By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist, Blogging at The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

The health care reform debate is at its height, and it’s time for baby boomer to let their members of Congress know what they need for health care now and as they grow older.

Worried about how the changes will impact you? Not familiar with the proposals? Don’t know how to get information about the reforms?

Don’t be concerned. There’s lots of quality information available.

One of the best, most up-to-date Web site I’ve found is Speaker of the House of Representative Nancy Pelosi’s.

Information is offered on America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009.

You’ll find this short summary of what the act means for you:

Lower costs

• No more co-pays or deductibles for preventive care.

• No more rate increases for pre-existing conditions, gender, or occupation

• An annual cap on your out-of-pocket expenses.

• Group rates of a national pool if you buy your own plan.

• Guaranteed, affordable oral, hearing, and vision care for your kids.

Greater choice

• Keep your doctor, and your current plan, if you like them.

• More choice, with a high-quality public health insurance option competing with private insurers.

Higher quality

• You and your doctors make health care decisions – not insurance companies.

• More family doctors and nurses will enter the workforce, helping guarantee access.

• Mental health care must be covered.

Stability and peace of mind

• No more coverage denials for pre-existing conditions.

• No more lifetime limits on how much insurance companies will pay.

• No reason to make a job or life decision again based on health care coverage.

You’ll also find a link to the bill, HR 3200, and a section-by-section analysis of it on Pelosi’s Web site.

See my article “How to Find Out About What’s Happening With Health Care Reform” for more links to information on health care reform and links to consumer organizations working on it.

At his press conference last week, I thought President Obama did an effective job laying out what he thinks is needed for health care reform. Obama made 10 points that I thought were important. See my article “Were You Reassured by President Obama’s Press Conference Today on Health Care?”

While Obama’s remarks were positive, I think one proposal needs more work.

He said the MedPAC program, a group of health care experts that makes recommends on cuts and specific changes to Medicare, should be given more authority. Currently, their suggestions don’t need to be followed.

Obama said Republican lawmakers proposed that these recommendations be sent to Congress for their approval. It would incentivize and empower important changes, he said.

I have concerns about who the experts are that would be making these recommendations. See my article “The Health Care Debate: Who Do You Trust to Decide Whether the Red Pill or the Blue Pill Is Best?”

Take action to let your members of the Senate and the House know what your views are on health care reform.

Don’t be intimidated by the powerful interests that are opposing reform.

We need health care reform, and we need it now. The proposals aren’t being rushed through. The country has been debating revamping the health care since the early 1990s.

The problem is the special interests have always defeated it.

Let’s not let it happen again. Baby boomers need health care reform now.

More than 7.1 million 50- to 64-year-olds didn’t have insurance in 2007, according to an AARP report. And those who do have insurance are likely to spend more of their income on health than younger adults.

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