Guaranty Association Benefits Company

In recent years, it seems the most popular fashion accessory has become a tracker Fitness. With stylish and attractive designs, different brands of fitness trackers are encouraging Americans to track everything about their health, measures to sleep habits. But that one is good for your health and your lifestyle? We have defined three different options to help you find the tracker fitness right.

Fitbit Flex

$ 99.95

Fitbit claims you can make fitness a lifestyle simply by sliding on this pretty, thin strip. It tracks your daily activity, including calories burned, steps taken, and distance. This tracker also works as an alarm clock with a soothing vibration and is water resistant with a battery life of 5 days to fit your fitness busy lifestyle. To better analyze your daily statistics, you can easily synchronize your wireless devices. And did we mention that it comes in a variety of vibrant colors?

Nike + FuelBand SE

$ 99

This band of fitness also sleep tracks calories and steps, but differently than others, it also follows Nike fuel points. It aims to improve burn calories by allowing you to connect different types of workouts to gain fitness points. You can also stay updated with your Nike + friends by sharing objectives and updated health and fitness for that extra boost of motivation. The water-resistant tape will automatically synchronize with the iPhone app, but it is not compatible with Android devices.

Jawbone UP2

$ 99.99

This second -level fitness tracker Jawbone does everything you want it to do, and Moreover. You will keep track of steps, calories, and exercise throughout the day, track hours and quality of sleep throughout the night, and log meals and tracking calories with code UP to scan bar, food database, and the search for restaurant menu. In addition to this, the intelligent coach gives you personalized tips and ideas to help improve your health. Not sure you need all those bells and whistles? Try MOVE Jawbone UP for only $ 49.99.

Looking for more healthy living tips? Discover the six free health applications for better health.

Lauren Mandel

In preparation for the Cadillac tax, effective in 2018, owners US companies are looking for alternatives to expensive health insurance plans. The Cadillac tax, which was originally set up to finance parts of the Affordable Care Act, is an excise tax on health plans high-cost costing more than $ 10,0 for individuals and $ 27,500 for families. The tax is 40 percent per year on the amount by which the plans sponsored by employers exceed the thresholds defined by the government.

When the tax will come into force in 2018, it is planned to allocate as much as 38 percent of large employers and 17 percent of all US businesses, according to the Institute of Policy American health. According to a survey launched by the International Foundation of benefit plans, 62 percent of companies who face the Cadillac tax in 2018 are already taking steps to avoid it altogether. Only 2.5 percent of companies say they are willing to pay the tax.

Many companies are considering offering high-deductible health plans to avoid the tax, which would place a greater financial burden on their employees. However, a more cost effective alternative would be to drive employees to enroll through a private health insurance exchange.

Support the registration of employees through private exchanges allow business owners to avoid tax Cadillac, while offering their employees a way to get affordable health coverage. In private exchange, the market may enter GoHealth consumers in the subsidized health insurance under the Affordable Care Act and offers all the same planes as the federal government and trade. In addition, GoHealth licensed insurance agents can help consumers by addressing their health issues and guide them through the registration process.

Although the Cadillac tax could be modified or eliminated before 2018, it is important for employers to plan for the provision of the Affordable Care Act as it is currently. Offering employees coverage by private trade not only allows business owners to avoid tax Cadillac, but it also allows them to better control their costs while providing their employees with health insurance affordable option.

For more information on how to register through the market GoHealth visit GoHealthInsurance.com.

Lauren Mandel

In the few years that the Act affordable care by was signed into law, women who use birth control have recorded an average of $ 255 per year on costs outside pocket. Indeed, now under the ACA, most health insurers must cover some form of contraception.

However, until recently, many women were still paying the high costs out of pocket for their birth control, even with Obamacare health insurance. health insurers have found ways to avoid paying all or part of the costs because of the vague language in the Law of the birth control health.

Fortunately, the government has recently published a new document clarifying the specific language surrounding this issue, in particular, defining birth control forms must be covered

insurers must now cover at least one type of contraception in each of these 18 categories :.

• sterilization surgery for women
• surgical sterilization implant for women
• implantable rod
• copper IUD
• IUD with progestin
• Shot or injection
• oral contraceptives, combined pill
• oral contraceptives, progestin-only
• oral contraceptives for prolonged use or continue
• Patch
• vaginal contraceptive ring
• Diaphragm
• Sponge
• cervical cap
• The female condom
• spermicide
• emergency contraception, including Plan B, Plan B One Step and Next Choice
• emergency contraception, including Ella

Without insurance, an IUD can cost up to $ 00 and many birth control pills can cost up to $ 50 per month. birth control coverage clarification on will save many women even more money when Obamacare went first in force.

are you still paying too much for birth control, or have you ever said that your health plan does not cover contraception? Remind your doctor or pharmacy of the health law, and if necessary, get a second opinion or seek new treatments.

Lauren Mandel

We know that sending your children return to school can be quite the business: purchasing school supplies, haircuts for the whole crew, and brainstorming healthy lunch ideas, just to name a few tasks required. But something you may not think to add to your checklist is pediatrician visits for your children.

You may think, "Doctor appointments are too expensive and not necessary for my children healthy." Tell the truth, pediatric services, including annual exams, are now covered by individual health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act. This means that if you have health insurance for you and your family, there's no reason not to go to the doctor every year.

Even better examinations, dental and vision are also covered under these pediatric services, which is just one of the 10 essential health benefits of Obamacare. So while you're scheduling appointments pediatrician, make sure you also schedule trips to the dentist and the doctor of the eye for each child.

