As the Democratic National Convention wraps up in Denver and the Republican National Convention is just around the corner, both parties are trying to build up momentum for their candidates as we head into the election.

Outside the spectacle of the conventions, however, Americans will need to evaluate each candidate based on the issues and one of the top issues is health care.

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 20 (HealthDay News) -- Working-age Americans are facing mounting problems when it comes to affording health care, a result of what analysts are calling a "perfect storm" of economic woes.

In 2007, 41 percent of working-age Americans -- 72 million people -- reported having medical bill problems or trouble paying off medical debts, up from 34 percent in 2005.

National Health Program and professor of clinical medicine and public health at Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University in New York City, has called lack of health insurance a "major public health disaster".

Where would you like to live when you retire? My husband and I are among the millions of baby boomers facing retirement years. It's easier to rule out where we would NOT like to be than to decide where to spend our later years. I know I'd like to be near water, while my hubby just wants to be able to relax.

THURSDAY, July 17 (HealthDay News) -- Access to health care in the United States continues to elude more and more Americans, a new survey shows.

What's more, since the first "scorecard" was done in 2006, the nation's health-care system hasn't improved overall, even though the United States spends more on medical care than any other industrialized nation.

These are some of the findings in the Commonwealth Fund report called Why Not The Best? Results From The National Scorecard on U.S. Health System Performance, 2008.

Many diet and fitness experts, even my favorite running coach, advise keeping a health journal to log your daily food intake and exercise. Tracking your daily regimen helps you see the gaps, problems and successes, plus your journal can help you stay motivated on your personal journeys.

I've kept one on and off, and noticed that I do much better on my training or weight management program if I stick with it. Plus, I can track my own trendlines - find consistencies in when I fall off the wagon and determine the contributing factors.

There’s a sold out crowd in the room to hear how Web 2.0 will impact health care. David Brailer, who last time I heard him at an SLHI conference was the Bush administration’s National Health Information Technology coordinator and now heads a CALPers sponsored venture fund, Health Evolution Partners, has said that there is a pent-up demand for community and communication in health care, and that Web 2.0 has harnessed that.

By Steven Reinberg
EmpowHer's HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, March 25 (HealthDay News) -- One-third of Americans -- even those with health insurance -- say high costs force them to skip needed medical care, a new survey shows.

By Steven Reinberg
EmpowHer's HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, Feb. 26 (HealthDay News) -- Spending on health care in the United States could double by 2017, reaching $4.3 trillion and accounting for 19.5 percent of the nation's gross domestic product, a new government report shows.

I saw this article on MSN Health & Fitness: "10 Questions You Must Ask Your Doctor." The point of the article is to ask the 10 vital questions that could help you avoid needless tests, and possibly save your life. http://health.msn.com/health-topics/arti... Does anyone have other questions they would like to share?