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This Week in Health Reform

Republican Scott Brown’s victory over Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley (D) in the January 19 special election to fill the seat of the late Senator Edward Kennedy (D) might prove to be a game-changer for the health care reform debate. The loss of the 60th Democratic vote now robs Senate Democrats of a filibuster-proof majority. Last week, Democrats were rushing to wrap up a House/Senate agreement on the bill, likely due to reports that Coakley’s lead had diminished.

Congressional leaders are still aiming to have the controversial points in the health care reform bill settled as soon as possible, so they can send the compromised bill to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) for scoring. The CBO will then need 12 days to analyze the legislation.

In addition to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), lawmakers participating in the White House meetings include: House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC), House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA), House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charlie Rangel (D-NY), House Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller (D-CA), Assistant Senate Majority Leader Richard Durbin (D-IL), Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT), Senate HELP Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA), and Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd (D-CT).

A main point of contention between the two houses of Congress pertained to the
40 percent excise tax on high-cost health insurance plans passed by the Senate. Since many labor union members would be affected by the tax on high-cost health insurance plans, the House of Representatives was not supportive of this provision in the Senate bill. Union leaders have also been included in key negotiations on this provision, and on January 14, signaled that they are ready to support the merged legislation with the compromised provision.

The main revenue source for the Senate’s health care reform bill (H.R. 3590) would be from an excise tax – beginning in 2013 – on employer-provided, high-cost health insurance plans costing more than $8,500 for individuals and $23,000 for a family. The reported compromise on the legislation now makes the tax kick-in on policies costing $8,900 for individuals and $24,000 for families. The tax threshold would still rise at inflation plus one percentage point, as is currently written in the Senate bill. Additionally, dental and vision benefits would be removed from the calculation of threshold costs, and plans offered by state and local governments, as well as plans covered by collective bargaining agreements, would be exempted from the excise tax until 2018. This would allow current agreements to expire and allow for negotiation of new contracts.

In an effort to make up the lack of revenue from the modification of the excise tax provision, leadership will have to come up with new funding to finance the merged bill. Some reports have mentioned that the pharmaceutical industry has agreed to provide more money than the $80 billion they have already negotiated with the White House. Medical device companies could also face additional fees. Portions of the main revenue source in the House bill – a Medicare payroll tax on wealthy U.S. residents – could be added as well.

On January 14, Richard Trumpka, president of the AFL-CIO, said, “Union leaders approached negotiations with the White House and congressional leaders with one overriding goal in mind – getting a bill signed into law.” Gerald McEntee, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), said, “We do like the way it’s shaping up, but it’s still not finished. We’ve got to see a final product.”

There also has been significant discussion – but no resolution so far – about the question of whether to establish a single national health insurance exchange or allow each state to operate its own exchange. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas continues to support a state-based approach to exchanges.

Herbal Cure

Struggling with hemorrhoids it is estimated will likely affect roughly 50% of all adults at some time in their lives. As a result I can definitively state that you are not alone in your struggles with hemorrhoids.

Are you sick of the itching burning pain swelling or bleeding down there? Aren’t you frustrated because it’s completely embarrassing to ask for advice on this potentially crippling condition?

Discover my 100% natural cure for hemorrhoids that works in 48 hours >>

Many people suffer from a problem with hemorrhoids. It is especially common in pregnant women. Having hemorrhoids is a big embarrassment and a very difficult situation.

Stress diet constipation and diarrhea are all causes of hemorrhoids causing you increase the strain or push while you are having a bowel movement. When you increase your internal pressure to push you are also increasing your internal pressure on the blood vessels nears your anus. When that internal pressure causes the vessels to bulge it is called a hemorrhoid and they are very painful with common symptoms of itching swelling and bleeding.

Hemorrhoid is a medical term used to describe an illness wherein the anus or rectum is swollen and inflamed. This could cause bleeding from the anus. Hemorrhoid might be caused by eating too much spicy foods constipation pregnancy diarrhea aging anal intercourse and other factors.

