He can insist all he wants, but that's not really true in one major aspect. On July 28, 2009 Obama told the AARP that he wants to eliminate $177 billion in subsidies to Medicare Advantage programs which are very popular with seniors because they offer benefits and care coordination which basic Medicare plans do not provide. This means, basically, that he wishes to see Medicare Advantage repealed. However, he smoothes that over with assertions that there will be no change in Medicare benefits to seniors.

I'm presently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan for which I pay a monthly premium. I'm willing to do so because there's always the spectre, when you're older, of catastrophic illness for which Medicare will not pay in whole. This exposes me to the possibility of large medical expense despite Medicare. I consider covering that gap vital to my financial well-being, and I'm willing to pay the current reasonable premium cost for that.

I'm not worried that my government is driven to "pull the plug" on me or grandma, or any of that nonsense. But, I am concerned that a significant part of health care reform may well be financed on the backs of seniors (me for one) as is being argued in many quarters, and, apparently supported by my president.

So, should I kiss Medicare Advantage goodbye?

Lose 16.7 Pounds Per American Adult

Assuming there are 180 million adults in America, if a total of 3 billion pounds were shed, that would amount to 16.66 pounds lost per adult. There's no reason it couldn't be done over the next six months - 2.8 pounds per month per adult. This would have the effect of reducing heart disease and other conditions, including diabetes, yielding a cost savings for health care of tens of billions of dollars. Among other things, it would reduce insurance premiums, outlays for Medicare, lost productivity and much, much more.

I know it's an insane idea. But, it's no more insane than the inaction on health care reform we've endured for decades.

President Obama - lead the way!