How your health insurance may change...

With the new health care bill about to be passed, what is going to happen to those people who currently have insurance through their employer? Well, if you work for a for-profit company, be prepared for some unwanted changes!

To abide by this bill, companies have to find a way to deal with the taxes, etc that will be imposed on them. And, for most of us, that means our coverage will change one way or the other. For some it will be a reduction in what is covered or how much is covered. For others it will be increased premiums. Regardless, it means your insurance won't be as good for the money you spend.

So, what do I think will happen in the long run? If there is a public option in the final bill, then eventually that will be the only option. Individuals and companies will realize that it is cheaper to go that route, and so they will. Then, insurance companies will fold because they don't have enough clients. In the end, there may be one or two insurance companies out there, but the majority of Americans will use the public option because it is really their only choice...

Memorial Service

Sunday morning will be my grandmother's memorial service. She died 7 months ago, but because she chose to be cremated, we decided to wait until now to do the service so more of us could attend. I wasn't that close to my grandparents because I didn't see them that often. We moved over 1000 miles away when I was about 3 months old, and we never moved back. I remember her visiting about once a year and our visits up there occasionally. I remember letters and gifts from her and to her, but our relationship was little more than that.

Somehow I got "nominated" to do the Scripture reading at the service. I know God's hand is in this for sure! The majority of the family knows the Truth but has chosen to not accept it for themselves. I know one uncle, his wife, and two of their three kids (one of which won't be there) are saved, but the others we are unsure of. So, I think it is fitting that this uncle and I are the two doing the "Christian" portions of the service - the reading and the closing prayer.

But, this has made my choice of Scripture challenging. First, I only want to say what God would have me to say. So, I have been praying for about two months about what verses to say. Second, I want to chose a verse that has meaning but won't offend. I want a passage that will make those who haven't accepted Christ to think about their relationship with Him without closing any doors that might be cracked already. So, I have narrowed it down to three passages:

• John 3:16-17
• John 14:1-4
• Romans 14:7-9

I emailed this list to my uncle (and she showed it to his wife). They like the Romans passage, but think reading all three would be fine too. So, I am leaving it in God's hands now. Hopefully He will make it clear what to read on Sunday. I know my uncle and aunt are praying for me. I know my church family here is praying as well as my husband. Hopefully through the service at least one seed will be planted.

Health Care

Okay, so there is a lot of debate about the current health care bill out there. Personally, I like the coverage we have now. But, in a little over a year, it will change. My husband's employer can no longer afford to offer the plans it does now. Instead, it is going to a one-sized fits all approach with a health savings plan. All of the details haven't been announced, but it doesn't sound as good as what we have now!

That being said, I think the coverage we are going to get will still be better than the government's plan. It will still be a PPO. It will still be managed by the same carrier we have now. We just may have to pay more for things 9but pay less each month for that coverage).

What scares me about the government's plan? Well, a lot of things. Here is an article I read today (very short). I really feel that within 10 years of the plan being in place that private insurance will be gone. The government will be able to offer its plan at very low cost. There are also rumors of having private insurance taxed, meaning more Americans would pick the government option. So, what is the problem? With only one option, we won't have choices. We will have to jump through unnecessary hoops to get the care we want. There will probably be longer waits to see a doctor (like there is in Canada and the UK already). Basically, the quality of care we have now will not be there.

So, what do I want to see? Well, in a perfect world, the cost of insurance would not be so high. That would mean the actual cost for service would have to drop. But, with our sue-happy nation, that isn't going to happen! (Also, covering for illegal immigrants getting treatment in the ERs is killing many states' healthcare systems.) So, here is one idea:
The government would provide catastrophic coverage for all Americans. Then, those with chronic conditions would be offered insurance through the government on a buy-in basis (i.e. the amount they have to pay will be dependent upon their income and very affordable). For the rest of us, we would be able to buy private insurance like we can now. Because catastrophic coverage is already provided by the government, the insurance premiums should be less. They aren't going to have to make as many big pay-outs, so their costs would be less. Each American could then decide what level of coverage they want. For some, it might just be having a health savings plan if they are young and healthy. Others would opt for more coverage based on their projected needs. For example, if you are planning on having kids, you would want a plan that has good coverage for prenatal care and delivery. If you are accident-prone, you would want good ER coverage.

