Good Medical Care for the Elderly and How to Get It

Internet resources for seniors & others seeking affordable medical insurance

Reported in a newsletter by MoveOn.org, here is some valuable information about Internet resources to assist seniors (and others) trying to assess and access affordable health care.

• Yesterday, www.HealthCare.gov, a new online portal where anyone can go to find insurance options in their state, went live. It's a very handy resource for information that used to be difficult to find. It's available to help millions who need insurance find it, and as a resource for those who want to shop around for new options or find out their new benefits under the new law.

What it means to be a health care proxy

I just watched Keith Olbermann's Special Comment -- MSNBC -- February 24, 2010. Olbermann spoke  movingly about what it means to be a patient advocate for a loved one and about the importance of end-of-life planning, both for the patient and for the loved one(s) who may be chosen to make health care decisions when a patient is no longer able to do so. Olbermann also spoke passionately how important it is for our Congress to make health care accessible to all Americans.

I have to say that, having acted as a health care proxy for my parents at the end of their lives, I wept throughout Olbermann's extremely moving plea.