Texas State government has decided not to implement the health insurance exchange that’s mandated federal law. Republican Governor Rick Perry strongly opposed the Affordable Care Act and threatened to reject any law pertaining to the implementation of a Texas health insurance exchange.According to Rep. John Zerwas, MD, who sponsored the bill to create the Texas exchange, Gov. Perry is emphasizing that he does not want to be involved in the execution of health care reform in any possible way.In contrast, the Texas Medical Association supports the Zerwas bill. Special grants would be offered to those with earnings at 400-percent of the federal poverty line to help them buy coverage through the exchange.By January 2013, the Department of Health and Human Services will screen health insurance exchanges that have been created by different states. If these are deemed fit to operate in accordance with the health care reform law by 2014, states will retain control. If not, the federal government will step in to fulfill health care reform.Steve Larsen, director of the HHS Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight, says that states who fail to enact their own exchange will have a second chance. They need to submit notice 12 months in advance, though.What Is The Texas Health Insurance Exchange Alternative?Gov. Perry approved a bill to create “health care collaboratives.” Under this bill, health care organizations that take on the financial risk for treating consumers will be categorized as TX health insurance. Physicians will be given the opportunity to participate in more than one of these collaboratives.Another alternative has been making news, too. In Camden, New Jersey, which is infamous as one of the poorest and most violent cities in the nation, an innovative idea has cut the cost of healthcare by 40 to 50 percent.An official from the Obama administration and two members of Congress have already visited the city to some the new strategies. One idea is to bring health care to those who need it most. Two hotspots showed up as epicenters for the biggest medical bills. One of those areas was an apartment building for 300 disabled or elderly people. The reason why health care was so costly here was not the sheer volume, but that expensive emergency care was being substitutes for preventive care. They turned the cost of health care upside down here by adding a nurse practitioner’s office in the building.Having regular preventive care check-ups not only saved money, but also improved the quality of life for many of the apartment’s residents because they received better care than what was available via the E.R.Will A Texas Health Insurance Exchange Improve Preventive Health Care?The health insurance exchange also stands to move people who couldn’t previously afford TX health insurance out of the E.R. When more people have access to preventive health care, we may see a reduction in medical expense throughout most large cities.If one of the poorest cities in the nation can cut medical costs by 40 to 50 percent while improving the quality of health care and reducing the need for health care, what stands in the way for other cities? Could it be that those who profit from high-priced emergency room care are holding us back?

If you know anyone who is suffering from anxiety, you are aware of how much it impacts their lives. It influences every aspect of their being: from concentration to personal relationships and even their sense of self-worth.

Fortunately, there are ways to beat anxiety. Not all strategies work for everyone because different people have different triggers and responses to stressors. However, regardless of personal taste or preferences, there is something here for every reader to adopt and implement.

Change Your Thinking

A lot of the time, anxious thoughts are just the product of outdated habits or assumptions. You may be retriggering old anxieties or insecurities that aren’t as applicable to your life as they were before. You may not be aware that your anxiety is a product of insecure or pessimistic thinking.

Start by asking yourself some questions:

● What do you think will go wrong?

● What are your worst-case scenarios?

● What are your expectations?

● Are they realistic and healthy?

● What’s the biggest thing you’re worried about right now?

● Is it a legitimate cause for concern?

● What evidence do you have to support that idea?

● Are there other possible explanations?

Meditate

There are a lot of benefits associated with meditation, but one of the most understated is its ability to help with anxiety. Meditation is an excellent way to help you get back in touch with your body and what is happening inside. It can help you identify when and why you’re feeling anxious.

When you start to meditate, you’ll notice thoughts entering your mind from time to time. This is normal. The goal isn’t to kill all of your thoughts but rather to acknowledge them, accept them, and then let them go.