It would be safe to say that everyone is in agreement that the health care crisis in America has to be addressed. From that point, however, it becomes a matter of opinion as to what needs to be done. It has to be realized that there are some very serious consequences ahead if the problem of a health care reform plan is not addressed.

For those that have no coverage at the moment they are aware of the happenings. If it continues the way it is going then there are going to be more and more children that are not receiving the medical care that is needed. There is no doubt that this is going to eventually lead to being where the children are in very poor health.

Then there are the cancer patients that have no health insurance. They really are not getting the opportunity to receive the treatment that could basically save their lives by catching the cancer in the early stages. The result of all of this is going to be an increase death rate most likely at a much younger age if some type of a health care reform plan is not put into effect.

Based on just these few factors alone there is no way of saying that coverage is not needed and even the coverage that is being supplied now has to be revamped so that it is accessible to everyone.

What has been put to paper so far by the Obama government  in respect to a health care reform plan which is of course under fire by the opposition covers many different issues. The basics of this are that the new health care reform plan would make sure that every individual has access to insurance. Which would in turn allow them to get the health care that they deserve

It would also mean that those that are paying for their health care through premiums it would be more affordable. There are many circumstances where an individual could obtain insurance through their place of employment, for example, but are just not able to afford the premium costs.

The other issue that would be addressed by the new health care reform plan is taking the Medicare system that is in place now and making it much stronger. These are the three major points of the reform that has been put before the senate.

These is just the basic shell of what needs to be done but the cost factors of course for all of these are phenomenal and the money has to be addressed as to covering the cost.

However one also has to take into account what the cost is going to be if something is not done by way of a health care reform plan. This also includes the financial cost as well considering the more that the individual workers’ health fails the less production is being done and this does no good for the economy either.

So knowing this why in the world go ahead and even introduce such a bill then? Simply, because it is a starting point. Getting the bill passed is the first real step to getting everyone within the government to sit down and take some form of action, whether it be negative or position. It has got passed the point of being able to just “sit on the fence” or the “no comment” types of attitude towards healthcare reform.

When you stop to think about it up until now there has been no healthcare reform plan so nothing to oppose. This may sound harsh in painting a picture that the opposition is against health reform altogether. This is not the point which when no doubt they welcome a positive solution as well. The point is though that the opposition are looking at it strictly from the point of finances. In reality, this is the most important issue.

What President Obama seems to be trying to address is that the problem in not going to go away just because they are no funds to rectify it. He is determined that if  everyone will become of one mind that a solution must be found then it will be so. In other words there is no more running away from the problem. It’s time to address it and find the best solution possible. It may not be the one that everyone wants, but it is a start.

With the healthcare reform being such a hot topic of debate right now. Where does the ones that really count stand? Meaning the people of the United States, who stand to either gain or lose from healthcare reform. It would seem a little odd to think that one could lose from healthcare reform, but there are some very big Insurance Companies and employers that just aren’t sure they could withstand the crunch of a healthcare reform that could adversely affect them. Is it going to become a snowball effect where it would then affect jobs?

There is no doubt that all parties of the Government have a very hard and long road ahead of them when it comes to healthcare reform.

From this point on though it would seem that the thoughts now become divided. Of course it’s just a part of life for the two sides of government to disagree just about on everything. So just what is so different about the healthcare system now then in was two years ago? The answer to that question is twofold, meaning not much and then quite a bit.

What has changed?

Probably, for the first time an issue that has had any significance to it is the leader of the Country has taken a hard look at the issue and has taken a definite step forward towards healthcare reform. That’s not to say that past presidents have not given the health care crisis a hard look either however, it seems that it never got beyond the looking stage. At least President Obama looked, planned and took action. Getting it to the house to have it approved as a bill was a big hurdle that he and his party successfully completed.

Even if the bill in its present format is totally restructured which no doubt much of it will be progress has been made.

What has not changed?