If you do not have health insurance even for yourself or your children, visit GoHealth market to shop for coverage. All plans cover you will find the 10 essential health services, including pediatric services.

Although Open Enrollment does not begin until November 1st, you can still qualify to obtain health insurance before. Learn more about the life of qualification events to see if you can get coverage of your family now.

Nolan Harrison III, former defensive lineman for the NFL 10 years and Senior Director of past services of the player at the NFL players Association

Nolan Harrison III

national Football League is a company wound 100 per cent. Not one player leaves unscathed the NFL. Back problems, concussive issues, joint problems and adhesion plague our former players. While the average NFL career is less than 4 years, injuries stemming from the NFL often have long-term debilitating effects.

Depending on when they played some retired NFL can get a few years of health coverage through the NFL immediately after leaving the game. If players today in the round three seasons league, they can receive five years of health insurance when they retire. The problem is, some health problems do not manifest themselves for many years, and players who finish less than three seasons are on their own for coverage.

Historically, the health insurance industry was a world of refusal of former NFL players. When the players said they played a contact sport, all of a sudden, their injuries are not covered. Insurance companies could offer limited benefits to health that do not cover certain body parts that may have been wounded in the NFL as the back, hips, shoulders or knees. It was like receiving car insurance for driving. This left our guys responsible for the incredible medical expenses - high enough to deplete the bank account of even a professional athlete. This has prompted many old players to go without medical insurance.

Now the rules have changed. The issue of pre-existing conditions is an obstacle to affordable coverage for our former players. Under current law, no one - including the retired NFL - be denied health insurance due to injury or illness

affordable coverage is now available to 17,000 retired NFL estimated d be alive today, but many of them do. know where to start. It is important for these people to know that there are resources to help them get medical insurance they need.

I want former players to understand that they have access to full coverage and support of the free registration. Thanks to America's work on health care, powered by GoHealth, former players and their families can learn more about the impact of the new law on health care and connect with affordable health insurance. Thanks to America's work on health care, they have access to the service of the free health advocate so they can get answers to their personal coverage, claims and clinical issues that former NFLPA members Player.

health insurance options for the NFL Players have been redefined, and there is no reason for any of them to go without affordable health insurance. I encourage former NFL players to use the work of American health care and GoHealth to get coverage and protect their well-being for themselves, but more importantly, for their families.

Nolan Harrison III helped this client for the Blog GoHealth. Harrison is a former lineman NFL defensive 10 years, and now the senior director of former player services to the Association of NFL players.

Lauren Mandel and Leon Macapagal

Like Open enrollment is approaching, have you ever wished that there was a comprehensive guide to registration in the health insurance plan right? The one with all the important information Obamacare, including what is different for the coming year compared to past enrollment periods? What about all the ways to register and save more money on your cover

Well, you're in luck :? We created an e-book that has all of the above, and more. Download the eBook quickly and easily, and use it to guide you when shopping for plans, assess your tax credit, and finally up for the coverage that is right for you and your family.

You can download the free eBook today

and do not forget: .. Open Enrollment begins Sunday, November 1st, so it is time to consider the important information of the insurance and prepare to register

Lauren Mandel

the number of Americans who take prescription drugs continues to rise -. and also the associated costs

A recent report found nearly 60 percent of American adults take prescription drugs, the largest US has ever seen. Last year, these individuals filled 4.3 billion prescriptions in pharmacies across the country.

Although prescription drugs continue to help improve the health of millions of Americans, they also leave many with expensive costs, costs that one in four say they have trouble pay.

However, there are new tools available to help those taking prescription drugs to better afford their medications.

What is the cost of prescription drugs in the United States?

When reviewing prescription drug costs in other countries, it is clear the US is behind the improvements. In 2013, the global average for per capita spending on prescription drugs was $ 508. In the United States alone, the average expenditure more than doubled, to $ 1.034.

For the specific costs of the drug, the US continues to outperform other countries. The average price of Celebrex, a drug commonly used to treat pain or inflammation conditions such as arthritis, is 341 percent higher in the United States and Canada.

When looking Cymbalta, a drug used to treat depression and anxiety, the average cost is often twice the US as in Canada.

How consumers perceive affordable prescription drugs?

A recent report from the Kaiser Family Foundation showed 72 percent of prescription drug users see their costs as unreasonable. However, most of these people - 62 percent - also said the last prescription drugs developed over the 20 years have made life better for the millions of Americans who regularly take

Although majority believe prescription drugs are important, whatever. the cost, they are still waiting for the change. It has been reported that 77 percent of people said the top issue the government should focus on is to provide prescription drugs for chronic diseases, such as HIV, cancer and mental illness, are affordable to those who need it, and 63 percent say government action to lower prices for prescription drugs should be a top priority.

But what can be done until their voices are heard?

How can consumers reduce prescription drug costs?

prescription optimization tools are readily available to consumers, and that offered by GoHealth Access can help Americans save up to 60 percent on generic drugs and even 25 percent on brand options.

access GoHealth experts analyze current medications an individual to see if there are generic alternatives that are often much cheaper. the price of generic drugs have always declined over time, while the prices of branded drugs has almost doubled since 08.