I have had hemorrhoids or piles and am well and truly cured by using a natural hemorrhoid treatment. l can laugh about my past situation now as they were a real pain in the bum both literally and physically and if you are reading this and are suffering from hemorrhoids l know exactly what you are going through But there is a natural solution available which will remove your hemorrhoids within 48 hours.

Maintaining a healthy diet is important whether you suffer from hemorrhoids or not. For people who do have hemorrhoids diet becomes critical as you have a very slim chance of curing hemorrhoids if your diet is actively making your condition worse.

It must be emphasized that in the majority of cases of bleeding hemorrhoids medical and surgical options like rubber band ligation Doppler guided hemorrhoidal artery ligation procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids and traditional hemorrhoidectomy are performed to treat the health condition. However there will be instances when dietary and herbal methods are applied as the primary care for mild bleeding hemorrhoids.

Scott P. Brown’s win yesterday may be a harbinger of things to come for Obama’s health care reform plan; the idea of universal health insurance first touted in Obama’s platform for change seems to be on the verge of severe change itself. One question Republicans will likely concentrate on at present is whether mandatory private insurance violates the constitution or not.

The shock of a Republican winner in Massachusetts, a traditionally very, blue, very Democratic state is just beginning to be felt. One thing, however, is sure – voters are angry. The Obama administration’s focus on passing health care reform to make affordable health insurance more accessible to masses seems to have caused ire in his constituency. With the effects of the recession still on everyone’s mind, the concentration on health care has hampered Obama’s plans. Now Republicans have the power to impede those exact plans.

Republicans have plenty to discuss. Many Republicans have seen the health care plan from the get-go as a travesty to local governments. It would put a tax burden on small businesses, the rich, as well as unions. The cost of these new taxes may be more of a hindrance than a blessing. Furthermore, Republicans fear it would put Big Brother at the helm.

The big question remains: is mandatory private health insurance constitutional? Democrats cite the case of Social Security, which was approved by the Supreme Court in 1937 as a tax and spending program to provide insurance for the retired. No doubt, Social Security is not the most perfect plan, but has thus far worked.

The only problem with the Social Security argument is that Social Security remains a federal insurance, whereas the proposed Obama insurance is a private affair. American citizens, would essentially, be forced to buy their own private health insurance.

Republicans fear large government interference in the private lives of its citizens. Too much regulation takes away the freedoms of Americans as stated in the Constitution itself. Democrats would argue that it counts as economic activity, which can be regulated by Congress. Others find that argument to be rather flimsy. Where exactly does the Federal government have the authority to force its citizens to buy private insurance? What will the Supreme Court have to say? States already regulate car insurance, but that is on a state-to-state basis.

This is, by no means, a new issue. In November, Republican Senator Tom Coburn of Oregon and Representative John Shadegg of Arizona began a push to force Congress to have to consider the authority of any legislation put forth. The legislation entitled “The Enumerated Powers Act”, has brought with it a large amount of discussion, however not much action.

Senator Obama has many challenges ahead. The Republican win last night indicates that people want a change. The question of the constitutionality of mandatory private health insurance looms. Republicans are expected to press the issue. However, many liberals and progressives have also questioned it. This may prove difficult for any health care reform – at least as it exists now – to succeed. Health care talks in the Senate are expected to come to a close soon.

The federal health care reform legislation, known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, signed by the President on March 23, 2010, and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act approved by Congress, signed by the President today, will expand the availability of health care coverage to millions of Americans. While some of the measures will be implemented this year, many do not take effect until 2014 and some extend out to 2020.

Below is a high-level overview of the timeline.  It is important to note that many of these reforms and their effective dates are subject to the rules and regulations process both at the state and federal levels – which could alter the intended timing of implementation.

