1. Guaranteed eligibility. No American will be turned away from any insurance plan because of illness or pre-existing conditions.


2. Comprehensive benefits. The benefit package will be similar to that offered through Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), the plan members of Congress have. The plan will cover all essential medical services, including preventive, maternity and mental health care.
3. Affordable premiums, co-pays and deductibles.
4. Subsidies. Individuals and families who do not qualify for Medicaid or SCHIP but still need financial assistance will receive an income-related federal subsidy to buy into the new public plan or purchase a private health care plan.
5. Simplified paperwork and reined in health costs.
6. Easy enrollment. The new public plan will be simple to enroll in and provide ready access to coverage.
7. Portability and choice. Participants in the new public plan and the National Health Insurance Exchange (see below) will be able to move from job to job without changing or jeopardizing their health care coverage.
8. Quality and efficiency. Participating insurance companies in the new public program will be required to report data to ensure that standards for quality, health information technology and administration are being met.

What kinds of degrees are offered by online universities?

Online universities offer Associates, Bachelors, and Masters degrees; a few offer PhDs in areas such as Health Services, Education, and Psychology. In addition, most online universities offer numerous Certificate programs. The areas of study offered vary among online universities. In general, most online schools offer degrees and certificates in categories.

We still argue over this one! Christophe swears it isn’t true, but when last we visited his parents, what videos had they rented from Blockbuster?? Cinderfella and The Nutty Professor. Need I say more? Still, Christophe claims that if in fact many French people like Jerry Lewis, it is out of a sort of pity for an actor who was once great now reduced to marathons. I think it is because many French people appreciate the slapstick, basic humor, but then so do we, no??

French Myth #2 - French People are Rude


This is a pretty “deep” topic and would take volumes to explore. Basically, it is not that French people are rude - we just perceive them that way because our social styles are so different. For instance, in America, smiling is synonymous with politeness. If France, people don’t require a smile to be considered polite. They only smile because they feel like it, not because it is expected. In America, the smile has become our polite mask which we use everyday in every encounter. Personally, I feel it is much more liberating to be able to wear our “real” faces when in public. Funny cultural note: The smiling Happy Face symbol means “Have a Nice Day!” in America. In France, it is the symbol for “idiot”. Get it?

French Myth #3 - All French People Speak English, They Just Choose Not To

This myth is a source of frustration for both American tourists and French natives alike. First of all, it is not true. Although most French children are taught English in school, it is only as a second language and should never be assumed. Secondly, if you are in France, the person you wish to speak to will naturally expect you to use the language of the country. We Americans feel the same way! Do we not complain about immigrants who do not learn English immediately? If you plan to travel to France, do your best to learn some simple phrases and use them often. You will find that if you try your best to communicate in the native tongue, the natives will do their best to understand you (and, speak a little English in return, but only if they know some!)

French Myth #4 - French Men are More Romantic

Well, I must walk on eggshells here, and am certainly no expert. It does appear, however, that there is a grain of truth to this myth. French people seem to enjoy everything life has to offer to a greater extent, so why should love be an exception? Most take hours just to enjoy a simple meal. Imagine, then, the time they dedicate to more satisfying pleasures! Plus, they are trained from birth to appreciate and respect women (generally speaking). They are also more accustomed to offering gifts and “courting” in a more formal manner. All this is enough to sweep any American girl off her feet! (The accent is particularly charming, too).

American Myth #1 - All Americans are Superficial

This myth is obviously untrue, though decidedly difficult to prove to a new resident of Southern California, USA. Admittedly we do focus on money more, but on an individual basis it becomes plain that we enjoy more in life than just “having” things. Americans are people too, and people are people are people. To say that ALL Americans are superficial is like saying all French people like Jerry Lewis! In addition, the American economic schema is much less social - as a result, money talks - and it speaks English!

American Myth #2 - American Woman Have Larger Breasts

Can you believe this one?? I mean, really! It is almost not worth mentioning, but I’ve heard it so many times I’ve decided to include it. Plus, it is sort of a fascinating topic! From what I’ve seen, large breast size is certainly not something American woman have an exclusive market on. This myth probably stemmed from the realities that 1) breast implants are a LOT more common in the US, and 2) the public relationship with the breast is much more casual in Europe. There, topless beaches are the norm and no one glances twice at a breast-feeding woman. In America, the breast is more commonly viewed as a sexual object, therefore, American woman might tend to “display” them more obviously to get male attention than their French counterparts may. I don’t know, what do you think?