The Kaiser Family Foundation found that half the people who take drugs order specifically asked the generic version instead of num- brand, and about eight in 10 people in this group believe generics are just as effective. They would be right: the FDA requires generic to be just as effective as their brand name counterparts

GoHealth experts access may also recommend more affordable pharmacy options, more practical .. Instead of binding to the first pharmacy of their visit, people can fill their prescriptions in the most profitable location.

Can people with health insurance also benefit from GoHealth Access?

Even those who have health insurance could benefit from an optimization tool of prescription drugs. Under the Affordable Care Act, all health insurance plans are now required to cover prescription drugs as one of the 10 essential health services

franchises However, health plans also associates -. Sometimes quite high ones - in which individuals must meet before their plan starts to pay for their prescription drugs. GoHealth Access can help people save money on prescription drugs, before they meet their deductibles.

Whether individuals have health insurance, they can use GoHealth Access to fight against rising costs and an increase unavoidable spending on prescription drugs.

Lauren Mandel

Although Open Enrollment does not officially ends until January 31, 2016, December 15 is the deadline the more important you need to know now.

If you sign up for Obamacare by 15 December, your coverage can begin as soon as possible on 1 January 2016. But if you sign up any time after December 15, your coverage will be much delayed in the new year

now that you know to find a health plan before December 15, here is a second important information. you must pay your first premium to activate your coverage. This means you can not use your health plan until you make your first payment

The same goes for the months to follow :. If you fail to do any of your monthly premium payments, you could lose your coverage. And even if you are allowed to pay for your first month with a credit card, you should contact your health insurance provider with your bank account details for all subsequent payments.

I do not know how to make your premium payments? Still have questions or concerns? Visit the help page GoHealth to get your questions answered and find contact information for your health insurance provider

And remember :. Now is the time to get health insurance! Call 888-322-7557 to speak with a licensed agent and find your perfect plan today.

Lauren Mandel

This is the first Monday ? a new year, which means your inbox and social media streams are probably filled with messages on how to get healthy in 2016: new fitness routines, new diets, new inspiration healthy. ? But what about a new cover Medicare

January marks more than the beginning of a new year; it also means your last change happened to find Obamacare coverage for 2016. Yes, there are ways to get coverage outside the Registration Open, but involve very specific circumstances with the possibility of face a heavy fine to go uninsured.

So, what steps should you take now to make sure you have coverage by January 31?

1. Evaluate your changing needs. If you had health insurance last year, it is important to re -Assess your health and budget needs for the coming year. For many of us, those needs change from year to year, and our health plans from 2015 may not be applicable any longer.
2. Ask for help. While you have the option to enroll in coverage on your own, it is important to remember that help is available. Our licensed insurance agents can recommend your best plan options and help you complete the registration process.
3. See how much you can save. Now you may have heard about tax credits Obamacare, the government subsidy that can reduce the cost of your monthly payments. But did you know that you could also be eligible for participation in cost reductions? Make sure you know how much you can save before you enroll in a plan.
4. Do not miss the deadline. In the past, the deadline Obamacare Open Enrollment was extended to give purchasers more time to find a plan. However, it was recently announced that will not be the case this year. If you can not find a plan by January 31, you may not only face the tax penalty for going uninsured, but will not be able to get health insurance until the next period begins free registration.

The most important thing to remember about the first Monday that is looking for a health plan will keep you and your family. Ready to find your coverage? Start here.

Lauren Mandel

Over recent weeks, you may have heard more and more about Zika, something that has always been considered a very rare virus. However, after the first known decision in Brazil's presence, Zika has infected people in 20 countries of Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. And the World Health Organization has declared an international health emergency Zika

You also may have heard that Zika virus -. That spreads most often to humans through mosquito bites - is especially dangerous when contracted by pregnant women. Researchers believe Zika may be related to an increase in "microcephaly," a birth defect that causes small heads and incomplete brain development in newborns.

The new Zika is still relatively new, so there are no answers to important questions, below is background information to help you learn the facts about Zika virus.

How do you get Zika?

According to the researchers, the Zika virus is mainly spread by mosquitoes: a mosquito bites a human by Zika virus, the mosquito is infected by Zika, then it passes to bite other humans so the spread of the virus. However, there may be other ways of disseminating and acquiring Zika. Some think it could be sexually transmitted and can also be transmitted through blood and from mother to fetus.

Who is at risk of being infected?

Any person, but the risk is greater for pregnant women. In most people, Zika may cause a rash or flu-like symptoms eventually disappear. An estimated 80 percent of people who contract the virus show no symptoms at all. But for pregnant women, the results can be much more serious.

What might happen if a pregnant woman Zika?

The main concern for pregnant women who receive Zika is that the virus can cause severe birth defects, including development and babies born with small heads incomplete brain. Babies born with "microcephaly" may also have a range of other health problems, including vision and hearing loss, seizures, and learning disabilities.

If I'm pregnant, what precautions should I take against Zika?

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued travel advisories recently advise pregnant women to "practice extra precautions" when it comes to travel to countries where Zika spread. These countries include El Salvador, Guatemala, Brazil and Venezuela, as well as the entire country of Mexico and many other countries in South America, Central America and the Caribbean.

If you have to travel to one of these countries, it is extremely important to protect yourself against mosquito bites by using bug spray, set up mosquito tents and along the harbor, heavy clothing.

If I am traveling to one of these countries will be my cover treatment costs of health insurance should I get Zika?

When venture outside of the United States, it is always important to consider getting insurance for travelers. While some health plans may cover health care services abroad, many do not. So if you take Zika abroad, you may have to return to the United States for treatment.

