Did you know that a group of 13 male, Republican Senators is currently working on a draft bill of the repeal/replace Obamacare behind closed doors?

The group of Senators claimed they are close to having a proposal to take to the floor.

The bill has been drafted behind closed doors, with many senators unaware of any details. Some Democrat Senators have expressed outrage at the closed-door approach to the drafting.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R – S.C. stated that the bill is being drafted from a one-party perspective because no Democrat is willing to help with the draft. He said that although this is not the ideal approach, it’s the only way they are able to draft the bill.

In 2017, approximately 12.2 million people were enrolled or automatically re-enrolled in a Affordable Care Act Marketplace plan (“Obamacare Exchange.”)

The changes to the healthcare bill will affect millions of people, yet we know very little about the potential changes.

The Senate Committee has stated that they will submit the draft bill to the Congressional Budget Office prior to releasing to the public, for nonpartisan analysis of things such as the cost, and how many people will gain or lose coverage, if enacted.

Once the bill is drafted, there are still many uncertainties.

Many experts have stated that the chances of it passing is very unlikely. No Democrats are expected to vote to repeal Obamacare. Republicans can’t lose more than two votes to pass the bill, and several Republicans have already expressed concerns.

What are your thoughts on the replacement bill for the Affordable Care Act? Would you like there to be more transparency?

Get involved by contacting your representatives to let them know your opinions!

To learn more about health and women’s health check out the Women’s Mind Body Wellness Summit. It contains 6 interviews by top female health professionals plus two workout videos and 3 bonus videos on mind-body wellness with MyHealthSpin Founder Lori-Ann Rickard.

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If you haven’t seen the clip, click here to watch.

Unfortunately, several hours after the birth of his baby, Jimmy and his wife Molly learned that Billy had a heart defect and needed surgery to save his life.

Jimmy thanked Cedars-Sinai Hospital and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles for providing Billy with amazing care. Because of the attentive staff and great care, his newborn son is home and doing well.

Jimmy’s message was extremely important and shows how far we have come in healthcare, and how far we have to go.

Friends, family, and readers have asked me some questions about what Jimmy had to say. Here’s my take:

Jimmy spoke about “pre-existing conditions.”

Question: What are pre-existing conditions and how do they affect healthcare coverage?

Answer: Pre-existing conditions are health problems that occur prior to the date new health coverage starts.

Jimmy is correct that prior to the passage of the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”), pre-existing conditions, such as birth defects, could prevent someone like baby Billy from getting coverage. They also enabled insurance companies to charge individuals more. The ACA now prevents health insurance companies from refusing coverage or charging more for pre-existing conditions.

Question: What is the National Institutes of Health (“NIH”)?

Answer: NIH is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is the nation’s medical research agency. Jimmy is correct that, despite initial plans to cut the budget for NIH, Congress increased its funding by $2 billion.

As a mother of two and a parent of a daughter born with a serious disease, I was touched by Jimmy’s message. It’s important to stay in the know about healthcare and healthcare policies, in case you or a loved one is impacted.

Congratulations to Jimmy Kimmel and his family on their baby boy!

To learn more about health care for your family, check out the Women’s Mind Body Wellness Summit. It contains 6 interviews by top female health professionals plus two workout videos and 3 bonus videos on mind-body wellness with MyHealthSpin founder Lori-Ann Rickard.

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What does it mean to “eat clean”? Clean eating is basically a fancy way of saying eating healthy. It means eating foods in their whole, natural state as opposed to prepackaged and processed foods. It seems like eating clean would be difficult, but with the right information it can be easily become part of your lifestyle.

• Clean eating basis: it’s surprisingly easier than you think 

In his final months in office President Obama is still making strides for women’s healthcare. In a new ruling, Obama is pushing to permanently protect the services provided by Planned Parenthood. Many women, especially those of low income, depend on services provided by them to stay healthy. This is huge news for women.

• What you need to know about a major proposal to restore women’s health care 

We all know that one of the early signs of pregnancy is nausea and vomiting. A new study suggests that morning sickness is a good sign and is actually advantageous to the newly pregnant mother.

• Why morning sickness may be a good thing

Starting a workout regimen can be hard. Most people don’t know what types of workouts they should be doing — cardio, strength straining, low impact — and others simply don’t know how to do the moves properly. Avoiding common mistakes when it comes to working out can be the key to success!

