Verbatim: Diverse Voices Address Small-Biz Need for Health Care Reform - Business - Small Business

As often as possible, GoodBiz113 presents diverse perspectives on small business and entrepreneurship from those who help shape policies and practices that impact us. Here's what some folks have been saying these past couple of weeks about the hot-button subject of health care reform...

"Health care expenditures in the United States are currently about 18 percent of GDP, and this share is projected to rise sharply. If health care costs continue to grow at historical rates, the share of GDP devoted to health care in the United States is projected to reach 34 percent by 2040. For households with employer-sponsored health insurance, this trend implies that a progressively smaller fraction of their total compensation will be in the form of take-home pay and a progressively larger fraction will take the form of employer-provided health insurance.

"The rising share of health expenditures also has dire implications for government budgets. Almost half of current health care spending is covered by Federal, state, and local governments. If health care costs continue to grow at historical rates, Medicare and Medicaid spending [both federal and state] will rise to nearly 15 percent of GDP in 2040. Of this increase, roughly one-quarter is estimated to be due to the aging of the population and other demographic effects, and three-quarters is due to rising health care costs.

"Perhaps the most visible sign of the need for health care reform is the 46 million Americans currently without health insurance. CEA projections suggest that this number will rise to about 72 million in 2040 in the absence of reform. A key factor driving this trend is the tendency of small firms not to provide coverage due to the rising cost of health care." -- Council of Economic Advisers [CEA], chaired by Christina Romer [pictured], "The Economic Case for Health Care Reform" [June 2, Executive Office of the President]

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"Nobody supports the status quo. We absolutely have to have reform... If this thing gets derailed, it's going to be bad for everybody." -- James Gelfand, senior manager of health policy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, noting that a government plan wouldn't be needed if insurance market reforms, such as prohibiting insurers from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions, were enacted. He hopes the larger goal of health care reform -- lowering costs so more people can afford coverage -- doesn't get lost in battles over public plans and employer mandates. [June 8, "Business Warily Awaits Health Care Reform," Washington Business Journal]

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"...At the individual level, the average American spends about $7,900 per year on health care. Despite that huge outlay, a recent study found that medical problems contributed to 62 percent of all bankruptcies in 2007. From a business perspective, General Motors spends more on health care per automobile than on steel while small-business owners are forced to divert hard-earned profits into health coverage for their employees -- rather than new business investments. And, because of rising costs, many businesses are cutting back drastically on their level of health care coverage or are doing away with it entirely..." -- Sen. Bernie Sanders [I-Vt., pictured], "Health Care Is a Right, Not a Privilege" [June 9, The Huffington Post]

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"It's not tax supported like Medicare; it will be financed by premiums just like regular insurance, except for people who can't afford it. If you have coverage that works, you continue to have coverage that works. The only change will be now the coverage will have to be good. The other change is that your company will be required to provide good coverage or help pay for it. So, for most Americans, nothing's going to change. But for people who don't get coverage that works -- the self-employed, people with several part-time jobs, small business -- they will be able to go into a new health insurance marketplace called the Exchange, a national public insurance company financed by premiums. Unless they make below a certain level, four times poverty, and then they'll be subsidized." -- Richard Kirsch, national campaign manager, Health Care for America Now [HCAN], a national grassroots campaign of more than 1,000 organizations in 46 states -- representing 30 million people -- de dicated to winning comprehensive, quality, affordable health care that we can all count on in 2009. [June 9, "What's the Deal With Obama's Public Health-Care Plan?" Esquire]

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"...The cost of health care has helped leave big corporations like GM and Chrysler at a competitive disadvantage with their foreign counterparts. For small businesses, it's even worse. One month, they're forced to cut back on health care benefits. The next month, they've got to drop coverage. The month after that, they have no choice but to start laying off workers...

"I know that there are millions of Americans who are happy, who are content with their health care coverage -- they like their plan, they value their relationship with their doctor. And no matter how we reform health care, I intend to keep this promise: If you like your doctor, you'll be able to keep your doctor; if you like your health care plan, you'll be able to keep your health care plan.

