Natural Health
America spends more on healthcare than any other country worldwide, yet the average life expectancy is much lower
than it is in most countries. Primarily, the reason for this is because unlike most countries, America spends far
more on allopathic medicine than on disease prevention
or natural, drug and surgery-free medical treatments. Of course, allopathic medicine has its place and purpose in terms of medical
emergencies, but drugs and surgery are simply unsafe and unnecessary for the prevention, cure or treatment of infections
and disease. Therefore except in the case of medical emergencies, disease prevention and the use of naturopathic
remedies (such as nutrients, herbs and other natural alternative medicines)
can significantly reduce the need for, and thereby the unnecessary expense of allopathic health care.
An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cures
Due to the high costs of commercial healthcare in the US, medical bills are now one of the most common reasons for bankruptcy. Health insurance may seem to be a logical solution, but insurance companies are in the business of getting more money from their customers than they give back in benefits. Health insurance companies also pick and choose which products, services and/or providers they will or won't pay for, and health care providers choose which types of insurance they will or won't accept as payment. At an average of $400-1000 in monthly premiums, plus co-pays of 20-30% and annual deductibles of $250-1000 or more, traditional health insurance costs at least $5000-12,000 each year before receiving any medical benefits at all! Those unable to get affordable health insurance via an employer, those with "pre-existing medical conditions" (even minor ones), and those who are not disabled, or old or poor enough to qualify for county, state or federal healthcare programs often have little choice but to pay the full cost of health insurance, or to go without (and many do).Alternative Healthcare Coverage Options
Revolving credit lines such as home equity, personal or overdraft lines of credit and even credit cards can pay for just about anything, including medical and other emergencies, general medical and other expenses. Payments can be made over time, which are only required if and for the amount borrowed (plus interest charges and other fees). Such forms of payment are also accepted by nearly everyone (including most health care providers), for almost any product or service. The main drawback to credit lines and credit cards of course, is the interest charges. Interest rates can be extreme to say the least, and the longer it takes to pay off such debts, the more a person pays in the end. Even so, when compared to most traditional healthcare coverage options, credit lines and credit cards may still be an affordable alternative. Setting aside at least 10% of total income (in the form of a precious metals backed account) is also a good idea, so as to provide a cushion for potential medical or other emergencies in the future. Finally, keep in mind that all medical expenses (of any amount over 7.5% of your AGI) are also tax deductible.|
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