Not long ago, the Department of Agriculture proposed to
control fire ants using an astonishing little creature
called the DECAPITATING PHORID FLY. It takes less than a
tenth of a second for a female fly to inject an egg into
the ant's midsection. When the egg hatches, the maggot
crawls inside the ant, and - here comes the best (or
should we say the most delicious?) part - EATS THE ENTIRE
CONTENTS OF THE ANT'S HEAD. Meanwhile, unsuspecting ant
strolls along with its insides being devoured until its
head falls off. Inside the detached head, the maggot turns
into a fly, crawls out and looks around for more ants...
The preceding passage is not an excerpt from the "Bug's
Life" re-write by Stephen King, nor is it a script-pilot
for the new Sci-Fi TV series called "InsX-Files". At
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/video/vnr/firefly.htm you can
actually see an amazing video of phorid flies in action
titled Good Flies Take on Fire Ants.
As gruesome as it is this genuine story rather accurately
depicts the vulnerability of the 45 million people (15.4%
of the population of the U.S.) who cannot afford timely
medical help. They often face a daunting choice of
(a) postponing their child's next visit to the doctor or
(b) jeopardizing their rent or mortgage in order to pay
ever-increasing medical bills. Quite enough to loose one's
head, isn't it? (So far only metaphorically, but judging
by the media headlines describing current crisis within
the healthcare industry "the worst is yet to come!")
Once faced with a serious health problem, the unfortunate
ant from the story had no choice but to loose its head.
Humans usually have more options.
Now you can choose from several non-insurance health care
solutions that anyone can use to access the same networks
of health care providers (for the same low negotiated
rates!) that large insurance companies use. No long-term
commitment is required on your part and the service is
available for a modest monthly fee that is only a fraction
of an average health insurance premium. Best of all, there
are no pre-existing condition limitations, no waiting
periods and no third party limiting the care you can
receive or the specialists you are allowed to see.
If you do not have health insurance, are underinsured,
have pre-existing conditions, or simply can't afford high
premiums - there is one question you should ask yourself
right now. Are you waiting for your PHORID FLY to arrive?