Sunday, November 11, 2007

Statins

Good news for people prone to heart attacks. A class of cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins help to prevent heart attacks for about 10 years after people stop taking them.

The New England Journal of Medicine http://content.nejm.org/ has published a study from Scotland showing that men taking the drug Pravachol for five years significantly lowered their risk of heart attack and death from heart disease. The new study followed these men for another 10 years after they stop taking the drug. The group was then compared to a placebo groupin the five-year study. There was a 25% lower risk of heart attack or death from heart disease in the statin group.

The drug seemed to stabilize existing plaque and slow down the progression of coronary artery disease. Overall many people continue to take the drug and continue to receive its beneficial effects. The study has some long-term weaknesses but reducing levels of LDL cholesterol with statin drugs along with dietary changes reduces the risk of heart disease.

If you or a loved one has medical malpractice questions in New York, please contact the Malpractice Law Offices of Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, serving clients in Nassau and Suffolk Counties and Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens, Staten Island and Westchester County

This may be considered a legal advertisement.

Joseph Miklos
Silberstein, Awad & Miklos
600 Old Country Road
Garden City, New York 11523
phone 877 ask 4 sam
www. Ask4sam.com

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Lead Poisoning

Lead Poisoning

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a new report highlighting the dangers of lead poisoning amid concerns about imported toys containing lead. Both Mexico and China have been exporting toys to the United States and New York with high levels of lead in their paint.

The report warns that blood lead levels which are lower than the United States standard can cause lower IQs and other problems. In 1991 the CDC set a level of 10 mcg per deciliter of blood which quickly became the de facto standard of lead poisoning. In New York the Department of Health soon became involved with testing of apartments for lead poisoning and following poisoned children. Litigation arose and parents sued their landlords for poisoning their children with peeling lead paint. A common defense was that low levels of lead were not toxic. This defense is now in question.

This is the first time that the CDC has said that all levels of lead are important even those below 10 and under 20 mg per deciliter of blood. Generally speaking children with lead levels between 10 and 20 mcg per deciliter do not show obvious signs of lead poisoning .

Further information on the effects of lead and children can be found at:

* The National Lead Information Center by calling 1-800-424-LEAD (5323) or by visiting
http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/nlic.htm
* CDC's Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead
* EPA at http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/lead/index.html
* HUD at http://www.hud.gov/offices/lead

If you or a loved one has lead poisoning questions in New York, please contact the Law Offices of Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, serving clients in Nassau and Suffolk Counties and Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens, Staten Island and Westchester County

This may be considered a legal advertisement.

Joseph Miklos
Silberstein, Awad & Miklos
600 Old Country Road
Garden City, New York 11523
phone 877 ask 4 sam
www. Ask4sam.com

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Medicare drug benefit

Medicare drug benefit begins its third year and the trouble is starting. It seems that about 2 million low income Medicare participants could be switched to a different insurance plan for their prescription coverage next year. Others will face double-digit increases in their monthly premiums unless they can find substitute coverage.

The reassignment coupled with higher premiums are reasons why seniors and disabled persons may want to purchase new plans. Under Medicaid open enrollment begins November 15 ands December 31. That is the time frame during which people can switch coverage.

The Medicare part B. plan will charge around $28 a month. There are approximately 1800 plans in the country and the premiums vary from about $9.80 for a basic benefit to about $107 for enhanced coverage. If you have received a letter from Medicare as 2 million people did it's time to start looking. Even if you have not received a letter its time to start looking.

The low income recipients are most likely covered under United healthcare or Humana and will be switched to Silverscript and Medco. Questions can be directed to 1800 Medicare or by contacting the state health insurance assistance program in your state. Http://www.medicare.gov or contact
the Center for Medicare advocacy Http://Medicareadvocacy.org

The ARP Medicare prescription preferred plan will increase monthly premium by 16%. Humana Inc. standard plan will increase by 71%. The ARP Medicare RX Save plan will increase 65%. At the same time Silverscript will lower its monthly premium by 24%.

Medicare prescription drug coverage and health coverage in general are complicated subjects. Please do not let you were open enrollment period pass without researching your coverage.

If you or a loved one has medical malpractice questions in New York, please contact the Malpractice Law Offices of Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, serving clients in Nassau and Suffolk Counties and Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens, Staten Island and Westchester County

This may be considered a legal advertisement.

Joseph Miklos
Silberstein, Awad & Miklos
600 Old Country Road
Garden City, New York 11523
phone 877 ask 4 sam
www. Ask4sam.com