How do I know if I Zika?

right now, there are no commercial companies that offer a test for Zika; only the CDC and a few health laboratories can perform these tests. However, if you have symptoms, it is important to consult your doctor immediately.

What should I do if I find I have Zika?

If you think you may have Zika virus, talk to your doctor immediately. He or she can prescribe medication such as acetaminophen or paracetamol to relieve fever and pain, but do not take aspirin. Under the Affordable Care Act, prescription drugs are covered as one of the 10 essential health services, do not be afraid to fill a prescription for a drug you need. You should also rest and drink plenty of fluids.

If you need help finding a doctor, professionals who are part of GoHealth Access can help you find one that is in your network that can effectively treat the Zika virus. Here is more information on the treatment of Zika virus in pregnant women.

Lauren Mandel

The growth of your family or even to think the possibility is a decision that can change many aspects of your life, including how you get access to health care. To help you learn more, we've rounded up some of the most important things you need to know about health care for your newborn, what to do when you discover you are pregnant, and how to get coverage for your entire family.

If you already have a health insurance ...

If you think you are pregnant or if you are already pregnant, the best scenario is that you have a health insurance . Under the Affordable Care Act, all health plans must now cover some benefits that will help you throughout your pregnancy and after, including prenatal care and care of the newborn. These benefits are called the 10 essential health services, and you will be glad you have them

More good news :. You get all these benefits, even if you get pregnant before your plane takes effect. The Affordable Care Act says insurers can not deny people coverage and benefits because of their pre-existing conditions, including pregnancy.

For alternative maternity care, such as midwives and home births, see your specific health insurance provider to find out more about your current coverage.

once your baby is born, you can get a new health plan or add your baby to your current coverage.

If you do not yet have health insurance ...

Unfortunately, pregnancy is not considered a qualifying life event, which is a change of life that allow you to obtain health insurance outside of Open Enrollment. However, giving birth is a qualifying life event, even if you do not have health insurance now, you'll be able to get a new health insurance plan for you and your baby.

Not having health insurance while pregnant means you have to pay for maternity care and birth out-of-pocket. You may want to consider purchasing a short term health insurance plan to cover part of these costs before the baby is born.

If you think you do not need health insurance ...

Think again. While this may not seem like a burden to pay for maternity and newborn care out-of-pocket, it can become extremely expensive. Stay for one day in an American hospital can cost up to $ 4000, and before the additional support that comes along with having a baby. If you need to have a caesarean section, including many pregnant women do, you could end up paying more than $ 15,000.

If you are pregnant and need more information about health insurance, call 888-322-7557.

Lauren Mandel and Adam Tock

the Republican National Convention ended last week at Cleveland, and the Democratic Party welcomes their own convention this week in Philadelphia. These events are only the beginning of the 2016 election and a long run for president, and Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump let their policies are known.

Health care will be a particularly important issue for the candidates, Clinton and Trump are still revealing the specifics of their prospective plans for the Affordable Care Act. In the table below, we described the thoughts of each candidate on the right to health, in addition to what they intend to change if they become the next president of the United States.

Starting today, we're a full week into the spring season. For some, like the research team, it is time to relief offers much warmer - it's snowing here in Chicago

Wherever you live in the country, the allergy season is just around the corner or it starts booming ..

seasonal allergies and allergic rhinitis (hay fever) affects 35 million Americans, according to the American Academy of allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Another 20 million with asthma are also affected by spring allergens.

What triggers allergies and asthma symptoms? Pollen and mold.

Pollens are tiny male plant cells that are released by plants to reproduce. Spring is when many types of trees, grasses and other plants spread pollens in the air. Pollen are smaller than the width of a human hair, and easily swirling in the air we breathe.

The AAAAI warns that many people with allergies will start to see symptoms if more than 20 pollen grains per cubic meter of air.

Mold is a fungus, and they are related to mushrooms. Mold but has no stem, roots or leaves. To reproduce, molds release spores into the air. Spores are like pollen - they float in the air allergy symptoms and trigger

allergy symptoms typically occurs when the number of mold in the air is more than 6,500 spores per cubic meter according to the Ministry of Health Canton, Ohio. .

To see how allergens are in the air where you live, here against pollen and mold allergies courtesy of the National Office.

So what can you do if you suffer from allergies?

Unfortunately there is not much we can do about pollen and mold in the air outside. But we can reduce our exposure to these allergens. How?

• Keep windows closed when pollen and mold counts are high
• Use High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) in your home
• Wear a mask anti- dust for yard work
• articles hang dry outside

There are also many drugs against allergies sold safe and effective over-the-counter to relieve symptoms. Some health insurance companies even provide coverage for injections against allergies.

Ready for spring? We are sure.

In an effort to reduce the costs of federal spending on Medicaid, Dennis Smith, the current director the Center for Medicaid and State operations, enacted new rules. Medicaid is a state and federally funded health care program for government low-income Americans

The rules would cut payments for a number of elements Medicaid -. Including federal spending for physical training and transportation for eligible children to school, reported The Wall Street Journal .

These reductions have saved the Medicaid program of approximately $ 1.65 billion in just one year, according to a report from the Office of Congressional budget.

last year, these rules have been blocked until June 30, 08. But yesterday, a Committee on Trade of the US House of Representatives passed legislation to block the rules until April 09, when there will be a new president.

a jump to block these rules has support among all the governors of the country, but the opposition of the White House, wrote the newspaper.

