Ok, like wow. I am still surprised that the health care reform bill got passed. The debate was so intense between the Democrats and Republicans. And here we are, with it approved in Congress.
Here are some links explaining what it means for you and your money:
1) Washingtonpost.com has an awesome interactive graphic that lets your plug in your information to see how health care reform impacts you. Yay newspapers! 
2) 10 immediate benefits of health care reform.
3) How some health care premiums may change.
4) Information on the student loan reform vote that piggy backed on the health reform bill and passed in the House.
Whew! So what do you think? Yay for nay for health care reform? Do you have health care? What about student loans?
Hi Frugalistas! So there’s a new twist to the health care bill: student loans! Yep, Democrats are trying to overhaul student loans by taking on some provisions to the never ending health care bills.
From the Wall Street Journal:
The student-loan provisions would end federal subsidies to banks that make college loans and shift lending responsibilities to the government, while also raising federal support for Pell Grants, which benefit lower-income students.
The student loan proposal is expected to save $65 billion over 10 years. Student loans can be a beast.
Would knowing that a student loan provision may be tacked onto the health care bill make you support health care more? Do you think the student loan business needs reforming?
CNN had a haunting story on air about bloated health care charges on patients.
CNN interviewed Cindy Holtzman, a consumer advocate, who looks at medical bills for a living. Here are some of the excessive charges that CNN and Holtzman spotlighted:
*A patient billed $140 for one Tylenol pill
*$4,000 for 41 bags of saline when the patient only used one bag.
*$A patient billed $1,000 for a toothbrush
This is atrocious. How could the prices be so bloated? If we don’t check our medical statements, everyone loses except for the people doing the billing. Health care is a hot topic these days. However, no matter what your philosophy on the debate, I think we all can agree that providers need to use better care when billing. Do you really think a toothbrush should cost $1,000?
I had a guest blogger last year to discuss the need to check your health care statements.
If you check your statements and see something strange, make some calls. It could save you thousands!
Have you ever been overcharged for medical help? Do you check your billing statements?
Whole Foods has a voluntary program giving employees bigger discounts if they have the right body mass index, cholesterol and blood pressure.
Employees could earn an additional 10 percent off groceries (30 percent) if they are closer to an ideal weight for their height. Wow.
I have written in the past about states trying to put extra health care costs on their heavier employees.
Is there a great weight debate going on in modern companies?
I am all for Weight Watchers at work. I’m all for the work place having a gym or company softball team. However, a program where people who are healthier get an extra 10 percent off seems like it needs more discussion. Some people just naturally have crap cholesterol levels.
I could see all the 30-percent discount employees (the healthies) getting tired of all their friends (bad bodies) hitting them up for the “hook up” on arugula. Will there be a divide at work between the “healthies” and the “bad bodies”, like the sharks and the jets? in West Side Story?
What do you think of Whole Foods’ new program? Is it motivational? Is it shady? Is it an OK program because it’s optional? Would you do it if you worked at Whole Foods? I bet you would if you had a hot body. Thirty percent off is nothing to sneeze at.
