I thought I'd stop working a couple of minutes and share a paragraph from my end of course project on healthcare economics, a 10-page report comparing the United States and Republic of Korea healthcare systems. It might become obvious I've been doing a little reflecting on the past 30 years. 
--john
The Miriam-Webster dictionary defines recovery as one, “the act, process, or an instance of recovering; especially: an economic upturn (as after a depression),” and two, the process of combating a disorder (as alcoholism) or a real or perceived problem” (2009). As a recovering alcoholic, thirty years tomorrow, and having witnessed one economic crisis in the ROK and going through another one in the US, I perceive the similarities in these two definitions as amazing. In alcoholism, one experiences a life crisis before recovery can begin. Once recovery begins, all phases of the individual’s life will gradually improve, especially their health. After a nation’s economic crisis, one can often see improvement in all phases of the country’s welfare, especially healthcare. However, if the alcoholic commits the mistakes of the past, progression is discontinued and everything worsens. “One day at a time” is a popular Alcoholics Anonymous slogan. Countries can continue to progress with healthcare reform by not repeating the mistakes of the past and continually progressing one day at a time. The recovery process is an ongoing progression for both an alcoholic and a nation.
recovery. (2009). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved May 22, 2009, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recovery