"So don't let people scare you. If you like what you've got, we're not going to make you change. But in order to preserve what's best about our health care system, we have to fix what doesn't work. For we've reached the point where doing nothing about the cost of health care is no longer an option. The status quo is unsustainable. If we don't act, and act soon to bring down costs, it will jeopardize everybody's health care. If we don't act, every American will feel the consequences in higher premiums -- which, by the way, means lower take-home pay, because it's not as if those costs are all borne by your employer; that's money that could have gone to giving you a raise -- in lost jobs and shuttered businesses, in a rising number of uninsured and a rising debt that our children and their children will be paying off for decades..." -- President Barack Obama, during remarks made at a town hall meeting in Green Bay, Wis., on health care and his vision for a Health Insurance Ex change. [June 11, Executive Office of the President]

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"Small businesses in the United States are suffering great harm under our current health care system, and will likely fare far better under a substantially reformed system along the lines of what is currently being debated in Washington -- as long as such a system offers appropriate levels of assistance to small businesses in meeting their health care obligations." -- Small Business Majority, a national nonprofit nonpartisan organization, founded and run by small-business owners, that brings the voice of America's 27 million small businesses to the public-policy table. [June 11, "The Economic Impact of Healthcare Reform on Small Business"]

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"A national health insurance exchange would offer an array of competing private plans and a new public health insurance plan, helping to improve coverage for 138 million currently insured individuals through more choices, better benefits, and/or more affordable premiums, which would be 20 to 30 percent lower than those now charged in the individual and small-business markets for comparable benefits and enrollees. Savings would be realized by employers and households at every income level." -- The Commonwealth Fund, who co-sponsored a report with Consumers Union, suggesting that a comprehensive and high-quality health care system can be established with a mixed public-private insurance system, a requirement for all employers to offer or contribute to coverage of their workers, and an individual coverage mandate. [June 11, "Front and Center: Ensuring That Health Reform Puts People First"]

GoodBiz113's take: Health care is not a Democatic issue nor a Republican issue; it's a very human issue that deserves to be remedied now. Naysayers need to put their egos and politics aside, and embrace President Obama's far-reaching plan that provides health insurance for all Americans.

SOURCES: The Commonwealth Fund, Council of Economic Advisers, Esquire, Huffington Post, Small Business Majority, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington Business Journal, The White House, Wikipedia

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TAGS: Barack Obama, Bernie Sanders, Christina Romer, Commonwealth Fund, Consumers Union, Council of Economic Advisers, Esquire, Executive Office of the President, federal, government, HCAN, health care, Health Care for America Now, health insurance, Huffington Post, James Gelfand, Medicaid, Medicare, policy, PBS, reform, Richard Kirsch, ShopPBS, ShopPBS.org, small business, Small Business Majority, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington Business Journal, The White House, Wikipedia

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Discover 4 Competitve Edge Secrets To Health Education Jobs - Business

Health education jobs are an invaluable asset to the health and well being to improving our communities as well as our individual health. The main objective is to provide people the means in which they will take better care of themselves as it relates to basic health care issues. The type of jobs you can expect can range from public health education to lab work or health science. The aim is to improve overall public health, and to promote education that would help people to maintain it.

The Future Looks Bright In Health Care Education

The recent out growth in the health care industry has spawned an increased shift to full fill the demand for health education jobs. The jobs referred to in the health care industry are coming from such areas in science educational fields like physics, medicine.psychology, environmental science and biology. Careers in health education will need to address the importance of proper health care and how to maintain good health to the general public, institutions and communities. The idea is not just to equip people with the knowledge, but also to generate and encourage an attitude for healthy behavior.

Health Educators Are More Important Than You Think

With the growing discovery for the need in the health care industry, there has begun large movement to fill the demand in health education jobs. The jobs referred to in the health care industry are coming from such areas in science educational fields like physics, medicine.psychology, environmental science and biology. Careers in health education will need to address the importance of proper health care and how to maintain good health to the general public, institutions and communities. The idea is not just to equip people with the knowledge, but also to generate and encourage an attitude for healthy behavior.

How To Qualify To Be A Health Educator

With a degree in public health you will be working in hospitals or health clinics along with doctors full filling various administrative positions and functions. Health careers in schools are possible at all grade levels, whether it is pre-school or the university level. Whether in the private or public school sector, health education programs exist.

