This last week Democrats of the House of Representatives revealed their bill, a combination of three separate plans, for our nation’s health care reform. The proposed bill not only incorporates a government-run insurance option, but also introduces new taxes on the rich. Specifically, a 5.4% tax would be imposed on individuals making more than $500,000, and couples making more than $1 million annually.

The new bill requires individuals to purchase their own health insurance, as well as the majority of businesses to offer coverage for their employees. In addition, the bill prohibits insurance companies to refuse coverage based upon pre-existing conditions. Although the current health insurance market is in dire need of this very amendment, there have been no concrete numbers proposed as to the actual cost of such a plan.

Many minor surgeries can now be performed at freestanding surgery facilities. If you need surgery, check with your physician about having it done as an outpatient. This will save time and money.

Real hunger is the body’s physical need for food. Appetite, on the other hand, is an emotional desire for food that can be caused by stress, boredom or depression. Eat only when hungry.

Ironically enough, as Congress pushes to pass legislation that could put health insurance companies out of business, Unicare has decided to pull out of both the Texas and Illinois marketplace. In doing so, Unicare will be leaving almost 200,000 Illinoisans, and 400,000 Texans in need of new insurance. However, according to the insurance department, individuals will be able to transfer over to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of each state which is operated by Health Care Service Corp.

One of the biggest items being set into motion in the health insurance reform is creating a consumer- driven health care environment. Consumer-driven health insurance plans provide individuals the ability to take control of both their health and insurance. The idea is to educate individuals about their options, and create a health insurance market that allows individuals to compare plans, as well as force carriers to offer competitive prices.

With a HIA plan, a very prevalent policy with Anthem, individuals actually receive an annual allowance put into a Health Incentive Account. This money is to be spent in any manner you wish on covered health insurance expenses, and the money rolls over to the next year.

I think it’s fair to say that the majority of people in the United States believe that covering illegal immigrants and undocumented workers is simply impractical. Why should Americans offer their tax dollars to illegal immigrants, individuals who have clearly broken our laws?

The other day I read a very interesting article from NPR, and I thought I’d share some of the information I learned with you. The article itself was quite refreshing to read, for rather than scrutinizing the current political debate, it addressed the actual origin of our nation’s current health care system.

Insurance truly began in the late 19th century in the form of “accident insurance.” The Franklin Health Assurance Company of Massachusetts began offering insurance for injuries derived from railroad and steamboat accidents.

Although the health care reform has made considerable steps over the past year, it is expected to take at least an additional three years before any tangible benefits of the reform will be experienced. For example, with the current bills under review, the tax-credits to help make health insurance affordable for Americans will not be implemented until the year 2013. According to the Obama Administration, this delay is a consequence of the time it will take to set up a competitive insurance marketplace, as well as fully implement the new legislation.

This last Tuesday was another milestone in the ongoing health care reform as the Senate Finance Committee approved a version of the bill by a 14-9 vote. Surprisingly, the only Republican to cross party lines and offer her support was Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine.

The legislation is estimated to cost $829 billion over the next 10 years, and strives to provide health insurance coverage to an additional 29 million Americans. To achieve such a feat the legislation intends to expand Medicaid coverage, provide tax-credits to help subsidize the cost of health insurance, and require individuals to purchase their own insurance or be faced with penalties of up to $750.

The cost of health care expenses related to obesity has more than doubled over the last decade. In fact, according to the research of government sponsored programs, health care costs for obesity are expected to exceed $140 billion dollars a year.

Complications of one’s health are directly correlated to a person’s body mass index (BMI). BMI is the ratio of a person’s weight in kilos to the square of their height in meters. An individual is considered to be overweight if their BMI exceeds 25, and once their BMI reaches 30 they are classified as being obese.