Poor health is costing you money

Congress is about to start debating health care reform again and I'm wondering if they haven't forgotten a huge issue that costs us billions every year. No, it's not the way the medical complex insurance rackets overcharge and hustles all of us out of our cash. I'm talking about the persistent health disparities that plague minority communities even in the era of a black president. (That that president has made health care his signature focus of the moment is a beautifully sad irony).

Check out this video, where Dr. Willarda V. Edwards, the president of the National Medical Association, breaks down the costs of health care disparities. In it, she explains that between 2003 and 2006 health disparities along racial lines cost $1.2 TRILLION in the US. What are those disparities? Higher rates of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, HIV/AIDS, infant mortality and other ailments in black and Hispanic communities compared with whites. Its even more frustrating to think about because many of those ailments are preventable or treatable as long as people have access to doctors or preventative care.

Clearly health care is a huge national issue that could sink our economy if we don't get it under control. But the fact that many of the diseases that cost us so much every year are preventable should make all of us think about what it's costing us if we're not eating right, exercising and seeing our doctors regularly (provided, of course, you have health insurance) already. How many times did you run or walk this week, and if you didn't, how much might you have to pay later in bills to treat hypertension?

Keep that in mind as you work on your finances in 2010.

Should I sue my condo association?

I received this question via email:

Hi Keith, I have a question regarding a condo association. We have recently experienced a building fire and are now all displaced. The condo association is requiring all owners to continue to pay monthly assessments. Is this legal? We have been told that we will not be able to live in the building for one year. The building has 80 plus units, imagine all of that money not being used! Help! Do we have any grounds to sue for these assessments back? Any input will be greatly appreciated. I have no where to turn. Also, any suggestions on how we, the homeowners, can get the ball moving? It has been 3 months since the fire and no work has been started. We are all worried that our individual insurance will run out before the building is finished, and then what? By the way, our condo association is not pleased that we are contemplating the possibility of litigation.

Thank you for your assistance

Since I'm not a lawyer and I'm assuming the reader (who didn't want her name used) isn't either, my first and best piece of advice is that she needs to consult an attorney before proceeding with anything. Litigation may or may not be a good option, but qualified legal advice is certainly a great option.

One thing to remember is that as an owner, you are a member of the condo association and technically part of your building's management. In other words, if you brought suit against the association, you'd in part be suing yourself.

Otherwise, I wouldn't necessarily assume that your condo fees aren't being used. The association must continue to operate after a catastrophe like a fire. Expenses like filing insurance claims, getting estimates and yes, legal fees, have to be incurred whether you're living in the building or not. Look into what kind of cash reserves your association has and what kind of insurance policy as well. That will be important.

Good luck.