Is Health Care Really on the Table? Obama and the Republicans Meet

As Obama and the Republicans prepare to meet supposedly to put health care on the table, I am especially interested in seeing whether Obama really listens to the Republican medical doctor, Dr. Boustany, who will be in the group. Its one thing to listen to other politicians, but its another to listen to a real practitioner of the medical profession - especially one who is likely to return to the profession after politics. I was hoping another Republican doctor, Dr. Barasso, would also be in the group. I am not aware of any Democratic medical doctors in their group.

Obama makes it difficult to trust him. You wonder if this is just another theatrical act on his part. However, the Republicans are aware of his tactics and are prepared to present their health care proposal clearly and forcefully if necessary.

True negotiations takes place around a table where everyone is on an equal basis and starting from a clean slate.

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Health Care Reform Now - Take a Second Look

Although the Republicans are not in power, it is important to take a second look at health care reform from another perspective. 

By the way, contrary to what Obama and the Democrats are saying, the Republicans are not the party of no. We owe it to ourselves and to our family to become informed on what both sides are proposing regarding health care reform, then make a decision, and let our voices be heard.

Some of the reforms the the Republicans would like to enact into law include:

• Allow insurers to sell policies across state lines
• Create new state high-risk pools or reinsurance programs to provide people access to health insurance
• Allow small businesses to pool together in associations to purchase health insurance thus making it more affordable
• Discourage "junk" lawsuits by changing medical liability laws to limit non-economic damages
• Crack down on waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare and Medicaid
• Beef up incentives for employer-sponsored "wellness programs" so that workers who participate could get bigger breaks on insurance premiums

Check the The Republicans' Plan for more information.

How to Save Money on your Medicare Choices

If you have Medicare Part A and Part B during this Open Enrollment Period, (January 1, 2010 to March 31, 2010), you can take certain steps to improve your health care and save money.

a. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plans/prescription drug plan(MA/PD), you can change to an MA/PD plan.

b. If you have original Medicare and a stand-alone prescription drug plan, you can change to a MA/PD plan.

c. Or, if you just have Original Medicare, you can change to a MA plan without a prescription drug plan.

The change would benefit you if you can get a lower premium for the MA/PD plan or PD plan.

Also, you need to consider whether the drugs you use are included in the plan's formulary.

Email me at www.yourconsultantsite.com if you need help in making the right choice.

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