HEALTH: BIG PHARMA - MONEY TALKS

Ready for a visit?

Let’s address a question I posed two weeks ago regarding health care: “Have you ever speculated why doctors take patients off medications which seem to be effective in order to determine if ‘new and improved’ medications might be better?”

Shall we begin our discussion with money? “Money talks,” you know.

“Big Pharma” is a name which represents pharmaceutical and biotech companies with annual revenue in excess of $3 billion, and/or Research and Development expenditure in excess of $500 million! Approximately 30 companies fall into this category. These numbers make even the oil and gas industry profit margins seem small!

According to Big Pharma, they invest all of their drug revenues into research and development, claiming that every new drug requires $800 million in research to develop. However, further investigation reveals that each new drug requires less than $100 million to bring to market! In fact, the vast majority of drug research is funded by taxpayer dollars through grants to research universities.

I wonder… where does all that money go!

Although most health-care practitioners and drug-representatives are oblivious to what is going on, the activity “behind the scenes” at executive levels must be exposed.

* The CEOs of these giant companies stuff their pockets with $134 million in annual salaries, with an additional $115+ million in annual stock option bonuses!

* Flipping through periodicals or T.V. channels, one can quickly surmise that allocating large sums of money for directly promoting pharmaceuticals to consumers must be a worthwhile investment. Studies indicate that many folks who view these “infomercials” become convinced that they’re experiencing these publicized health problems. Together with those already being treated for them, they clamor for the newly improved remedy, which their physician is typically happy to prescribe.

* Because medical people tend to be very busy, Big Pharma spends 90% of its $21 billion annual marketing budget on clever schemes for catching their attention! Although medical personnel purport that the following “little perks” have no influence over their “scientific” decision making, drug marketing strategy studies and articles written by concerned medical professionals indicate otherwise:

· “Drug Reps” are sent into health-care facilities, offering gimmicky items and providing nice meals while introducing the new wonder-working drug.

· Large quantities of “free” drug samples are also offered. At first glance, this appears quite generous. However, once a doctor has dispensed all these samples, patients are presented with a prescription for the costly, new miracle drug.

· All-expenses-paid trips to conferences at luxury resorts all around the world are promoted as “medical education.” Offering required continuing education credits, Big Pharma chooses the class content. For several hours a day, the attendees are “educated” on the latest and most exciting pharmaceutical and biotechnical developments which of course are only available through…. Big Pharma. The remainder of the “educational” time is spent enjoying the amenities of the locale.

Big Pharma has a pretty loud voice; wouldn’t you say? I wonder…does it wield far too much “money power” to be restrained? Stay tuned!


Whole-Heartedly,
Bonnie

HEALTH & HEALING

I’m anxious to share what’s on my heart this week!

Last week, I offered a few questions regarding health-care for the purpose of “getting your juices flowing.” As we begin to gather our thoughts about and responses to these questions, I believe it is important that those of us who are professing Christians evaluate our typical reactions to health concerns. I have found that one or a combination of the following is our most common first response:
1) Medication / professional health-care
2) prayer / anointing oil for physical healing

I find it interesting that most Christians will take steps toward quick relief from illness before they even consider asking God to show them why they are experiencing it. I wonder why? Do we assume God desires for us to be quickly relieved of the distress regardless of whether or not our life-style and/or spiritual condition might be responsible for the illness in the first place?

Perhaps our first response to illness should not be:
“This requires medical attention” or
“this requires divine healing”: but rather ,
"this requires the wisdom and guidance of God!”

Please don’t misunderstand what I’m saying. As the Great Physician, God can and sometimes does use the caring hands of physicians, the amazing properties of health remedies or even an instantaneous, miraculous answer to prayer to bring healing. However, just because God is capable of and sometimes does use these methods this does not mean that we should expect them to be His answers in all circumstances.