What do you think about this whole health care thing?

Mission Trip VBS

Three years ago (2006), I went on our church's mini-mission trip to help with a VBS on an "Indian" Reservation about 3 hours away. This year, AJU5 and I went back. Three years ago, I didn't leave all emotional. Yes, I had a good time and enjoyed teaching the kids, but for one reason or another my emotions didn't get touched by the experience. This year, a little girl touched my heart! We only did a three day VBS this year because we were originally told the chapter house would be unavailable due to construction (they haven't started yet...). The first two days, this little girl cried half of the time. She wanted to be with her sister. So, my friend K would take her and the little ones that iddn't want to sit with the class out to play near the older group. On Day 3 while we were doing the openning songs, she sat at the table and started to look at my Bible. She stayed with the class until lunch time (there was free lunch at the chapter house for the kids that we didn't know about until we got there). By that point, we were done with the lesson and craft anyways. Just before she went to have lunch, I was able to give her a Bible of her own. I was holding back tears until all of the kids were gone that day. I cried when I retold the story Sunday at church. And tears are starting to fall now.

I don't know if I will go back next year. It all depends on how my kids are (i.e. traveling with a 7 month old and a 2.5 year old may not be wise). But, I do hope to go back! There is a chance she won't be there next year. The 4 and 5 year olds were missing this year, so we suspect there is a summer preschool program for them (I had 3 three year olds plus three of our own kids). Even if I don't go, I will be waiting for stories about her!

Bumper Sticker

Have you ever seen the "God is my co-pilot" bumper stickers? The original one had a big flaw in terms of theology. If God is the co-pilot, then you would be the pilot. That would mean you were in charge, not God. But, as many of us have learned the hard way, God is always the one in control. He let's us think we are in control some times, but He is the true pilot of our lives. We can make plans (and should), but His plans may be different. It can be hard to deal with, but if you understand that God's plans are always better, it helps. The hardest part is not knowing why God's plans are better- something we may not see until we are in heaven (if we even remember to ask).

I was talking to my MIL last night. They have a small hay farm, and the hay is ready to be cut, etc. But, it has been raining a lot lately there. So, they can't cut until the ground is somewhat dry. She mentioned she has been praying for ht rain to stop, but she doesn't know if that is God's will. So, I told I would pray: "God, in our minds, it seems it would be best if the rain would stop. If this is truly best, please let the rain stop. If not, do what is best." (or something very similar)

When have you had to learn God is in control - that He is the pilot and we are just the co-pilots?

New Post - Finally (Economy)

Sorry it has been so long since i posted. First was the terrible, horrible, little to no good morning sickness that rendered me pretty much useless for a few weeks. Then there was the 9 days traveling. Between those and now, I have had some ideas, but I always forgot them before I got to the computer. But, today, I am able to get a post out!

So, do you think any thing Obama has done has or will help the economy in the next 24 months? IS there good int he stimulus package? Is there good in the bail-outs?

Will the "good" affect you or just the nation as a whole? Will you be hurt by some of his plans?

I want comments!

Gay Marriage

Personally, I don't think it should be legal. But there is more to this than that. Most of it comes down to what rights they don't have/do have.

Does a gay/homosexual person have the right to marry?
Yes

Does a gay have the right to marry the person he/she loves?
No, but we aren't guaranteed that right either. What if you loved your sister? Could you marry her? No. What if you loved a married man, could you marry him? No. There are lots of cases where you can't marry the person you love... and I don't hear people crying foul on these...

Are there things the government needs to work out in terms of rights?
Depends on the state. Most states have expanded the next o kin to include persons chosen by the injured/sick/deceased. But, you have to have a will/living will for this to work. Many companies and states have allowed domestic partners to receive benefits as well. The only thing that I know of that is totally not accessible to domestic partners (verses married couples) is Social Security. And personally, I think this program is falling apart enough as it is... I just wish we could get rid of it because it is going bankrupt. No one should depend on getting money out of it if you aren't at or very near retirement right now...

What are your thoughts? What rights do gays not have? By giving them those rights, are we opening ourselves up for greater issues later?