生气

    被冤枉被欺负的经历不好受，那个气闷在心里就好像要爆炸。事情的经过就不说了但是就是会生气。今天就遇上了，因为一段时间都没生气了以为自己已经可以控制情绪了，事情一发生我就控制不了了，生气了，当然生气也包括起床气和打电话没人接听(都是给自己生气合理化找的借口)。深呼吸深呼吸，冷静冷静。后我就想是不是上帝要给我什么功课，是不是我已经自以为是的以为可以控制情绪而忘了是神给我的恩典让我可以得从祂而来的平安。当念头一转我便想起了神好像要跟我说为什么你要认为生气是坏事(因为我一直都以为生气是不好的，箴22:24 “好”生氣的人、不可與他結交．暴怒的人、不可與他來往。 )神允许我有情绪，生氣可以，不要做“好”生氣的和暴怒的，以弗所書4:26 生氣卻不要犯罪．不可含怒到日落．上帝关注的不是我生不生气而是犯不犯罪。

默想：是不是有什么事自己一直认为是对的，而上帝一起又一次的会透过事件好好的告诉自己呢？而自己常不敏感的没察觉到神要对自己说的话 。

祷告：亲爱的天父啊，谢谢你那么爱我，求你赦免我在忤逆你心意的事上犯的罪，求你保守我的心，求你指教我让我能好好的认识你，能更了解你的旨意，活出你喜悦的生活，荣耀你的名，享受在你赐给我生命里的丰盛，得享你与我同在的平安。祷告是奉主耶稣基督的名求的，阿们。

经历这事让我好好去读经把有关发怒的经文挖出来，反复思考。

箴11:4 發怒的日子、資財無益．惟有公義能救人脫離死亡。

箴14:17 輕易發怒的、行事愚妄．設立詭計的、被人恨惡。

箴14:29 不輕易發怒的、大有聰明．性情暴躁的、大顯愚妄。

箴16:32 不輕易發怒的、勝過勇士．治服己心的、強如取城。

箴19:11 人有見識、就不輕易發怒．寬恕人的過失、便是自己的榮耀。

傳5:6 不可任你的口使肉體犯罪．也不可在祭司〔原文作使者〕面前說是錯許了．為何使　神因你的聲音發怒、敗壞你手所作的呢。

羅12:19 親愛的弟兄、不要自己伸冤、寧可讓步、聽憑主怒．〔或作讓人發怒〕因為經上記著、『主說、伸冤在我．我必報應。』

林前13:5 爱是不作害羞的事．不求自己的益處．不輕易發怒．不計算人的惡．

Dedicated investment product with much lower charges on investment

Smart Invest Premier 2 is an investment-linked insurance plan offered by Great Eastern Life. Here are the key details:

1. High Premium Allocation: From the first policy year onwards, 95% of your premiums will be placed into unit funds. This helps you build wealth right from the start.

2. Loyalty Incentive: You'll receive an additional 2% Loyalty Incentive every 3rd policy year up to the 10th policy year, and 5% annually from the 11th policy year onwards. Which means extra 5% sales charges for funds invest from the 11th year onwards.

3. No Medical Underwriting: Signing up is hassle-free, with no health questions or medical examinations required.

4. Protection Against Death and TPD: In case of death or Total and Permanent Disability (TPD), your sum assured and total investment value will be payable to secure your loved ones' future.

5. No-Lapse Guarantee: The plan includes a 'No-Lapse Guarantee' for the first 3 policy years. Even if your total investment value becomes zero, the policy remains in force as long as premiums are consistently paid and no withdrawals are made within the initial 3 years.

Consult an insudance advisor for personalized advice! 

[Download brochure](https://www.greateasternlife.com/my/en/personal-insurance/our-products/wealth-accumulation/smartinvest-premier.html)

Causes of medical inflation that could be address

1) over investigative

2)over treatment

2)FWA fraud, waste, abuse,

3)charges discrepancy 

What else?

How to pronounce electroencephalography

electroencephalography

Sounds like

u

h·lek·trow·en·seh·fuh·lo·gruh·fee

New Sustainability Act and Its Impact on Initial Insurance Premiums

      The recent legislative changes have introduced a new requirement for insurance policies to be sustainable, mandating the provision of sustainability reports to policyholders. While this act aims to protect policyholders by ensuring long-term stability and coverage, it also contributes to the rising costs of insurance premiums. Let's delve into the details of this act and its implications on both insurers and insured individuals.

