Let me first of clearify that I am neither a Republican, nor a Democrat. When I vote I read about the candidates, listen to the media & people, listen to my kids, and then I listen to my heart before I vote. The person I then vote for is my true leader at that time. That leader could be a Republican or a Democrat, in that sense I am both a republican and a Democrat. Above all I am a proud American.

Now getting to the topic of Healthcare Reform:

Yes we are all going through difficult times in one way or another. Even billioners have felt the pinch (well I know they are still richer than most of us). There is lot of hue and cry going on around us. The President is trying his best to keep his promises, the Senate elections are coming up in 2 years, so they are worried about their seats, and the Republicans are already worried & trying to get prepared for the next election that is 4 yrs away. So everyone has their own agenda on their mind. By the time I turn off the TV at night, my heart and mind are so fatigued that I feel as if I just returned from a 1000mile/hr jog around the world.

First of all lets take a little step back. Yes, President Obama is trying to tackle a lot of huge issues at this time- ALL AT ONCE. But please understand he does not have to do anything one at a time. He is the President, and he delegates. There are a huge number of government agencies as well as lots of private, and voluntary organizations working with him for the country. Having said that lets try to understand healthcare reform.

We have a system that is currently going under. It has been failing for a long time as can be seen with several hospital closings, and number of uninsured people growing in America. Are all the uninsured people illegal immigrants? No they are not. In fact they are working class Americans. Some are poor, but others are middle class people with lots of financial obligations leaving them without money for health insurance. We live in a society where you need insurance for the car, for the house, for your work related lawsuits(especially if you work in healthcare), and your healthcare. After taking care of all these things, many people end up with very little money to meet their basic needs for food, shelter and clothing. And we all need healthcare. Why?

1) to stay healthy and well so we can live longer and provide for our families.

2) so we can go to the doctor when we need to.

3) so we can prevent communicable diseases from spreading. People can be treated. We are going to other countries and trying to help with AIDs, and other epidemics. Weren't we taught that courtesy begins at home.

So you think this is not enough reason?

Believe me, we are paying for the uninsured even today- just that not everyone is aware of this fact, or we donot give it much thought. We are paying very heftily for the uninsured and still not getting the results we should. You say HOW?

1) County hospitals: run on tax payer money

2) Uninsured people go to the nearest emergency rooms for everything. Not only do they clog up the system by going there for illnesses that could be easily taken care of in the doctors office, they also make the hospital expenses go up. Each ER visit costs approximately one grand or more in dollars. Who pays that? The hospital, or you and me. Then we wonder why medical costs are going up. The hospital needs to operate, and someone has to meet those expenses.

3) Each year our Insurance rates go up. You know why? because hospitals charge our insurance coompanies to make up for the difference. Insurance companies and hospitals do not want to close, and GOD knows we need them- hence we pay. Even giant companies like www.bluecrossblueshield.com need money.

4) The drug companies are giving free drugs to support lots of uninsured, hence it adds to theri costs and they pass them along.

I think you got the picture. It was just a small snapshot of the bigger picture.

In the past the Clintons tried to get our healthcare system reformed, but failed due to the special interests groups, and also the economy was not so bad. Most people were OK financially. But today because of rising unemployment rate and job losses, millions more have joined the already uninsured. And we need to take care of them. we need to save our economy.

WE have to get everyone insured. People are getting sicker due to stress from losing their jobs, homes. On top of exacerbation of other health problems depression is on the rise. The job losses have forced people to stay home and become inactive and depressed. Lot of them are eating more (Fast food chains like McDonald, Burger King are doing well), and so are candy shops like Fannie May. The result is weight gain, rise in blood sugar levels, rise in cholestrol levels, heart failure exacerbations. So then they are delaying going to the doctor because they are uninsured because they are out of work. In the end they end up extremely sick in the hospital where costs of care even higher.

What should we do? Should we go like Canada and England? Well England has a socialist system, but you can go outside the system if you are willing to pay extra- and some people do that. It is like everyone has to pay for the public school in USA, even if their kids go to private schools, or they don't have kids at all. Everyone has to pay for the libray, whether they use it or not.Similarly we must adapt a system that pays for everyones healthcare.

Now there are a few suggestions:

1) Premiums could be based on income

2) Premiums could be based on the number of people being insured

3) premiums should be lowest for the younger kids, as well as kids going to college.

4) People who have a risky life style must pay higher premiums. But their premiums should be decreased for every year that they are smoke free, drug free, and/or free from alcohol abuse.

5) Overweight people should be charged higher premiums, unless they have joined a health club, and the health club can verify that they are there atleast 5 days a week. There has to be a way to monitor.

6) Start a wave "MOVE AMERICA". It should be mandated that every American has to work out atleast 3 days a week, even if they are healthy. Maybe Employers can provide some help with this. Some employers have on site workout places. It will help the employers as well, because sick time will drop significantly.

These are some of my thoughts and ideas. Let us all get behind the President and get this economy, healthcare system and people moving forward,