Solar Saves Lives

Although this blog is focused on value and money, there is nothing more valuable than human life. That's why I am pleased to write about a nifty gadget that uses solar energy and plastic to bring clean drinking water to the poorest of the world.

Both Gizmag.com and ecofriend.org have articles about the Solaqua, an inexpensive device that uses the sun to purify water. Water Barrels and Storage

It was designed by "...Jason Lam, a student at the University of New South Wales in Australia. It was runner-up in the student division of the 2009 Australian Design Award - James Dyson Award announced on May 29."

Simply, the device has a central funnel with a filter, that then distributes the water to 5, two liter bottles. The bottles have black bottoms to concentrate the rays of the sun, and the plastic is designed to reflect the UV rays of the sun. This method is known as SODIS (Solar Water Disinfection) and is recommended by the World Health Organization. Discover Top Rated Mighty Leaf Herbal Tea. Tea lovers love our delicious herbal tea blends. You will too. Save 25% on your first order!

As an American, I am used to clean drinking water from the tap. However, having traveled to China, Vietnam, Thailand, and other countries without clean drinking water, I know just how blessed we American's are. Water borne pathogens kill millions of people each year, with children and the elderly hardest hit. A simple system such as Solaqua can help prevent many of these deaths, cheaply and easily.

The true value of any innovation is how much it helps promote human life. To Jason Lam and SODIS.ch, I salute you and encourage you in your work! I also encourage my readers to take active steps to promote clean drinking water to the poorest among us.

Price Discrimination in Health Insurance

According to the "New York Times," women pay higher health insurance premiums than men. The article, titled "Women Buying Health Policies Pay a Penalty," explains the reasons, but convolutes the issue for political reasons, shocking, I know.

In general, women pay more for health insurance because they tend to consume more health services. Seems pretty simple, right? Just like a life insurance is cheaper for somebody who doesn't skydive. Would you feel better if you had more energy? Try FRS® Healthy Energy™ Free*!

However, and this is where you should get nervous, "Women’s advocacy groups have raised concerns about the differences, and members of Congress have begun to question the justification for them."

I will save these groups and members of Congress the trouble by explaining this issue with data from the article itself.

"In general, insurers say, they charge women more than men of the same age because claims experience shows that women use more health care services. They are more likely to visit doctors, to get regular checkups, to take prescription medications and to have certain chronic illnesses." Pretty simple, right?

How about this:

Thomas T. Noland Jr., a senior vice president of Humana, said: “Premiums for our individual health insurance plans reflect claims experience — the use of medical services — which varies by gender and age. Females use more medical services than males, and this difference is most pronounced in young adults.” Again, women are consuming more health services. Cheap? No. 100% Free. Trade stocks for free on Zecco.com. The Free Trading Community. www.zecco.com

Again, for the advocacy groups who claim insurance should cost the same, in the name of equality, "Mr. Bykerk, a former executive vice president of Mutual of Omaha, said, “If maternity care is included as a benefit, it drives up rates for everybody, making the whole policy less affordable.”

So there you have it. Disparities in the cost of health insurance for women are based on usage. It seems like this is just another contrived issue for big government types to get there hooks into the best health care system in the world. These are same government types that brought you the TSA. Think about that!