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Understanding the New Sustainability Act

**Mandating Sustainability Reports**:

- **Transparency and Accountability**: The new act requires insurers to provide detailed sustainability reports to policyholders. These reports must outline how the policy is designed to remain viable and sustainable over the long term, particularly up to age 99.

- **Long-Term Protection**: By mandating sustainability, the act aims to ensure that policyholders are covered well into their later years, reducing the risk of policies lapsing or becoming underfunded.

**Impact on Premiums**:

- **Increased Costs**: Ensuring that policies are sustainable for such an extended period inevitably leads to higher premiums. Insurers must account for the increased financial risk and longer coverage duration, which translates into higher costs for policyholders.

- **Age 99 Coverage**: The requirement for policies to be sustainable up to age 99 means that premiums need to cover the potential for increased healthcare needs and other expenses associated with aging, further driving up the cost. 99 is just a number pluck from the sky, it could be 70, 80, 90, 100.

 The Role of Investment-Linked Insurance

**Investment-Linked Policies**:

- **Premium Allocation**: In investment-linked insurance policies, a portion of the premium is allocated towards insurance charges, while the remainder is invested in various funds. The insured benefits from potential investment growth, but there are associated risks and costs.

- **Higher Premiums**: Due to the sustainability requirements, the proportion of premiums allocated to insurance charges reduces. This leaves a bigger portion available for investment, yet commision structure remain at the same level for insurance charges and investment premium, potentially diminishing the overall growth of the policyholder's account.

Policy owner need to know that there are other form of insurance such as traditional life insurance, endowment, term coverage, pure personal accident insurance, pure critical illness insurance, etc. aim to address different needs of policy owner, as insurance undeniably a crutial part in financial planning.

Commission and Fees

**Unfair Commission Structures**:

- **Disparity in Charges**: A significant concern with investment-linked policies is the commission structure for insurance agents. Currently, commissions are often charged at the same level for both insurance charges and the invested premium. This is not equitable because the nature and purpose of these charges are different.

- **Higher Insurance Charges**: Commissions on the insurance charges can be quite high, often ranging from 30% to 40%, depending on the term and type of insurance. This is because insurance coverage involves ongoing risk management and support.

- **Investment Premium Charges**: For the investment portion of the premium, the commission should be lower, ideally up to 5%, which aligns with industry standards for mutual funds and similar investment products.

**Policyholder Impact**:

- **Inequitable Costs**: When the same commission rate is applied to both the insurance charges and the investment portion, policyholders end up paying disproportionately high fees. This reduces the amount allocated to their investment accounts and diminishes the overall value of their policies.

Separate Commission Structures: To address this disparity, commissions should have separate structures. For example, if 30% of the premium goes towards insurance charges, only this portion should be subject to the higher commission rate. The remaining 70%, allocated for investment, should have a lower commission rate, capped at around 5%.

Governing the Commission Structure

**BNM's Role in Regulation**:

- **Appropriate Insurance Charges**: Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) should govern the commission structure by ensuring that appropriate amounts are charged for insurance coverage. This would involve limiting the charges to the premiums allocated for investment.

- **Preventing High Commission Products**: By regulating the commission structure, BNM can help prevent agents from upselling investment-linked insurance as a high-commission product. This practice can lead to policyholders paying more than necessary, reducing the overall value of their policies. There are dedicated investment product with much lower charges on investment. For sustainability prupose, policy holder should opt for such dedicated investment product.

https://kxlog.blogspot.com/2024/07/dedicated-investment-product-with-much.html

**Agent Training and Ethical Selling**:

- **Sufficient Training**: Insurance agents typically undergo extensive training and possess the knowledge to plan effectively for their customers. However, there is still a risk of unethical behavior where agents may upsell policies for higher commissions.

- **Unethical Practices**: Unscrupulous agents might prioritize their commissions over the best interests of their clients. This can lead to policyholders being sold more expensive products with higher fees, rather than those that best meet their needs.

- **Financial Literacy**: The financial literacy level in Malaysia is still developing. Many policyholders may not fully understand the complexities of insurance products, making them vulnerable to exploitation.

