We are finally getting healthcare..

Apparently I do not have enough hours in the day to fit all of my scheduled activities. Unfortunately, blogging falls toward the end of this list because when I have the most time on my hands (during the weekend), I spend the least amount of time on the computer as possible.

This is the first of two consecutive entries that I will post because there are two different topics that I have been dying to discuss: the first of which is health care. I apologize if this is a superfluous addition to the health care debate that we are all sick of hearing, but I would like to adhere to the premise that simpler is better. I am personally very passionate about public policy and realized that I can incorporate this more into my blog like I had originally planned. (I also have a post about human trafficking [my newest cause] up my sleeve!)

While the debate over the “socialist health care” of the “Obama regime” is languishing on between the nasty partisan, egocentric individuals  in Congress, I think it’s important to recognize the basic reforms that will be accomplished in the new health care regulations. I feel very relieved about a few particular aspects as they have huge implications for myself and others my age, and thought I would share them with you along with a few other resources.

I absolutely love this NY Times simple break down of the health care legislation:

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/03/21/us/health-care-reform.html

There is also another easy to use Washington Post interactive page that will tell you exactly how the changes will affect you personally:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/politics/what-health-bill-means-for-you/

While I am now insured by AmeriCorps basic health care, I have a feeling that the next few years of my life will be much more scantily covered then my current state.

• I will be able to have access to my parents’ health insurance coverage until the age of 26. While there has been spurts where I’ve been uninsured, having that looming fear of ending up in the hospital without insurance is a great way to end up with worsened medical problems down the road. With my plans to find any kind of job that I will enable me to save money, I will probably end up without  health care provided by an employer. This is the case with a number of recent college graduates; it’s not so much a choice, but the inevitable.
• Medicaid will also be expanded to all individuals and families at or below 133% of the poverty level.  I have a feeling that I may remain at this point until I go back to school (or convert my career goals to something more income-centric).
• There will also be a state-run “marketplace” to buy insurance. Within that marketplace, practices such as setting annual limits of coverage and refusal to insure those with previous medical conditions. Minimum plans offered will also include preventative services. In my view, having this “exchange” will increase transparency in the market and generally make insurance more accessible To get insurance coverage individually (without an employer) is very difficult and very expensive. This is a very scary reality that unemployed and/or uninsured individuals have to face. There will now be  more options for us (well in 2014 atleast..)
• Last, but not least: Restaurants chains with more than 20 locations will have to post calorie totals next to their menu items. This is obviously not the most visually appealing move, but having the numbers standing out next to the most tempting entrees will definitely make a few minds change. I think that the repercussions of this move might be the most important part of this regulation. Arguably, it could fuel the growth of eating disorders in our country, but exposing the grotesque reality of your “happy” meal may promote some kind of awareness of what exactly restaurants are feeding us. Calories are not at all the perfect health indicator, but perhaps this move of convenience will spur some kind of reaction from the consumer in their lackluster quest for health (or life in general). (Can you tell that I’ve recently read Michael Pollen’s Omnivore’s Dilemma?)

I know that this is a very controversial issue, especially concerning the increased taxes for the most wealthy and the plethora of other points debated, but the passage of health care reform was desperately needed. I feel much more comfortable with the state of our country and my future in the jobless (yet insured) world.

Sorry for the terrible delay in posting. I have another post in the works on some of the crazy (but VERY fulfilling) projects that I’ve gotten myself into (plus some new recipes!!).

Mount Si Hike

March 29, 2010. Uncategorized.