Under the new healthcare legislation that is being considered, “lawmakers have proposed mandating that all but small employers provide insurance for workers or help pay for” the 46 million uninsured people in the U.S.

I have to wonder if other firms will follow this lead, and vocally support employer mandated healthcare like Wal-Mart?

Image: sxc.hu.

Post from: Blisstree

Wal-Mart Backs Employer Health Ins.

There are answers to the ins and outs of what is happening in health care reform in a new article at CNN. One point that keeps coming up is about preexisting conditions. If you have them, many times it’s difficult to get health insurance. Another point is for people that have health insurance they like now. Will they have to change? In theory, the answer is no.

How much do Americans spend in health care? CNN says:

In the United States, every person spends on average $6,714 for health care. That’s significantly higher than in the United Kingdom, where $2,760 per person is spent; or in France, where the cost is $3,449 per person; or in Canada, where medical costs are $3,678 per person, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. While some would argue that medical care is better in the United States than in these other countries, others would say the opposite is true. For example, the United States ranks 50th in life expectancy, and 180th infant mortality.

In other words, paying a lot for health care doesn’t mean we are getting the most for our dollar. But since this is still being talked about, we can only imagine what health care will look like in five years.

Image: sxc.hu.

Post from: Blisstree

The Nuts and Bolts of Healthcare Reform

I’d like to see programs that encourage people, rather than punish them. I think we all have enough negativity in our lives, and don’t believe penalties will motivate people to get healthy.

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Post from: Blisstree

Get Healthy or Pay Up

While I think this is a good idea, I also think doctors still need to be cognizant of eye contact and listening to patients in addition to recording their complaints on a computer screen.

The recent stimulus package “has approved $20 billion for EHRs” so obviously this is a movement that our president supports. I think it’s a step in the right direction, but it still isn’t perfect. I’m concerned about them just pouring everything into the current electronic system, which I’m not convinced is that good. I’m also concerned that while filing of paperwork may become more efficient, it won’t necessarily improve patient care.

What do you think about electronic health care records? Will this provide better service to us as patients?

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Post from: Blisstree

Electronic Health Care Records

Back before we headed to the polls, I shared with you an email I received regarding now President-elect Barack Obama’s stance on mental health parity.

Well, now I’ve received an email from Mental Health America urging me to send an electronic postcard to Obama to urge him to keep healthcare reform a top priority during his first year in office.

From the email:

As he prepares to take office, President-elect Barack Obama faces many pressing issues. And some will urge him to defer efforts to achieve healthcare reform, suggesting that it will be too costly, too difficult, or not a sufficiently high priority. Click the link to send the digital postcard to President-elect Obama and tell him that you want him to make healthcare reform a top priority in 2009.

Naturally, I did. And I’m passing it along so that all of you can do the same! Simply visit Mental Health America’s page Send a Postcard to President-elect Obama, enter your info, and click “send.”

So easy.

Do it now.

Post from: Blisstree

Send An Email To Barack Obama: Keep Healthcare Reform A Priority