"the Bush administration has and will continue to oppose any moratorium on the adoption of our regulations pending," said a spokesman for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Although Smith rules were blocked, legislators must further reduce costs of Medicaid spending somewhere.

US Representative John Dingell, chairman of the Committee on Commerce, proposed a new bill to crack down against abuse and Medicaid fraud -. Save $ 25 million per year

Smith, who will resign as director, would rather see rules he helped create stick. He argues that they are necessary to keep Medicaid operating.

"[Medicaid] should not become a limitless account for programs and organizations to get federal funds to non-state and local Medicaid purposes," said Smith.

Obesity is now a health condition that is considered by the most experts and doctors to be an epidemic. Excess weight does not just affect your health - it can greatly reduce your chances of getting health insurance

Over the past two decades, the number of overweight and obese Americans more than tripled .. Today, 64 percent of American adults are obese or overweight, according to the Society of obesity.

The number of obese children has doubled, reported Washington Post in a series on the subject.

For many, obesity begins at a young age.

The childhood obesity is particularly troubling because it has been shown to be much more harmful to children's development. It can affect almost all of their metabolism to their self esteem.

"Being too heavy could distort [the] natural process of growth and development in ways that affect irreversibly the biological pathways," said David S. Ludwig, Children's Hospital Boston.

This includes more serious conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and even cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC also found that the average weight of both boys and girls were up 11 pounds from 02 from 1963.

Acting Surgeon General Steven Galson US called childhood obesity a "national disaster," said the post.

So, what causes the epidemic of childhood obesity? Easy to identify culprit is poor food choices in schools. To fight against the problem in the cafeteria, some schools limit the amount of unhealthy choices and replacing or adding healthier options - like salads, fruits and low-fat yogurt.

"If it was just a cupcake once a month, if it were only snacks at the aftercare ... It's just that all this adds so much junk food, which adds then to childhood obesity, "says Margo Wootan, who is the director of nutrition policy of the Center for science in the public interest.

many school canteens dispose fryers or switch to healthier free oils, trans fats. Soda pop and vending machines are also on the chopping block - to be replaced by machines with healthier options such as water, fruit juice to 100 percent, and skim milk

Some even blame Parents of children to make unhealthy choices

"There are no schools. We all need to be active players in this game to win," said Penny McConnell, director food services for Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia.

But not everyone agrees that unhealthy foods should be taken out of schools, wrote post . Critics argue that the boards and school legislators should not decide what people can have food, it should be them.

Yet there is no doubt the obesity of children is a serious problem.

"This is a wave that is just moving through the population," said CDC director William H. Dietz.

Red wine contains a large amount of a chemical known as resveratrol name, which research has linked to improve health. mice

When mice received a dose of resveratrol, health showed signs of improvement - even if they were eating fatty and unhealthy diets

Like The New York times wrote:

" [R] esveratrol could turn vanilla, mouse-potato couch in sports champions, making them run twice as far on a treadmill. before collapsing "

the problem was the dose was more than any human could simply consume by drinking red wine. In previous studies, the amount of resveratrol given to mice could be adapted by drinking more than 100 bottles of red wine per day, reported Times.

But new research by the University of Wisconsin found that less resveratrol was necessary to have the same health benefits.

point of the Times article was that resveratrol can activate a protein called sirtuin. These proteins when "activated" may slow aging -. And could be used to treat degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and cancer

Whether or not the red wine reverses aging is still far from being confirmed, but there d other health benefits of red wine?

We mentioned above resveratrol, then what is it?

Resveratrol is a polyphenol and has antioxidant properties. Specifically, resveratrol is a nonflavonoid polyphenol, which is similar to the flavonoid polyphenol in chocolate. There are also other polyphenols that resveratrol in red wine.

is more abundant resveratrol in red wine because the skin is left in the manufacture of red wine. The skin is removed in white wine.

Antioxidants protect living cells and can help prevent cancer, blood vessel damage, blood clots and lower cholesterol.

But the American Heart Association reminds us drink excess alcohol can lead to many types of health problems, and of course, alcohol.

Although red wine can have benefits for the health pleasant, be sure to drink responsibly.

This week's New England Journal of Medicine published a national survey of 2758 doctors asking them to electronic medical records.

survey, funded in part by the US Department of Health and Human Services, found that very few doctors used complete electronic systems, reported USA Today .

only 4 percent of physicians used a system that not only helped to store medical records of a patient electronically, but also had security features to reduce medical errors such as alerting doctors possible negative drug interactions.

Thirteen percent had a basic electronic system without security measures, and 42 percent plan to do the movement finally wrote the article.

what is the holdup? . Cost

Article USA Today, making the transition to an electronic system can cost a doctor more than $ 40,000 a year -. And sometimes more, once the cost of technical support is included

With these high costs, it is no wonder doctors are slow to make the transition to a system of electronic health records.

But it's not like the doctors do not believe electronic records are good idea.

And now doctors can see very strong evidence that an electronic system has a huge positive impact on the quality of health care through the study sponsored by the government.

"Certainly the idea of ​​electronic documents is great. But if we do not see patients, we are not paid. The economy of this seem so intimidating," said a doctor in New Jersey an interview with the New York Times .

Unfortunately, the high cost of slow moving means.

"We [still] a long way since the adoption universal, "said Karen Bell, the office of Health IT adoption.

Regarding the fight for a healthy lifestyle and improved health care, cigarettes are one of the villains.