American Myth #3 - Americans Have No Fashion Sense

This, as all stereotypes, has its basis in truth. It is not that we have no fashion sense. It is that we simply use it less often! What else can one expect of a country whose President is often photographed in a jogging suit? Still, depending on what part of the country you live in, many people can be seen dressed just as elegantly as any Parisian. Dress here, just as Europe, depends a great deal on the individual’s life style and background. We are a less formal society in general, and our way of dressing reflects that. We may not be the most sophisticated dressers, but when it comes to comfort, practicality and expressing individual style, I think we fare better than most. We certainly know how to get the most out of our tennis shoes and Levis, don’t we?

American Myth #4 - America is the Place to be for Business

Well, this one I must agree with, as do many of my French acquaintances. It is true - ask anyone in the world. America may not be the best at social relations and family structures, but one thing we do well is make money and practice common-sense business. A French person with American business experience is often more sought after in France than the native who has never ventured over to the New World. We are accustomed to “bottom-line” results without the restraint of social issues. Some people call America the “Satan of the World” or evil because we work this way - placing business ahead of family. Still, more families settle here than anywhere else in the world for that very reason - we get things done, and we make money. Is this good or bad? Let me know what YOU think…

So what’s this debate all about?

Why do some people suspect hormonal additives are unhealthy? Are their suspicions founded? Here’s the science behind the scare.
The Culprits: Hormone Additives

Hormones are powerful, naturally produced chemical messengers that control vital behaviors in all plants and animals. Ergo, they are present in all animal products whether or not the animals have been treated with hormone supplements.
Hormones Used in Livestock

Six steroid hormones are currently approved for use in US livestock to speed lean muscle growth. Both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and a joint committee of the Food and Agricultural Organization and World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) deemed residues of these additives in meat safe for consumption in 1988. Three of the approved additives are synthetic versions of steroid hormones that occur naturally in both cows and humans: estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone; the other three are synthetic variations that closely mimic these.

More than 90% of US livestock are currently injected with these hormones, which can increase production of veal and beef by up to 15%.

Hormones Used in Dairy Cattle

In 1993, the FDA and a National Institutes of Health (NIH) panel of experts approved the use of recombinant (ie, genetically engineered) bovine growth hormone (rbGH). This protein hormone promotes increased milk production as opposed to muscle growth. Its approval came only after extensive review of available data by said organizations that showed the milk of treated dairy cattle to be safe.

Today, somewhere from 5%-30% of dairy cattle receive rbGH; those that do produce at least 10% more milk than other cows. As opposed to cattle raised as livestock, no steroid hormones are approved for use in dairy cattle.
Suspected Health Concerns

Too much or little of any hormone can be harmful to the body, and in severe cases can result in an endocrine disorder such as diabetes or hypothyroidism. Additionally, certain cancers are known to be responsive to some hormones in the steroid class. Estrogen is listed as a known carcinogen (most associated with uterine cancer, followed by breast cancer), and progesterone as “reasonably anticipated to be” a carcinogen, in an updated report by the National Toxicology Program at the Department of Health and Human Services.

The National Consumers League told this to a federal task force which is examining whether it is possible to have safe imports.

The task force was told that imports will continue, regardless of whether it is illegal.



Alison Rein, National Consumers League, said ‘The fact that busloads of Americans are crossing the border buying medications or going online to buy their medication is a clear sign that the public finds the price of prescription drugs is too high in the United States.’

Claims that American drugs are safer than Canadian ones were questioned by some in the consumer group. They pointed out that fake medicines exist in the USA as well. Package tampering and other problems also occur in the USA.

In fact, very few Americans who have gone over to Canada to get their medicines ever complain about the quality of their products. Minnesota Senior Federation’s head, Peter Wyckoff, said that his organisation organises bus trips to Canada. He says that the average tripper saves 49%.

The Federal Task Force, which has 13 members, consists of officials from the FDA, DEA and US Customs and Border Protection and some other agencies. There will be a total of six hearings.

The pharmaceutical industry says that prices are higher in the USA in order to offset price controls in other countries. They also say that new drugs cost a great deal of money. It costs about $800 million to create and develop a new drug, says the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.

But in some respects, France comes pretty close to the ideal. Not only are its 62 million citizens healthier than the U.S. population, but per capita spending on health care is also roughly half as much.

France relies on a mixture of public and private funding, as does the U.S.

But unlike Americans, every French citizen has access to basic health-care coverage through national insurance funds, to which both employers and employees contribute. Some 90% of the population also buys supplementary private insurance to provide benefits that aren’t covered, and the government picks up the tab for those out of work who cannot gain coverage through a family member.

“We pay higher taxes in France, but at least we get something for our money,”

says Leslie Charbonnel, an American who has lived in Paris for two decades. The key to France’s success is that its system, like the U.S.’s, values patient choice and physician control over medical decision-making. But France does it for far less, with per capita health-care spending in 2004 at just $3,500, compared with $6,100 in the U.S., according to the World Health Organization. All told, France spends 10.7% of gross domestic product on health care, vs. 16.5% in the U.S