You know something is wrong with the American health care system delivery when Americans are opting for surgeries in foreign soils. What rich people from all over the world have done for a long time has finally come to the US which is known all over the world as the best place to have top notch operations. In the last few years, more and more Americans are heading to Brasil, India, Costa Rica, Argentine, South Africa, Thailand and other places to have hip replacement, cosmetic surgeries, breast augmentation and various medical procedures for a fraction of the cost.

Now American companies are setting shops overseas to wait for these price-conscious consumers. Americans who travel for health care needs are growing in power. They are making their money work for them. They are showing the American Health care system that they can go elsewhere. They are voting with their purse and airplane tickets. More and more companies are making life easier for these people by providing them with a shopping portal.

Whether consumers want to enjoy the sun, sand and cheap or affordable surgeries, they are heading out to avoid the high costs of American health care delivery.

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Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 10:18 AM EDT

Updated: Friday, 21 April 2006 10:20 AM EDT

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Flex-fuel vehicles (FFV) have a single fuel tank, fuel system, and engine. The vehicles are designed to run on regular unleaded gasoline and an alcohol fuel (either ethanol or methanol) in any mixture - for example, 100% gasoline, E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline), or M85 (85% methanol, 15% gasoline) or any combination of these fuels.

A bi-fuel vehicle has two separate fuel systems, with the capability to easily switch from one to the other. The vehicle can be powered by either system. One fuel system is usually designed to run on gasoline or diesel, in order to assure a readily available fuel source. In currently available U.S. models, the other fuel system is usually designed to run on compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied propane gas (LPG).

The only vehicles to meet California's Zero Emission Vehicle requirement, battery electric vehicles offer quiet, pollution-free operation. Unfortunately, electricity generation is not pollution free so EVs produce indirect environmental impacts, but are still far cleaner than gasoline-powered vehicles. Though still range limited, recent advances in battery and electric motor technologies have made EVs more practical than ever before.

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Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 10:04 AM EDT

Updated: Friday, 21 April 2006 10:20 AM EDT

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Financial Times reports that Toyota Motor Corp. is developing ethanol-based cars for Brazil and plans to introduce those vehicles in the U.S. by 2008.

The Japanese automaker, a market leader in gas-electric hybrids, has resisted the technology up to this point, which left the market open to domestic automakers such as General Motors and Ford. Detroit's domestic manufacturers currently have more than 1.5 million flex-fuel vehicles on the road in the United States.

Toyota is said to be worried about the impact of highly corrosive ethanol on rubber seals in the engine. Toyota's debut ethanol vehicle would be fitted with new anti-corrosive parts to meet U.S. regulations, but the automaker suggested that a less ambitious strategy of mixing only 10-to-15-percent ethanol into gasoline might produce greater savings, the paper said.

President Bush has called for more ethanol use to reduce dependence on foreign oil.

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Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 10:02 AM EDT

Updated: Friday, 21 April 2006 10:19 AM EDT

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California and Florida residents can benefit from this GM marketing gimmick. Trying to profit from the anger shown by drivers at the gasoline pumps, GM is launching a program that will credit GM, Chevrolet drivers. Mostly, those who buy the most recent models (2006 and 2007 ones) will qualify.

"One hitch to the promotion is that customers must also agree to enroll in the OnStar vehicle diagnostic service, which is free for the first year but after that will cost $16.95 a month. The other is that many of the eligible vehicles are serious gas guzzlers.

The offer is good for 2006 and 2007 model year vehicles. In California, eligible vehicles are the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban sport utility vehicles and Impala and Monte Carlo sedans; the GMC Yukon and Yukon XL SUVs; the Hummer H2 and H3 SUVs; the Cadillac SRX SUV; and the Pontiac Grand Prix and Buick LaCrosse sedans. In Florida, eligible vehicles are the Impala, Monte Carlo, Grand Prix and LaCrosse.

Now, where does this leave the owners of vehicles bought in 2005 and earlier? Is this fair to limit the vehicles to 2006 and 2007? How about the gas guzzlers bought before those years? No luck for us!

According to the GM plan, customers must buy or lease an eligible vehicle between May 25 and July 5 and enroll in the OnStar diagnostic service, which automatically runs checks on the vehicle and sends e-mail notices to owners each month.

What will we get?

Each month for one year, GM will give drivers a credit on a prepaid card based on their estimated fuel usage. Fuel usage will be calculated by the miles they drive, as recorded by OnStar, and the vehicle's fuel economy rating."

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Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 12:01 AM EDT

Updated: Wednesday, 24 May 2006 11:24 AM EDT

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Where do Toyota Tundra and Toyota Tacoma Fit in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration?

