Story of Aged Mather Essay Example for Free

Story of Aged Mather Essay Long, long ago there lived at the foot of the mountain a poor farmer and his aged, widowed mother. They owned a bit of land which supplied them with food, and their humble were peaceful and happy. Shining was governed by a despotic leader who though a warrior, had a great and cowardly shrinking from anything suggestive of failing health and strength. This caused him to send out a cruel proclamation. The entire province was given strict orders to immediately put to death all aged people. Those were barbarous days, and the custom of abandoning old people to die was not common. The poor farmer loved his aged mother with tender reverence, and the order filled his heart with sorrow. But no one ever thought a second time about obeying the mandate of the governor, so with many deep hopeless sighs, the youth prepared for what at that time was considered the kindest mode of death. Just at sundown, when his day’s work was ended, he took a quantity of un whitened rice which is principal food for poor, cooked and dried it, and tying it in a square cloth, swung and bundle around his neck along with a gourd filled with cool, sweet water. Then he lifted his helpless old mother to his back and stated on his painful journey up the mountain. The road was long and steep; then arrowed road was crossed and re crossed by many paths made by the hunters and woodcutters. In some place, they mingled in a confused puzzled, but he gave no heed. On path or another, it mattered not. On he went, climbing blindly upward A– ever upward towards the high bare summit of what is known as Obatsuyama, the mountain of the â€Å"abandoning of aged†. The eyes of the old mother were not so dim but that they noted the reckless hastening from one path to another, and her loving heart grew anxious. Her son did not know the mountain’s many paths and his return might be one of danger, so she stretched forth her hand and snapping the twigs from

Driving A Cab :: Expository Cause Effect Essays

Driving A Cab The effects of driving a cab can vary greatly. Meeting different kinds of people is a major factor when driving a cab. Being confined as a driver of a can effect health conditions. Car trouble can be a problem if the car is not taken care of properly. Violence can be the consequence of picking up the wrong kind of person. Lucky Miller is a 24 years old, part-time cab driver who explains how driving a cab has many different effects his life and health. "Interesting, live and colorful people," as Lucky would say, ride in his cab; as a result Lucky meets many of them. One woman he picked up claimed her countrymen were being held captive on the O'Hare landing strip, and she would like to go there. He thought she was sort of wacky and knew she wouldn't stay in the cab. He told her he could only take her as far as the terminal gate. "That's not good enough," she told Lucky as she hoped out. Lucky often drives businessman to work, he discovered that they do not like to talk that much, it disturbs them. They are usually involved with their policies or whatever they are trying to work on or sell. Younger females do not like to engage in talk either. Lucky thinks they have a fear, which is not talking to strange men. As a result of this, Lucky does not start conversations very often, he waits for his passengers to initiate anything. Violence is a problem that always lurks in the back of a cab driver's mind. Since a driver can not fully tell if a person is good or bad, they are never quite sure whom to pick up. One time Lucky picked up a man, who was wearing a nice shirt and slacks, who did not look like a threat at all. They had an amiable conversation the whole trip. The man started talking to Lucky, therefore he did not think anything of the conversation. When they reached their destination, the man pulled a gun on Lucky, and said "give me your money or I'll kill you." This was an eye opener for Lucky, which changed his attitude about whom he would or would not pick up.