What You Need To Specialize In

Health education jobs are available from laboratory settings to classrooms, research to prevention and treatment. The first step in achieving a career in the health education is to specialize in a four year study program. Most colleges and universities in the US offer undergraduate as well as graduate degrees in health education, and related fields. Additional credentials can be obtained from the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc (NCHEC). When you have finally been trained and have become qualified, the opportunity for jobs in the health care industry are yours for the taking.

Beyond the Health Field

The rewards of pursuing a career in Health education not only pave a way for you in a full filling profession but it also is a way to achieve your own personal goals. The mere fact that you are helping to create a better world, a more healthy and cleaner environment is a gratifying personal achievement. For more information about jobs and career options in the health care industry, visit the website of, or contact, the American Association for Health Education.

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Infinite Banking, You Be the Bank and Others -

A recently launched Mike Dillard product called The Elevation Group has opened thousands of people's eyes to something called Infinite Banking. Infinite Banking is considered by The Elevation Group to be one of the 'black box secrets of the wealthy.' I would agree that the wealthier an individual gets that more life insurance plays a role in their financial picture. I would also agree that the concept of infinite banking is an unknown thing among the general public. So let's shed some light on what The Elevation Group has done.

Infinite Banking (also known as Becoming Your Own Bank, You Be The Bank, Bank On Yourself, Private Banking) is a unique system in which an individual or business uses a very specifically structured whole life insurance policy to create their own private banking system. Now you understand why average people run from this idea, as soon as they hear insurance they are gone. However, taking a closer look at this concept will show that those who ran will be regretting that decision.

As the various names elude to, Infinite Banking is a way to stop paying money to third parties through debt, interest and taxes. It makes sense if you think about all the money the average person pays through interest. It seems as though we've become accustomed to financing everything we buy, from our homes all way down to our blenders. So the amount of money that is essentially slipping through our fingers and going to commercial banks and other financial institutions is outrageously large.

By implementing Infinite Banking one has the ability to use their private banking system to finance their purchases, like cars, boats, furniture, appliances, and the list goes on forever. At the end of the day the person who uses Infinite Banking will come out much better than the person who financed their purchases through a commercial bank. Why is this so? Because the "Infinite Banker" has recouped or recaptured the principle AND the interest that normally would have gone to someone else.

As stated above this is a very uniquely structured life insurance plan, I would not recommend going down to your local agent and asking him/her to set you up with an Infinite Banking plan - chances are they will have no idea what you are talking about.

This is another outcome of The Elevation Group's success, many people are hearing about this concept, liking it, and thinking they can implement it with a traditional whole life insurance policy without the proper riders and structure or maybe even a Variable Universal Life policy, some are trying to use Equity Indexed Universal Life policies. The lack of education will end up hurting these individuals in the long run. There is a very specific type of whole life policy that must be utilized to see the most success and understanding that fact is key to it's implementation.

Final Thoughts:Mike Dillard has done a good thing with The Elevation Group, he has opened up some eyes to one of the most effective tools for creating, maintaining and transferring wealth. However one must be weary of the advisor who helps them set up and implement this system, because, as stated before, most agents and advisors will have no idea what Infinite Banking is. The bottom line is to understand exactly what is happening with your money and that goes with anything in the financial world.

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Something to Think About- Today's Opinion Post

Scott Hall

Okay, time to put down my truth glasses, I just read where government opposition troops attacked a place that is mostly full of religious temples and peaceful persons. Is it me alone or does just about everyone of these incidents in international settings affecting the religious more than affecting strategic targets? This is why we arm rebels? Why isn't Russia wanting to destroy the chemicals rather than just collecting them? How is it that ordinary intelligent citizens can see all these items plainly but political leaders can't? One of the items proposed is Syria must reveal where their stockpiles are and how much they have, isn't that admitting the possibility they actually used them? This world is going nutty with flawed logic in the pursuit of peace, especially when there are confirmed reports that an Al Qaeda pocket regime are in that area, coincidence? They have been prepping since 1982 and we knew about it, just turned a blind eye for a while. As I have stated several times before, time for newer thinking in Washington, out with the war cats and fat cats who are part of the one percent and continue to complicate our united states. That doesn't include the millions of people fleeing the country. Seriously, some one needs a enema in our political capitol, maybe several of them. Jesus help us all.