• 3 common beginner workout mistakes — and how to stay on track

For more healthcare news and tips daily follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram.

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A new study has found a correlation between exercise and the brain. According to this research, exercise is not only good for the heart but also good for the mind. This study reveals that those who run, swim, or participate in other moderately active exercises have brains that look, on average, 10 years younger.

• Exercise Keeps Your Brain Young, Study Finds.

After investigation, Medicare has been found to be paying hospices nearly four times more than it should be for certain patients. Sometimes, hospices were found to be billing Medicare for a more expensive level of care than some patients needed.

• Medicare Is Often Overbilled by Hospices, and Pays Twice for Some Drugs.
• Hospices Inappropriately Billed Medicare $268 Million.

As of lately, patients are becoming more responsible for the cost of their own health care. However, recent research shows that the conversation doctors have with their patients highly impacts their cost of care, out-of-pocket expenses and also preventive care and testing. This research suggests that doctors should begin to have more conversations with their patients about health costs.

• Patients Miss Out On Savings When Doctors Fail To Talk About Costs.

Vision-related issues during pregnancy are not often talked about, however, these changes and eye issues can occur during pregnancy. There are a few indicators of these vision-related issues that can detect for you and your doctor potential complications for child birth.

• What Every Pregnant Woman Needs To Know About Her Eyes.

For more healthcare tips for you and your family, check out my latest offering in dealing with unexpected healthcare: When Life Happens: What to do about unexpected health concerns. This is a bit different than my other books. When Life Happens is a workbook filled with information, tips, and tricks for getting through accidents, difficult diagnoses, rehabilitation, and what to do with the kids through it all. But it also has activities to guide you through your situation. You can find it here.

Follow us for more health care news and tips daily on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram.

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A lot has happened this week in health care and we want to make sure you have all the information you need to make the best health care choices. Our helpful health care links bring you the trending topics in health care news.

• The Zika Virus, a virus primarily spread by mosquitos, has become a Global Health Emergency. The virus has spread to 26 countries and territories in the Western Hemisphere, with over 30 cases of the virus here in the United States. Obama is now calling for emergency funding.
  • Obama asks for $1.8 billion in Emergency Zika Funding
  • Zika Virus – Center for Disease Control and Prevention
• An estimated one in seven mothers experience postpartum depression. New research reveals that the depression experienced during pregnancy, if left untreated, can potentially effect the well-being of their children. A panel suggests depression screenings both during and after pregnancy.
  • Panel Calls for Depression Screenings During and After Pregnancy
• The Flint Water Crisis that began in April of 2014 in Flint, Michigan, has now affected over six thousand children exposed to water with high-levels of lead. Officials in Flint are now being criticized for not taking the appropriate measures to prevent the crisis.
  • House Panel Grills Federal, State Officials Over Flint Crisis
  • Flint Water Crisis Timeline
• The HHS (United States Department of Health & Human Services) looks to expand Medicaid to those that don’t earn enough to get subsidized ACA plans. Approximately, 30 million people in the U.S. remain uninsured.
  • Immigration Reform Would Help Reach Universal Health Coverage
• Health care is at the forefront of the 2016 election debate for both Democrats and Republicans. Millennials today may actually be able to change the health care system and to improve its customer service.
  • Here’s How Millennials Could Change Health Care

We hope we have helped you SPIN YOUR HEALTHCARE YOUR WAY! 

Follow us for more health care news and tips daily on Twitter & Facebook. 

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2016 will continue to see healthcare grow and change. As it does,

Here are our healthcare predictions for 2016:

1. More Wearables: More medical “wearables” will be developed with increasingly sophisticated technology to offer less invasive, but effective, monitoring and treatment for health conditions. Many healthcare and technology companies will create mobile apps, wearable sensors, and ways for consumers to access their personal health records. Expect to continue seeing devices and apps that allow you to have a more active role in your healthcare. The market for next generation wearables is expected to increase exponentially.

2. End-of-Life Care: We predict that end-of-life care will gain more public attention as the issue will continue to occupy headlines. Hospice will increase. Physicians will have more end-of-life care discussions with patients due to increasing drug prices, high deductible plans, and new payment models.

3. Employers: Employers will start to treat healthcare costs much more seriously. They will have an active role in employee healthcare to manage their healthcare costs. Employers may require monitoring health using online tools, they may choose which doctors and hospitals employees go to, and they may require second opinions before high cost procedures or treatments.

