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A new year means a new opportunity to do better. This year, in particular with a new president, there has been a lot of talk about healthcare reform. Even under the most optimistic situation , if legislation passed tomorrow , significant changes would still be years away.

What can you do to make sure you are around and not bankrupt to see these reforms occur? Healthcare and medical expenses are the leading cause of personal bankruptcy. Do the following:

* Get preventive screening tests done. Even if you feel well, find out what tests you should get done even if you feel well. You do get routine maintence for your car don’t you? Why? So it doesn’t break down. Well how about your body?

* Pick a primary care doctor to be your healthcare advocate. Either an internist or family doctor will do. Research consistently shows patients who have a primary care doctor coordinate care and who is the first logical step to access the healthcare system not only are healthier but also spend less to get there.

* If you need medications, always insist on generic medications. They aren’t inferior. They are medications that previously were branded but no longer have patent protection. This means other pharmaceutical companies can manufacture the medications resulting in decrease prices. Recent generic medications over the past few years include allergy medications CLARITIN, ZYRTEC, cholesterol lowering medication ZOCOR, and heartburn medication – “the purple pill” PRILOSEC. Notice how before they went generic, companies plastered the airwaves and print with advertising. Now that they are generic, no one seems as enthusiastic, yet the medications work just as well for a lot less.

* Consider getting medications at Wal-mart or Target. At $4 copays for many generic medications and $10 copays for a 3 month supply, these are often cheaper than the plans offered by insurance companies.

* Eat less. With the economic crisis, people are more careful with their money. With 2/3 Americans already overweight or obese, changing your diet by eating less not only might save money, but also help you get healthier. Fewer calories in means less likely to add weight. It takes 3500 calories to equal 1 pound.

* Invest in walking shoes or other cheap forms of exercise. Forget the gym, unless you already do it regularly. Go for a regular walk. Realize that a 30 minute walk only burns about 200 calories, which means to lose weight, not only do you need to move more but also eat less.

* Quit smoking.  Drink in moderation (if you want to).

With all of these tips, not only will you improve your physical health, you might also help for financial health. By being healthier, you might be around long enough to see true healthcare reform and not be bankrupt in the process.

More About Dr. Davis Liu:
Davis Liu, M.D., is a practicing board-certified family physician with the Permanente Medical Group in Northern California since 2000. His opinion pieces have appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle and the Sacramento Bee and he has authored numerous review articles for the Medical Software Reviews newsletter. He completed his residency training at the Glendale Adventist Family Practice Residency Program. He received his medical degree from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. He graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. His secondary school education was at the Taft School. As the only physician in his family, many times his family has benefited from his medical knowledge. As an insider, he increased the chances that they would have good outcomes. This coupled with his business school training gives him a unique perspective not only on the challenges individuals have to stay healthy but also the financial implications to get there. Until healthcare reform improves the American healthcare system, he feels individuals today need to have the vital information necessary to ensure that they are doing the right things so that they and their families Stay Healthy, Live Longer, and Spend Wisely. More info: www.davisliumd.com

LISTEN to Dr. Liu’s interview on The Explore Your Spirit with Kala Show about his book: Stay Healthy, Live Longer, Spend Wisely: Making Intelligent Choices in America’s Healthcare System by clicking on the link here: http://exploreyourspirit.com/Media/shows3.shtml#LIUHEALTH

Dr. Liu has a new interview coming up on The Explore Your Spirit with Kala show discussing more ways to save money and invest wisely in your healthcare. This show will air on Tuesday, March 3rd.  Check back then to listen to Dr. Liu and Kala as they discuss healthcare reform and the future of medicine in the U.S.

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