2010

New Programs:
* Temporary retiree reinsurance program is established
* National risk pool is created, small business tax credit is established
* $250 rebate for Medicare members who reach the “doughnut hole”

Insurance Reforms:
* Prohibits lifetime benefit limits – based on dollar amounts
* Allows restricted annual limits on the dollar value of certain benefits
* Coverage rescissions/cancellations are prohibited (except for fraud or intentional misrepresentation)
* Cost-sharing obligations for preventive services are prohibited
* Dependent coverage up to age 26 is mandated
* Internal and external appeal processes must be established
* Pre-existing condition exclusions for dependent children (under 19 years of age) are prohibited
* New health plan disclosure and transparency requirements are created

2011

Insurance Reforms:
* Uniform coverage documents and standard definitions are developed
* Minimum medical loss ratios are mandated

Medicare Reforms:
* Medicare Advantage cost sharing limits effective
* Medicare beneficiaries who reach the doughnut hole will receive a 50% discount on brand name drugs
* A 10% Medicare bonus will be provided to primary care physicians and general surgeons practicing in underserved areas, such as inner cities and rural communities.
* Medicare Advantage plans would begin to have their payments frozen.

Other:
* Employers are required to report the value of health care benefits on employees’ W2 tax statements.
* Annual industry fee for pharmaceutical manufacturers of brand name drugs.
* Voluntary long term care insurance program would be made available to provide cash benefit for assisting disabled individuals to stay in their homes or cover nursing home costs. Benefits would start five years after people begin paying a fee for coverage.
* Funding for community health centers would be increased to provide care for many low income and uninsured people.

2012

* Hospitals, physicians, and payers would be encouraged to band together in “accountable care organizations.”
* Hospitals with high rates of preventable readmissions would face reduced Medicare payments.

2013

* Individuals making $200,000 a year or couples making $250,000 would have a higher Medicare payroll tax of 2.35% on earned income —up from the current 1.45%. A new tax of 3.8% on unearned income, such as dividends and interest, is also added.
* Medical expense contributions to flexible spending accounts (FSAs) limited to $2,500 a year—indexed for inflation. In addition, the thresholds for claiming itemized tax deduction for medical expenses rise from 7.5% to 10% of income.
* Medical device manufacturers would have a 2.9% sales tax on medical devices; devices such as eyeglasses, contact lenses, and hearing aids would be exempt.
* Eliminates deduction for expenses allocable to Medicare Part D subsidy for employers who maintain prescription drug plans for their Medicare Part D eligible retirees.

2014

Coverage Mandates & Subsidies:
* Individual and employer coverage responsibilities are effective. 
* Individual affordability tax credits are created and small business tax credits are expanded.

Health Insurance Exchange & Insurance Reforms:
* State individual and small group health insurance exchanges operational.
* Guaranteed issue, guaranteed renewability, modified community rating and minimum benefit standards (“essential benefits” plan) effective. 
* Lifetime and annual dollar limits are prohibited for essential benefits.
* Pre-existing condition exclusions are prohibited.

Taxes & Fees:
* Addition of new taxes on health insurers

Medicaid and Medicare Reform:
* Medicaid expanded to cover low income individuals under age 65 up to 133% of the federal poverty level—about $28,300 for a family of four.
* Minimum medical loss ratio of 85% required for Medicare Advantage plans

2018

Taxes & Fees:
* Tax (“Cadillac tax”) imposed on employer sponsored health insurance plans that offer policies with generous levels of coverage.

2020

Medicare Reform:
* Doughnut hole coverage gap in Medicare prescription benefit is fully phased out. Seniors continue to pay the standard 25% of their drug costs until they reach the threshold for Medicare catastrophic coverage.

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During one of their routine tests, scientists discovered that the plant has a molecule previously unknown.  Since then, it was given the name P57.  This began the amazing discovery of an ingredient in Hoodia Pills which makes it an effective weight loss product.

It slows down your desire to eat.

Restricts your caloric intake up to 50% a day

Increases the energy level in your body.

Natural and safe, with no side effects.