For example, have you ever considered that God may have life-saving insights which He desires to reveal if only we would reach toward Him for wisdom instead of quick relief? If we were to ask Him for insight, it is very possible He would reveal that our illness is related to such things as:
· poor diet
· stress
· chemicals in our home
· spiritual weakness (i.e. unforgiveness or unrepentance)

A few years ago, I experienced health problems which became so severe that I had difficulty raising my arms above my head. Ongoing general discomfort prevented adequate sleep. Doing the simplest task for a few brief moments resulted in exhaustion and reading even average sized print required a magnifying glass. Most alarming was that my memory became so foggy that I was unable to keep even the simple steps of a recipe organized in my mind. I was frightened and knew I needed help.

I could seek “professional health-care.” I could request prayer and anointing for physical healing. I could request God’s presence in the suffering, recognizing that it may be only here that the necessary physical and spiritual changes will transpire. What should I choose?

Could it be that God’s response to our illness is based on a panoramic view which we do not have? Could it be that offering physical healing is not His greatest concern for us, but spiritual healing is? Could it be that in His wisdom, He uses that which we suffer to lead us into the spiritual fullness which He so desires for us? If so, isn’t it essential to seek His wisdom and guidance prior to pursuing any particular course of action?


Whole-Heartedly,
Bonnie

HEALTH-CARE - INTRODUCTION

Hi! Thanks for inviting me in!

I’ve had a number of people ask me why I left my beloved career in Emergency Nursing to pursue Legal-Nurse Consulting. These two fields do seem to be on completely opposite sides of the fence. Maybe this would be a good time to answer that question and visit a bit about health-care.

The short story is that I saw way too much on both sides of that fence! Allow me to begin by saying that the majority of my colleagues in the medical field are wonderful people who truly have concern for those to whom they provide care. However, I have also worked beside health-care “professionals” who lacked moral principles, demonstrated no obvious compassion for those desperately needing their assistance and regularly exhibited careless use of skills.

Across that fence were multitudes of precious patients who were totally dependent upon us, the health-care professionals to be aptly qualified and willing to make challenging sacrifices for the purpose of meeting medical, emotional and spiritual needs in their time of crisis. However, I have also nursed more than enough “sue-happy” patients who were after whatever they could get in whatever way they could get it. The health-care field has become an easy target for these pursuits and the unfortunate result of such malicious behavior is that conscientious, compassionate people have lost their careers, possessions and often their families!

The depraved activity on both sides of this fence, ripped at my heart year after year. Yet, it seemed that there was little I could do from within the medical system to bridge the gap. Consequently, when it became evident that the only hope for change was from outside the system, I took the step into the legal arena. As if the interesting and challenging experience of this field were not enough, it eventually led me to truths that if I had not uncovered them for myself, it is unlikely that anyone could have convinced me of their validity!

My experiences in these two positions gave me enough evidence from “behind the scenes” to cause me to re-evaluate many things about the health-care field, its typical approach and effects on those seeking help from it. The results of these re-evaluations might be of interest to you, as well.

Allow me to “wet your whistle” a bit with a few questions:

*Have you ever wondered why, after having paid thousands of dollars into health insurance premiums, patients are discharged from the hospital before they have properly recovered because their insurance has “run out?”

*Have you ever speculated why a doctor takes a patient off a medication which seems to working fine in order to determine if this “new and improved” medication might be better?

*Have you ever questioned why both food and drugs are “approved” by the same administration?

*Are you aware that scientifically proven cures for various “incurable” diseases have been discovered, yet this information has been withheld from the general public?

Let’s spend some time in future conversations seeing if we can reach some reasonable explanations for these unsettling questions, shall we? You may be shocked at what we discover. I have been.

Whole-Heartedly,
Bonnie

SEARCHING ALL ALONE - INSIDE

I’ve really been looking forward to our “visit!”

I expressed the wish in my first column to “speak” with those who feel all alone in their search for true meaning and purpose in their lives. Last week we “visited” specifically with those outside the “church.” Let’s switch gears in our conversation this week.

