Is healthy aging the solution to health care expenses after retirement?

According to an article by Ruffenach for Smart Money magazine, you should focus on prescription drugs. Based on a study by the Employee Benefit Research Institute a retired couple would need $158,000 with a 50% probability to cover their health expenses. It is estimated that a least a third of it will be in drug spending. Moreover, Medicare won't pay for all. Indeed, it is recommended that under Medicare Part D program you review your insurer fees schedule on a yearly basis and change your plan accordingly. Using behavioral economics language, Fight the status quo tendency of human behavior. Part D plans may change their fees and  coverage. Failing to move to a different and more advantegeus plan may cost you thousands of dollars (at least until the next year, when you can change again, if it is not too late). A second option to lower the risk could be to open a Health Savings Account HSA). As you may know, similar to an IRA your contribution to an HSA may lower your taxes while you can use the money to pay for your medical expenses without having to pay any penalty or taxes. A third option would be to use generic drugs (and buying these anywhere in the world at a better price.) The last option, stay healthy. According to a statistic, more than a third of the population aproaching retirement is obese. Prescription: sleep well, eat well, practice excercise and have healthy interactions with others.   

References: Smart Money ; Employee Benefit Research Institute ;  Health after 50 ; Focus on Healthy Aging ; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ; President Obama's Plans for Medicare      

Spiral of death for Obama's Health Care Reform?

Today a Florida Federal Judge ruled as unconstitutional the Health Care Reform law signed by the President on March of last year. This is the second ruling by a federal judge against the reform. Nonetheless, three other federal judges have upheld the constitutionality of the health overhaul's individual mandate.

In the Florida's court decision, Judge Vinson writes:

"... I must reluctantly conclude that Congress exceeded the bounds of its authority in passing the Act with the individual mandate. That is not to say, of course, that Congress is without power to address the problems and inequities in our health care system. The health care market is more than one sixth of the national economy, and without doubt Congress has the power to reform and regulate this market. That has not been disputed in this case. The principal dispute has been about how Congress chose to exercise that power here.

Because the individual mandate is unconstitutional and not severable, the entire Act must be declared void."

However, I believe, that even when Congress can't force you to buy insurance, it can certainly impose a health tax which we may end up paying after all. On the other hand, based on other type of compulsory insurance and the rulings in favor of the reform, the conclusion is still to be seen.

References:
First Read NBC News
Judge Upholds Health Law's Insurance Coverage Requirement
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Did Obama's health care bill pass?