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Now that we have mere days until the election, are we sure the candidates have our health insurance concerns in mind? Both candidates have plans for combating the huge numbers of uninsured and underinsured citizens in the U.S., but they differ greatly in their implementation.

To put it (very) simply, Senator McCain wishes to deregulate the insurance industry gradually, "as we have done over the last decade with banking." Obama, on the other hand, wants to expand the government's role in the insurance industry.

The Los Angeles Times points out that McCain's recent reference and comparison to the banking industry could be catastrophic to his healthcare proposal. Although the health insurance market is very different than the stock market, the association could leave a bad taste in a voter's mouth.

Potentially a hindrance to the Democratic ticket, Obama's plan includes forcing insurers to cover everyone and to make the benefits standardized. If everyone gets the same health insurance coverage, this could cause insurers to raise rates, and it robs individuals from selecting options best suited to their needs.

After all, a young, healthy, non-smoking man shouldn't have to choose the same coverage that an older woman with heart disease may need. And a 58 year old man suffering with arthritis may want a plan tailored to his needs, rather than the same as that of a college student.

Private insurance (with fewer regulations) allows for more a la carte options, but if McCain's plan to allow insurance to be bought across state lines were to become law there may be another problem, critics point out. With increased competition, insurance companies are predicted to offer skimpy "Bargain Basement" plans to individuals.

McCain wants health insurance more privatized; Obama wants much more government involvement. Both plans will cost money, and both plans seem to be getting some of their funds from the people that need them the most: McCain plans to take it from the elderly by diverting Medicare funds, and Obama will fine business owners that can't or won't swing for group health insurance.

Despite current market difficulties, one thing is for certain: both candidates hope to provide consumers more alternatives.

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Flu shots are now required in New Jersey for children (ages 6 months to 5 years) attending a daycare or pre-school, or their parents will be fined.

The Associated Press reports that a large group of people protested in front of the courthouse to dispute the law.

Although the CDC reported 36,000 Americans died from the flu last year, the small percentage of related child deaths, a mere 0.002% (or 83 children), leads some parents to deem this law an infringement on their right to choose what is best for the health and welfare of their children.

The vaccines aren't offered for free, either, so parents without family health insurance are forced to pay anywhere from $25-40 per child. For those already financially strapped families, mandated vaccines are just one more stressor.

With such an outcry over the mandated influenza vaccine, there's already a great push in New Jersey to allow those with valid religious or personal objections to opt-out with appropriate documentation.

How would this scenario translate if the government were to mandate health insurance for children? Would such a loophole apply?

One day we may look back at this New Jersey flu shot legislation as a milestone of government intervention into child health care needs.

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With everyone watching the markets and their pocketbooks so closely these days, word is spreading quickly about the health insurance reform bill proposed by Senators Ron Wyden and Robert Bennett. The plan calls for a drastic overhaul of the employer-offered system so many of us are subject to now.

Pros:

The Wyden-Bennett health plan would reform the current health system at no cost to the government, business, or individual and could erase the uninsured problem entirely. The New York Times reports that neither Obama's nor McCain's plan will cover 60 percent of the uninsured, and they will have an annual cost of $117 billion and $200 billion, respectively.

The basis of the proposed plan is to take the money an employer would have spent on their employee for medical benefits and give it as an income raise instead. Then, with companies no longer offering group coverage, the individual can choose their own health insurance from a selection of heavily-regulated policies.

Cons:

There would be offices set up to act as "help desks" for those struggling to choose their own individual health insurance plan, but it's not hard to imagine these offices overwhelmed by the masses.

The bill takes into account that many employees would adopt the "take the money and run" attitude and use the money for other things, so it makes the purchase of health insurance mandatory. This begs the question, what would the punishment be, a hefty fine or imprisonment?

The bill's sponsors stress that it is a "work in progress", but surely many Americans will be vexed by government intrusion into their health concerns. While sponsors and analysts believe this plan can be executed immediately, the fears and discomfort imposed by a government-run mandatory healthcare system would make implementation of this "idealistic" plan a bit problematic.