Those are just a few of our predictions for 2016. All of these advances and trends will continue to grow in 2016 and beyond.

I hope MyHealthSpin can help you find simple, easy answers to keep up with the changing healthcare landscape. To get started, get a FREE copy of Easy Healthcare: What You Need First by CLICKING HERE.

Wishing you a wonderful New Year!

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What are are some of the medical breakthroughs that happened in 2015? Here are our top 5:

1. “Cancer seeing” Technology

Medical imaging technology developed at the University of Lincoln, UK could revolutionize cancer treatment. The instrument is called PRaVDA (Proton Radiotherapy Verification and Dosimetry Applications) and uses proton beam therapy to localize treatment, which causes less damage to healthy tissue. This will hopefully become a viable treatment for cancer patients.

2. Optical Scanners

Hand-held optical scanners have been developed with the potential to offer breast cancer imaging in real time using a near-infrared laser diode. Hopefully these will be used by physicians in the future as part of regular visits. They are further being developed to be able to determine tumor size and depth.

3. Small 3-D Cameras for Brain Surgery

MARVEL (Multi Angle Rear Viewing Endoscopic tool) was designed as a camera to aid in brain surgery by producing 3D images from inside the brain. The camera is being developed at NASA’s Laboratory in California. It is 4 millimeters in diameter and 15 millimeters long. Use of the camera will lead to faster, safer minimally invasive brain surgeries.

4. Microchip Sensors Placed in Patients

The Mount Sinai Hospital has begun putting tiny microchip sensors in patients with advanced heart failure to better monitor symptoms and reduce chances of returning to the hospital. This allows early signs to be detected before symptoms arise. The device has reduced readmission by up to 37 percent.

5. Dissolvable Surgical Clips

Dissolvable clips were invented that are absorbed by the body after a certain period of time. It can reduce the rate of postoperative complications and minimize diagnostic imaging problems. As many as 30 to 40 clips may be used during a single procedure.

As 2015 comes to a close, we continue to watch healthcare grow and develop in exciting ways. I will continue to keep you updated on the healthcare issues that affect you the most. Happy Holidays!

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Usually, the best choice is your parent’s health insurance plan.  

First, you are only eligible for ObamaCare Health Exchange insurance if you have no other health insurance options.

Additionally, it is often better to stay on your parent’s insurance because if they have a big group plan at work the cost of maintaining coverage for you is not very expensive. This is especially true if your parents are already covering other members of the family. You should ask your insurance company how much it will cost to maintain coverage for you while you are in college. Your parents’ plan will also often cover more healthcare items and have a lower deductible than many ObamaCare plans.

If your parents do not have a health plan through work, ObamaCare may be a good option. To find out whether you are eligible, log into the ObamaCare website www.healthcare.gov. After answering several questions, you will be able to see your options. Each state has different insurance companies offering plans in that state.

Are you planning on staying on your parents health insurance plan while in college? I’d love to hear from you!

MyHealthSpin helps you Spin Your Healthcare Your Way!

Check out how more information on insurance in our new book, Easy Healthcare: Choose Your Health Insurance.

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Surprisingly, no. Most hospitals report that ER visits are on the rise. Three quarters of ER doctors report that since ObamaCare has been in effect the ER is seeing more patients than ever before.

There are a lot of different answers.

1. People have insurance but there are not enough primary care doctors to see them.
2. ObamaCare expanded Medicaid and many primary care doctors won’t accept Medicaid due to its low reimbursement.
3. The newly insured cannot take off work to see a primary care doctor or lack transportation or child care. (Source: USA Today Article)

All of these factors make the ER often the best or only option.

Should you use the ER for your healthcare? Not if you can avoid it.

1. Call your insurance company and ask for a recommendation to a primary care physician. If you have a Medicaid HMO, a primary care physician will be assigned to you.
2. Schedule your first appointment when you are not sick. It is important to establish a relationship with your doctor BEFORE you are so sick that you get referred to the ER.
3. Pick a doctor who has late night or weekend hours if you can’t miss work during the week. Many physicians are now offering more convenient appointment times.
4. Be proactive and take responsibility for your healthcare. It’s the only way to stay healthy and avoid expensive ER visits.

Have you ever gone to the ER and wished later that you had not? I’d love to hear from you!

MyHealthSpin helps you Spin Your Healthcare Your Way!

Check out how more information on insurance in our new book, Easy Healthcare: Choose Your Health Insurance.

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