Tips for Your Boomer Years

Elderly voters also believe by 65-29, that it is impossible to have health care reform without raising taxes and they fear a rationing of health care services or denial of care under the plan. According to an article by Dick Morris, Elderly Lead Opposition on Obama Health Care, this could have a serious impact on the 2010 elections as seniors, fearful of health care changes, join the ranks of Republicans who refuse to go along with the health care reform plan.

Baby boomers, or those born between 1946 and 1964, will be 65 soon enough and considered then among the “elderly” voters of America. Most will rely on Medicare, if it still exists, for medical treatment, and therefore they will be relying on the government to make their medical decisions. It’s probably one of the most important issues facing boomers right now.

On the flip side too, it was reported today that Americans spent $34 billion on alternative health care which covers everything from acupuncture, yoga and meditation to chiropractics, herbal medicine and others. There still needs to be “more study” on the effectiveness of these treatments, many of which will no doubt be found to have “little value” by the medical establishment.

As to alternative medicine’s effectiveness, the thousands who have found relief through acupuncture and chiropractics, or self health methods like meditation or simply lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, would no doubt take issue with such findings but conventional medicine always thinks that popping a pill - which may have serious side effects - is better than taking your health into your own hands.

If you have a serious medical issue, you should always consult a physician but finding relief for pain through acupuncture or taking up yoga, can only enhance what modern medicine can do to heal. Conventional medicine treats the symptoms, while many alternatives treat the root cause of the illness. These two things don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

If health care reform passes, and people are refused treatment or treatment is substandard or hard to obtain, more and more people will be seeking alternative medicine. If you’re interested in alternatives, do your research, become educated as to the pros and cons and make up your own mind as to what you want to do. This will no doubt be the one element lacking in health care reform - personal empowerment about health care choices.

1.  You’d lose the freedom to choose your own plan.

2.  Freedom to be rewarded for healthy living, or pay your real costs

3.  Freedom to choose high deductible coverage.

4.  Freedom to keep your exisiting plan

5.  Freedom to choose your doctors.

CNNMoney.com’s article 5 Freedoms You’ll Lose in Health Care Reform

My husband and I are on Tricare because my husband is retired military. There are changes brewing in that plan and if the government takes over health care, those on Tricare would have no choice at all because it’s already a government plan and so it’s ripe for take over and overhaul without our having any say-so in the matter.

Tricare is a great example of what the government would like to see happening to all health care. We have limited access to doctors because many doctors don’t want to take the reduced amount that Tricare pays, plus, as we’ve been told, it’s a paperwork nightmare for doctors. So far, we’ve had a good experience because we are healthy and our visits to the doctor are mostly for physicals and routine matters. We also live in a larger area, however, where there is at least some choice in doctors who will accept Tricare.

It’s very important that each person in the US become educated on what is in the health care reform bill and decide if you agree or disagree - then let your Congressmen know! If doctors are forced to cut costs by a government mandate, how do you suppose they will do it and how will it compromise your care?

If the government is handling your health care, how long will it be before they are telling you what to eat (no more fast food! Not that I advocate fast food but it’s handly sometimes). Perhaps they will install a scale at the door of your local McDonalds and if your weight is over what it should be, you won’t be able to order. Perhaps they will just tax the heck out of all unhealthy foods so people can’t afford it, like they did with cigarettes.

On the flip side, they would also have to make healthy food more affordable for families. I’d be the first to admit that organic fruits and veggies, or fruits and veggies alone, are more expensive than mac and cheese and hot dogs. Speaking of hot dogs- they are terrifically unhealthy. If you eat them, maybe you shouldn’t get that heart bypass you need.

Lots to think about once the government is involved. They’ve done so well with education, social security and medicare, why not let them loose with our health care system too?

I still say if people are smart, they will take their health and wellness into their own hands so they won’t have a need for any of these plans, visits to the doctor, surgeries, etc. About 90% of your health is in your own hands. Keep your weight down, exercise, eat fruits and veggies and do some research on any health concerns you may have to see what natural alternatives there may be out there instead of relying on drugs and health care plans.

More on health care reform

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