Omens, prayers and health plans

I welcomed the new year curled up like a fetus in a dark bedroom nearest to the bathroom. Midway through the night, I found myself awake and uncomfortable, though I knew not what demon was about to pounce.

Within an hour, the affliction revealed itself–a classic case of the 24-hour bug. Whether viral or food-borne, whatever struck me on New Year’s Eve left me bed-bound for New Year’s Day—an unhealthy omen I’m aiming to erase by focusing on health in this column.

In 2005 we’ll have fresh opportunities to fund our personal health prospects. If we do little else but move more and eat less, we’ll make strides toward better health. Toss in a daily meditation, perhaps some yoga, a breathing exercise, a change in diet or elimination of an unhealthy habit, and we’re on our way to substantial gains.

Should something go awry, those of us blessed with health insurance will draw upon that resource; but more than 40 million Americans now live without even a basic health plan. If you are one of them, resolve to check out the Ithaca Health Fund.

For $100 per year for an adult and $50 per year for a child, participants receive limited payments for uninsured claims related to broken bones, burns, emergency stitches and appendectomies, ambulance rides and emergency room visits, various diagnostic exams and more. No deductibles are charged and payments are made worldwide to credentialed healthcare providers. Dental loans and other discounts are available to members, including reduced rates for a wide range of alternative and conventional healthcare providers.

Based in Ithaca, NY, which boasts more massage professionals per person than you’re likely to find anywhere else, the fund even provides members with a free 20-minute massage. The project, called Massage Army, grew from the idea that “armies of gentle touch” might help us all become more peaceful, and thereby, healthier.

Founded by Paul Glover in 1997, the fund is rooted in an Amish concept of healthcare; when a community member is stricken, everyone pitches in and pools resources. Glover and several friends and associates each contributed $100 and continued recruiting others. The fund began paying claims in 1998, and today is stronger than ever, with assets of $215,000 and members in 27 states. Reach the Ithaca Health Fund at Box 362, Ithaca, NY, 14851, or visit ithacahealth.org for more information, or call 607/272-4330.

For the uninsured or underinsured, the Ithaca Health Fund is an affordable means to obtaining financial assistance with healthcare needs. But even for those of us with health insurance, it’s an opportunity to participate in an important effort to allay a soaring healthcare problem. By joining, we can support a project aimed at helping those who lack health coverage to obtain some basic services and emergency care.

In helping others, we actually help ourselves in a way that goes well beyond our best New Year’s resolutions. It’s often impossible to know the outcome of such efforts, but the act of faith we exercise is ample reward.

In that spirit, I ask those of you with room in your day for a small favor. My sister, Amy, has a beloved cocker spaniel whose kidneys are failing. “Toad” was the runt in his litter, but has made up for physical lacks with an overload of love. If you’ve got a moment to send a supportive thought his way, we’d be most grateful. Though they come in sometimes surprising forms, miracles do happen. Just look at the Ithaca Health Fund and what it might mean for 40 million uninsured Americans.

Thanks for helping. Good health and good cheer for the new year!