As always, everyone is welcome to “listen in,” but this week I’d like to specifically visit with those within the “establishment” who are wondering, “Is this all there is to this thing called ‘church?’ If ‘church-life’ doesn’t get any better than this, I’m not sure I need or want it!” Have you ever looked at those in the pew next to you wondering, “Why do they seem so comfortable while I’m experiencing such disillusionment, frustration, unsettledness, confusion and isolation? I guess I just don’t get it!” I understand because I have been where you are and I’m willing to share my heart with you about that in the weeks to come. May I assure you that it could very well be Jesus Himself who is stirring your heart? In fact, maybe you are the one who “gets it!” It’s quite possible that you simply need someone to come along side of and help you to see what the Bible truly says about “church life.”

The more I seek God regarding His desire for His Church, the more He seems to reveal His concerns regarding the “institutional church system.”

As a result, I have a tremendous burden on my heart for those who feel trapped in it and I believe our Savior desires for me to reach out and speak-up.

May I be so bold as to suggest that the “system” can stifle the effectiveness of God’s Kingdom work? Please don’t misunderstand me. I love our brothers and sisters within and outside the “organized church.” I recognize that God is able to and in some ways does accomplish His work “from within” in spite of its institutional problems. It does seem, however, that He is stirring unsettledness in the hearts of many “within” the organization. Could it be that God is using this unsettledness to awaken His people to receive fuller biblical truth and understanding, rather than manmade doctrines? Could it be that He is awakening you? I believe that He is desiring to reveal more and more of His “Church without walls” to “those who have ears to hear.”

I’d love for us to explore together some of those truths which God desires to uncover. For those “listening in” who are comfortable and cozy within “the established church,” I welcome you to stay and “visit.” Who knows, maybe our conversation will stir-up a bit of healthy restlessness in you, too.

Whole-Heartedly,
Bonnie

PLEASE STAY TUNED

Dear Searching Friends,

My last post here just came out in the local paper yesterday. Because I desire to keep my articles here the same as those in the local paper, I’m going to “hold-up” my next posted article until next Thurs. I will make every effort to post every Thurs. thereafter.

In the mean time... please feel free to dialogue with one another, respond to comments, offer comments etc. After having received your permission first, I would like to respond to some of your comments/questions (without names) in my published articles. So...please..... share hearts! Be a blessing to one another!

Whole-Heartedly,
Bonnie

SEARCHING ALL ALONE - OUTSIDE

Thanks for “inviting” me back!

Last week I introduced myself and mentioned that I desire to speak to those who feel all alone while searching for true meaning and purpose in their lives. I recognize that there are different reasons people fit into this category. Although I welcome others to “listen in,” if you have never stepped foot into a “church” or were “raised in the church,” but have come to be disillusioned by what you believe it represents, I’d like to specifically “visit” with you today.

May I begin by asking a favor of you? Please, don’t shut me out simply because I mention the name, “Jesus.” Would you be willing to grant me an opportunity to share some things with you before you make any decisions about whether or not I should be “allowed into your home” on an ongoing basis?

I would like to begin by asking you to forgive us professing Christians who have failed so poorly at being “Jesus with skin on” for you. Please don’t judge Him according to how the “established church” has often represented Him.

Although, I was “raised in the church,” I can identify with coming to a place where I, too, was so disillusioned by what I was seeing within the “establishment” that I began to question everything about it. During that time I wondered, “If I openly share my heart would anyone understand me?” I felt so alone. I was desperate to hear God’s voice and to feel His presence.

I recall crying out to Jesus, “If this is all there is to ‘church,’ what good is it? Nearly everyone in this ‘establishment’ is just ‘playing the game.’ Maybe I am no different! What I’m seeing and experiencing within “the four walls” certainly doesn’t reflect the Church Your Word describes. If this is all there is, Jesus, I can’t “play the game” anymore! If there is more, please show me. Reveal to me what You desire for Your Church today.”