Health Care Systems Essay

Abstract The primary objective of any health care system is to provide adequate and effective medical care to the population. Health care systems may vary due to political and other factors. Factors may include location, access to care, basic needs of the populations as well as economic status. However, the primary goal remains the same. Because of the ongoing need for government to allocate funds to the medical budget their involvement in health care cannot be discounted. This paper introduces two major health care systems. First that of the Netherlands and secondly, the United States. The pros and cons will be discussed, as well as the role and function of the government as it relates to health care. A compare and contrast of the differences and similarities of both systems will be made. Health Care Systems The Netherlands The health care system in the Netherlands is comprised of three distinct compartments and is mandatory for all residents and non-resident who pay Dutch income tax. They are required to purchase health insurance coverage, except for those with conscious objections and active members of the armed forces. Coverage is mandatory under the health insurance act provided by private insurance companies and regulated under private law. One percent of the Dutch population were uninsured in 2009 and approximately sixteen percent between the ages of twenty and thirty years. Those who failed to pay premiums for at least six months are also known as defaulters. (Westert & Klazinga, 2011, p. 1) Insurance companies are forbidden to perform â€Å"risk assessment† that deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions, risk factors based on age, gender, or health profile. Tax credits make the package affordable for those who have low income while those who have no income receive coverage as part of their social assistance package. (Daley & Gubb, 2011) The government provides health care allowances also known as premium subsidies for low-income families if their premium exceeds five percent of the household income. (Westert & Klazinga, 2011, p. 80) Individuals who do not sign up for health care coverage are subject to a tax fine of one hundred and thirty percent of the premium. (Daley & Gubb, 2011) The Exceptional Medical Expenses Act regulates the first compartment. (Daley & Gubb, 2011) Contributions were taken as a 12.55% salary deduction and further supplemented by a government grant. (Daley & Gubb, 2011) Basic insurance packages include General Practitioner, Hospital specialists, Midwives, as well as hospitalization, dental coverage up to the age of eighteen after which only specialist dental care is covered (dentures e.g); medical aides such as home health care and medical equipment pharmaceutical care, maternity, ambulance and patient transport services, paramedical care, mental health and limited lifestyle improvement (smoking cessation programs e.g.). In vetro fertilization is also covered for the first three attempts. (Westert & Klazinga, 2011, p. 1-2) The second compartment deals with basic and essential needs. These medical needs are first treated by a General Practitioner. Every resident and non-resident must be registered with a General Practitioner who oversees basic care including, physicals and common illnesses. In the event specialized care is needed, patients are referred to a Nurse Specialist who is responsible for giving medical treatment. This may include information pertaining to prevention, education, social and psychological support. (â€Å"Nursing,† n.d) For example if a patient is diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus their first encounter is with the General Practitioner who makes the diagnosis, and puts together a team consisting of the Diabetic Nurse Specialist and an Endocrinologist. The Endocrinologist supervises the Nurse Specialist who in turn acts as a supervisor or consultant to the General Practitioner. Members of the team must meet on a regular basis to discuss the patient’s needs and progress. Based on the severity of the patient’s illness (which could be deemed as low, moderate or severe) determined by the patients’ test results one of the three care givers will in fact manage follow-up care. However, all three practitioners will continue to be involved. The Nurse Specialist acts a liaison between both the Practitioner and the Specialist. (â€Å"Nursing,† n.d) The third is an optional supplemental coverage and is paid for by the individual or as part of an employer/employee contract. Care can include, dental after the age of 18 years, physiotherapy and cosmetic procedures. The focus on overcoming disparities such as obesity and smoking cessation do not exist in the Netherlands, as it is believed that it is the responsibility of the individual to seek treatment, which is covered under the basic package. Before the 2006 Reform, there were long waiting lines to see the General Practitioner. There are forty Dutch health insurers across the country and individuals are free to choose the company of their choice based on their personal needs and preferences. At the time of annual open enrollment, patients are allowed to change their insurance company to one of their own choosing. (Westert & Klazinga, 2011, p. 84) Every insured individual age 18 and over must pay a deductible ranging from â‚ ¬170 to â‚ ¬ 670 referred to as cost