Many of you may have read or heard about the recent Time Magazine article on the cost of healthcare in this country.  To many, it was a shocking revelation to learn how the distribution chain of healthcare products and services works.  For my part, I read the article and thought, "Finally!  Someone is telling the truth!".  Here is the stark reality:  the affordable care act (Obamacare) will help get millions of American's health insurance, but it will do NOTHING to curb the out-of-control yearly rise in healthcare costs to the American economy.  Why?  To answer that you must first understand that pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and insurance companies control about 20% of a 1.4 trillion dollar economy.  That's alot of control and influence.  So much, in fact, that Obamacare would NEVER have become law without the consent of those large companies.  They made sure that their slice of the pie would remain unaffected and they would continue to line their pockets with cash.  

The two groups who don't benefit very much if at all are patients who currently are insured (their healthcare costs will rise over the coming years in the form of higher premiums and co-pays) and doctors (their incomes will continue to diminish as re-imbursements from insurance payors decline and they are forced to pay for insurance for their employees).  This continues to threaten the existence of the private practice doctor - as droves each year are selling their practices and retiring from medicine, simply because they just can't make a living anymore.  

How do we fix this problem?  The answer, in my estimation, is eloquently simple:  put some of the decision making power in the hands of the physicians and patients.  As long as congress and the healthcare lobby has the power, we will never have real change in this country.  I believe that the time has come to allow doctors to unionize (it is currently against the law) and to organize ourselves with our patients so that we can collectively bargain with insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies and even the federal government.  I am currently working on just such a solution, and it surely will involve a long legal battle and the cooperation of my colleagues and support from patients but I believe it is a fight worth fighting.  Quality healthcare should be affordable to everyone and we all will be better off with more NOT fewer quality physicians in the workforce.  

We've probably all seen the uproar over President Clinton's personal physician's assertion that Gov. Chris Christy could die in office due to his morbid obesity.  It is referred to as "morbid" obesity because it kills you.  He is so fat it is disgusting to look at him.  Now, for my fat patients (yes, I am going to use that word for this blog, you'll understand at the end), everything I am about to say applies to you as well.  The fact of the matter is that obesity kills.  It causes diabetes, dementia, heart disease, stoke, spine disease, insomnia and early death.  

I am sick to death of hearing that big fat blow hard tell people to shut up about his weight.  You are a disgustingly fat person, Governor.  And yes, your son should ask you if you are going to die and you should answer that it is a strong possibility.  If you'd like people to stop talking about your weight, get on a damn diet and exercise and lose the weight.  Period.  Until then, as a physician I can easily look at you without examination or looking at your records and tell you that you could and probably will die early.  You are not a physician and would be well advised to listen to those of us who are.    

You had the stupidity to go on the Letterman show and shove a doughnut down your throat, apparently thinking that was funny.  It is not, and you are an ass.  (A huge one, at that).  You stated that you are the healthiest fat person there is and that your cholesterol is normal (I guarantee that is a lie) and your blood sugar is normal (guaranteed lie).  You are a disgrace and poor example for millions of Americans who struggle with their weight.  Why don't YOU shut up and set an example by shedding a few hundred pounds.  For my patients, I care about all of you no matter what your weight  and I and Dr. Laurie are hear for you to help you lose the weight.  I used the term "fat" in this blog to drive home a point:  there IS NO WAY of dancing around the issue of obesity and perhaps if we start using the word fat more often we can get through to people and save their lives.   

It's that important!

Did you know that getting a good night of sleep can lead to healthy, sustainable weight loss? Fascinating.

Tune in LIVE as Dr. Geraci and Dr. Brodsky are featured on FTNS fitness radio show, the Diabesity Solution, as they explore the complicated web behind insomnia as it pertains to living a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Check out our podcast HERE and be sure to tune in next time!