3 ways to get up to speed -- fast -- on healthcare reform

If you tuned out of the health-reform discussions early on, thinking this whole overhaul thing wouldn't gain traction, it's not too late to do your homework. Here are three new primers to get you up to speed -- or at least not woefully behind:

From CNN: What you need to know about health care reform

"Five years from now, there's an excellent chance you won't have the same health insurance you have (or don't have) right now. That's because members of Congress are gearing up to reform the U.S. health care system, and unlike in 1993 when then-first lady Hillary Clinton tried her hand at changing the medical system, this time the important players -- doctors, insurance companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers -- seem to be on board. You heard a lot about health care reform this week, and you'll be hearing even more in the months to come. It's an incredibly confusing, complex issue, so in this week's Empowered Patient, we break it down for you with 10 frequently asked questions about health care reform."

From Time: The Five Big Health-Care Dilemmas

"Universal health care is a cause that comes around every 15 or 20 years in Washington, and Presidents as far back as Woodrow Wilson have tried and failed to make it happen. ... But even amid signs of a new consensus, there are at least five questions that must be settled before there can be meaningful reform:"

And from Kaiser Health News: A Consumer's Guide to Health Care Reform

"With the Democratic-controlled Congress working on a potentially sweeping health care overhaul, questions abound for consumers, including whether they might have to change their insurance or buy coverage if they don’t have it. Here's a guide to the top issues:"

... Of course, these backgrounders come even as today's L.A. Times carries this story: "Aggressive timetable for healthcare reform hits snag"

-- Tami Dennis

Photo credit: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Tom Jackson]

On the uninsured, George Will sheds some light on it:
WILL: Donna [Brazile], you talk about the 46, 47 million uninsured. Fourteen million of them are already eligible for other government programs and haven’t signed up. Ten million are in households with household incomes of $75,000 a year and could afford it if they wanted to.

Furthermore, an enormous number in that 47 million are not American citizens. Sixty percent of the uninsured in San Francisco are not citizens.

[Deborah Calvert]

Reforming healthcare should include demanding tens of millions of dollars back from all nursing home giants such as Sun Heatlhcare Group Inc:
read this
Potentially inappropriate nursing home payments spur increased Medicare Part A, Part D oversight
June 08, 2009
Tens of millions of dollars were likely inappropriately paid to skilled nursing facilities through the Medicare Part D prescription drug program in 2006, according to a recently released report from the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General.

[Affordable Medical Insurance]

There’s no doubt that affordable healthcare is a hot topic these days. From Washington, D.C. to rural America to every city across the country, Americans need affordable healthcare options. In fact, according to President Obama, healthcare reform could have a major impact on the economy as a whole but only if we act now.

Congress intends to create a healthcare reform bill to bring to the floor in July. President Obama urges the process on, believing that if it isn't tackled this year, it won't get done at all.

There is a big price tag on healthcare reform, however. Transforming the system could cost as much as $1 trillion dollars! Many Republicans in Congress are fighting hard against any type of reform that includes government programs providing more medical insurance options than they currently do through Medicare and Medicaid..This type of public program could cost the government far more than it will save anyone. There is also discussion going on as to whether healthcare reforms will be paid for through higher taxes or through cutting existing programs.

On June 17, 2009, Congress met to consider the President’s healthcare reform bill and many are worried that things are moving too fast to make smart decisions. The costs of the proposed program haven’t even been determined and Sen. Michael Enzi (R) of Wyoming wonders how a bill can be discussed and amended without any understanding of the costs "This bill costs too much, covers too few and will force about 10 million people to have to lose their employer-provided coverage." Enzi believes the current bill will not help the economy but would actually make things worse. "We need a bill that won't destroy the economy.”

Instead of looking at a public healthcare program that can wind up costing billions or even trillions of dollars, it makes sense to work with the insurance companies to find affordable healthcare solutions now. By letting states, small businesses and other people groups band together to access lower cost medical insurance to people who aren’t currently eligible for group health insurance, more Americans could find affordable healthcare insurance now instead of waiting for the government to take on healthcare like some other nations have. Government provided healthcare does not encourage the high quality health care that Americans deserve and need.

Another proposed solution that could save the government money and help more Americans access affordable healthcare of their choice would allow those eligible for Medicare to receive an equivalent benefit they could use toward any private health insurance policy they choose. These types of solutions toward affordable healthcare could save both the government and the citizens save money on their medical insurance without sacrificing quality care and choice. Congress could do well to consider all proposals- and their costs- before rushing into a decision that could wind up costing billions- even trillions- of dollars without giving Americans the best choices in medical insurance available.

[Family medical insurance]

Although the number of smokers has reduced dramatically over recent years, smoking remains the number one preventable cause of death in the country. Smoking affects virtually every organ in your body, from your lungs to your heart to your circulation. Because smoking constricts your blood vessels, it severely limits the amount of oxygen your body receives, including your brain. Medical professionals agree unequivocally that quitting smoking is the best thing you can do to prevent disease and death. Because of the many health problems smoking causes, medical insurance premiums increase dramatically for smokers. Providing funding to smoking cessation programs is a preventative measure that will help make affordable health coverage possible.

[medical coverage]

In addition to smoking, obesity is a national epidemic in America, making affordable health coverage difficult to provide. Obesity is one of the fastest growing health threats, leading to heart problems, diabetes and a host of other medical problems. Tackling obesity is a two-fold proposition including healthy eating habits and increasing physical activity. Rather than following fad diets or pre-packaged diet programs, funding programs to teach real-life nutritional meal preparation and eating habits can prevent and reverse obesity. Incorporating physical activity into your daily lifestyle is another terrific way to prevent and reduce obesity, which will help lead to affordable health coverage for American families.

[medical insurance]

Several different market-based solutions could help low and modest-income individuals and families find affordable health coverage. Tax credits, tax deductions, health savings accounts and high-risk pools are all market-based options to make affordable medical insurance a reality for uninsured people who are working, but cannot afford medical insurance.
Tax credits allow people to keep more of their income on a monthly basis in their pay so the can purchase coverage. Because tax credits enable people to make their own choices of providers, plans and doctors, they are considered to be a preferred market-based solution for affordable health coverage. Tax credits enable working people to pay for their own health insurance without having to fall back on Medicare or other government health programs. Because a tax credit would cost only half the amount of Medicare per individual, the burden on all taxpayers is also reduced, saving everyone money.
Private health insurance can be affordable health coverage for every working American. By working with market-based solutions, health care reform can be a workable solution to the millions of Americans living in fear of a medical crisis because they have no medical insurance.

[individual medical insurance]

Private medical insurance is not the enemy of affordable healthcare in the US. In fact, if the federal government creates another public healthcare program, it will ultimately raise the costs of private medical insurance to exorbitant levels. While the idea of expanded public healthcare may seem to be the answer to affordable medical insurance, it could be the end of private insurance altogether. Medicare and Medicaid, the two public health programs currently in effect, cost private insurance companies - and by extension, Americans paying premiums for private insurance- $88 billion in 2007, according to the consulting group Milliman, Inc. In fact, the average family of four with private medical insurance saw their premiums increase $1500 because of public programs. In California alone, that represents nearly 10% of every premium dollar paid.