What’s Your Big Idea for Change in America?

UPDATE: Voting has ended, but to see the topics selected visit their site. There are a couple heath related topics that won and they "have opened discussion for how to most effectively turn each idea into a successful national campaign, and would love your suggestions on how to bring about this Idea for Change. "

Change.org says

What’s Your Big Idea for Change in America?

President-Elect Obama says he wants to hear ideas from all Americans, so we're taking him up on his offer. Submit your ideas for how to change America, discuss with others, and vote for your favorites.

The "Top 10 Ideas for America" will be presented to the Obama Administration on Inauguration Day. We will then build a national campaign to advance each idea in Congress, marshaling the resources of Change.org, MySpace, and our dozens of partner organizations and millions of combined members.

Under health care, you have to scroll way down to find mention of holistic causes. I think "Naturopathic Medicine and Traditional Should Both Be Recognized Equally" represents the interests of the ConnectedtoWellness.com community, but is currently in 107th Place in Health Care and needs 939 more votes to make it into the second round. So if you agree, vote for it and share it with your friends. (There's unlimited voting, so you can vote for other ideas and categories too.)

UPDATE: Here's something along similar lines with more votes: Integrated Healthcare Delivery System

and this Support alternative medical care

and on a different but also important note:

Food and water reform for health care.

Please President Elect Obama, To reform healtcare in this country we must have food and water reform. We must get fluoride out of our drinking water. We must have honest education and labeling about MSG, HFCS, GMOs, and artificial sweeteners. We also need to know where our food comes from. We should not have to be detectives inorder to eat right. How can we have good health if we are not eating a healthy diet?

and there are lots of other ideas worthy of your vote, so go check them out and VOTE!

Top Rated Health Care Ideas on Change.org

and a personal plug by Kassy: please vote for this one! It will make a world of difference in our elections and this way you will always be able to vote for the person you think is best, without worrying about "spoiler" effects or choose the less awful candidate.

Instant Runoff Voting

Join the Discussion on Health Care Reform

As our President-elect and his team work on plans, they are actively seeking input from all of us. The comment I shared with the Health care Transition team is below (written by Kassy Killey and it reflects my own personal views only). I'd like to encourage you to share your thoughts too.

I have respect for the medical profession, but it is usually not my first choice for my health care. To my knowledge most medical school programs still don't discuss nutrition, let alone other options besides treating with drugs and surgery. Please, please, please include the holistic, integrative and Chinese Medicine practices into whatever plans are put into place. I've been failed a number of times by "Western medicine" and drugs. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. But if I need a "cure" I want one that looks deeper than the surface symptom. Also the current insurance setting doesn't allow for doctors to spend time with patients to really get to know what's going on. I think other regulatory groups should be included in a Wellness Plan for America, that doesn't allow the FDA to do business as they have, putting all the risk on individuals and not making companies prove the ingredients/materials used in their products are safe. Or the EPA...they should not allow any new toxins in our air, water, land, etc. These factors have also contributed to our health care crisis. The body is amazing in its ability to heal itself. We've messed it up pretty badly if it needs outside intervention on a daily basis.

Do Your Research Before Taking the Shot

As flu season approaches, it is important to consider what many in the holistic health field have been saying for years about the flu shot: "Don't get it."

According to the blog Vaccine Awakening, which has lots of links to research on both sides of the flu shot issue,

How many Americans know there are practical steps to take during the flu season that will not only help protect against all infections, including actual influenza as well as other "flu-like illnesses" that can often be mistaken for influenza? (Only about 20 percent of all "flu-like" illness is actually influenza and only three strains of the many strains of type A and type B influenza that may be circulating during the year are actually included in the influenza vaccine).

To prevent and treat influenza or flu-like respiratory illness that does not involve fever over 103 F., pneumonia or serious complications which may require medical intervention, the National Vaccine Information Center offers the following non- toxic suggestions:

1. Wash your hands frequently.
2. Avoid close contact with those who are sick.
3. If you are sick, avoid close contact with those who are well.
4. Cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze.
5. Drink plenty of fluids, especially water.
6. Get adequate sleep.
7. Eat a healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals, especially foods containing vitamin C (such as citrus fruits) and vitamin D (such as cod liver oil) and spend a few minutes a day in sunlight to help your body make and store vitamin D.
8. Exercise regularly when you are well.
9. Lower stress.
10. Consider including holistic alternatives in your wellness or healing plan, such as chiropractic adjustments, homeopathic and naturopathic remedies, acupuncture and other health care options.

While the flu shot may be available around every corner and through many employers, it doesn't mean it's safe and it doesn't mean it will keep you healthy. Be sure to research the issue and weight the facts for yourself before getting a shot.