frontlines
Or
,1„ ' . _11111,'
(4
r
%MI IL 101:1\l,(I \ II
Getting Innovative With Health Care
T
he double whammy of the Affordable Care Act
crisis and the notification that my Blue Cross Blue
Shield plan is being canceled has forced me to
take my healthcare needs into my own hands ... literally.
Last week, I learned how to check my own pros-
thanks to YouTube tutorials and intensive
yoga lessons. Hey, if the government and
insurance companies won't bend over
backwards to get the system working
right, then I'll just have to bend over
backwards for myself.
The good
news is, after an
exhaustive Internet
search, I've discovered
innovative ways to
procure medical
tests at affordable
prices. For instance,
I've made an appointment
to have a colonoscopy with
a doctor I found on Craig's
Alan
List who works out of his van. If you
Muskovitz
want to check it out, join me at my 3
Jewish News
p.m. appointment next Tuesday. Just
Columnist
look for the van with the sign "Acme
Colonoscopies" in the parking lot at the
northeast corner of Maple and Orchard
Lake. He'll be parked right next to the guy who offers curb-
side windshield repair. While the repair guy fills in a crack
on my windshield, my proctologist will be filling in my ...
chart.
I recently met a dermatologist and a gynecologist who
are close to making a deal with Belle Tire. By sharing space,
the doctors and mechanics are able to cut costs. The idea is
that you can have your car up on one hoist and you up on
another. While your car gets an oil change and tire rotation,
the doctor can inspect your underbelly. Plus, both you and
JN CONTENTS
your car get a removable sticker that tells you when your
next appointment is. This trend is catching on fast. I know a
urologist who is joining forces with a lawn sprinkling com-
pany. If all "goes" well, the company, to be called "Sprinkle &
Tinkle will open in January.
More ground-breaking and cost-cutting mea-
sures combining medical procedures
with common services are on the
horizon. Generating the most buzz is
a deal being worked out between a
major player in the haircut industry
and area mohels. Soon newborn
Jewish baby boys will be able to
simultaneously get their first haircut
and be circumcised at a "Great Clips"
near you. Mazel tov!
Frankly, I would like to convince my
personal friend and physician Marc
Weisman to close his office and join
the ranks of doctors creating concierge
practices; some out of their homes. I
would gladly pay an annual fee for the
privilege of seeing him anytime, for any ailment — real, or
in my case, imagined. And why not? In the past, Marc has
taken my blood pressure, given me a flu shot and checked
my throat at his house. Once he even examined me for a her-
nia in his kitchen. It's true! Except for a perplexing stare from
his dog, Kassie, it was an excellent experience.
So, despite the nightmare that is the current healthcare
system in our country, there are alternatives. You just have
to put on your thinking cap and get your doctor to put on a
glove. In the meantime, wish me luck. As of this writing, I'm
the highest bidder on eBay for a vasectomy!
❑
Alan Muskovitz is a writer, voice-over/acting talent, speaker, emcee
and a regular guest host on the Mitch Albom Show on WJR AM
760. Visit his website at laughwithbigaLcom and "Like" Al on
Facebook.
theJEWISHNEWS.com
Call. Give Now.
Dec. 5-11, 2013 I 2-8 Tevet 5774 I Vol. CXLIV, No. 18
Ann Arbor
54
Arts/Entertainment ...49
Calendar
19
Camp Guide
38
Food
56
Israel . 5, 20, 22, 26, 31, 32, 70
Letters
5
Life Cycles
59
Marketplace
62
Metro
8
35
Next Generation
Obituaries
66
Out To Eat
28
Points Of View
31
Sports
48
Staff Box/Phone List ...6
Synagogue List
34
Torah Portion
33
World
26
www.hfldetroit.org
248.723.8184
Shabbat Lights
Shabbat: Friday, Dec. 6, 4:41 p.m.
Shabbat Ends: Saturday, Dec. 7, 5:47 p.m.
Asarah B'Teves Fast: Friday, Dec.13, 6:42 a.m.-
5:48 p.m.
Shabbat: Friday, Dec.13, 4:42 p.m.
Shabbat Ends: Saturday, Dec.14, 5:48 p.m.
Columnist
Danny Raskin
58
Our JN Mission
The Jewish News aspires to communicate news and opinion that's useful, engaging, enjoyable and unique. It strives to
reflect the full range of diverse viewpoints while also advocating positions that strengthen Jewish unity and continu-
ity. We desire to create and maintain a challenging, caring, enjoyable work environment that encourages creativity
and innovation. We acknowledge our role as a responsible, responsive member of the community. Being competi-
tive, we must always strive to be the most respected, outstanding Jewish community publication in the nation. Our
rewards are informed, educated readers, very satisfied advertisers, contented employees and profitable growth.
Sarah Rappaport is a former
middle school teacher who liked
working with her students, but did
not enjoy all the upheaval that
accompanied multiple administrative
changes. Through online searches
for fresh job postings and teaching
options, Sarah stumbled across The
Tutoring Center, an educational
resource center for Kindergarten
through twelfth grade students.
"The founder is a child psycholo-
gist who perfected this method of
working with students at their own
level," Sarah said. "This business,
from the philosophy to the materials
and the teaching method, was all
ready-made for me, and a perfect fit."
When Sarah and her husband
were ready to open their own center,
their youth and lack of optimal home
equity meant their fledgling business
was offered lines of credit at exorbi-
tant interest rates. Instead, they
approached Hebrew Free Loan's
Marvin I. Danto Small Business
Loan Program, which granted a loan
to help open the Birmingham center
and enroll students.
"HFL has been so supportive,"
Sarah said. They are helping us set
ourselves up for the life we want to
have."
Times are from Yeshiva Beth Yehudah calendar.
Cover page design: Michelle Sheridan.
The Detroit Jewish News (USPS 275-520) is
published every Thursday at 29200 Northwestern
Highway, #110, Southfield, Michigan. Periodical
postage paid at Southfield, Michigan, and
additional mailing offices. Postmaster: send changes
to: Detroit Jewish News, 29200 Northwestern
Highway, #110, Southfield, MI 48034.
Health. A fresh start.
A good education.
The next great business idea.
Hebrew Free Loan gives interest-
free loans to members of our
community for a variety of
personal and small business
needs. HFL loans are funded
entirely through community
donations which continually
recycle to others, generating
many times the original value
to help maintain the lives of
local Jews.
HEBREW
FREE* LOAN
hfldetroit.org
We Provide Loans. We Promise Dignity.
6735 Telegraph Road, Suite 300 • Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301
gi Hebrew Free Loan Detroit
©HFLDetroit
1 111C0 C11.11ANDEtO r i
December 5 • 2013
3