May I suggest to you that the Jesus whom I’ve come to know and the picture that He revealed regarding His Church through that time of struggle is likely not the “Jesus” or the “church” you have witnessed outside nor experienced within the “establishment?”

Thanks for allowing me to share my heart with you. I hope you’ll “leave your door open” for me each week. The Jesus I’ve come to know is somebody you’d probably like to meet and what He desires for His Church just may appeal to you.

Whole-Heartedly, Bonnie

INTRODUCTION

I’m excited about this opportunity to “visit” you weekly!

May I introduce myself and give you an idea of what we might be “visiting” about? I hope that you come to look forward to these “visits” and realize that someone cares enough to “sit and chat” a bit about the deeper, more important things in life.

My name is Bonnie Jaeckle. My husband, Gary & I moved a few years ago to a quaint little cabin quietly nestled in the woods of Ringgold County. We live with our arthritic cat, Smokie and Border Collie, Berea who “doesn’t take too kindly to strangers.” We have five precious children and five loveable grandchildren scattered about the states.

I am a 53 year old country gal with more interests than I have time for. I can be found frequently in the kitchen making healthy products for family and friends. In the warmer months, I’m drawn to my garden in the cool of the evening. Learning is a year ‘round passion for me, but in the winter I’m often at my computer researching something which typically leads to writing. Although I have several musical instruments, recently I’ve been learning to play the stand-up bass. This big, ol’ beast seems to blend well with the Country Gospel and Bluegrass songs which I love to sing.

I’m the youngest of six, raised by our dear momma in the cornfields of Illinois. Although we were blessed in many ways, it often seemed as though the hardships were unending. Sharing some of those experiences and how they affected my life may be helpful to you, as well as for me.

Although I wouldn’t say that I was reared in a “Christian” environment, Sunday mornings were spent sitting on an oak pew next to my momma in a little country, non-denominational church. This provided a spiritual foundation for me that I will be ever grateful for and enjoy sharing stories about.

Prior to developing a counseling ministry 13 years ago, most of my adult years were spent in the nursing field. However, my strong interest in health and health care never quite fit the pattern of the traditional nurse. I rarely agree with the approach that is taught in the medical field and am, in fact, often identified as one who challenges the standard approach in what I practice and write. Consequently, after 18 years of Emergency Nursing I made the transition into Legal Nurse Consulting, assisting attorneys as a consultant and expert witness. In my “old age,” my challenge to the medical field is from a greater distance; you will likely hear it in this column from time to time.

I have always had a strong aversion to being forced into a box which fits the standards and expectations of others; becoming a “pastor’s wife” didn’t seem to deter me much in this regard. In fact, I was frequently told, “You are unlike any other ‘pastor’s wife’ I’ve ever met.” I’m certain that in a fair number of instances I wasn’t being complimented by this assessment.

These various life experiences have caused me to question and re-evaluate many things about what most of us have been taught regarding politics, “the church,” nationalism, health, lifestyle and “heart issues.” Some say, I oughta keep these thoughts to myself. But….I like to be challenged and I like to challenge others to stretch beyond their comfort zones.
S-T-R-E-T-C-H-I-N-G is healthy, don’t you think?

I realize that sharing these ponderings might occasionally irritate you a bit. But, I hope that you will come to know me well enough that you hear my concern for you and others behind the challenges and will “invite” me back into your home the following week.

Although, I’ve been described as a “deep thinker” whose “brain never shuts off,” I also like to have fun and hope that I can occasionally make ya chuckle. It is more important to me to speak to people’s hearts than to “stir-up controversy.” So….how about we start there in our first few “visits?”

In the meantime… you may find me meandering the streets of town chatting with people, simply because I desire to hear what’s on their hearts and to share what’s on mine. If not…..

See ya next week!
Bonnie,