There are not many arguments that inhaling the smoke degree-plus percent laced with ammonia, tar, carbon monoxide and other poisons is bad for your health.

and we have seen the positive effects of smoking bans in public places, so it makes sense to have the federal government to regulate cigarettes, right?

Not necessarily, says the White House.

the Bush administration and the US Health and Human Secretary Mike Leavitt services opposed a new bill that will give the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority to regulate tobacco.

The measure would ban most flavored cigarettes and cigarettes clove and allow the FDA to regulate how cigarettes are produced.

But if the White House supports the bill is passed, people may believe cigarettes are healthier if approved by the FDA.

"Adding tobacco to FDA's regulatory responsibilities could also leave the public with the misperception that tobacco products are safe or at least safer, with the FDA regulating them," wrote Leavitt in a letter, reported Associated Press .

All signs point to a veto.

the problem for the white House is that there is broad bi-partisan support of the bill. the House of representatives could vote on it at the end of this month, reported the New York Times .

So far, there a veto-proof support in the House and the US Senate is about three votes short of a veto-proof margin.

We'll keep you posted.

In 07, many health experts had expected the number of uninsured to increase for the seventh consecutive year Americans reported CNN .

But to their surprise, the amount of uninsured Americans has declined.

According to the Census Bureau, 45.7 million people in the United States had no health insurance in 07, which is 1.3 million less than in 06.

What is the reason for the drop?

CNN article points out the increase in enrollment in government health care programs, including Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and Medicaid State.

About 0 000 children had health insurance in 07 than in 06, Medicaid enrollment increased by 13.2 percent in the same period.

The Census Bureau also found that the number of Americans with health insurance employer-sponsored or individual health insurance decreased slightly.

Therefore, the report said that there are more people with health care the government and less private insurance.

Is it good news for the expansion of health insurance programs of the government?

Last year our Thanksgiving station covered the nutritional facts of your food favorite Turkey Day.

another look, and have a great Thanksgiving weekend everyone GoHealthInsurance.com!

http://www.gohealthinsurance.com/blog/coverage/entry/071121

in 07, former President George W. Bush implemented rules that made it difficult for any state in the US to expand Health Insurance Program for children (SCHIP).

policy stated that 'no children in families with incomes above 250 percent of the federal poverty level can enroll in SCHIP unless their condition met the following condition :. 95 percent of all children eligible for Medicaid or SCHIP should be proven registered

condition, the Bush administration argued, was to ensure strict SCHIP provided health insurance for poor children only. They also repeatedly said any expansion of SCHIP was a backdoor socialized health care.

the Bush rules also required that the child should go without health insurance for a year before being enrolled.

These rules will be reversed under the presidency of Barack Obama, reported The New York Times .

rules were designed to block any expansion of children's health insurance program, which is a big part of congressional Democrats' agenda.

state governments were in uproar over the policy, claiming 95 percent coverage was almost impossible. Eight states have gone to pursue the White House on rules.

"[The rules] prevented many children to receive the health care they need," said a federal employee at the Department of Health and Human Resources.

Families in Virginia fought to pass a bill of State would require health insurance companies to cover medical services for children with autism.

But today, the bill was killed in the state Senate.

According to Washington Post , the senators of the state of Virginia could not reach a compromise. Business groups and health insurance has also lobbied hard against the move.

lobbyists argued the bill was a bad idea during a recession, and impose a costly mandate.

A lobbyist believed that the mandate would cost $ 40 million per year for the state.

"It would probably become the second most expensive mandate in Virginia, and perhaps the first," said the lobbyist.

Initially, the bill included all autistic children. After no progress, State Senator Jill Holtzman Vogel tried to compromise by capping the age to 12 years, same-old to 6 years. However, the bill failed

He brings a key debate in the world of health insurance -.? Autistic children should have guaranteed health insurance coverage

Already, there is a law on health insurance in Florida that mandates coverage for autism (Read more about it here) and Ohio is considering a similar law as well.

In theory, the transition to a healthcare and pay-per-performance health insurance system is a great idea.

Doctors improve the quality of adopting new technologies in health care such as electronic medical records to help reduce errors and enhance communication, and are reluctant to expensive tests that might not be necessary.

Do these things to improve care increase their payments for their services like billing as many tests as possible did, if not more.

Some providers around the country have indeed implemented such a system, efforts to improve the quality of care and reduce costs of health care at the same time.

But researchers from the RAND Corporation, a nonprofit research organization, found that after a few years, such systems are not yet brought the result that everyone hoped.

RAND researchers reviewed seven health insurance plans from various California and over 0 physician groups in 6 years, reported Reuters .

The assessment of RAND? So far, no "substantial" gains.

"The true benefits of these programs may take longer to perform and it is likely that investments in other quality efforts will be needed in addition to compensation based on performance," said the principal investigator of the RAND policy, Cheryl Damberg.

separate studies by RAND found even pay-per-performance systems interfered with the doctor-patient relationships, has written the article.

As we have blogged about before, doctors were powerful slow to make the switch to electronic medical records, though experts and healthcare lawmakers were almost unanimous about its potential to improve the quality of health care and reducing costs.

hospitals are also slow to adopt electronic records system, found a report the New England Journal of Medicine, reported the Associated Press and the Austin American-Statesman .

electronic records investigation by the NEJM found less than 2 percent of US hospitals have fully implemented and only 8-11 percent of basic electronic systems

most point to cost as the biggest deterrent to make the change - .. it costs thousands of dollars to move to electronic medical records

But this AP article / Statesman also raised a good point: What should be the standard software for electronic documents

for electronic documents to be really effective to improve communication, systems of health care providers and health insurance companies must . to talk to each other and send data in formats compatible

Obama administration, like the previous Bush administration, made a goal for all health care providers to spend - they even allocated 19 $ billion to help the recovery Act and uS investment in 09.

