Thoughts and Musings on the Health Care Debate

With all of the talk about health care and the battling propositions, there are a few points I'd like to make.

First, as I say this, I am not commenting as someone who is FOR or AGAINST the administration's proposal, but as a concerned citizen who sees some serious issues with the process.

The first point is that I am VERY concerned over the fact that any new changes in the health care system would EXEMPT the Congress, the very people that are debating this issue for us. It comes across as elitist in nature. I am sure that any Congressman's reaction would be ,'We are already covered by a great plan'.

To this I have a few reactions:

1) If what Congress has is so great, then why aren't you proposing that for the rest of the United States.

2) If what you are proposing for the rest of us is so great, then how come you are not willing to go into that plan yourself?

The other point that is concerning to me is that the debates on this issue going on right now are 'closed door'. For an administration that has stated its goal is to be the most transparent administration in US history this is a troubling and concerning development, especially in light of the fact that it was the lack of transparency that killed the Clinton administration's attempts to reform health care in the early 1990's.

But the most concerning part about this is that for people like me, this lack of information leads to all sorts of rumor mongering about what the final bill will look like. I wonder if anyone really knows?

Warm Regards,

Mark A. Bowman

President
FreeSeniorCitizensSolutions.com
By Baby Boomers…For Baby Boomers
http://www.freeseniorcitizenssolutions.com/
mark@FreeSCS.com

Another Take On The Health Care Debate

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you realize that there is a major debate regarding health care in this country. And while everyone is putting their ‘two cents’ into the debate regarding Medicare, Medicaid and Tort Reform, we feel that there is one topic that isn’t being adequately addressed.

This is the fact that we all need to take personal responsibility for our health.

Our society is the richest and most prosperous in the history of the world, and as a result the ‘affluent’ diseases of coronary artery disease, obesity, diabetes and cancer have far more prevalence in our society than in other areas of the world. These diseases, which are for the most part lifestyle motivated, cost the US health care system tens of billions of year. This is wasted money, as the diseases are so easily preventable before they occur.

If we take personal responsibility for our health, stay active and eat right, these diseases of affluence would be greatly reduced in this country, and as a result billions of dollars would be saved.

So in the debate regarding health care, would we be better to focus on the prevention of disease and wellness campaigns to get people in better shape so that these diseases would be reduced in our society? Your thoughts and feedback would be appreciated.

Warm Regards,

Mark A. Bowman

President
FreeSeniorCitizensSolutions.com
By Baby Boomers…For Baby Boomers
http://www.freeseniorcitizenssolutions.com/
mark@FreeSCS.com

Health Overhaul

This is a recent news article relating to the administration's attempt to overhaul the nations health care system. We want to hear from your thoughts on the debate at:

info@freeseniorcitizenssolutions.com

WASHINGTON – Lawmakers from both parties are telling the White House they will go on vacation next month and leave behind — and incomplete — President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.

White House officials sought a massive reworking of the nation's health care system before Congress left on August recess, but key lawmakers signaled on Sunday the administration would be disappointed. Work was set to continue Monday on the Senate's version, although officials acknowledge they are far from finished with a plan that could cost taxpayers trillions over the next decade and reshape how Americans receive care.

"Well, we don't expect it to be signed into law by the August recess," said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. "But we expect the House and Senate to have passed bills, yes."

The same bill? Unlikely.

The White House's strategy to leave the legislative back-and-forth to Congress has produced varying and sometimes contradictory versions of health care legislation — along with delays. As the Senate turns its attention to Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation hearings, the focus on that side of the Capitol will turn away from Obama's top domestic priority.

The administration's Democratic partners in Congress hinted they would not deliver legislation before leaving town for an August recess.Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., said Obama should be pleased with lawmakers' progress; Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., said "there really is plenty of time."

The delay would be a blow to the White House and to Democrats' electoral prospects.

The House and Senate are working toward legislation that would deliver on Obama's popular goals from his presidential campaign, but they are hardly in unison. House Democrats have proposed raising taxes on wealthy Americans to pay for the plan. Democratic leaders, meanwhile, have tried to calm moderate and conservative lawmakers about a proposal that could guarantee tough re-election bids.

Republicans, seizing on an issue that affects all Americans and has shown a glimmer of hope for an out-of-power political party, have lambasted the proposals as rash and irresponsible. They also see the issue as a way to win House and Senate seats in the 2010 midterm elections.

"There is no chance that it's going to be done by August," said Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz. "President Obama was right about one thing: He said if it's not done quickly, it won't be done at all. Why did he say that? Because the longer it hangs out there, the more the American people are skeptical, anxious and even in opposition to it."

Obama's Health and Human Services secretary, Kathleen Sebelius, tried to calm fears Democrats would tax some employer-provided health care benefits as income. She said the details are far from finished.

"Well, the House has a version," she said, discounting any version as final. "There are a couple of different proposals being worked on in the Senate."

Schumer appeared on NBC's "Meet the Press." Stabenow, Conrad and Sebelius spoke with CNN's "State of the Union." Kyl appeared on ABC's "This Week."

Warm Regards,

Mark A. Bowman

President
FreeSeniorCitizensSolutions.com
By Baby Boomers…For Baby Boomers
http://www.freeseniorcitizenssolutions.com/
mark@FreeSCS.com