There is nothing to fear. Your government loves you.

So, check this out. Hidden away in the deep recesses of the stimulus package passed by the senate is a provision which creates an Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. This office and it's Coordinator, will be established for the purpose of safeguarding your confidential medical records. They will create a "nationwide health information technology infrastructure" to "ensure that each patient's health information is secure and protected". The government just wants to protect us. (It really is for our own good, you know).

Additionally, the Coordinator, the Office and the infrastructure will "help guide medical decisions at the time and place of care". Oh my gosh! That is so NICE of you, government! Thank you so much for helping to guide the medical decisions made at the time and place of my care. Thank you for helping my doctor to decide how to treat me and for helping to keep the costs of my treatment down.

But, some of you may be asking yourselves, "What if my doctor doesn't WANT to follow the helpful medical guidance the Coordinator so generously and helpfully provides at the time and place of my treatment? What if my doctor or hospital doesn't want me to benefit from the all wise and helpful guidance of the government?" Oh, fret not, little one! your government has thought of everything. For those medical care providers who are not "meaningful users" of the helpful guiding system, a series of unspecified penalties will be applied! Oh yes, indeed. And of course the Office will also continually improve the medical care we receive by "requiring more stringent measures of meaningful use" of the system and it's helpful guidance.

Sleep well, America.

Local church goers risk life and limb to attend Grace Central!

Local news can be a bit dramatic. But we appreciate the free publicity!

Ivy & The Whole Family

Ohio Duo's Latest Effort Recieves Five Star Rating

February 1st at 12:31 am Charity gave birth to our fourth child, and second daughter. Her name is Ivy Jane. She is short and round with brown fuzzy hair and a pointy little elfin chin. 20.5" & 7 pounds 7 ounces. And (surprise!) looks like her daddy.

Charity did fantastic in labor and delivery. She made good progress then stalled out for about four hours! Eventually she progressed and delivered with no drugs, and no epidural. I am proud of her. She refused the use of a wheel chair throughout the ordeal. The nurse refered to her as "little miss independant". (I'm pretty sure Charity didn't hear that comment, because the nurse left her rotation with all of her teeth still intact). For part of the labor, we watched "Anchor Man" on the large flat screen in our room. Ron Burgundy will forever occupy a special place in our hearts for the profoundly inane distraction he provided.

I'd post a picture, (and even brought the camera with me to do just that) but I left the USB cable to upload pictures at the hospital! Sorry, you'll just have to wait.