Democrats and Republicans met to identify issues that divide regarding health care reform. Both sides agreed Medicare is running out. Republicans said: my constituents don't want anything done-keep medical care as it is-no changes. Democrats said if we do nothing, in ten years the need for change will be imposed on us and the cost of delay will make the changes more expensive. The Republican healthcare proposal covers only 3 million people and the Democratic proposal covers 30 million people-we must decide how to pay for the coverage. The CBO says in 20 years there will be a trillion dollar savings, the interpretation of the numbers varied between the two parties. I believe healthcare is a right and we all pay for it in taxes every year, in addition to any other health costs.

     Health insurance premiums continue to rise annually, and now the insurance companies say the increases may occur more frequently with higher deductibles and fewer covered services. Many people have deductibles of $500 to $5,000, which must be paid annually before insurance pays anything. Anthem Blue Cross announced, starting March 1st, they will increase monthly premiums by 39 percent. This increase is thought to affect approximately 800,000 customers – although the company refuses to state the number of customers to be affected. President Obama has asked the company to justify this increase in this time of great economic hardship. Is the increase just to maintain the huge bonuses for executives? Asking a family of four to increase the monthly insurance bill from $900 to $1,200 is a deal breaker for some families. Many healthy families will risk going without health insurance and avoid preventive medical care and procrastinate on medical visits when a family member is ill. Children will be sicker longer. The risk of disease spread will increase throughout the community and emergency room use will increase. Businesses, already struggling financially, will have a harder time providing health benefits for employees. Businesses will seek to hire younger healthy single people in an effort to keep health care costs down. Naturally, when the insurance rates increase, pharmaceutical costs will soon rise also.

   What is the up side? Many valley residents use Anthem Blue Cross. But, at least, the company is based in the United States. So, if the money is going abroad, some of it will stay in the U.S. to help American workers and the economy.

The Cybersecurity Bill will cost about $1 trillion dollars through 2014. Quite a sum and, of course, pork added. With all of our networking and cell phones, cyber security is extremely important - but who is ripping us off?

Millions to his mistress and staffer should bring the FEC out in full force.

Lilly Ledbetter 1st Anniversary - Equal Pay For Equal Work. Lilly sued because she was being paid less for the same work her male counterparts performed. We must be aware that the practice of paying women less continues, and the story is worse for minorities. Women in the Central Valley often head a household of children - with no male contribution. Paying equal pay for women ensures our children have more resources to live a quality lifestyle with better education and nutrition.