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Cheapest Dental Insurance - Very Easy Tips - Insurance

Without sacrificing the necessary coverage, you can get the cheapest dental insurance possible. The question is: how exactly can you do that? Well, the first thing you have to remember is that the cheapest insurance coverage does not necessarily mean the policy with the lowest price. Rather, you should be looking into insurance plans that covers all your potential dental needs, with one serious consideration: that the coverage you get could be pegged at monthly premiums that can be considered as a bargain. After all, what's the point of acquiring the cheapest dental insurance when won't get value for your money?

So here are very easy steps on how to acquire the cheapest dental insurance with the most coverage.

1. Always ask your insurance providers first about your existing health care plan. Incredibly, many health plan holders already have dental insurance, but they either do not know it or do not know how to utilize to use it. This can be easily resolved by calling your insurance agent and asking whether or not you do have dental coverage. If you do, try to find out how minimal or extensive your policy is.

On the other hand, if you are not signed up for dental insurance, you might want to ask your insurance agent to upgrade you to a better plan. Upgrading your health coverage to include dental insurance will cost you very little, especially if you already have a comprehensive health insurance. If indeed you already have minimal coverage with your health plan, you can also simply ask your insurance agent to upgrade your plan to a more comprehensive dental coverage. This is one of the best ways of getting the cheapest dental insurance, especially if you have been paying your monthly health plan premiums on a regular basis.

In case you want to keep your monthly health plan premium low, you can ask your insurance agent to upgrade your health plan to include partial coverage. Partial coverage is also considered as one of the cheapest dental insurance policy available. You should note though that partial coverage can only help you acquire minor dental work. Speaking of which...

2. You can also opt for partial coverage separate from your existing health plan. There are many insurance companies out there willing to provide just about anyone partial dental coverage, and many of their policies are very affordable. However, it would be prudent to ask your health care provider (your dentist or endodontist) for recommendations first. There are some fraudulent insurance companies out there that offer bogus dental plans, you know.

When acquiring the cheapest dental insurance policy via this method, take careful account of the services you can get. Partial coverage means you are legible to minor dental work like cleaning, regular check-ups, X-rays, fillings and even tooth extractions. However, some policies are severely limited to just regular check-ups and cleanings only. You do not have to simply accept this kind of offer. Look for other HMO or PPO providers who offer partial dental coverage with the most number of dental services. This way, you can get the cheapest dental insurance and still get all the most out of the deal.

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View on Health Insurance Quotes from Goodhealthquotes - Insurance - Health Coverage

Health insurance is decisively needed for each one of us as no one can be too positive that he or she will not fall seriously sick needing prolonged treatment and hospitalization. It is better to become a member of a health care plan than become a financial wreck.

Goodhealthquotes provides the entire series of insurance schemes for individuals, families and groups both small and large. The site is a one-stop for studying a complete variety of insurance schemes for health care insurance, dental insurance, and long period insurance and Medicare plans for individuals, families, and business owners.

The intend of Goodhealthquotes is to help you get you an affordable health insurance quote from a variety of health insurance providers such as Anthem, UniCare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. The site lets you find out all about the various health insurance companies and the health insurance plans they provide - so that you can make an informed conclusion. You can even seek and find a free, no obligation quote online.

Goodhealthquote has furnished worldwide details of the different providers of reasonable health insurance on Health Insurance Online and the companies include Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Nationwide, Safeguard, Kaiser Permanente, PacifiCare, Word & Brown, Healthnet, Cigna, Delta Dental, Sundial and lots of more.

Without an affordable health insurance plan, you can find yourself paying thousands of dollars in health expenses, leading to your financial ruin... While COBRA is surely a conventional option it is not the most reasonable health insurance coverage.Finding affordable health insurance coverage from a highly regarded health insurance company is what you need and Goodhealthquotes helps you achieve just that. The various low cost health insurance policies obtainable by partner companies of Goodhealthquotes are comprehensive health care policy, giving you the coverage you and your family need and warrant.