Before buying Hoodia pills, make sure that you are getting the authentic one.  A lot of inferior products are available in the market and you might be disappointed in the results if you bought a fake product. 

The following is a list of the best diet pills on the market today. These have been researched by the weight loss institute to deliver the best results without dire side-effects, so we have (in no particular order):

Hoodia:

This weight loss product is based on “Hoodia Gordonii”, the African plant extract that suppresses your appetite. Because of its great results this particular pill is flying off the shelves in drugstores and Internet web sites. Needless to say, it has been getting lots of attention lately.

Xerisan ASA:

After  thorough research the Weight Loss Institute considers Xerisan to be one of the most promising new herbal diet pills introduced to the market in the last few years. Xerisan’s main ingredient, Phaseolus Vulgaris, has in recent studies been shown to act as a blocker of the alpha-amylase enzyme, this enzyme is required by our bodies in order to keep a healthy metabolism of carbohydrates. Although this product is fairly new, the effects of some of the ingredients have been published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and in the International Journal of Medical Sciences.

There are thousands of other diet supplements and weight loss products to be found all over the web and in the multi-billion dollar weight-loss industry. Regardless of how many times you are bombarded with flashy advertisements it is important to remember that there is no “miracle pill” that will effectively “evaporate” your excess fat, therefore it is always recommended to combine these supplements with a nutritious diet and a good fitness program. No “prescription drug” should be added to a diet without first consulting with your physician. The products mentioned above have been found to be “safe” because no serious side effect was reported by consumers.

Losing weight has been a constant battle for the 1.7 million obese Americans. Sometimes no matter how often you exercise and how you try to eat less, your weight just keeps on going up.  There are people who have certain conditions that make the normal diet and regular exercises ineffective in losing weight. 

These conditions may include muscle or bone weakness and hormonal problems.  In these cases, diet pills may be the  best bet to lose those unwanted body fats.  Read on to find out some of the ways diet pills help you lose those extra pounds:

APPETITE SUPPRESSION.  Diet pills “trick” the body into thinking it is not hungry.  There are two reasons your body sends out hunger signals (1) you are really hungry and (2) your body is accustomed to eating around that time.  Obviously, you must only eat when you’re truly hungry.  So, diet pills can tone down your body’s hunger signals promoting a practical amount of food consumption.  The general idea is since you feel less hungry, you’ll surely eat less and when you eat less, you consume fewer calories and there you’ll lose weight.

INCREASE ENERGY LEVELS.  Some diet pills boosts your body’s energy level making the most  of it’s caloric intake.  When you’re energized you burn more calories because you are more active.  For instance, during your workouts you’ll be able to push more and have shorter recovery time.

Although it is possible for substandard diet pills to make it onto the shelves, there are still safe diet pills out there that can deliver real results fast!  So to stay safe and confident about taking diet pills, ask your doctor’s advice.  In the first place, your doctor knows your overall health condition so he/she will also definitely know which diet pill or regimen will work best for you.

Luckily, diet drugs have come a long way since the addictive “solutions” created and marketed during the 50s and 60s. It is important to remember that each generation of “prescription diet pills” which has been heavily marketed in the past has been recalled because they have proven more dangerous than effective. This was the case of the well remembered fen-phen and ephedra; experts continue their search for a safe diet pill that actually works.

According to the National Institute Of Health, more than 300,000 Americans die every year because of a diet rich in unhealthy oils (trans-fat, etc) and physical inactivity throughout their lives. As you can see this is certainly a highly alarming number! It’s a proven fact that losing weight, even a small five to ten percent of body fat, will reduce your blood pressure and lower your overall cholesterol levels. So, why is this so difficult to do even with prescription drugs?. Simple people have forgotten 50% of the “weight loss equation”.

