Like many Americans, you are probably aware of the fact that Congress has been agonizing over public healthcare.

But do you know what the specifics are? If you don't and even if you do, you will want to read this post.

Forbes did a wonderful job detailing the information you would want to know about each of the healthcare bills being discussed at Capitol Hill. There is one caveat: Forbes could not discuss the Senate bill in detail because it is not public yet. That means that the specifics of that particular bill are unknown.

Here is what they said in a nutshell:

Despite the talk in Washington about health care reform, which could potentially provide health insurance to millions of uninsured Americans, legislation to be enacted in the future does not help if you are uninsured now.  If you are not covered by any current health insurance carrier or are worried about losing employer-based or university-subsidized health insurance, there is something you should know.

You might be able to negotiate your way to basic health care. 

Here are a few steps to take that may enable you to have critical face time with a health care professional, without the admission ticket of health insurance.

In the recent wave of legislation passing through California's capital, one more to add to the books has to do with gender equality and California health insurance laws.  Effective January 1st 2010, state health insurance companies and HMO's will not be able to charge men and women different rates for the same type of insurance policy.

Currently, California women pay anywhere from 5% to 40% more than male counterparts for equivalent insurance, even on policies without maternity coverage.   And backed up against tough economic stats, that doesn't bode well for unemployed women seeking to stay insured.

October is in the air.  Leaves are changing color, kids are talking ghosts and goblins, and... the world is reminded that there still is no cure.  October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and amidst discussions of health care reform, individuals facing the disease or any form of cancer are often caught as unaware by their diagnosis as they are by how to safeguard their legal rights.

The American Bar Association (ABA) recently released an op-ed piece authored by the organization's President, Carolyn Lamm, focusing on the challenges faced by breast cancer patients.  One area discussed is workplace rights. The article identifies employment issues as one of the primary concerns of patients as they schedule time for treatment and recovery.

With a vote of 14-9 the Senate Finance Committee approved the proposed 10-year, $829 billion health care reform measure that has been under review over the past weeks and months.  The reform measure aims to extend coverage to an additional 29 million Americans.  Of note, Senator Olympia Snowe cast the only Republican vote (of the 10 Republicans sitting on the Committee) in favor of the reform.  All 13 Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee voted in favor of the reform.  Also notable, the bill approved today did not contain a public option plan.

What's next?  

Last fall, the buzz of election frenzy predominated newscasts and reporting coverage.  Fast-forward a year to find a new President, new Cabinet, and updated Congress and Senate.  But, just as last year, there is still a single campaign carrying news waves.  And this time the "election"-- for health care reform-- is set to take place in less than a week. 

So, mark your calendars and get ready for the showdown.

Two-time Harvard graduate and longtime Kennedy aide, Paul Kirk, has been chosen to stand in late Senator Kennedy's place as Massachusetts Senator.  The interim role is thought to help Democrats reach the critical mass of 60 votes-- the threshold needed to further the health care reform bill by ending debate on the floor.  However, considering the hesitancy of moderate Democrats concerning the current health care reform measures, soon-to-be Senator Kirk's vote may not be the deciding one.

And you may be wondering, who exactly is Paul Kirk?

The study results are in. And things are not looking good for the estimated 46 million people who find themselves uninsured in America.  The study conducted by Harvard researchers found that the uninsured have a 40% higher risk of death than those who have private health insurance.  This is significant increase from the 25% risk of death for the uninsured, determined in a similar study done 16 years ago in 1993.

In a developed nation that is a leader in medical and technological advances--how the can risk of death for its uninsured residents have nearly doubled in the past decades?

Swine flu anxiety got you down?  Well you can chin up a little as the FDA approved its first batches of swine flu vaccines developed by four pharmaceutical companies, ensuring that there will be enough to reach Americans who seek H1N1 vaccine protection.

The U.S. has put in an order for 195 million doses of H1N1 vaccine which is projected to be enough for the country's 300 million-strong population.  Though the numbers don't seem to add up, the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that millions of flu vaccines are discarded on an annual basis after flu season.  Since the H1N1 vaccine is not mandatory for all people, the CDC is confident that the doses ordered will fulfill the nation's needs.