There can obviously be various different types of health insurance quotes one can search for when shopping for health insurance coverage. It is indeed a daunting task to study and compare the several options such as HMO's, PPO's, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and the likes. To get started, request a free health insurance quote by filling out the quick and easy form sited in the upper right hand corner of the Health Insurance Online web site.

Many health insurance companies offer seniors age 65 and elder Medicare Supplemental Insurance known as Medigap insurance, to provide health care that is not covered by conventional health care plans. By having Medicare supplemental insurance, seniors can expect consistent and wide-ranging coverage that they would badly need. Visit the "Seniors" section of the web site for greater information regarding Medicare and Medigap Supplemental Health Insurance for elders.

There is Medical insurance which is a form of insurance bought by policyholders for support in the happening of a medical emergency, doctor visits, prescriptions, other medical expenses, and even long-term health care. Goodhealthquotes have created a comprehensive guide to understanding medical insurance, its premiums, accessibility, and benefits - to help you take a well-versed decision.

Purchasing individual health insurance is an input to keep you and your family in good health. Many individual health insurance policies are affordable, making health insurance within reach of for almost everyone. There are different kinds of individual health insurance plans such as major medical insurance, HMO's, PPO's and high deductible health insurance policy.

Family Health Insurance be able to, in most cases, be acquired through one's employers. Most health care plans offered by employers are obligatory by law to cover spouses and children of the employee's family. In the extreme event of your losing your job, you can still purchase an individual plan that provides you with family health insurance at reasonable rates.

Nearly all children are covered by their parents' health care policies till they are eighteen years of age. There after they are required to get a separate health insurance plan. Many parents acquire student health insurance for their grown-up children as soon as they attain eighteen years of age. Many colleges and health insurance companies offer discounted student health insurance policy.

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Dentist San Antonio All you need to know about your Dental Insurance - Health

Day by day the cost of various medical treatments is increasing with no signs of reduction at all. Over a number of years people have understood the importance of having insurance coverage and paying premiums in time to be able to keep the policy alive. Even though they sign up and cover themselves as well as their families under insurance, they have no knowledge of Insurance as a subject. Everybody assumes that going in for an insurance policy covers all types of risks and diseases. They do not know that things do not work that way. However this may not be the case. Everybody irrespective of where they are will have to face dental problems at one time or the other in their life. Cost of Dental treatment is very expensive. But those who assumed that their health policy will pay for the dental treatment too, they are mistaken. Dental insurance and health insurance are two different subjects and policies. Therefore it is worth while for you to check out your policy right a way to ascertain if dental coverage is available failing which you should take up a dental insurance policy right away. For the benefit of the readers, we have enumerated the differences between the Dental and Health Policies covered herein under. Insurance companies do not consider dental diseases under health insurance because they do not consider them to be an insurable risk. They go with the presumption and almost everybody will fall prey to Dental problem as some point of time in life and will be visiting the Dental clinics. Generally they feel that the treatment and the schedule for treatment is dependant upon the patient and is decided by him except for the pain and trauma which is beyond him.They say that the nature of treatment defines the outcome and hence it is within the scope of control. Though the intensity and occurrence of the dental problems cay vary from one person to another, the fact that they can predict the occurrence of the disease makes it possible for them to be able to arrange for the necessary funds to pay for the treatment. The most obvious factor that is considered by the insurance regarding Dental diseases is that they are not fatal and life threatening. With sufficient care taken in maintaining oral hygiene, one can prevent or postpone dental problems. In terms of practice and service delivery both medical as well as Dental professions work differently. The dentists practicing in the clinics do general practice and do not undertake surgeries.A doctor normally operates out of one clinic site and during fixed times. Dental surgeries do not require hospitalization and are conducted as outpatient procedure. If you compare the total cost you spend on your medical health related issues visa vise dental treatment, the dental treatment cost is negligible. After reading all this, do you still believe that your current medical insurance will cover your dental treatment expense too? So you have now clarity on the differen ce between medical science and dental science. You have now clarity on why you require a separate and suitable dental insurance plan for self and family.Taking out a dental insurance with the terms applicable to medical cases may not be suitable for you, and you will need a suitable dental benefit plan is meant for dental treatment alone.

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