sharing. General practitioner care and children health care are exempt from cost sharing. (Westert & Klazinga, 2011, p. 80) How is the health system financed? – The first â‚ ¬ 32,369 are taxed at a rate of 6.9 %. The employer is required to reimburse this contribution while the employee must pay taxes on the reimbursement. For those who do not have an employer or do not receive unemployment benefits the contribution is 4.8% while the self-employed is individually assessed by the Department of Revenue. (Westert & Klazinga, 2011, p. 80) Organization – The General Practitioner is the considered to be the gate- keeper. The General Practitioner must refer hospitalization or specialized health care and the only exception is for emergency care. The General Practitioner gets a capitation fee for each registered patient and is further compensated for after hours care on an hourly basis. Consultation fees including phone consults are also accrued and an additional amount is paid to the General Practitioner for managing the patients care without having to make a referral. Bundled payments are made for chronic diseases such as Diabetes Mellitus, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease, Congestive Heart Failure etc. If the General Practitioner hires a private nurse to assist in his practice, the insurance company makes full reimbursement to the General Practitioner for nurses’ salary. The population of the Netherlands is 16.7 million people (â€Å"One World Nations Online†) of which only one percent is uninsured. The reason for this is not due to an inability to pay but rather a default for greater than six months. The health care system in the Netherlands is Universal and does not depend on employment status. (Westert & Klazinga, 2011, p. 78) Although the government mandates heath insurance, private insurance companies are allowed to provide coverage. With five insurance companies that dominate the market the government has created a market environment for healthy competition that also benefits the consumer. (Westert & Klazinga, 2011, p. 80) The triangle between the Insurer, the Provider and the Insured requires that quality and efficient care remains consistent. There are five non-governmental entities that regulate care. The Health Council advises the government on health care issues (e.g. public health); The Health Insurance Board (advises what should be included in the basic health insurance packet). The Medical Evaluation Board is responsible for efficiency, safety and quality are always taken into account; The Dutch Health Care sAuthority, which ensures that the market is functioning while the Dutch Competition Authority ensures there, is fair competition among insurers and providers. (Westert & Klazinga, 2011, p. 83) The United States In the United States government is heavily intertwined with health care at many different levels. Laws have been created by both the federal and state legislative bodies. Health care policies have been shaped through a combination of the arenas that make decisions at the local, state and federal levels. The United States health care system is comprised of two separate entities identified as the private and public sectors. First, the private sector is made up of private health insurance companies and employer sponsored insurance coverage. Beginning in 2014, the Affordable Care Act of 2010 will require employers who have fifty or more employees to provide health insurance coverage or pay a financial penalty to the federal government. Medicaid program will be expanding and will be required to cover those who fall above the level of poverty.. (Kaovner & Knicman, 2011, p. 36) This like the health care system in the Netherlands tries to cover a greater amount of the population The public s ector is made up of Medicaid and Medicare. Medicaid is a welfare initiative that is not a single national program, but a collection of fifty state-administered programs. (Kaovner & Knicman, 2011, p. 29) Medicaid is designed to cover low-income families. It is jointly funded by the state and federal government. The poorer the state the larger the federal contribution however, each state has specific eligibility rules, benefits and payment schedules. A little known fact about Medicaid is that it can be given free to those who cannot afford it, or it can be given at a low cost depending on one’s income. (Social Security†) Medicare on the other hand is a social as well as a federal insurance program designed to cover people aged 65 and older as well as the disabled regardless of age or income. There are four parts to Medicare. Part A also known as hospital insurance covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facilities, hospice and some home health care. Part B also known as medical insurance covers certain doctor’s services, outpatient care, medical supplies and preventative services. Part C also known as the medical advantage plan is a type of medical health care plan offered by a private company that contracts with Medicare to provide Part A and Part B benefits. Part D, also known as the prescription drug coverage, can be added onto the original Medicare plan. The aforementioned plans, are offered by insurance companies and other private companies approved by Medicare. (medicare.gov). The public sector is designed to cover the segment of the population that is not covered by