By Lloyd Omdahl

After months of bitter argument, we are about to give health care reform last rites. The political configuration of the battle suggested that it was a hopeless effort. Since my batting average on prognosticating political events is so poor, I am compelled to repeat my column of July 2009, written before the heat of the battle:
If you happen to be one of the 68,000 North Dakotans without medical coverage waiting for passage of federal health insurance, don’t hold your breath. The ambulance will not be coming.
While the chorus of support for health care reform has been loud and long by everyone in the biggest choir ever, the harmony of health reform is slowly diminishing in the face of political realities. The singers can’t hit the high notes; the music is discordant, and political will does not match the rhetoric.
The first major barrier is the American political system itself. It is a “status quo” system, meaning that nothing happens unless it is supported by a huge majority. Even then, the system of checks and balances, buttressed by the growing influence of interest groups, can stop, delay or eviscerate any issue. 
There is no huge majority willing to overcome the resistance of the institutional barriers and interest groups to move health care across the goal line. The truth is that there is not even a simple majority on the side of health care reform. Around 80 percent of Americans already have medical coverage and will not support any reform that impinges on their present medical arrangements or impacts their pocketbooks.
Another major obstacle is the cost: $1 trillion or more. Since the beneficiaries of the present expensive system will not be willing to pay for the health care of others, new money must be found. Right now, there is no new money – only borrowed money. The only hope for politically acceptable new money is a major gold strike in Teddy Roosevelt Park. 
There is big money available to oppose reform. The major players with the big dollars may be giving lip service to reform, but when decision time arrives they will be missing. In fact, they are already sponsoring expensive advertising campaigns to discredit health care reform before the plan has been developed.
The beneficiaries of the present system already have an army on the ground. The country’s largest insurers, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and medical groups have hired around 350 former congressional staff members to kill, stifle or undo the health care reform being designed by their former bosses.
Then there are the ideologues on the left and the right. On the right are folks who believe that township roads are a dangerous form of socialism. On the left are dreamers who think that the money barrel is bottomless. Both groups will oppose an incremental governmental solution.
Finally, the majority in Congress is not unified. In the old days, Democrats were made a minority party with the conservative southern Dixiecrats breaking away on key issues. Today, they have the blue dogs to fracture the vote.
Thus far, the health care crisis has not reached deep enough into society to produce the massive majority needed to overcome the barriers. In other words, there isn’t enough hurt among enough people. Perhaps that will occur in another decade or so. Until then, the 68,000 North Dakotans without coverage will have to be content with two aspirin as their primary treatment for everything from hangnails to terminal cancer.

By Julie Garden-Robinson

What waxy, fatlike substance sometimes is the topic of conversations, especially after a health appointment? In fact, if your level was high, you wouldn’t have any symptoms.
You’re right if you were thinking “cholesterol.”
Recently, cholesterol levels have been in the news, but not pertaining to adults. According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in five teens in the U.S. has high blood cholesterol. Further, more than 40 percent of obese teens have abnormal levels of blood cholesterol.
How much do you know about cholesterol? Try this heart-smart quiz based on information from the CDC.
(1) What effect does being overweight usually have on blood cholesterol levels?
(a. Being overweight increases LDL (low-density lipoprotein) levels, lowers HDL (high-density lipoprotein) levels and increases the total cholesterol level. (b. Being overweight decreases LDL levels, raises HDL levels and decreases total cholesterol levels. (c. Being overweight decreases LDL levels, raises HDL levels and increases total cholesterol levels.
(2) Which of these statements is true?
(a. As people get older, their LDL cholesterol levels tend to decrease. (b. As people get older, their LDL cholesterol levels tend to increase. (c. As people get older, their LDL cholesterol levels stay the same.
(3) True or False: High blood cholesterol can run in families.
(4) Which of these items tend to raise blood cholesterol?
(a. Unsaturated fat and trans fat (b. Saturated fat and trans fat (c. Only saturated fat
The answers are 1. a; 2. b; 3. True; 4. b.
For adults, a blood cholesterol level less than 200 milligrams per deciliter is desirable. The desirable level of LDL (“bad cholesterol”) is less than 100, and the desirable level of HDL (“good cholesterol”) is 60.
According to the National Cholesterol Education Program, adults above the age of 20 should have their cholesterol checked every five years. If you have children, ask your child’s health-care provider whether cholesterol testing is recommended.
Of the factors that influence our blood cholesterol levels, we obviously can’t change our age, gender or heredity. However, we can make some positive changes in our diet and level of physical activity, which can impact our cholesterol level positively. Sometimes medication is needed.
During February, American Heart Month, pay attention to your hardworking heart. These diet and fitness tips may help keep your blood cholesterol levels in check.
• Maintain a healthy weight. For some people, losing weight can make a major difference in their cholesterol levels. Visit www.mypyramid.gov to print out a personalized diet plan.
• Read Nutrition Facts labels and compare the amounts of saturated fat and trans fat in your food choices. Try to eat less saturated fat and trans fat. Remember to read the ingredient list, too. If you see “hydrogenated” or “partially hydrogenated” on the list, most likely you are getting some trans fat in your diet, even if the product is labeled “zero trans fat.” Swap solid shortenings with oils, especially those rich in monounsaturated fats (such as canola or sunflower oil).
• Eat more fruits and vegetables. Add extra veggies to your casseroles or sandwiches. Have an apple or some baby carrots for snacks. Try baked apples or pears for dessert.
• Have more soluble fiber, such as the type in oatmeal, carrots and cooked dry edible beans. Try adding shredded carrots to chili or oatmeal to meatloaf or meatballs. Add some pinto, kidney or navy beans to casseroles or soups.
• Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days of the week. During the winter, walk in malls or open gyms. Try exercise DVDs or “exer-games” that you can do at home.
Are you hungry for some comfort food? Here’s a meatloaf recipe with a fiber bonus and a zesty flavor from the chili sauce. For more information about healthful eating, visit www.ndsu.edu/eatsmart.