For one, many people think they can take a pill and lose the weight automatically. This is a common misconception which tends to frustrate people, so we need to realize that “fat and extra pounds DO NOT magically evaporate”, instead they are broken down by our body so that through physical exercise they can be eliminated from our system. A healthy diet consists of so much more than just taking a pill. We must combine the pills with a proper diet. In addition to the already discussed ways to avoid gaining weight, we can also remember to drink as much water as possible and exercise moderately in order to gain the maximum benefits offered by diet pills. Don’t forget to eat small portions of food several times a day (around 4 to 6 portions a day), never reduce your food consumption drastically from one day to the other because it could have dire effects. Counting calories helps you keep track of how many calories you are consuming every day.

Every person’s home should be a beautiful oasis, especially the bathroom. When a person enters their shower, they should feel like they are entering a little piece of paradise that has been designed just for them. The time spent in their warm, steamy shower or tub should be a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of their busy, daily life.

When a person brings naturally produced items with them into the shower they are guaranteeing themselves a relaxing experience that will leave them feeling beautiful and fresh. Only natural skin care products can create a true sanctuary.

There is a great deal of variety in the naturally produced cosmetic lines. Companies that provide these items have worked hard to create goods that appeal to people’s desires for purity and quality results. Consumers can essentially find a naturally produced alternative for any item that they desire.

It is unfortunate, but like so many other items on the market, many cosmetic lines fill their items with synthetic ingredients. The beauty lines so many of us have come to rely on are actually chemically laden and possibly even toxic. Items such as these cannot compare to the gentle purity that is offered by natural skin care products.

When you look to purchase the highest quality items for yourself and your family, you need to understand the ingredients that will be listed on the bottle. Items that contain pure ingredients have very easy to read ingredient lists. On these bottles you will find names like cold pressed oil, organic hydrosols, and glycerin. You may also see words that you are very familiar with such as sugar, seaweed, citrus, or beeswax.

What you will not find listed on the ingredients of natural skin care products is highly complicated chemical names. You will also not see a long row of preservatives, or the inclusion of parabens. Knowing exactly what goes into an item can provide you with a great sense of security that you are purchasing the highest quality.

It is also important that people understand that just because something smells fresh and fruity does not mean that it is. In fact, those products that have been made to smell like nature are often full of even more synthetic ingredients. There are the chemicals that make up the beauty item and then there are the sweet smelling chemicals that are added to cover them up. Harsh chemicals are not present in truly natural skin care products.

Visit the Spa Sentiments website at http://www.spasentiments.com to learn more about the importance of purchasing naturally produced items. While on this easy to navigate site, you will find great offers for free delivery and other exciting bonuses!

Let’s face it. The best men’s natural skin care treatment contains nourishing ingredients that improve the skin’s health, while delaying and countering the affects that age has on your appearance. There’s no reason to look older, before your time, if you take the right skincare approach.

Let’s start with cleansing. Most cleansers designed for men contain triclosan, an antibacterial agent. Environmentalists disapprove of the rampant use of triclosan, because it ends up in the water supply and damages the delicate ecosystem.

The affect that triclosan has on the skin’s health is a subject of some debate. It may have carcinogenic affects on the cells. In my opinion, there is no reason to take the risk. There are ingredients like manuka honey and tea tree oil that have antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant activity. Those are the ingredients that you want in your daily cleansers.

Shaving the face is the next step in the average routine. As I lubricant, I would recommend plain grape seed oil. The ingredients in the shave gels on the market vary, but most of them are drying and likely to cause irritation.

Once you have shaved, the best men’s natural skin care treatment is a daily facial fluid that contains witch hazel, vitamin B5, grape seed oil, Babassu wax, capuacu butter, wakame kelp, natural vitamin E, coenzyme Q10 and CYNERGY TK. That may sound like a lot of ingredients to remember and look for. But each one provides specific benefits.

Witch hazel, for example, is a non-drying astringent that prevents infection in shaving nicks, cuts and scrapes and has anti-inflammatory activity. Capuacu butter and vitamin B5 are effective for moisturizing and healing razor burns.

