President Obama's plan for health care reform hit another roadblock this week following the cost estimate released by the Congressional Budget Office. The $1 trillion price tag attached to the Senate version by the CBO did not include the President's much supported idea of a public health insurance option. Obama and other top Democrats claim a government-run health insurance option is needed to create competition.

Democratic Senators MUST beware when making decisions on health insurance and health care reform. According to Chuck Todd, Americans will NOT feel that there is health care reform unless there is a public option in it. Also, like President Obama says, Americans do NOT want their health care benefits taxed.

While at a conference in England this week, Economist Paul Krugman said he was optimistic that a genuine Public Health Care option would be passed this year. I hope he is right. But the Republicans have come forward to offer an alternative plan.

All the recent discussion of health insurance and reforming the health care industry is leaving many Americans with more questions than answers. These questions can cause even more concern when politicians and lobbyists involved in the debate fail to disclose the full picture. President Obama's plan to create a government-run public health insurance option has perhaps become the cornerstone of the entire debate.

Thea draft law on health insurance that was submitted in the Congress with the aim of making health insurance more available to the Americans has 615 pages. How long will it take the lawmakers to study the bill on health insurance reform?

Key to the entire effort at Health care reform is a Public Health care plan. Without such a plan, the profit motive will continue to control health care. I am happy to report that the congressional democrats are coming very close to a health insurance plan that they will propose and the public option is a central part of it.

In an interview with the Miami Herald, Blue Cross and Blue Shield health insurance executive Penny Shaffer notes how measuring the cost-quality in health care is difficult, yet key for health insurance reform. Shaffer works for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida and is in charge of the company's marketing. She claims that transparency in the cost-quality connection and a shift towards preventive care are steps to be taken for health insurance reform.

As Democrats push mandates for employer health insurance, will your taxes go up?

Nearly every news source has reported that Obama is ready to tackle health insurance and health care reform. In fact, in a press conference today the President, along with Nancy Pelosi, promised major health care reform by the end of July. Obama has said that he must pass major health care reform this year. Indeed he must. I think what he says is right and good. However, I am deeply concerned with a recent development.

Our U.S. medical care seems to get worse and worse. I could not believe the article in the 5/12/09 New YorkTimes by Milt Freudenheim stating that the prestigious Mayo Clinic and also the Cleveland Clinic are teaming up with CVS drug stores to offer Retail clinics. These are staffed by nurse practitioners, not physicians.