January 2008


Flipping through the news channels you are certainly bound to hear these four letters at least once and their frightening connotation—“the unbeatable bug�! Well, how better to beat the unbeatable bug than to narrow down its origin, for as most have learned, if you know the problem, you can solve it! Geneticists and researchers alike, in attempting to understand the means to properly remedy the outbreak of MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), which has increased over the past five years, have made an important discovery: the deadly strain of staph infection roots from a singular, rapidly developing bacterium.

The most daunting aspect of this super bug, resistant to virtually all antibiotics, is the fact that its contraction is no longer isolated to the stark, white halls of a hospital. MRSA, as of late, has become spotted throughout all levels of schooling, prisons, locker rooms and various other unexpected locations, which means the infection is attacking the general public in areas not necessarily prepared to deal with an outbreak.

So, while the scientists are doing their part to isolate the culprit and synthesize ingenious ways to spar with the unbeatable bug, what shall you do? The following recommendations certainly do not fully protect you and your family from the risks of contraction, however these suggestions certainly can help—wash your hands, be it with antibacterial soap or sanitizer and at the first sign of danger, be quick to visit a physician or emergency facility.

And of course, here at Elite Health and Life Insurance Services, we are always happy to help with any of your Colorado health insurance concerns and questions.

As each day of this New Year closes, the United States is inching that much closer to the presidential elections, which could very well include the possibility of socialized medicine.  Be it privatized or socialized, each program has its advantages and irrefutably, its downfalls and thus the best an American can do is to stay keenly informed concerning the possibilities each present. Taking heed from England’s National Heath Service, or NHS, instated in 1948 in order to provide free healthcare “for all�, the United States could potentially implement that which has proved effective and discard that which has clearly not. The NHS, staunchly supported by the English populace, has ardently attempted to make available healthcare that is both free and accessible.  However, a primary obstacle to the program achieving greatness was its lack of true preventative medicine. Now, with the fairly recent inauguration of England’s Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the country finally is taking the steps to provide its citizens with methods of “early detection�. Great Britain may have taken 60 years to emphasize the concept of preventative care, however, learning from our allies, the US and any given candidate running for office with socialized healthcare on their agenda, can certainly employ these various new implementations in order to form a compromise between the “best of both worlds�—socialized and privatized healthcare.

At the end of 2008, it will most certainly be up to each citizen to make that choice, however, staying informed will alleviate the stress in making the decision that is best for you.