When it comes to countering the affects of age, men’s natural skin care treatment containing CYNERGY TK is the most effective. In clinical trials, the compound has been shown to reduce wrinkles and sagging, while acting as an antioxidant to prevent and repair free radical damage.

Free radicals are one of the causes of aging, in general. They damage the cell’s DNA. When that occurs, the new cells that are created when the cell splits are “mutated”. Mutated cells can become cancerous or simply weak, causing sagging and wrinkles.

All of the different ingredients mentioned above have antioxidant activity. But repairing and preventing free radical damage is only one of the things that an effective anti-aging men’s natural skin care treatment can do.

Another of the causes of wrinkles and sagging is decreased production of collagen and elastin fibers. CYNERGY TK has been shown to increase fiber production, by stimulating skin cell production. This is due to a protein peptide that it contains.

Peptides are short chains of amino acids. They combine with molecules produced by the skin’s cells to form fibrils and eventually fibers. Long-chained proteins, like collagens, cannot be used for this purpose. They are simply too large.

So there you have it. When you find a men’s natural skin care treatment that contains the ingredients mentioned above, you will be amazed by the difference. Treat your face well and you can always look more youthful.

To learn more about vitamins for healthy skin, and other incredible natural substances for natural healthy skin care, visit my website today.

Most Americans who have health insurance are covered through an employer’s plan. However, some employers do not offer health insurance coverage. If you work for one of these companies, you will need to purchase private individual health insurance.
There are certain advantages to purchasing health coverage in the private market. Instead of choosing from plans pre-selected by an employer, you decide which plan features you want, and pick a plan accordingly. For example, by choosing a plan with a higher deductible, or one that doesn’t cover certain services, you may realize a substantial premium savings each month.
Instead of having your coverage tied to a place of employment, coverage through a private health plan is yours to keep no matter where you work. A health insurer can’t drop you as long as you pay your premiums on time.
But along with these advantages come some potential disadvantages—

• Employer plans provide considerably more coverage than individual plans, even when you are paying the same premium rate. That’s because with an individual policy, a larger percentage of the premium goes to pay for such operational costs as marketing and paying claims.
• A group plan generally must insure all employees and family members, while individual plans can reject applicants who aren’t in perfect health. They can also offer plans that exclude coverage for certain pre-existing conditions.
• In most states, private health insurance plan premiums increase as you age. Initially, you can avoid these rate increases by periodically changing plans, because new rates tend to be lower than renewals. However, as you get older, it will become more difficult to find a company to insure you and individual policies will get more expensive.
If you do need to shop in the private health insurance market, you first need to find a competent insurance agent.  Determining what kind of insurance you need and how much coverage to buy are complex issues. A good agent will help you assess your situation, and work with you to find the right coverage for your specific needs. The key to a successful working relationship with aninsurance agent is trust. You should be able to trust your agent’s knowledge, experience and professional judgment, and you should always feel secure that your agent is acting in your best interest. But keep in mind that trust is a two-way street: Your agent also needs to trust you to provide information that is truthful and complete.
If you are comparing several plans, you need to know what to look for before making a decision. When choosing a health plan ask your health insurance agent the following questions:

·   Will the plan cover me for the specific doctor or hospital I would like to use?
·   How does the referral system work?
·   What pre-existing conditions would affect coverage?
·   How will the plan handle care if I (or a family member) am away from home?
·   What is the plan’s monthly premium, and what deductible and coinsurance am I required to pay?
·   Are there other fees, such as copayments and any additional charges if I use providers that are out-of-network?
·   Is there a maximum amount the plan will pay over a year or a lifetime?
·   What types of benefits are specific to this plan?
The purchase of individual health insurance in the private market can seem confusing. Approach its purchase like you would that of any important item—research your options and compare prices, and get the best advice and assistance you can, in this case, the services of a qualifiedinsurance agent.

Q: What is home health care?
A: Home health care is a service that permits patients to receive personalized health care, maintaining their quality of life in the privacy and comfort of their homes.

