Listeria-canteloupe outbreak could get worse, health officials warn

The listeria outbreak that has killed up to 16 people and sickened more than 70, could get worse according to health officials, who are still in the process of trying to determine where contaminated cantaloupes might have been shipped. As AP reported :

Federal health officials said Wednesday more illnesses and possibly more deaths may be linked to an outbreak of listeria in cantaloupe in coming weeks.

So far, the outbreak has caused at least 72 illnesses — including up to 16 deaths — in 18 states, making it the deadliest food outbreak in the United States in more than a decade.

The heads of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration said consumers who have cantaloupes produced by Jensen Farms in Colorado should throw them out. If they are not sure where the fruit is from, they shouldn’t eat it.

Neither the government nor Jensen Farms has supplied a list of retailers who may have sold the fruit. Officials say consumers should ask retailers about the origins of their cantaloupe. If they still aren’t sure, they should get rid of it.

“If it’s not Jensen Farms, it’s OK to eat,” said Thomas Frieden, director of the CDC. “But if you can’t confirm it’s not Jensen Farms, then it’s best to throw it out.”

The Amazing Maze of US Health Care » Pay according to ability

Amazing seems a most appropriate word to describe the financing and delivery of health care services in the United States of America.
James L. McGee, CEBS--On Health Care Reform

Pay according to ability

I think 6% of income is too high. I don’t think it should be based on income. It makes more sense to base it on age, just like younger drivers pay more for car insurance, it makes sense that older people pay a little more.

This comment was offered in a conversation at the web site, Change.org in response to a post by Gillian Hubble.

I can’t disagree more.

Premiums absolutely should be based on income and absolutely should not be based on age.  I say that not just because I am in the 60+ age bracket and you likely are not.  I say that because of my 25+ years in employee benefits.  However, I do agree that there should be a penalty for delayed enrollment similar to what Medicare Part B imposes.

When you come right down to it, the whole health care debate boils down to two issues.  How do you expand health care coverage and how do you pay for health care.

Expanding coverage is important because it spreads the risk among the sick and the healthy equally.

Make it straightforward and uncomplicated

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