But we are not sure whether or not they come with a standard procedure for all this.

Maybe it's a good thing the health care providers are slow to move.

Yesterday President Obama did what most Democrats secretly dread - the president met with and listened to representatives of the health care industry and health insurance.

Fortunately, the meeting was not reduced in the name of the caller or shoe launch.

president and health officials actually started on the right foot, making inroads on things like covering pre-existing conditions and reducing health care spending nationally .

industry leaders have committed to the President to cut costs of $ 2 trillion over the next decade, a move praised by the Obama administration, reported the New York Times

"you made a commitment. we expect you to keep it," Obama said to industry leaders, according to the White House, Robert Gibbs.

Although details of resourcefulness are not prepared at this meeting that we call preliminary, he showed the true will of the Obama administration to let the health insurance industry and care in the health reform debate.

the Times article described the meeting as "important. "

We agree.

Thanks to the lessons of former President Clinton in the early nineties, obstruction of the health care industry and the legislation on health insurance leads to a triumphant defeat.

When all parties are committed, we could actually find viable solutions.

fraud in health insurance is on the rise. Lt. Robert Sebby, who investigates cases of medical identity theft, accuses unemployment and failing economy, reports the Las Vegas Sun .

Our migration to electronic medical records probably does not help much either.

Pam Dixon, executive director of the Global Forum of the nonprofit privacy and author of a report on medical identity theft, warns that without extensive safeguards, we will see this type of mount soaring crime.

Remember the medical clerk in Florida a few years ago who downloaded the files of more than 1,000 Medicare patients and gave them to a relative, who made $ 2.8 million in fraudulent claims with them?

While we agree with the president to call for electronic medical records (EMR), we hope that this is done with the strategy and foresight. Many strategy and foresight. Who wants to get a surprise bill for dialysis of a diabetic in Maryland or the requirement of a scam hooked in Oregon?

straightening of stolen health care is a special kind of red tape nightmare. privacy laws and strict patient decentralized bureaucracy insurance providers complicates things for Kafka-esque levels.

So we will indeed proceed in the new world of electronic medical records, but are ensuring that some of the $ 19 billion expected for the job is used to adequately protect patient information.

In a new subject of debate on health reform, US Congress members are now considering the creation a federal insurance commissioner to oversee health insurance plans throughout the country, reported the Associated Press and Chicago Tribune .

new insurance commissioner would head a new government agency called the choice of health administration. This administration would be a regulated insurance exchange where consumers could choose between private plans and option controlled by the government.

It would also dictate the benefits of the plan and keep an eye on the marketing campaigns run by insurance companies.

So what are the arguments for and against?

criticism from a federal commissioner and the agency say it is just an attempt to give more power to the federal government, which is a predictable argument from the right.

But the left does not let the idea of ​​easy either. Kim Holland, commissioner of insurance in Oklahoma, said the federal office would not provide sufficient protection for consumers. Holland, a Democrat, also pointed out that the federal government would duplicate the functions of state commissioners already do.

On the other hand, supporters of the idea argue States sometimes do not do enough.

"We need a better health care cop on the beat. There must be a federal insurance commissioner to keep insurers on the straight and narrow, "said a political analyst.

In addition, a federal commissioner would be required if there is an exchange insurance federal disease.

"If we're going to have a national insurance exchange, you can not make the turn 50 regulators in the states," added the analyst.

last night, President Obama held a prime time press conference to answer all the concerns about health care and health insurance reform plans that are being drafted in both houses of Congress.

first reactions press analysts and political experts was that the president did not offer much clarity on what was coming and left many key details, such as how we would pay for all this, more or less in the air.

But if you do not listen to political pundits, the press conference was probably not a success for the president. What most experts never talk about is the fact that the average American does not pay attention to them at all.

They do, however, pay attention when the president speaks directly to them in a T.V. primetime slot. And President Obama is a gifted public speaker who is able to connect to his audience very well -. "Lecturing" even if many of his critics lambaste him for

we tweeted a bit what we thought, but let us know what you think too. Click here for the full courtesy of WhiteHouse.gov press conference.

As amendments to the Baucus bill begin to arrive in the Finance Committee, it will be interesting to see what emerges.

The complaint was constantly pressured to reform health care was the price. But the Congressional Budget Office calculated the Baucus bill would only cost $ 774 billion over 10 years, more than $ 100 billion less than what was estimated Baucus.

Not only that, but the CBO considered the bill would be fully funded by its cost savings and proposed new taxes on the health industry. In fact, they said it would save the government money over time, reducing the federal deficit by $ 49 billion in 2019.

However, if no Password reform , the CBO warned, the year 2019 would be see the 46 million people who are currently without health insurance are growing at 54 million. Here, the draft law Baucus got points again to be able to reduce this number by half.

The bill has no public option, but what a lot of people upset. As we blogged there about a month, at least 60 MPs in the house espoused opposition to any bill that did not offer an option government-sponsored ...

From what we can Bill is doing well so far. The Democratic leadership, the White House and even the blue dogs have rallied behind him. As the 5-hour deadline for amendments to the Finance Committee passes, we are most intrigued to see what they reveal about who is actually planning to spend the health care legislation this year, although sure, how they propose to do.

