all of its citizens. How can we ignore upwards of 45 million people and growing that do not have access to affordable health care? There are many things on our collective plate that need attention and if ignored will result in grave consequences. We have been discussing this dilemma for many years. Other issues of war and the economy have cast a shadow over the political campaign and now tackling the challenges ahead. There are few things more fundamental than health, food, shelter and education. We can no longer set aside these issues denying their importance or urgency.Each country that has accessible health care for its citizens has followed a different path driven by similar but different circumstances. Nonetheless they all came to the same conclusion. If we are to rebuild America it cannot be done without the security and stamina of our very selves. All health care systems are imperfect but all were driven by necessity of circumstances. The health care needs of wartime Great Britain drove them to the obvious and desirable solution of the National Health Service. Although one of the most socialized in the world, health care in United Kingdom has enjoyed a large measure of success and satisfaction over the last 50 years while continuing to thrive. France evolved a health care solution over the same period of time adding to what was already working in gradual steps. The net result is accessibility to quality health care of its population considered by some to be highest ranked in the world. Although the United States may be a leader in medical innovations, we rank 37th in overall services among other countries.In a recent article in the New Yorker magazine by a practicing physician Dr Atul Gawande, he described the successes of universal health coverage in Massachusetts since its adoption in 2007. The majority of people who had satisfactory coverage in place remain directly unaffected while a sliding scale fee program was established making health care coverage available to all who are uninsured. Choices still have to be made regarding cost containment and most necessary services. However any system has to have oversight and requires difficult decisions be made to continue providing quality and needed services. Overall the Massachusetts plan has been a satisfactory and an imperfect success insuring over 97% of its citizens with a very high rate of satisfaction.We can learn from all of these examples that a change in our health care policy is not only needed but inevitable. History has taught us that issues such as this are path dependent. The most recent Nobel Prize in Economics was given to Paul Krugman for demonstrating how this very phenomenon drives trade patterns and geographic location. It all harkens back to necessity is the mother of invention. Circumstances and initial steps in our history literally drive the subsequent direction of the outcome. Even if you are ignorant of history you cannot escape its viral influence. The path during this journey has become narrow. We too have reached a point in our history where change must come. The choices are more diminished but are not without merit. They must be bold. But like others before us, we can build on what we have now that works. We can repair what does not work and add choices where there are none. The cost will be an investment that will reap dividends for all of us who share this third rock from the sun.

Posted in health care | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Commercial Mortgage Overview

At present, commercial mortgages are the ideal way to finance the development of businesses, as they provide flexible and affordable financing solutions. For businesses confronted with severe financial difficulties, commercial mortgages are the best way to avoid bankruptcy and to re-achieve stability in the market; for growing businesses, commercial mortgages are perfect for financing business changes and improvements. Commercial mortgages can be used for a variety of purposes, such as: the purchase of business premises expansion, residential and commercial investment, property development, meeting the lenders’ criteria, etc.Commercial mortgages basically refer to loans made using real estate properties as guarantee for repayment. Although commercial mortgages have similarities with residential mortgages, in the case of commercial loans the collateral (the security pledged for the repayment of the loan) is a type of commercial building or a business real estate, not a type of residential property. Consequently, commercial mortgage deals are generally closed by businesses, not individuals, and unlike in the case of residential mortgages, borrowers have to present with solid credibility and creditworthiness in order to receive a substantial loan.The terms and conditions of commercial mortgages greatly vary from a regional perspective; for instance, commercial mortgage policies in the United States differ from those closed in the UK in aspects such as the length of the loan, the length of time allowed until balloon payment (total payoff of the loan) and so on. However, the most pronounced variations of commercial mortgages are in areas such as interest rates, which are established by the local market.In order to get the most out of a commercial mortgage, it is crucial to pay the right attention to interest rates, the duration of the loan and the repayment schedule stipulated in the contract (these are interrelated variables that can substantially influence the quality and the efficiency of any underwritten commercial mortgage). It is important to note that there is no right or wrong way to negotiate the conditions of a commercial mortgage; however, it is crucial to opt for the repayment plan that best suits your business’ needs and your financial possibilities.Commercial mortgage interest rates can be categorized in two distinctive groups, each having specific advantages and disadvantages: commercial fixed rates and commercial variable interest rates. Commercial fixed interest rates are ideal on the premises of continuously rising interest rates on the market; they are preferred by business owners who want to stabilize the monthly payment amount. By choosing a commercial fixed rate, one can also incur an “early redemption charge” (ERC), which basically acts like this: after the previously established fixed rate period of repayment has expired, the borrower benefits from an extended period of repayment, with the condition to pay a variable rate established by the lender from that point on. The ERC has been adopted by many categories of commercial loan providers, thus allowing borrowers to overcome any emerging financial problems during the period of repayment.The commercial variable interest rate is primarily influenced by the changes in the base rate established by the Bank of England. This type of commercial interest rate also fluctuates according to the local market rates and other factors, and should be avoided in highly unstable markets. Before choosing commercial variable interest rates for your loan, it is crucial to do an extensive research of the market in order to efficiently forecast the short-term and long-term evolution of the market interest rates. If the market prediction is favorable and the interest rates are expected to drop significantly, then the variable interest rate is the indicated choice; otherwise, one should opt for the fixed interest rate.The process of closing the right commercial mortgage deal has many subtleties and involves performing an entire series of specific tasks. In order to get the most out of a taken commercial mortgage and to overcome any impediments over the period of the loan, it is crucial to employ the services of a prominent, highly reputed commercial mortgage brokerage company.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

