As the health care reform debate continues and a Senate vote approaches, I thought this would be a good time to become more aware of the issues and to take some last minute action. So, here’s some information you might want to consider.

The Institute on Medicine released a report this week indicating that health insurance premiums for the average family nearly doubled between 1999 to 2008 from $1,543 to $3,354. That means health insurance costs are rising about 4 times faster than wages are today. This may explain why there are currently over 47 million Americans without health insurance.

Our country greatly needs to pass a health care reform bill that provides a viable health insurance option for all its citizens. We need this for both our physical and fiscal well-being.

Today, I’m focusing on the basics of Obama’s Health Care proposal. Tomorrow I’ll give you a rundown on the Baucus Plan. Then, I recommend you take a stand on what you feel is right for your family and for our country and contact your political representatives and let them hear YOUR VOICE.

Here’s what the Obama Plan will do for you:

• Reduce or Eliminate High Out-of-Pocket Expenses                                                                              
• 
  Forbid the "Rationing" of Benefits by Insurance Companies
• 
  Benefit Small Businesses, Not Burden Them
• 
  Create a Level Playing Filed for Small Businesses to Cover Their Employees
• 
  Prevent Gender Discrimination
• 
  Not Allow Coverage to by Dropped for Seriously Ill
• 
  Prevent Pre-Existing Condition Discrimination
• Provide No-Cost Sharing for Preventive Care
• 
  Eliminate Annual or Lifetime Caps on Coverage
• Provide Extended Coverage for Young Adults
• Offer Guaranteed Insurance Renewal
• 
  Create an Independent Commission to Identify waste, fraud and abuse
• 
  Offers Low Cost Insurance Through a "High-Risk" Pool for People with Pre-Existing Conditions
• 
  Provide an Affordable Public Option to The Uninsured
• 
  Protect Families From Debt or Bankruptcy Due to Health Care Costs
  

 

What the Obama Plan Will Not Do:

• 
  Lead to a "government takeover" of Health Care
• 
  In Any Way Encourage or Require Euthanasia
• Not Cut Medicare Benefits
• Not Add to the Deficit, but Will Actually Reduce Long-Term Costs

For more information and to debunk the many myths surrounding Health Care Reform go to the President’s website.

May we be guided to find our way to a better health care plan for all.

Peace & Blessings!