I read an article recently that sums up what I’ve been thinking about the health care problem and the next president. Namely, before even attempting reform, the new president will have to work on this pesky worldwide economic meltdown first. Since everything I read lowers my expectations for A)a fast recovery from the financial crisis and B)a bottom to the real estate market anytime in the near future, I’d be shocked if health care even makes the agenda during 2009.
Which is scary, considering 44 million Americans have no health insurance and, as PBS points out, eight out of 10 of these uninsured are employed or dependents of the employed.
And also sad since Bush vetoed an expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) last year, a veto that, by the way, John McCain supported.
It all adds up to a dismal outlook for health care reform, but Health writer Amy O’Connor pulled together a helpful article called 8 Ways to Save on Healthcare No Matter Who Wins the Election.
Step two–choosing higher-strength pills and cutting them in half only if that results in the correct dosage and the meds are not affected when you split them–is a great tip, and the second page of the article discusses how to negotiate for lower medical costs. I’ve never negotiated and didn’t even know it was possible until recently, but apparently some people have successfully leveraged for reduced medical bills through haggling.
I’d add one more tip, though. Search for prescription coupons before you head to the pharmacy. My favorite source, Internet Drug Coupons, has current listings for Asmanex, Flonase, Zyrtec, Advair, ProAir HFA, Proventil, and Xopenex, among others.
Great post as always. I agree that healthcare will take a backseat to the financial situation. But I hope it’s at least on the radar screen rather than continuing to ignore it.
Too bad there wasn’t some way we could resolve the crisis without more gov intervention. Thanks for the links. Good read.
Yeah, I hear you both. What mess–the whole damn thing.