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While many of us look forward to this time of year for it's joyful family gatherings, many seniors have come to dread it. It's time again for the annual Medicare Doughnut Hole.

Never heard of it? Well, don't let the cute name mislead you. Business Week reports that Medicare allots $2,510 per year in coverage for seniors, but many plow through these funds quickly considering the high cost of prescriptions.

As many as 26% of the beneficiaries run out of funds by August. These seniors are forced to either ration out their medications or stop taking them altogether, possibly risking their lives.

There is an alternative: Medicare supplemental insurance, a.k.a. Medigap. With most seniors on a fixed income, the low premiums of medicare supplemental insurance are less expensive than out-of-pocket costs for recurring prescriptions.

Of course, the most important benefit to supplemental insurance would be coverage for medications treating chronic, life-threatening conditions.

Why is there this shortfall in the first place?

When Part D was developed in 2004, the government drastically underestimated the required prescription budget by a few hundred billion dollars. This problem needs to be resolved as soon as possible, and both presidential candidates are developing plans.

Obama plans to pass legislation allowing the federal government to negotiate lower prescription drug prices. McCain feels seniors with more assets should pay higher premiums to lessen the burden on lower-income seniors.

Perhaps using both methods would be the best way to guarantee that no senior citizen has to go without the medications they so desperately need. Until a plan is implemented, seniors using Medicare should obtain supplemental health coverage.

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With only twenty days until we go to the polls, which boxes will be punched by business owners?

Businesses large and small have historically leaned towards the Republicans for their business-friendly policies, but this election may be different. The New York Times reports that business owners are "decidedly lukewarm" about McCain's health insurance plan.

Under McCain's proposed plan, employer benefits would be taxed and the tax credits employers receive may be taken away entirely. He proposes both a $5,000 credit towards a family plan and deregulation allowing for purchases across state lines.

But, $5000 may not cover family health insurance, and deregulation may cause insurance companies to move to states that have more lax insurance laws. At the last presidential debate, Obama said of this plan, "So what one hand giveth, the other hand taketh away."

But how do businesses feel about Obama's plan?

They aren't exactly tripping over each other to sign up for health insurance mandates, even though Obama assures them this won't affect small business owners. And while Obama is quick to point out that McCain's plan would cost Medicare and Medicaid $1.3 trillion, he is very vague about where the $1.6 trillion will come from for his plan.

Overall health insurance reform is listed as the #3 concern amongst voters, but businesses are watching closely. Larger businesses are hoping to avoid being fined by Obama's mandates, and smaller businesses and groups are hoping they can still benefit from offering small business health insurance to their employees under the McCain plan.

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Small business owners are unfamiliar with changes and dangers in the insurance market, according to the Insurance Journal. But what they don't know could hurt them.

A recent poll showed that 85% of small business owners were ignorant to the failure of several self-insuring workers' compensation groups due to the recent financial situation on Wall Street. With all of the financial concerns affecting small businesses these days, it's easy to let some things fall to the wayside.

If the health insurance company deems an employee's malady as work-related, the business and/or group can be sued. But did you know that businesses are legally responsible for the entire costs of workers' compensation claims if their self-insurance group fails? Only a third of those polled did.

That means the owner of a small handyman business may think he has himself covered well, but finds himself unable to keep his business when an employee falls off a ladder. His self-insurance trust was deficient due to a string of smaller claims- including those claims from other businesses in his group, so this one debilitating injury is financially crushing.

But why do owners select these trusts instead of obtaining private insurance? They are gambling that the low out-of-pocket cost of a self-insured trust will counter any claim they may face.

The benefits of going cheap on workman's compensation and small business medical insurance are not worth the risk. With medical bills causing so many credit problems for individuals, it is vital for employers to offer the best health insurance coverage that can be afforded.

Ideally, an employer should discuss health insurance options and risks with his employees.

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After promising not to affect coverage for senior citizens, John McCain announced on Tuesday that he is changing his stance. His new plan will cost the Medicaid/Medicare program $1.3 trillion.

