Here is a list of problems that I think need to be looked at as an integrated whole. That's why I've put this as a Forum topic. I've also put each of these in Activist Solutions as a separate problem.

1. Stress – Generally
2. Boredom – Particularly among youth
3. Poverty
4. Energy Consumption and Destruction of Farmland through Development
5. Workforce Dissatisfaction, Overwork and Stress in the Workplace
6. Workplace and Corporate Culture
7. Anger In the Workplace – Both Overt and Covert

Professional Case Management at NewTown University Hospital and Center for Life Strategies
The hospital shall employ a sufficient number of professional case managers who specialize in medical case management and social work case management. These people will be certified by organizations such as the National Association of Social Workers - http://www.socialworkers.org/practice/standards/sw_case_mgmt.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hospital_case_management

Additions to this text are italicized and underlined

On December 30, 2008, twenty-eight of us gathered in Staten Island, New York to discuss the problems with the health care system, and to brainstorm what could be done about it. Here are the areas we discussed:

1. What does the group perceive as the biggest problem in the health system?

Furthermore, the rate of increase for health coverage is far higher than all other cost increases for most employers. This rapidly growing component acts to reduce the funds available to pay cash compensation to employees or provide other benefits and, on a global level, reduces the competitiveness of the products and services of American companies. This situation is not sustainable over the long haul for either small employers or their employees and family members.

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... but do they go far enough? How would your solutions work if we had universal publicly paid for health care that included prescription drugs?

The House is currently considering a bill called the Pharmaceutical Market Access and Drug Safety Act of 2007 (H.R. 380). Here is how it describes the problem:

1. Americans unjustly pay up to 5 times more to fill their prescriptions than consumers in other countries;
2. the United States is the largest market for pharmaceuticals in the world, yet American consumers pay the highest prices for brand pharmaceuticals in the world;
3. a prescription drug is neither safe nor effective to an individual who cannot afford it;

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These are very interesting and well-presented proposals for fixing children’s as well as adult health care problems. I’d like to see any other materials you’ve written on health care or other public or political issues.

As of 2006, 9.3% of children were uninsured, 59.7% had private insurance, and 32.3% had public health plan coverage. (National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control)

Malpractice rates keep increasing; certain areas have too few doctors as a result; defensive medicine increases the cost of health care without adding to the quality of care.

Private health insurance costs are a major burden on the middle and lower classes. Many that can afford health insurance have to struggle to pay for it. Many can't afford it at all, but are not deemed poor enough to qualify for Medicaid.

As a result, many people do not have reliable access to health care.

Finally, those that do have access do not receive the level of care that they need.