Health Care Listening Tour

Check out Obama's "Organizing for America" nationwide listening tour of events. The coming weeks we will see a make or break moment for meaningful healthcare in America. As Congress goes home for the break, whether or not they dare to ACTUALLY ENACT HEALTHCARE REFORM will be determined by YOUR participation. So, please check out where local events are being held, write to your Congress person, both at their Washington and District addresses, and remember, this movement will take twice the vocal efforts of you the people over the megaphone that the health insurance industry has blarring in the ears of the elected, and sheltered, Congress men and women.

Personally, I want a single-payer system, but we ain't gettin' that in the near term but we must have, from Obama's Eight Point Checklist:

* No Discrimination for Pre-Existing Conditions: Insurance companies will be prohibited from refusing you coverage because of your medical history.

* No Exorbitant Out-of-Pocket Expenses, Deductibles or Co-Pays: Insurance companies will have to abide by yearly caps on how much they can charge for out-of-pocket expenses.

* No Cost-Sharing for Preventive Care: Insurance companies must fully cover, without charge, regular checkups and tests that help you prevent illness, such as mammograms or eye and foot exams for diabetics.

* No Dropping of Coverage for Seriously Ill: Insurance companies will be prohibited from dropping or watering down insurance coverage for those who become seriously ill.

* No Gender Discrimination: Insurance companies will be prohibited from charging you more because of your gender.

* No Annual or Lifetime Caps on Coverage: Insurance companies will be prevented from placing annual or lifetime caps on the coverage you receive.

* Extended Coverage for Young Adults: Children would continue to be eligible for family coverage through the age of 26.

* Guaranteed Insurance Renewal: Insurance companies will be required to renew any policy as long as the policyholder pays their premium in full. Insurance companies won’t be allowed to refuse renewal because someone became sick.