7 Ways Health Reform Is Going to Affect You

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So why can't they use the shiny new $19B electronic national records system to create a health score much like our credit scores? This score would determine the amount that you pay in taxes for healthcare. The amount paid for healthcare should be proportional to the ultimate cost of the healthcare needed.
I think that Americans need to take responsibilty for their own health. A tax on sins? Really? It's not Coke or Marlbro or McDonalds that make you unhealthy. It's your body, and you choose what to put into it.
I do understand that we have a need for health insurance as it is defined, not as an all inclusive healthcare solution.
For non-preventable diseases/ilnesses/injuries, I understand that insurance plays a very important role in this.
As for Medicare, I believe it has overstayed it's welcome. Every year there are less and less payers into medicare, and more Medicare enrolees with the means to acquire healthcare elsewhere. The youth of America will drown in the debt that Medicare has left behind.

JT of NV 4:08PM June 10, 2009

The proposed Obama plan needs to lower administrative costs and break the stranglehold of providers (insurers, physicians and hospitals) on the 'sick care' system. Having a public plan will not reduce costs because insurers will still engage in cherry picking the healthiest members.
Geriatrics and palliative care need more support - both financial and structural. Also, policymakers need to integrate public health and wellness initiatives into the current system.

ad2warrior of IA 4:02PM June 10, 2009

Every article I have read about reforming our "broken" health care system has some mention of us becoming healthier due to the reforms, just as the prologue in this article mentions. They also mention our longevity vs other nations such as Japan. Sorry folks, look around the malls, airports and other places with large crowds and you can see why these reforms won't make us healthier or live longer. The key word is obesity! It is our lifestyle that leads to many of the health related problems that drive up the cost of health care.
I think Obama is in the process of solving the obesity problem as unemployment increases and the cost of food goes up as well as our taxes. We won't be able to eat as much and food will be rationed and only government approved foods will be allowed. Think about the ultimate socialization of America. Already you see that in the rationing of health care mentioned in this article.

Kokopelli of AZ 4:00PM June 10, 2009

The United States has the highest per capita health expenses in the world, even including the 50 million uninsured and the 50 million underinsured. The ONLY reason single payer universal coverage is not on the table is because the health insurance and pharmaceutical industries don't want it. Under the Canadian system, and Medicare here, the administrative overhead is 1 to 2 percent. Under our current health insurance "system" the overhead is 31 percent, because the primary objective of the health insurance industry is to make a profit, not provide health care.
HR 676 by Representative John Conyers and SB 703 by Senator Bernie Sanders are the only bills that would give American citizens what every other industrialized country has, a universal single payer system. A public health option is a poor second, but better than nothing.

Ted Daum of OR 3:51PM June 10, 2009

If the HMO is the old one that changed its name; be aware of the fact they did so, and were at one time paying bonuses to Dr's that didn't refer patients to specialists, when they did need them.
They were getting 35,000 a year if they made less than so many referals.
If the HMO has that kind of bonus written in it needs to also have whistle blowers allowed.

DianaRay19 of SC 3:44PM June 10, 2009

As an "uninsurable" self-employed 62-year-old I welcome all these changes! Bring them on quickly!!! (4 more years to MEDICARE!!!)

Keith Hardcastle of DE 3:39PM June 10, 2009

anywhere as an overview of changes we should expect and debate.
As a matter of opinion, I believe that Americans should demand that electronic medical records projects with public funds be HELD HOSTAGE (on privacy grounds) unless and until the public plan option for insurance is passed into law.
There is no reason for you to be giving your personal information and your taxpayer dollars to corporate cumputer networks UNLESS you are getting something in return.
The increased efficiencies from electronic records may decrease THEIR costs, but only a public plan, heavily regulated, is going to decrease YOUR personal costs. Not only that, but having everthing about your body and history "out there on the web" entails plenty of future risks for citizens, some not yet foreseen. DO NOT GIVE THAT AWAY FOR "NOTHING".
Get your public plan option going NOW, while you can. It could take several years to build it, and don't accept legislative "compromises" with the corporations to not start it. This is the principal reason you elected Obama----so Mr. President, you're not allowed to skate out and sign something lesser.

Muser of NM 3:02PM June 10, 2009