How to Avoid Small Business Loan Mistakes

With a reasonable amount of time and effort, the business finance problems described in this article can be overcome successfully. This attention to potential difficulties is critical because commercial mortgage and commercial loan mistakes can have severe financial consequences.It might seem like good common sense to avoid mistakes in anything you do, but unexpected business financing mistakes are tricky and difficult to avoid because they usually involve complexities that are not understood by many commercial borrowers. There is often a tendency for borrowers to ignore or overlook factors that can produce long-term financial problems with complicated commercial loan situations.What are the benefits of avoiding business financing mistakes? Commercial borrowers should expect to avoid potentially devastating business finance problems and secure improved commercial loan terms by taking some extra time and caution when they are obtaining a new business loan or commercial mortgage. The stakes are high and this will admittedly require a concerted effort by business owners in order to successfully avoid commercial financing mistakes.This article will focus on two specific strategies to help avoid business financing mistakes. Both are considered to be of somewhat equal importance, so it is strongly suggested that business owners devote time to both approaches.You should make an initial evaluation of the need for long-term or short-term business financing. It is essential to consider all possibilities before you commit to a commercial loan. With a long-term business loan, borrowers are likely to incur substantial penalties if they need to refinance in the first three to five years. With short-term business finance agreements, business owners could be faced with the need to obtain new financing that will replace an existing loan at an inopportune time.The biggest potential mistake could occur if a borrower is not aware of the terms in their commercial financing. Even though a commercial borrower might have what appears to be a long-term commercial mortgage, many traditional lenders include recall terms that allow the lender to require early repayment of the commercial real estate financing under specified conditions. Lack of knowledge about such loan terms can prove to be a serious mistake. Here is a recommended solution to help avoid this specific problem and other related problems: Commercial borrowers should look for resources which will provide relevant solutions for a business owner contemplating business purchase or real estate refinancing.Working with an experienced business finance lender and advisor is an absolute must. Following such advice will not be as easy as you probably imagine due to the recent chaos in the residential real estate mortgage field. This unexpected financial turmoil has resulted in an increasing number of residential brokers and lenders seeking to become active in the business financing field. What this means is that there are now substantially more inexperienced financial advisors attempting to advise business owners about how to obtain a commercial mortgage or commercial loan.These mistakes are unfortunately likely to be of a critical nature because of specialized business loan requirements, and there is an increased probability of serious mistakes occurring if an inexperienced loan advisor is used. Here is a suggested solution: Business borrowers should thoroughly discuss financing alternatives with a commercial financing expert before buying or refinancing a business investment or commercial property.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

What Is the Best Phone System for My Business?