employer-sponsored insurance. The United States highest annual health care spending per capita in terms of purchasing power parity is $7,538 is significantly higher than the Netherlands, which spends $4, 063 per capita. This trend has remained constant for the past forty years. (Kaovner & Knicman, 2011, p. 68) It is reported that the United States has the largest proportion of adults who have the hardest time seeing a specialist, however other countries have reported the same difficulties with low-income levels having a greater difficulty than those with higher income. (Kaovner & Knicman, 2011, p. 69) The life expectancy in the United States for male was 75.64 years while women was 80.78 years. In the Netherlands on the other hand, life expectancy for a male is 81.4 years and for female 85.3 years a significant difference and is believed to be due to the quality and access to health care. The quality of life in the Netherlands is assumed to be much better because of preventative care and education. Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, children in the United States will now be covered up to the age of 26. (Kaovner & Knicman, 2011, p. 25) In the Netherlands children are only covered until the age of 18 at which time they are expected to be contributing members of society. Approximately 16% of the United States population is uninsured, which is a significant disparity between that of the Netherlands. Americans are uninsured primarily because of high out-of-pocket medical expenses and considerable amounts of medical debt. Most of those uninsured are families with full- or part-time jobs or those who are self-employed will not be able to afford or access health care. (Kaovner & Knicman, 2011, p. 32-33) Health care provisions are adequately satisfied in the Netherlands, which make provision for all Citizens while still leaving room for healthy competition among insurance carriers. Although guidelines are set up by the government to ensure universal health care it is the responsibility of insurance companies and non-governmental agencies to ensure that these guidelines are followed. On the other hand, while the United States supports those with low income and disabilities there remains the 17% of the population that contribute to the Medicaid and Medicare funds but are still unable to afford health insurance coverage. I believe it is to the detriment of the United States health care system to pull certain aspects from many different health care systems such as the Netherlands and Switzerland that do not always work to our benefit. (Kaovner & Knicman, 2011, p. 79) The absence of a body to oversee making checks and balances in the systems leaves the door open for fraud and fraudulent activities within the system. If these aspects were to be imported it must be modified and carefully monitored to ensure there is no conflict with existing programs that have been proven effective. If the average household income per year is $40,000 of which 30% is spent on heath care it leaves a family with insufficient funds to provide for basic needs. In effect, health care becomes the â€Å"basic need†, creating further health care needs due to the inability to cover food, clothing and shelter. In conclusion, it is my opinion that the health care system in the Netherlands is by far more advanced in terms of organization and effectiveness. The ability for all residents to access health care contributes to the longer life expectancy and overall quality of life which in together ensures that the people will be valuable contributors to society. References Daley, C., & Gubb, J. (2011). Health Care Systems: The Netherlands. Civitas. Retrieved from http://www.civitas.org.uk/nhs/download/netherlands.pdf Kaovner, A., & Knicman, J. (2011). Health Care Delivery in the United States (10th ed.). New Yor, NY: Springer Publishing Company LLC. Nursing in the Netherlands. (n.d). Retrieved from http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/qualifications/docs/nurses/2000-study/nurses_nederland_en.pdf Westert, G., & Klazinga, N. (2011). International Profiles of Health Care Systems, 2011 [Entire issue]. The Common Wealth Fund. Retrieved from http://www.commonwealthfund.org/~/media/Files/Publications/Fund%20Report/2011/Nov/1562_Squires_Intl_Profiles_2011_11_10.pdf

Islamic Art - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 3 Words: 1024 Downloads: 10 Date added: 2019/10/10 Category Religion Essay Tags: Islam Essay Did you like this example? Islamic Art has tremendously influenced the western world by fostering the creation of a distinctive culture filled with poetry, art, and architecture. Amongst these is the masterpiece, the Iranian Mihrab with which its elaborate tile work has deemed it one of the most famous attractions in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Due to its immense size, the museum displays this piece with justice because once one enters the exhibit for Islamic Art, the first thing one will notice is a gigantic, ornate tilework placed against the wall. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Islamic Art" essay for you Create order Surrounding the qibla wall are artifacts of religious sermons with ornate Arabic calligraphy. In addition, a three-foot-tall Quran is placed right next to the Mihrab. The Mihrab is a prayer niche which is a wall on the mosque that helps direct the Kaaba in Mecca which is where Muslims face when praying. The Mihrab is originally from a theological school in Isfahan, Iran, called Madrasa Imami, and was built right after the Ilkhanid Dynasty. The Mihrab was used for the public as theologians gathered around here to pray. Upon seeing the work in the Metropolitan Museum of Art I was surprised by how large the work really is. The colors of the prayer niche were more vibrant and beautiful than what it appears in pictures. As you look closer, you would notice that the composition doesn’t have any blank spaces and that every tile is filled with intricate geometric details as well as the inclusion of sacred scripts from the Quran. I was surprised by how large the size of the mihrab was because normally when I visit a mosque the prayer niches there aren’t as big or ornate as the one shown in the museum. The Mihrab which was found in the Madrasa Imami was built during the Islamic 14th century, when Injuids and Muzaffarid leaders were competing against each other in inquiring Isfahan, Iran. Currently, the wall lost most of its vibrant colors and became whitewashed. The Mihrab was removed from the Madrasa Imami during the 1920’s and was restored by skillful local potters. The Mihrab is one of the earliest mosaic tilework consisting of cut and glazed tiles combined to create Arabesque patterns and calligraphic inscriptions. The artwork, itself, contains of a pointed arch outlined with a white and blue Kufic script. In order to create depth, decorative geometric patterns fill the inside of the Mihrab. Each pattern is symmetrically aligned with the other and includes different shades of blue, white, yellow, and dark green colors. Around the exterior, there is a hadith by the Prophet Muhamad from the Quran 9:18-22 that reads, â€Å"The Prophet (may blessings and peace be upon him) said: The mosque is the abode of every believer.† Unlike art from other faiths, Islamic Art doesn’t consist of painting of humans or animals because Muslims believe that only God has the power to create living creatures. Due to this belief, artists developed a special kind of decoration called Arabesque which includes the twisting patterns of vines, leaves, and flowers. Islamic Art consists of geometric designs which shows how Muslims were highly advanced in math and science for its time. Furthermore, there is a spiritual meaning behind it because the infinite and complex geometric designs create the impression of unending repetition and gives the idea about the infinite nature of Allah. In addition, Islamic Art is known for their exuberant use of vibrant colors. During this time, Islamic artist usually used a combination of blue and white colors which were invented by potters through a technique of painting in cobalt under a transparent glaze. The Arabic inscriptions in the mosaic contain two different styles of Arabic calligraphy: Kufic and Muhaqqaq. Kufic was an angular, slow-moving type of writing, while Muhaqqaq was a more cursive style of writing. Both styles of writing were used to write sacred passages from the Quran. The Mihrab consists of writing that about the five pillars of Islam which are the fundamental rules that a Muslim must follow which is to believe in Allah, pray five times a day, give back to charity, fast during Ramadan, and to make a pilgrimage to Mecca. The Mihrab is a famous artwork for Muslims because it shows the distinct type of art created by Muslims and reveals the way Muslims view the spiritual realm and the universe. Moreover, there is no specific artist associated with this work. Those who constructed this art work were skillful potters and made the Mihrab as a public project. The Mihrab showed that lavish ornamentation was encouraged in Isfahan rather than shunned, even in religious settings. The Ilkhanids were great builders and Isfahan had many architectures designed with distinct blue tiles, giving the city the name â€Å"blue city.† Many of the numerous arts and architecture were commissioned by shahs so that they could attract foreign traders and create a marketplace that would boost their economy. One prominent shah was Shah Abbas, whose reign encouraged famous artists such as Aqa Riza, Sadiqi Beg, Riza-yi ‘Abbasi, and Mir ‘Imad. Isfahan art was heavily influenced by the Ilkhanid dynasty, as Mongols brought in the Chinese depiction of pictorial space, as well as motifs such as lotuses and peonies, cloud bands, and dragons and phoenixes. The mixture of East-Asian element s to its Perso-Islamic culture created a new form of art that have influenced different regions including Anatolia and India. The prayer niche is similar to other famous architectures including the Dome of Rock in Jerusalem. The Dome of Rock also includes features of calligraphic scriptures of verses from the Quran. The calligraphy reflects the belief in the beauty of the written word of God, Allah in Islam, and the intertwined floral motifs demonstrates the belief that geometric patterns and calligraphy are the proper decorations for the Islamic world. The use of tiles with different shades of blues is similar in both architectures due to the spiritual belief that blue is the color associated with heaven. In summation, The Iranian Mihrab was a prominent piece of Islamic Art and the use of geometric patterns, intricate Arabic calligraphy, and vibrant colors have influenced the rest of the western world.