Addressing Unfair Practices

**Policyholder Protection**:

- **Regular Reviews**: Policyholders should be encouraged to regularly review their insurance policies to ensure they are getting the best value. This can help identify any unfair practices by agents.

- **Damage Control**: When policyholders discover unfair practices, they often face financial losses if they cancel their policies. This situation is unfair and highlights the need for stronger consumer protections.

- **Improving Financial Education**: Increasing financial literacy and understanding of insurance products among consumers is crucial. This can empower policyholders to make informed decisions and avoid being misled by unethical agents.

Conclusion

The introduction of the new Sustainability Act reflects a significant shift in the insurance industry, emphasizing long-term protection and transparency for policyholders. While the act aims to safeguard policyholders by ensuring that policies remain sustainable up to age 99, it also results in higher premiums and additional costs associated with investment-linked insurance policies. Regulating the commission structure and enhancing consumer education are essential steps to protect policyholders and ensure they receive fair value. Addressing these challenges is crucial to ensuring that quality healthcare remains accessible and affordable for everyone.

Advances in Medical Technology: A Professional Perspective

After interviewing a physician with 30 years of experience working in a private hospital, we gain valuable insights and heard about firsthand witness on the incredible advancements in medical technology. These innovations have revolutionized patient care, offering new possibilities for diagnosis, treatment, and management of various conditions. However, the high costs associated with these cutting-edge technologies significantly contribute to the overall increase in healthcare spending.

Cutting-Edge Technologies and Treatments

Robotic Surgeries:

Precision and Minimally Invasive: Robotic-assisted surgeries, such as the da Vinci Surgical System, provide unparalleled precision. These systems allow for minimally invasive procedures, reducing recovery times and improving patient outcomes.

Cost Implications: The initial investment in robotic surgical systems is substantial, often running into millions of dollars. Additionally, maintenance, specialized training for surgeons, and disposable instruments required for each procedure add to the costs. While these surgeries can lead to better outcomes, the financial burden is significant.

Advanced Imaging Techniques:

Enhanced Diagnostic Capabilities: Technologies like MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), CT (Computed Tomography), and PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scans have transformed diagnostic capabilities. They provide detailed images that aid in early and accurate diagnosis of diseases, from cancer to neurological disorders.

Cost Considerations: The equipment for these imaging techniques is expensive, and the costs are further amplified by the need for highly trained technicians and regular maintenance. Each imaging session is costly, and frequent use of these technologies in patient care drives up healthcare expenses.

Personalized Medicine:

Tailored Treatments: Personalized medicine, including genomic testing and targeted therapies, represents a paradigm shift in how we approach treatment. By tailoring interventions to an individual's genetic makeup, we can achieve better efficacy and reduce side effects.

Economic Impact: The cost of genetic testing and developing targeted therapies is high. Personalized treatments often involve expensive drugs and complex diagnostic processes. While they offer the potential for improved outcomes, the associated costs are a considerable factor in overall healthcare expenditure.

Balancing Benefits and Costs

Improved Patient Outcomes:

The advancements in medical technology have undeniably led to better patient outcomes. Patients benefit from less invasive procedures, faster recoveries, and treatments that are specifically designed for their conditions.

For example, robotic surgeries often result in less post-operative pain, lower infection rates, and shorter hospital stays. Advanced imaging techniques enable early detection and intervention, potentially saving lives and reducing long-term healthcare costs through timely treatment.

Economic Considerations:

While the benefits are substantial, the economic implications cannot be ignored. The high costs of acquiring, maintaining, and operating advanced medical technologies contribute significantly to rising healthcare expenses.

The challenge lies in finding a balance where we can harness the benefits of these technologies without making healthcare prohibitively expensive. This requires strategic investments, cost-benefit analyses, and exploring ways to make these technologies more accessible and affordable.

Conclusion

Advancements in medical technology are a double-edged sword. On one hand, they represent the pinnacle of medical innovation, offering new hope and improved outcomes for patients. On the other hand, their high costs are a driving factor behind the escalating healthcare expenses and insurance premiums. As healthcare professionals, it is crucial to advocate for policies and practices that ensure these technologies are used judiciously and that their benefits are maximized while minimizing financial strain on the healthcare system.