Q: Why home health care?
A: Home health care is a cost-effective option for receiving health care services. Returning to one’s home and family can quicken recovery and improve the quality of life for both patient and family or caregiver.

Q: Who pays for home health care?
A: Most health insurance companies, HMOs, PPOs and Workers Compensation cover home health care. In addition, Medicare and Medicaid pay for home care services. Some insurance providers do not cover all home health services. Our staff will verify health coverage for the patient.

Q: What criteria are required for Medicare to approve services?
A: The following criteria are used to meet Medicare requirements:
• The patient is a Medicare recipient.
• The patient must be homebound. This is defined by Medicare as “normal inability to leave the home and that leaving the home requires considerable and taxing effort.”
• The skilled care must be medically necessary as determined by the physician.

Q: What if I have a problem at night or on the weekend?
A: We have registered nurses on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Q: Do I need a physician’s order for home health care?
A: Yes, all health care provided in the home occurs under direct order and supervision of the patient’s physician.

Q: What types of services can be provided at home?
A: Many medical conditions that previously required hospitalization can safely be treated in the home. Home care services may include but are not limited to:

Skilled Nursing:
• Observation and assessment of condition
• Patient and family education of disease process
• Management and evaluation of patient care plan
• Medication education and management
• Dressing changes
• Home safety education
• Wound care
• Catheter care
• Injections
• IV therapy
• Ostomy care
• Pain management
• Diabetic care
• Nutritional support

Assistance with Daily Living:
• Bathing/dressing
• Transfer/ambulation
• Light meal preparation
• Light housekeeping
• Grocery shopping
• Medication reminder
• Laundry
• Companionship/Conversation
• Reading/writing
• Pet sitting/walking
• Escort to appointments
• Live-ins
• Respite
• Exercise therapy assistance

Q: How does Paloma Home Health Care, Inc. ensure quality care in the home?
A: Providing continuous quality care to patients is paramount to all we do. All patients are given a patient satisfaction survey that is incorporated into our ongoing evaluation process to continually increase our patient satisfaction. New programs and processes are developed through our quality improvement team to promote favorable outcomes.

Q: How do I find out more about home health care?
A: Please call our office to learn more about how you can benefit more about the service, at 972 346 2013

Q: What services can Paloma Home Health Care, Inc. offer?
A: Our services include but are not limited to:
• Supportive Care Education of Disease Process
• Individual and Family Counseling
• Management and Evaluation of Patient Care
• Observation and Assessment
• Home Safety and Emergency Education
• Medication Education
• Assistance with ADLs
• Nutrition Education
• Restorative Therapy (Physical, Occupational and Speech)

JANUARY 29, 2010

This Week in Health Care Reform

Following the election of Republican Scott Brown to the Massachusetts State Senate last week and the resulting loss of Senate Democrats’ supermajority, lawmakers continue to pave the way for health care reform – with limited progress. In addition, polls indicate that the public would rather lawmakers focus more on the economy than on health care.

State of the Union Address

President Obama Gives State of the Union Address: On Wednesday evening, President Barack Obama delivered his first State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress. Having hoped to have a health care reform bill on his desk prior to his address, the President instead used his speech to encourage Congress to push forward on health care reform. Yet, he did not give specific guidance as to how to proceed with the legislation. Instead, he made it clear that his primary focus would be on jobs and the economy.

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Health Care Reform Negotiations

Democrats Still Seek Way Forward: While vowing not to give up, Democratic Senate leaders indicated Tuesday that they no longer felt pressure to move quickly on health care reform; and, in the wake of the Massachusetts election and in reaction to public opinion, they shifted focus to jobs and the economy. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) commented that there is “no rush” on health care and said that he and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) were working to map out a way to complete health care reform in the coming months. On Wednesday, Sen. Pelosi floated a two-pronged strategy to pass incremental changes now and pursue comprehensive reform later.