The NHTSA releases its new crash test report cards and rollover ratings for 44 sedans, SUVs and pickups and vans. You may be wondering where your cherished vehicle fit. The 2006 models of the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Tucson, Mercedes Benz ML-Class, Nissan Murano and Subaru B9 Tribeca received 5 stars in frontal and side impact crash tests for the driver's and passenger's side. Wow, this is a huge question: Where does the Toyota SR5 series fit in?

On a scale of one to five, most vehicles received 4 or five stars on frontal and side crashes. There are other vehicles that received some good ratings in the 2006 model year. We find the Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Honda Civic, Buick Lucerne, Chevrolet Aveo, Hyundai Accent, Lexus ES330, Chevrolet HHR, Ford Expedition, Jeep Commander, Chevrolet Express, Chevrolet Upldander, Dodge Caravan, Kia Sedona and Chevrolet Colorado. For some reasons, Chevrolet has done a lot better. So now, you know what to get if you are on the market for a new car. In side-impact tests which were conducted at 38.5 mph, it has been reported that the Kia Sorento, Nissan Xterra, Toyota 4Runner and Toyota RAV4 got five stars in both seating positions. Receiving four stars are Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT, Ford Expedition, Hyundai Tucson, Mercedes Benz-ML-Class, Nissan Murano, Subaru B9 Tribeca, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota RAV4, Chevrolet Colorado, and Nissan Frontier two-door.

The manual for Toyota Tundra and Tacoma warns drivers against the high likelihood of rollover. That's what a friend found out when his company's Toyota Tacoma truck flipped on him. He walked out without any scratch. But he got shaken up pretty well.

Now that you know which car is safer on the road, you may want to think about other features. How about considering GM's release of the 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche? It is a on-of-a-kind vehicle which is considered the next-generation full-size truck. The 2007 model is based on GM's brand new, full-size SUV platform which has more power, better flex-fuel capability on some of the models, sharper, precise driving, great interior and world-class quietness. The Avalance model is offered in LS, LT and LTZ models, with two-wheel and four-wheel drive.

Another truck that is a sure head-turner is the 2006 Lincoln Mark LT pickup truck. It is big, solid and upscale. The Mark LT has a bold exterior look which reflects its strength, luxury and finesse. The truck has a nameplate signature upright grille. For sure, it is going to be popular with those artists who dream about their grilles.

If your prom night is leaning towards environmental issues, she may be interested in a Lexus GS450h released by Toyota. This GS450h is powered by an electric motor and gasoline engine. It will be on sale soon according to Toyota Motor Corp. With Lexus, you have luxury, cutting-edge technology and reliability. Keep in mind that Toyota first deve3loped its hybrid system for the front-wheel dirve Toyota Prius compact car. It looks like a bubble on wheels. So the choices abound.

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Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 10:34 AM EST

Updated: Saturday, 18 March 2006 10:53 AM EST

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Welcome to Fixwhatsbroken!

Reviews of things, products and service that don't work!

What do you do when the costs of repair are even higher than the products themselves? You dump those products and buy a new one. How come companies don't want to fix their own broken products? Have you ever had to deal with a company over its broken, defaultive and/or just bad product design? Have you ever had to make expensive repairs in a brand car or other tool? What has been your experience with companies? Have you ever had to deal with a company's poor customer service? Have you ever had to deal with a home builder/developer's indifference or lack of care after you bought a home? How about a real estate agent who did a shoddy job? If you know a few of them you are pleased with, go ahead and put the word out. We, consumers, need to sift the good from the bad!

In order to make informed decision, we need to have information about their business practices. Any complaints you may have about web service, online shopping and shipping with the big names such as Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, eBay, eBay shops etc can be featured in an article here. Fixwhatsbroken is about the consumers' experience, your own experience. Nobody can deny it to you. How about the big click and mortar shops such as Costco, Best Buy, Circuit City, Wall-Mart, Target, Sephora, Gottschalks or G, City hall, Dell, HP, etc? Share your shopping experience at these stores too!

Here is your chance to dish out and vent your anger or just air things out. If you have dealt with broken digital cameras, cars, iPods, PDAs, computers, laptops, you will want to read about and share your personal stories. If you have called city officials about some service only to find the voicemail, then you have something to share here. If there is a recall on a piece of equipment you have been using, a car's exhaust pipe, your pet's food or anything, then you will be glad to have come to this place.

Our hope is that companies are going to pay attention to what you want and try to accommodate you. How else will they know whether they are doing a good or poor job if you keep your mouth shut? Company owners and shareholders are in business to make money. If something is not going well in their firm, they want to correct it. So it is in their interest to listen to the consumer's experience. This is what Fixwhatsbroken is all about.