The same old argument concerning healthcare reform still remains the same and comes down to money. Sure everyone wants healthcare but the big question is who is going to pay for it and where is the money going to come from? This has always been the big question and the ultimate brick wall that any thought of future plans gets blocked at.

So now what?

This three word question seems to be what the entire healthcare reform is hinging on. Something that is significant. however, is that President Obama seems intent on seeing this through and perhaps his relentless attitude is the very thing that will see healthcare reform become a reality. Albeit perhaps not to the extent or as picture perfect as he would like it to be. Then again, something is better than nothing but also a quick fix is not the answer either.

The conclusion is that it’s times for  both sides of the Government to work towards a plan in common rather than running in opposite directions because it would seem that this is what the opposition is expected to do.

Background to the Health Plans

The Canada Health act established a public healthcare option in the country funded by provincial taxes and a subsidized general premium rate scaled by income. The Ministry of Health issues each citizen a Care Card  which provides access to essential professional medical care options, while also allowing patients to invest in supplemental and premium private care. The Government negotiates prescription drug pricing, leading to lower wholesale and direct consumer costs, which lowers out of pocket expenses for many consumers.

Under the plan, the elderly and poor are offered subsidized treatment options which help to ensure complete coverage. The program also has a strong focus on preventative care with mandatory checkups and evaluations, along with a focus on delivering efficient care. Patients are encouraged to use their medical care wisely, and there are stringent limits on over-use or irresponsible personal choices that may lead to higher medical costs. The Canada Health Act went into law in 1984, following on provincial programs which established universal access to health care on a local level.

Costs and Options in Canada

According to the plan, nearly ¾ of essential health care costs are covered under the government’s plan. These expenses include treatment for disease, preventative care, pregnancy and disability costs, as well as support for low income families and the elderly. Citizens still pay a pro-rated monthly premium around $50 per month as well as supplemental costs for specialized care. As part of the plan, citizens pay for aspects of care including dentistry, vision care as well as the cost of certain prescriptions.

While many groups argue that the system under delivers care to those in need, the country’s vital health statistics rank remarkably well in areas ranging from life expectancy, infant mortality and overall healthcare efficiency. As a result, many policy makers in the United States have studied Canada’s health care system carefully with an aim of incorporating some of its most productive elements into our own national plan.

Senate Finance Committee

The single most prominent plan devised by senior Senator Max Baucus, the committee passed the America’s Health Future Act (http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-s1796/show) in October and has drawn widespread attention from health professionals as well as the media at large. The plan is based on the idea of creating state health exchanges which encourage more affordable options for individual insurance as well as subsidies for families who earn up to four times the Federal poverty guidelines. The plan generates revenues by taxing medium and large employers who do not offer coverage, medical device manufacturers, private insurers and holders of premium plans above a certain income threshold. Additionally, the plan aims to extend Medicaid elderly coverage for those earning below 133% of the Federal poverty guidelines, further expanding the reach of the program.

Senate HELP Committee

Passed by the Senate Committee this past summer, the Affordable Health Choices Act (http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h3200/show) establishes health cooperatives at the state-level to encourage broader coverage. Families earning less than 400% of the Federal Poverty limit would qualify for subsidized health care on a sliding scale and would have increased access to public health options. The plan mandates health coverage for businesses, and taxes those who do not offer coverage to their employees. Under the HELP plan, Medicaid would cover elderly citizens up to 150% of the poverty limit and would also closely regulate private insurance plans to ensure more equitable treatment of the unemployed, as well as those with pre-existing conditions.

House Tri-Committee

Although the plan never passed by a full committee vote, the America’s Affordable Choices Act  is viewed as a pivotal statement with respect to the Congressional approach to healthcare reform.  The plan creates an Exchange where small businesses and individuals could purchase reduced-rate coverage, with options ranging from subsidized private care, with regulations by State and Federal agencies, as well as a low cost public plan.