Local doctor to meet with Obama

On Monday, the White House Rose Garden awaits Dr. Mona Mangat, a St. Petersburg physician who specializes in allergy treatment at Bay Area Allergy and Asthma.

Mangat, 36, is a regional director of Doctors for America, a national grassroots organization of physicians supporting health care reform. About 50 doctors are attending the meeting with President Obama.

In advance of the big event, we asked her about the health care reform debate. Here are some of her thoughts, edited for space:

Q: If you get a chance, what will you say to the President?

A: I really would congratulate him. I am so excited there is someone in Washington willing to take on this challenge.

Everybody agrees that this is something that needs to be fixed. The health care system is broken.

Because of the President, and his ability to bring together so many different people in this debate, I think that I see a real chance for health care reform.

Medicare Advantage: A different view

So, we've had a few calls today about the Medicare Advantage story in today's paper (see the latest Politifact entry here on the subject), and Sen. Bill Nelson's quest to keep seniors on these plans from losing any benefits, despite the possibility that they're costing billions needed to help people who have no insurance at all.

Nobody wants to lose stuff they like, that's for sure.

So I was a little startled to hear from a Spring Hill gentleman who told me that he likes his Advantage plan very much, but wondered how it is that he can get his $96 monthly Medicare Part B premium refunded during times like this. Between him and his wife, that benefit is worth $2,300 a year. Not to mention the approximately $10,000 a year the government gives Advantage companies per recipient.

"Do you know what the cost to the government is?'' he exclaimed.

At this point, I had to stop and ask if he truly meant to say cutbacks in Advantage might be needed. Yes, he said, that's exactly what he meant. I wanted to interview him for a story, but he said he really didn't want his name published.

I could understand that, so I thanked him for calling, and said it was nice to hear from somebody willing to sacrifice. He didn't see it that way. "I fought in World War II, but we weren't heroes. We just did what needed to be done.''

Just thought I'd pass all that along.

Charlotte Sutton, health and medicine editor

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The Obamas dish on their own health reforms

Whatever you think of the health care reform debate, it's hard not to agree that President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama are themselves glowing testaments to the virtues of healthy habits (notwithstanding his very quiet fondness for cigarettes). So it's not surprising that he will grace the cover of Men's Health magazine for the second time, and she is being featured in Women's Health magazine. Both interviews appear in the October issues of the magazines. Here's a sneak peek at a few highlights:

President Obama is upbeat in the interview about the quality of American health care, but repeats his assertion that it needs to be more widely available:  "That’s part of the push behind health care reform—how can we make sure that all of us have the options of living healthier lives, which in turn will save us all money in the long term?”

As for his own habits, Obama says his first health reform in the White House was having a bowl of apples placed in the Oval Office. He still is working out 6 days a week, but concedes it's more for mental than physical health: "The main reason I do it is just to clear my head and relieve me of stress.”

His hint for managing a massive workload: “[I] carve out time to think, which is probably the most important time for somebody who’s trying to shift an organization, or in this case, the country.”

As for Michelle Obama, Women's Health is indeed featuring the workout her trainer gave her to help sculpt those amazing arms. What may be more helpful to most of us, however, is what she says about raising her daughters to appreciate health and fitness, the lessons she learned from her own parents, and how she handles her biggest food temptation:

 “I do love a good burger and fries. French fries are my favorite food in the whole world. If I could, I’d eat them at every meal—but I can’t. My whole thing is moderation. If I make good, healthy choices most of the time, then having what I love every once in a while won’t hurt. I have to exercise and eat in a balanced way. If I start ignoring both, I will put on weight. I am fortunate in that I’m five-eleven, so it takes a while for the weight to be seen, but it’ll come! It’s just distributed more. If I didn’t exercise and eat right I would be heavier, and I have been.” 

And if you think your family is too busy to have dinner together, don't tell the Obamas. The first lady says it's a rare evening when the four of them aren't sitting down together for dinner at 6:30 p.m.

Charlotte Sutton, health and medicine editor  

[AP photo of the Obamas and daughter Malia on Sunday]

Forget "death panels.'' Let's hear your story.

Now that even Sarah Palin seems to be stepping back from her bizarre claim about "death panels,'' let's hear from some real experts in end of life matters: families who know what it's like to face the many decisions that arise when a relative is dying.

Maybe your grandmother wanted only to be left to die in peace, while eager doctors kept pushing different therapies. Or perhaps your father and his doctors wanted to try a promising new treatment, but the insurance company wouldn't pay for it.

Or you might know what it's like when some in the family agree with the patient's wishes, and others  want to go another route. Been there myself.

For an upcoming St. Petersburg Times article, we’d like to hear from Tampa Bay area families who have grappled with the physical, emotional and financial costs associated with the end of life. If you are willing to speak to a reporter in detail, including the role that your family member’s age and medical condition, as well as your faith, insurance coverage, general finances and traditions played in your decisions, please contact me here, or e-mail me at sutton@sptimes.com by Friday.

Charlotte Sutton, Health and Medicine editor

Health reform sound, fury signifying what?

Whew! Just watched a few videos from last night's town hall meeting/steel cage death match in Ybor City about health care reform. About all I can conclude for certain is that these videos make an excellent remedy for low blood pressure.

Beyond that, it's hard to say what all the sound and fury signify. Was either side there because of some nefarious organizing effort? Was all that screaming personal passion, partisan passion or just poor manners?

Could it be that everything just wonderful the way it is? That seems to be the take of Barry Osteen of Lutz (shown at right at last night's meeting): "We have the best health care system in the world and I'm completely happy with what we have," he said. Apparently Karen (shown pushing Osteen) and Gary Miracle of Brandon, at left, took issue with him.

If his insurance is just as good as ever, I'm pleased for him. But most people I know are paying a lot more out of pocket these days than they used to. Am I the only one with friends who are avoiding fripperies like colonoscopies because their plans no longer cover them?

And how many people are being held up for more cash at the hospital or doctor's office than ever before?

So many questions.

Here's what my friends at Politifact have discovered about health care accusations.  They've checked out dozens of claims. But I must warn you: Neither Democrats nor Republicans have a monopoly on truth.

I think you'll find this stuff pretty interesting.

Charlotte Sutton, health and medicine writer

Photo: Chris Zuppa l Times