Issue #035, February 11, 2011

Leaving the Cubicle and
Health Insurance Alternatives

This is the second in a series of articles on how you can earn a living off the land. This month's article discusses health insurance alternatives.

Ask people why they're reluctant to give up the cubicle and pursue their dreams, and they'll often mention health insurance benefits. You may be wondering the same thing; how can I possibly give up that great healthcare plan?

The truth is, you can live without that costly healthcare plan, but it will take a new way of thinking as well as taking responsibility for your own health. Americans have been living without health insurance far longer than they have with it, and while having some form of insurance in an emergency is undoubtedly prudent, I still have to ask: Do we really need the full, invasive sort of coverage that is so prevalent in the United States today?

Health Insurance and Invasive Medicine

It started out as a great idea; everybody chip in a little each month, and then when one person winds up in the hospital, his bills are covered. Unfortunately, as the health industry grew, health insurance gradually turned into health management instead.

Because they were footing the bill, insurance companies now had the right to dictate what kind of coverage – and what kind of medical treatment - we were allowed to have, making it much harder for people to turn to alternative medicines such as homeopathy, naturopathy and other types of alternative medicines. We are now known as Generation RX, a grossly over-drugged society.

Health Insurance and Waste

With insurance companies footing the bill, the free market virtually disappeared from the medical field. People who don't have to pay out of pocket for their medical costs tend to choose the most expensive treatments whether they're the best way to go or not.

Hospitals often charge exorbitant prices for simple things such as bandages and bedpans, and hospital staff, unconcerned with costs, waste supplies. Doctors who once entered the profession for noble purposes now enter the field of medicine to get rich instead.

So what's the Answer?

The Health Care Reform bill requires everyone over a certain income bracket to buy health care coverage, but you don't have to buy traditional health insurance. There are health care sharing programs available where instead of sending your money to an insurance company, you instead send it to those with medical needs.

These programs discourage waste and make sure the money is going where it is truly needed. To learn more about one such program, click here.

What's New?

Bulk wheat seed - will it still sprout after being stored for a few years in an oxygen-free container? Read more.

Ezekiel Sprouted Grain Bread Recipes

Ezekiel sprouted grain bread recipes are a fabulous, low-glycemic alternative for people watching their blood sugar, but Ezekiel bread also provide a high amount of nutrition for anyone, making them a great choice for the whole family. Read more.

Cat Tails, Seven in a Row

The morning at Goosepoop Farm was one more of those frigid cold mornings that we have had all this week. The cold is draining not only for the animals but for me as well. Read more.

Windmills for Electricity

Windmills for electricity is not an easy way to provide power for your home, but if you have the right system and are willing to put in the work, you could have an energy source that will last for years and save thousands of dollars. Read more.

Bees in Winter

Bees in winter typically don't need any special care as long as they are a healthy, full-sized colony, but if you want to increase your brood strength, some extra steps are called for. Read more.

Guide to Using Homeopathic Medicine

Guide to using homeopathic medicine is useful for gentle, quick healing of many ailments. Here are some of the more common homeopathic remedies you should have on hand for emergencies. Read more.

Facts About Solar Panels

Facts about solar panels - how they work and whether they're right for you. If you live in a sunny area, such as California, solar panels are a good investment. But those of us living in the rest of the country will likely have to rely on other sources as well for our energy. Read more.

Homesteading, Live Your Dreams, Plant Your Future

Why Farmer Dave left the craziness of society to pursue his dreams, and why you should as well. Read more.

And as always, happy homesteading!

You Can Build a Chicken Tractor