To stay competitive in a technologically and data driven world, it is imperative that you keep all of your telecoms up to date. Phone systems have advanced at the same rate as computers over the last 10 years; yet people are unaware of the failings that reside in not regularly reviewing your communications. You wouldn’t work with computer software or hardware that is 10 years’ old, so why should your telephone system be any different?Whether you’re after a system that can sit on site under your watchful eye or an outsourced solution located in the Cloud, there is a phone to benefit every individual business and budget.Assessing your needs • Commercial Telephone Systems
Many commercial businesses including; retail, trade, office, leisure or entertainment services have long discovered the value of the commercial business phone system. But, as many commercial businesses suffered through the grip of recession the question now is; how can you update with little extra cost, time and effort?Phone systems have evolved to be cost effective and although many still think that it is only large operational companies that can afford to keep and maintain them, this is simply not true anymore. Small shops, salons, offices and any commercial entities from 1 to over 1,000 employees and phone agents can find an IP or PBX phone to suit their needs.• Corporate Telephone Systems
If you’re a corporate company then no doubt you are after a bespoke solution to really add to your bottom line. Most corporate businesses are looking for remote working functionality, mobility, convergence, and technology/telephony that makes the working day easier. However, if, like many, you are a corporate that refuses to part with legacy solutions, then providers such as Elite Telecom can advise you on how best to approach your tailored package.Hundreds of banks, government bodies and agencies and small to large corporations are beginning to implement Hosted business phone systems – linking multiple sites, providing clearer lines and converging voice and data.• Office Telephone Systems
Telephone solutions for offices often require high numbers of lines and extensions, with thousands of features and applications for in house agents and home workers. Small offices with all agents located in one site commonly benefit from hardware solutions. On site equipment is yours to keep, giving you more control over your system.Offices with multiple sites and a large spread of staff will most likely benefit from hosted or on-premise VoIP solutions where access to the phone system is guaranteed wherever there is a compatible internet connection.Moving your office phone system to the cloud and investing in hosted telephony or IP based telecoms means doing away with most of the hardware kept on site. This may seem daunting at first but ultimately it can actually be very beneficial; there is very little to no installation, minimum business disruption and no management overheads for you.Types of phone systems • What are Hosted Telephone Systems?
Hosted telephones for businesses remove the need for on site hardware and physical ISDN lines as you get guaranteed, uncontested access to your system via the Cloud. This means that your phone system becomes accessible via data circuits usually reserved for the internet.To keep it simple, instead of having your PBX and servers sat on-site, you get dedicated space on outsourced servers to run your phone system. These servers are maintained and looked after by a reputable provider, who keeps them locked in highly secure data centres, guaranteeing 99.99% uptime.Hosted systems are licenced on a per user basis per month, doing away with upfront costs and annual maintenance contracts. You don’t need to worry about how big your company is going to be in five years’ time either, as it is much more flexible and future proof than your standard PBX.• What are PBX Telephone Systems?
Some companies find it difficult to part with hardware completely, others keep things on site for their own peace of mind, but traditional PBXs shouldn’t be completely dismissed as the traditional alternative. For smaller companies operating out of one building, the PBX phone system can be just as beneficial as a virtual system.Both a PBX phone system and a hosted phone system come with advantages to any businesses and ultimately it is about assessing your individual needs to determine which you could advance with the most.• What are VoIP Telephone Systems?National provider Elite Telecom famously dubbed the VoIP phone as ‘the recession’s favourite phone system’ and this undoubtedly remains true.VoIP is an increasingly popular solution for start-ups, SMEs and large corporations looking to cut costs as the technology is cheaper, easier and more flexible to manage. You don’t have to be a telecoms or IT expert to figure out how it works.VoIP solutions use the internet as the basis for the company phone system. Calls are sent through the internet rather than through traditional lines, which is great for mobility as it means that you are able to use your office phone system wherever there is an internet connection. On premise VoIP is different to a hosted phone system, as on premise VoIP still requires for you to keep some hardware on-site – your IP PBX box.Business VoIP offers Quality of Service (QoS) that is higher and incomparable to traditional lines, as long as you have the right connectivity solution in place.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off