Radiohead “No Surprises”

Posted by Spencer on Sep 24, 2009 in Music, entertainment | 19076 commentshttp://www.iamspencer.com/2009/09/24/radiohead-no-surprises/Radiohead+%22No+Surprises%222009-09-24+12%3A30%3A22Spencer

The season 6 premiere of House used a song from my all-time favorite album, Radiohead’s OK Computer. Not exactly a happy song, but a brilliant one. One of their best.

Pennsylvania smacks down Valley Swim Club

Posted by Spencer on Sep 22, 2009 in bigotry, racism | 189921 commentshttp://www.iamspencer.com/2009/09/22/pennsylvania-smacks-down-valley-swim-club/Pennsylvania+smacks+down+Valley+Swim+Club2009-09-23+02%3A09%3A28Spencer

So a state investigation has ruled that the Valley Swim Club in Montgomery County, PA did discriminate against 56 black and Hispanic children when they cancelled their agreement to swim at the club. The findings state that racial comments by members led to the canceling of the contract. In addition to having to return the contract fee, they were fined $50,000.

I notice that the report says of out of 334 members of the club, not one is black. They tried to hide this fact earlier in the summer saying they did have minority members. Maybe they were counting the landscapers (I’m not stereotyping, when I was there I did see black landscapers).

I have to say it couldn’t happen to nicer folks. I hope their club goes bankrupt and the members have to swim at a public pool.

Who has this good health insurance?

Posted by Spencer on Sep 19, 2009 in Healthcare, Politics | 18975 commentshttp://www.iamspencer.com/2009/09/19/who-has-this-good-health-insurance/Who+has+this+good+health+insurance%3F2009-09-19+12%3A28%3A13Spencer

Angrier and angrier I get.

I keep hearing people saying that they’re worried about losing their health insurance. The Rethuglicans keep saying the American people are happy with their insurance providers and their doctors. Really? I’ve spent the last 3 weeks dealing with insurance companies, doctors, hospitals, pharmacies and whoever else I had to deal with and at no point have I thought “Wow, insurance companies are awesome.”

Isn’t it patently clear that the insurance companies need to be eliminated? How in the world has the Republican party convinced American people to argue on the behalf of the very companies that turn down our claims, cancel our health plans, and overcharge us for the privilege?

And another thing? Why aren’t we going after the pharmaceutical companies? Yesterday I received 36 boxes (72 doses) of generic Imitrex (sumitriptan succinate) at a cost of $5,200 (not my cost – what the drug costs). That is $72 per dose; for generic. There has got to be the understanding that controlling costs in the healthcare industry without reigning in the pharmaceutical industry is like losing weight while maintaing that Cheesecake Factor diet. Of course when your Chief of Staff is in the pocket of the pharmas.

Thoughts?

Assaulted by Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh

Posted by Spencer on Sep 18, 2009 in Op-ed, Politics | 18896 commentshttp://www.iamspencer.com/2009/09/18/assaulted-by-glenn-beck-and-rush-limbaugh/Assaulted+by+Glenn+Beck+and+Rush+Limbaugh2009-09-18+23%3A54%3A39Spencer

Today I couldn’t avoid the right-wing assholes. The Phillies happen to be on the same radio station as Limbaugh, so when I got in my car this morning who else but Limbaugh blaring his fascist drivel; quick switch to the iPod. Then when I returned home, I checked the mail and who’s on the front of Time but Glenn Beck.

Quick use of a Sharpie saved the day. Much improved, don’t you think?

Cluster Headaches: Imitrex Injectable vs. Generic Sumitriptan Succinate

Posted by Spencer on Sep 17, 2009 in About Spencer, Healthcare | 18840 commentshttp://www.iamspencer.com/2009/09/17/cluster-headaches-imitrex-injectable-vs-generic-sumitriptan-succinate/Cluster+Headaches%3A+Imitrex+Injectable+vs.+Generic+Sumitriptan+Succinate2009-09-18+01%3A13%3A43Spencer

If you suffer from cluster headaches you’re likely familiar with Imitrex injectable. You’re also likely to be familiar with the high price of Imitrex. The introduction of a generic version last year was welcome news. I’ve been taking the generic version for some weeks now, 4mg doses no more than 3 times per day and so far the generic version seems to work the same as the branded version. The cost is dramatically lower for the generic version. At my local Target, the cash price for two doses of was $214 for branded Imitrex vs. $164 for the generic.

One question I had was whether or not the generic and branded were the same; bottom line is they are. You can use the same stat dose pen kit. I made the following video to illustrate the differences.