Meatloaf with Chili Sauce
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1 c. tomato juice
3/4 c. oats, uncooked (quick or old-fashioned)
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/3 c. chopped onion
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 c. Heinz Chili Sauce, for top
Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients except chili sauce. Mix lightly but thoroughly. Press into a 9-inch by 5-inch loaf pan. Top the meatloaf with chili sauce. Bake for one hour or until meat reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees, as measured with a food thermometer. Drain excess fat. Let stand five minutes before serving with more chili sauce on the side.
Makes eight servings. Each serving has 260 calories, 11 grams (g) of fat, 2.6 g of dietary fiber and 490 milligrams of sodium.

By Lee Morris
News editor

For the first time since July, there’s hope that the imminent increase of chemical-laden Devils Lake waters into the Sheyenne River might be stopped.
In a conference call with news media last week, Sen. Byron Dorgan said he wanted to examine effects of Devils Lake water on downstream communities, including Fargo and Valley City. Since July, when the North Dakota Department of Health allowed higher sulfate levels into the Sheyenne, it’s the first time a state leader has talked publicly about concerns over the issue. This is big news.
“I am not interested in transferring the problems from one region of our state to another,” Dorgan said, as reported in The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead.
The sulfate level threatens the health of residents in Valley City, which gets its drinking water from the Sheyenne. Indeed, the sulfates put at risk all who rely on the river for farming, recreation or living.
And at little gain. The state has been installing pumps at Devils Lake to increase the flow into the Sheyenne from 100 to 250 cubic feet per second. At the higher rate, only 6 inches of water will come off the lake a year, according to Dave Glatt of the Health Department. Unless something is done, the pumps will start up this summer.
Glatt doesn’t care that Valley City and other communities are at risk. Neither, apparently, does Gov. John Hoeven, who heads the State Water Commission and approved the increased levels.
Other chemicals, which the state doesn’t measure – including arsenic – will flow with the sulfates. The threat to the public is clear.
And yet until Dorgan spoke up, no state official had said anything. Not even a petition signed by 700 Valley City residents last fall calling for a study of the increased chemicals’ effects generated a word from the Health Department or the State Water Commission. Where is Hoeven?
We hope Dorgan can do something. A yet-to-be-installed reverse osmosis water system in Valley City hardly justifies ruining a river.
The senator will host a field hearing of the Senate’s Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development on Feb. 19. As The Forum reported, the meeting will look at the release of water from Devils Lake on downstream communities.
The first thing that should be done is an independent agency should conduct a comprehensive assessment on the effects of sulfate and other chemicals in the river. That’s the right thing to do.

By Dave Montecuollo
Elim Evangelical Free Church

Did you know that today marks the 74th anniversary of the first class to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame?
On Jan. 29, 1936, Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Christy Matthewson, and Walter Johnson were all inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
These men were generally known for their accomplishments on the baseball field, but they had reputations off the field of baseball too. Babe Ruth was known for loving a good party. Ty Cobb had the reputation of a racist, and Honus Wagner had the reputation of a hard worker having high ideals for refusing to let a tobacco company use his face on a baseball card, just to name a few.
Everyone of us will be known for something. The key is being known for the right things. Proverbs 22:1 says “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”
How does one achieve a ‘good’ name? A quick definition of the word ‘good’ is one that honors God. A life that honors Him knows Him personally through His Son, Jesus Christ, and lives His way by His rules.
Jesus came to this earth, died for our sins & rose from the grave so that we could have a personal relationship with God and live the kind of life that honors Him. Let me encourage you to be known for a Godly life. It’s the best reputation you could ever have.