The pharmaceutical industry has announced that it spend up to $ 150 million on TV ads supporting the redesign of the president of the health insurance and health care.

Although the amount is huge, it aligns with that drug makers to win millions of new customers to expand the coverage of health care. In an agreement already reached with the White House last June, the pharmaceutical industry has pledged to save $ 80 billion over the next decade.

The terms of the agreement of advertising, which has not been fully disclosed to date are expected to be finalized shortly. The announcement of the authorized advertising investment accompanies pressing the pharmaceutical industry for the White House to establish ceilings on their contributions -. Some Democrats feel should be significantly higher

Ken Johnson, a spokesman for the industry trade group, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, said The New York Times "Our board agreed to make a significant investment in supporting the comprehensive reform," adding, "Our plan August is almost in place, but we have not finalized all the details of the campaign fall. "He confirmed that he would include awareness of the base as well.

The pharmaceutical industry has already paid millions of dollars for advertising campaigns to overhaul health care through advocacy groups such as savings healthy now and Families USA, and about $ 1 million on similar advertisements under its own name.

The big news on a insurance blog illness anyway, was the draft health reform bill in the US Senate include a public health insurance option, reported CNN .

a close aide to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told CNN that the public option would be included in the bill and a clause allowing individual states to opt out of the plan they chose.

the opt-out, something we blogged about last week, is a political response to the progressive Democratic base That, AOS increasingly agitated at the bill, AOS current form .

move Risky, senator. Holding to voice as conservative Democrats like Senator Ben Nelson and Senator Blanche Lincoln could make or break the health reform. And we can, AOT surely forget Senator Olympia Snowe, who is the only Republican to show interest in what the Democrats are pushing.

So say we get reform. Say it happens in December and the Democrats, especially President Obama, get a $ 800 billion Christmas. Does that mean we, people also ours? Actually, no, we don, AOT.

Most of the bill provisions, OSA, as now, don, AOT take effect until 2013. That, AOS four years to ask whether the bill to amend care health and the health insurance system will work.

Or the one hand, it makes sense. The health system in the United States is a complex there, AOS mess any way we can implement major changes within a few months or even a year. By giving us four years to surface will likely do much good to help keep what works, will work fine.

But for Americans who need relief now, this bill will be a big disappointment. And there, AOS a very good public luck of the bill will be a dive shortly after passing his potential.

A recent survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation, half of America believes that changes in health care and health insurance will begin to occur in the next year.

A staggering 49 percent think that in the next year, people will get financial assistance in the purchase of health insurance plans. What, AOS addition, 51 percent believe that health insurance companies will accept all applications with pre-existing conditions.

So no relief for four years and the push for a public option that would condemn health reform entirely?

speak of a political time bomb.

This is the suggestion of the Senate majority leader Harry Reid: Plastic Surgeons and People Who love!

The connection? No idea!

The Senate bill would impose a health tax of 5 percent on cosmetic procedures to choose from to help defray the cost of the reform of health care. Proponents say it would raise about $ 5 billion over 10 years to the pricetag of $ 849 billion current legislation.

But how fans and plastic surgery practitioners come to bear the burden of financing the reform of health insurance? The only thing we can understand is that it assumes that people get plastic surgery are rich and can afford to shell out a little more. Whatever the case, we can not help but see it is rather taxing creative.

Certainly, the market for cosmetic surgeries navigates through the bad economy. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported that 12 million cosmetic procedures were performed in 08, up 3 percent from 07.

Moreover, the measure could be less lucrative than proponents hope. In 04, the state of New Jersey passed a tax of 6 percent on plastic surgery that was expected to raise $ 24 million per year. But in 05, it has only about $ 7.5 million.

Of course, such provision "Botox" is not the only inventive in the proposed Senate bill, but it is certainly the joke ready. On reflection, perhaps it is simply the way Washington to finally get back to the old "Hollywood for ugly people" barb.

This is not a blog of politics, but when it comes to health care reform, it is almost impossible to avoid talking politics. And because our mission is to help all Americans to get the right insurance, this thing of healthcare reform is a serious matter.

So here we are almost six months spent initial deadline President Obama for sweeping reform of health insurance and we still have no idea if this will really happen.

So who is to blame? Well, in a word, it is political.

Republicans are doing their darndest to put a stake through the heart of the political machine called Barack Obama. Public opinion sways daily on this bill, and let's be honest, most of doubt is planted by conservative interests. Over on the other side of the aisle, Democrats are almost universally worried about their chances of re-election in 2010. And the Democrats have pretty much turned a cold shoulder to all Republicans, except for two .

The policy is really alone and ruin what could be a constructive conversation about how to improve our system of health insurance benefits and health care.

Look at every single legislator who potentially dangling his political life by a thread because of this bill. In fact, why not mention that some of the big players?

Democratic Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska State ruby ​​red, so that his constituency will be difficult to support this essentially democratic health law. Senator Blanche Lincoln of Louisiana is in the same boat that Senator Nelson. Republican presidential candidate John McCain beat Obama badly in Louisiana, which means that Senator Lincoln also has a difficult constituency to please as a Democrat.

The same things affect Republicans. The only Republicans, even considering voting for this draft health law are Republican senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins. They are both of Maine, that President Obama won by 16 percentage points. So guess what, they have the voters to participate in as well.

When have become more important re-election as improving our country? It was sarcastic.