Most people feel we as a nation as not being told the whole truth about the health care being discussed in the Senate and House. For those who are currently laid off, the cost of health insurance has made them take a long hard look at having it in the first place. Most cannot afford to continue their health coverage and must do without it. Cobra is a joke, the pricing being much too high for someone on unemployment who has utilities, rent or mortgage, and a family to feed and clothe. This part of the health care needs help.

What can we expect from a government funded health care? Rating on basis of age, gender, and pre-existing diseases will not be allowed. Currently there is a bill to cap out of pocket expenses to $5000 per person, $10,000 per family. Medicaid is to be expanded to include everyone at poverty level. Also to subsidize the price of insurance for people below poverty level (currently at a level of $22,050 for a family of four). These are just being proposed. Nothing is yet set in stone, so to speak. Which is why we can become protesters, making our voices heard across the country, in letters, speeches, emails and phone calls to the appropriate people who represent us in Washington. Learn what you can about the health care plans being discussed.

Obama has said he does not want to put health care insurance companies out of business. That never was the intention. He also said the system was full of abuse and waste. Might I suggest putting a cap on the amount of money a person can “win” in a lawsuit against a hospital or doctor. That could drive down the costs of hospital and doctor services, meaning a better health care system for all of us. Doctors would be cautious again, not overly worried about being sued. Patients won’t have to sign papers when being admitted to the hospital that they will not sue. America has become “lawsuit happy” and that in a nutshell is a huge chunk of the problem as to why health care costs so much. This is something that needs to be discussed along with providing health care for those of us Americans who cannot afford a good policy.

Once again, this is my opinion and anyone is welcome to debate with me if they like.

Airbag fraud is widespread. There is a way to detect if the car you intend to purchase has an airbag. When the lights on the dashboard go on when you start the car the light comes on showing AIRBAG. Of course, this can also be disconnected so the airbag light doesn’t come on at all. That should be an alert for the consumer. You can have a certified airbag mechanic check to see if the airbag is new. You can find such a mechanic by Googling :ASE Blue Seal Recognition Program. If the cover on the steering wheel or dashboard looks newer than the rest of the dashboard chances are the car has a salvaged airbag. A word of caution: Don’t open the airbag compartment yourself as you could be injured or damage the airbag system.

Lawmakers are are trying to pass legislation to require that totalled, flood damaged and stolen cars be permanently recorded in vehicle history databases. Insurance companies will be required to update reports constantly for any cases where airbags were deployed. The bill was to have been discussed in the Congress in Spring of 2008. People need to be aware of this as too many as dying needlessly when airbags do not deploy when there is an accident.

You can find this type of insurance at various places, such as the same company that carries your car insurance for instance. Ask if they offer a discount for more than  1 policy. I have that, too. Helps me save some money. Today an article in the AAA newsletter tells me I can also get it through them.

Liability coverage is a standard of renters insurance. This also helps you pay for any medical bills, damages or legal fees awarded as part of a settlement. Look for the premium and the deductibles. A low premium is associated with a higher deductible while a high premium offer the reverse. Also check to see if the policy will offer an “actual cash value” or “replacement cost coverage” for your belongings if you ever need to file a claim. Actual cash value will pay only what the property is worth at the time it was damaged or stolen. Replacement cost will cost you more in the premium, but will also pay out more if you need to file a claim.

Make sure to insure all your possessions including furniture, appliances you had to purchase, and other movable items. Inventory your things, take photos or videos, and make sure to keep this information in a fireproof locked box. I would suggest you also have a second copy of this information and give it to someone to hold for you should a thief enter your apartment and steal the lock box. You just never know if that will happen. The peace of mind you will have after getting insurance is well worth the price. Check around with the companies you deal with to get the best deal and make sure what you want to have covered will be covered.