Some lawmakers have considered breaking up the legislation into smaller pieces that have bipartisan support. However, this option will prove challenging given the complexities and interdependencies of the measures. For example, lawmakers would like to include a measure that requires all insurance companies to insure those with pre-existing conditions; however, premiums will most likely increase unless there is an individual mandate.

Earlier this week, Democrats appeared to be coalescing around a different strategy through which Senate lawmakers would make changes to their bill to appease members of the House. The Senate would then pass the revised bill via reconciliation, which only requires 51 votes. Following that, the House would approve the revised bill, giving it to President Obama for his review. However, movement on this strategy stalled Tuesday when two centrist Senators, Sens. Evan Bayh (D-IN) and Blanche Lincoln (D-AK), indicated that they would oppose using reconciliation to bypass Republican support. Others, including Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), have suggested a “time out” on health care reform until there is a clear path forward.

In the GOP response to President Obama’s State of the Union address, Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell said that Republicans share the Democrats’ desire for health care reform, but do not agree with their proposed solutions. Republicans suggest that Democrats scrap the current proposals and start over with more Republican input on issues such as medical malpractice reform and selling insurance policies across state lines.

Republicans Call for Transparency: On Wednesday, the House Energy and Commerce Committee marked up a resolution presented by Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX) which requested that the administration divulge documentation regarding the health care reform deals made with trade associations and a labor union. Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) said that while details remained to be worked out, he would support a narrowed version of the Republican request for White House records.

President Obama to Speak with House Republicans: President Obama will meet with House Republicans on Friday in response to an invitation to speak at their annual retreat in Baltimore that begins Thursday and ends Saturday. The meeting comes just after the President’s State of the Union address, and members of the news media speculate that the meeting may spur more bipartisanship or potentially lead to even more tension between the two parties.

Interest Groups Call for Reform: With health care reform’s fate in jeopardy, interest groups have voiced their support, encouraging Democrats to push forward with legislation. The AARP, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Consumers Union, Families USA and Service employees International Union sent a joint letter last Thursday urging Congress not to abandon comprehensive health care reform. Further, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops also sent a letter to Congress urging a push for reform.

Public Opinion

Polls Show Concern with Health Care Reform; More Focus on Jobs and Economy: Several polls were released this week that highlight the public’s disenchantment with health care reform and anxiety around the struggling economy.

A new CNN/Opinion Research poll released Tuesday shows that only three in ten Americans say they want Congress to pass legislation similar to the bills currently being discussed in Congress. Forty-eight percent of Americans would like lawmakers to start again on a new bill, and 21 percent believe Congress should not work on bills that would change the current health care system. Further, a Wall Street Journal/NBC poll released Wednesday found that 51 percent of Americans believe President Obama has paid “too little attention” to the economy and that 44 percent feel he has paid “too much attention” to his proposed health care overall.

In addition, a new USA Today/Gallup poll released late last week finds that most Americans call for a more bipartisan effort in health reform. A 55 percent majority of Americans say that President Obama and Congressional Democrats should suspend movement on health care reform and consider alternatives that would increase Republican support.

A poll released last weekend by the Washington Post , Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation and Harvard University’s School of Public Health indicated that dissatisfaction with the direction of the country, including the Democrats’ health care reform proposals, drove the outcome of the Massachusetts election. The post-election survey of Massachusetts state voters showed that overall 43 percent say they support the health care reform proposals advanced by President Obama and Congressional Democrats, while 48 percent oppose them.

A new poll released Monday from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found that fears regarding the health care reform package increased significantly in December as members of the Senate finalized their bill. Thirty-three percent of respondents said they believed their access to care would worsen if the legislation passed, up from 25 percent in November. Forty-two percent said the country’s finances would suffer under reform, compared with 34.6 percent in November.

Looking Ahead

Next week, the President will present his Budget to Congress (which includes health programs), after which Congressional hearings will commence. We expect health reform to be discussed in these sessions. While there remains no clear path forward for health care reform, Congressional leaders will continue to work to find a solution.