For sure, you are going to have a lot to say about the state of the healthcare system in this country. You will want to give your two cents about Medi-Cal Part D mess, exorbitant prices of medications and treatment within our modern medicine, price tag of education or getting a college degree etc.

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Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 12:01 AM EST

Updated: Saturday, 18 March 2006 10:55 AM EST

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Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 3:53 PM EST

Updated: Thursday, 9 March 2006 10:56 PM EST

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Introduced in 1999, the Toyota Tundra is there to compete with the Big Three. GM, Ford and the others have to pay attention to this Toyota engineering. Toyota executives are taking pride in their output which has attracted consumers from various ethnic groups. Asians, Hispanics, Blacks and Caucasians are the favorite users of the truck. That does not mean that the trucks that Ford, Chevy and Dodge put out do not show these companies’ competitive edge. Toyota executives know what they had to do. They had to go back to the engineering board.

Enters the new 2007 Toyota Tundra. It is big, bold and has a tremendous presence among all the other trucks on the road. This new truck will be on sale next year. At least then, Toyota will have a truck that goes head on with the Big boys of the automotive industry. With chrome-laden grille, thicker body and doors, the Tundra is ready. For sure, this new version of the Tundra appears more rugged. Now it is time for Toyota executives to start talking about the power of the truck. They are boasting that it will set records and set new benchmarks in the truck industry. It will offer 5.7 liter V-8 engine as well as the current 4.0-liter V-6 and 4.7-liter V-8 engine. It will be able to tow more than 10,000 pounds capacity. For sure, this number sets a new benchmark. The 2007 Tundra will come in three cab configurations. It will be offered in more than 30 different models. That is the way Toyota has been able to customize its customers’ needs on a macro level. Personification is also something the company pays attention to. Now it rests to be seen whether the Tundra cabin is going to be roomy too. Toyota executives have already announced it is going to be roomier than many other trucks cabins. So far, a lot has been based on this truck. According to many Toyota executives, the 2007 Tundra has the potential of making a major positive impact on the company’s business and bottom line.

2007 Toyota’s Best Truck is based on history, new tech and vision

It has been said that the new truck has everything a truck driver is looking in a truck: brawn, power, looks, size, Toyota’s quality, reliability. Toyota is ready to take the battle to the other truck builders. It is ready to knock heads with Bill Ford who thinks that it can take on the Toyota Way. At the same time, Toyota is ready to build a new plant in Texas so it can meet the demands of the local market. After all, Texas remains one of the biggest truck markets in the country. So the company will bet on the marketability of trucks built by Texans. Toyota will be able to build up to 200,000 trucks per year. No wonder that Ford must pay attention to Toyota’s incursions. So far, Ford has its own weapons. Dodge can always come out with something that will match and surpass Toyota’s bragging rights. Revealing too much too early may not be a good idea for the Japanese automaker.

Toyota also has its first Hybrid Camry Trying to stay a few steps ahead of the competition is the name of the game. The new, 6th generation 2007 Toyota Camry is here with us. Toyota made a strategic move by coming out with this hybrid camry. It is banking on name recognition and the long history of the sedan on the American marketplace. The Camry continues to be one of the industry’s best-selling passenger cars. It sells more than 6.5 million units in the United States and more than 10 million globally. It will be equipped with Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system. The 2007 Camry is unchanged from the previous model. Its wheelbase is longer by more than two inches. More legroom in the front and the rear is added. It is an inch wider.

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 12:14 PM EST

Updated: Sunday, 19 February 2006 12:15 PM EST

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TWO ADVERSE REPORTS THAT ARE (OR MAY BE) SIGNIFICANT TO A PERSON WHO HAS DIABETES:

FDA and GlaxoSmithKline notified healthcare professionals about postmarketing reports of new onset and worsening of diabetic macular edema (a complication having to do with the eye which can cause blindness) for patients receiving AVANDIA (Rosiglitazone). In some cases, the macula edema resolved or improved following discontinuation of the drug. I would recommend that anyone taking AVANDIA check with the doctor that is prescribing this drug. Regardless of what medication is being taken, every diabetic should have a yearly evaluation by an OPTHAMOLOGIST.

2. Roche Diagnostics and FDA notified healthcare professionals of a worldwide Voluntary Recall of specific ACCU-CHEK AVIVA METERS, used to measure blood sugar levels, because of the potential for an electronic malfunction which can cause the meter to report an erroneous result of shut down and no longer be used. The recall includes U.S. Serial Numbers 52500000000 through 52510999999.

This recall does not apply to meters with U.S. Serial Numbers 52511000000 and higher or ACCU-CHEK Aviva test strips.

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 4:29 PM EST

Updated: Saturday, 18 February 2006 4:30 PM EST

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