Understanding the Rise in Medical Costs and Insurance Premiums

Understanding the Rise in Medical Costs and Insurance Premiums

In recent years, both medical costs and insurance premiums have seen a significant uptick. This trend has raised concerns among consumers, policymakers, and healthcare providers. Why are these costs rising, and what can be done to address this pressing issue?

Factors Driving Higher Medical Costs

1. Advances in Medical Technology:

   - Cutting-edge technologies and treatments are often expensive. While they can lead to better outcomes, their high costs contribute to overall healthcare spending.

   - Examples include robotic surgeries, advanced imaging techniques, and personalized medicine.

2. Aging Population:

   - As the population ages, the prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer increases. Managing these conditions requires ongoing medical care, driving up costs.

   - Older adults typically need more frequent and intensive healthcare services.

3. Drug Prices:

   - Prescription drug prices have been rising steadily. New, high-cost medications, especially for rare diseases and cancer, significantly impact healthcare budgets.

   - The lack of price regulation and extended patent protections can keep prices high.

4. Administrative Costs:

   - Complex billing and insurance processes add to healthcare costs. Administrative expenses in the U.S. healthcare system are among the highest in the world.

   - Efforts to streamline these processes have been slow and challenging to implement.

5. Overtreatment and Low-Value Care:

   - Sometimes, patients receive treatments or tests that offer little benefit. These unnecessary interventions contribute to higher costs without improving health outcomes.

   - Defensive medicine, where doctors order extra tests to avoid malpractice claims, also plays a role.

Why Insurance Premiums Are Increasing

1. Rising Healthcare Costs:

   - Insurance premiums reflect the overall cost of healthcare. As medical costs rise, so do the premiums charged by insurance companies.

   - Insurers must cover the expenses of more expensive treatments, medications, and services.

2. Increased Claims:

   - With more people seeking medical care, insurance companies face higher claims. This is partly due to an aging population and increased prevalence of chronic diseases.

   - Higher claims require insurers to adjust premiums to maintain financial stability.

3. Regulatory Changes:

   - New regulations and mandates can impact insurance costs. For example, the Sustainability Act introduced higher initial premium end up a much higher % of the premium being allocated to investment yet the commission structure for both insurance charges and investment allocation are at the same level.

   - Regulatory requirements can also increase administrative costs for insurers, contributing to higher premiums.

4. Market Dynamics:

   - In some areas, lack of competition among insurers can lead to higher premiums. When there are few insurers in the market, there is less pressure to keep prices low.

   - Mergers and acquisitions among insurance companies can also impact premium rates.

Addressing the Issue: Possible Solutions

1. Promoting Preventive Care:

   - Encouraging regular check-ups, vaccinations, and screenings can prevent diseases or detect them early when they are easier and less expensive to treat.

   - Insurance plans that incentivize preventive care can lead to healthier populations and lower long-term costs.

2. Emphasizing Value-Based Care:

   - Shifting from fee-for-service to value-based care models can reduce costs. Value-based care focuses on patient outcomes rather than the volume of services provided.

   - Providers are rewarded for keeping patients healthy and reducing unnecessary treatments.

3. Enhancing Price Transparency:

   - Making prices for medical services and procedures more transparent can empower consumers to make informed decisions and encourage competition among providers.

   - Transparent pricing can also help identify and eliminate unjustified cost variations.

4. Regulating Drug Prices:

   - Implementing policies to control drug prices can help reduce overall healthcare spending. Negotiating drug prices or allowing importation of cheaper medications from other countries are potential strategies.

   - Encouraging the use of generic drugs can also make treatments more affordable.

5. Reducing Administrative Burden:

   - Simplifying billing and insurance processes can cut administrative costs. Adopting standardized forms and electronic health records can streamline operations.

   - Reducing administrative complexity can free up resources for patient care.

6. Encouraging Competition:

   - Fostering competition among insurers and healthcare providers can help lower prices. Policies that prevent monopolies and promote a competitive market environment are essential.

   - Supporting new entrants and innovative models in the insurance market can increase options for consumers.

Conclusion

The rise in medical costs and insurance premiums is a multifaceted issue that requires comprehensive solutions. By focusing on preventive care, value-based models, price transparency, and regulatory reforms, we can work towards a more sustainable and equitable healthcare system. Addressing these challenges is crucial to ensuring that quality healthcare remains accessible and affordable for everyone.