During Tuesday night's presidential debate, Obama repeatedly chided the McCain plan's trillion dollar discrepancy. Obama called him out and demanded to know where the funds were coming from.

So where will the money come from? Low-income families and seniors will have drastically limited health care under this plan, according to The Wonk Room.

But how bad can it get? Try a projected 13% cut in both federal Medicaid and Medicare spending, with domino affects at the state levels- causing programs like the State Children's Health Insurance Program to lose funding.

And, finally, if McCain's plan was adopted as-is, we could expect to see private health insurance premiums skyrocket. Why? Cuts to federally funded medical programs lead to health care providers charging more for their services, in turn causing private insurance to hike premiums to offset the costs.

It's no wonder McCain shied away from explaining his health plan in detail. Perhaps expecting a backlash, his vice presidential running mate was in Florida trying to ease the minds of the state's senior citizens Tuesday evening.

Even with Palin's assurances, if this plan were to take affect the state would surely see an increase in the astounding 20% without Florida health insurance.

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A recent Families USA study confirms the desperate need for health care reform today. The study shows that in most states family health insurance rates rose much faster than employee wage increases.

The study, called Premiums Versus Paychecks, examines median wages and health insurance premiums for the period between 2000 and 2007. For example, Alaska's health care premiums rose 74%, and worker earnings increased 13%.

Michigan saw only a 4.6% increase in wages, but a staggering 78% jump in insurance premiums. That's means Michigan health insurance premiums rose 17 times faster than Michigan paychecks!

What's even worse: while premiums have risen, coverage has dwindled. Many of the families that are currently insured have seen their treatment options dry up.

To be sure, not all states are as hard-hit as Michigan. North Dakota saw a nearly 3:1 ratio as wages went up over 27% and family health premiums rose 74%. The study only takes these factors, as well as employer vs. employee portions, into consideration.

Many factors must account for the disparity among states, but none of the states surveyed showed a wage increase larger or even approaching the health premium increase.

This trend will most likely continue, discouraging working families and perhaps throwing them into a financial crunch. However, since the cost of medical treatments has also been on the rise, it's still very important to acquire health insurance coverage.

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Remember when the scariest thing about Halloween was the old dark house on the hill? Now, as parents, we have so many things to worry about during this youthful holiday.

While most parents keep a careful eye on their kids, dress them with reflective clothing or flashlights, and warn them about taking unsealed snacks from strangers, some might not being so conscious of the millions of germs set out to attack their little ghouls.

How many bedecked fingers have poked that doorbell or dug around in the candy dish before your child's? If you are planning to go door-to-door with him, it'd be wise to bring a small bottle of antibacterial gel with you in order to cleanse his "paws".

It's the time of year for flu shots, according to the CDC. No parent likes to see their kid jabbed with a needle, but this one shot could have saved the lives of 83 children last year. Children, especially under age 5, are generally considered "at risk" and therefore insurance companies will cover the cost of the vaccine.

There is no vaccine for the common cold, of course. The best a parent can do is to keep their beastie's hands as clean as possible, sanitize surfaces and handles in the home, and keep up on their regular physician exams.

Don't have family health insurance? While hand gel and soap are beneficial, they are certainly no substitute for medical care. A cold can very easily turn into pneumonia, and even a mild case can send an uninsured family into financial trouble.

Halloween should be a fun-filled celebration, but a little extra germ-consciousness can help ensure your child will be able to thoroughly enjoy his sugary loot (and keep dentists in business!).

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Governor Schwarzenegger's latest roll: tightrope walker. Conan the Republican must find a way to balance health insurance costs and coverage to meet the demands imposed on him by his California constituents.

While he previously worked to limit insurer's profits, he is now trying to expand some of the coverage limitations that are preventing some California citizens from getting the medical procedures they need.

The LA Times reports California's new legislation now mandates insurance policies to cover, among others:

• maternity services
  
• substance abuse treatments
  
• expanded cancer screenings
  
• mental health treatments
  
• HPV screenings
  
• oral cleft repair procedures
  
• durable medical equipment
  
• HIV testing