cnn - health care appliances

Go back to the main page of the transcript your bottom line health care debate is heated with Congress adjourning;
Bill of Rights of credit card holders;
When to rent a house in August 15, 2009-
ETTHIS is a hurried transcript.
This copy may not be in final form and may be updated.
CNN host poppy harlow: Welcome to your bottom line, the show that saves you money.
I'm Willis grime of the Harlow poppy today.
Well, Congress may adjourn, but the health care debate continues.
In the area of preventive health care, we will discuss big savings.
Then, the Bill of Rights of the credit card holder.
Find out the rules that come into effect this Thursday.
In addition, from electronic products to sports equipment to tools and appliances, we will tell you when you will not buy them.
Your bottom line starts now.
August is the month of success or failure in American health care.
The town hall caused public turmoil and confusion.
Our chief business correspondent, Ali Weixi, toured the country. what else?
CNN Express.
Join us now from the Missouri State Fair.
Ali, talk about feeling the pulse of the United States.
What did you hear?
Ali Vichy, CNN's chief business correspondent: Yes, this is a great place.
But we drove from Atlanta to Des Moines and passed Georgia, Tennessee.
There was a problem.
Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri for Kansas and Iowa.
We are talking to people about health care, usually in places that are not covered in the media.
Early this week, as the health care debate heats up on television with the town hall meeting, we are trying to have a quieter discussion.
There must be a lot of disagreement about where we go.
At the end of the day, we came to a very interesting place, located in Paducah, Kentucky, northwest of Kentucky on the Illinois border.
We had a town hall meeting.
A woman who attended the meeting was previously a congressional candidate, and she was the Democratic candidate who failed in her last campaign.
But she has some very, very strong views on health care.
Here are some of the flavors she told us. (
Start Video Editing)
Unemployed mother Heather Ryan: Well, my husband and I are not among the more than 47 million--
No health care.
Of course, we don't have insurance, but what I want is medical insurance.
My husband has diabetes and just got cancer.
What does the insurance company want to insure us?
No.
If I get sick today, do you think I will go?
I'm going to the emergency room.
Who is the cost?
Taxpayer, that cost us.
So, if this is going to cost me the bottom line, if they have to charge me more in order to get health care, please tax me.
Tax me, tax me, tax me.
I am willing to pay. (END VIDEO CLIP)
VELSHI: Poppy, I have to tell you that you can see a larger version of that interview on CNNMoney, which is worth a look.
Com, some people don't agree with this at all.
They say they want to solve the medical problem, but the last thing they want is to increase taxes, we can't afford more debt, we can't afford more taxes.
So, there is a heated debate going on in this country.
I think the people we 've been talking to on this trip are having a heated debate, but it's civil and it's respectful and we're trying to fix it
Cost, Quality of care, access to health care and perseverance in choice.
These are issues that are coming up this week ---Poppy.
Ali, you guys did a good job.
Thank you for being outside.
I mean, it's a tough proposal to raise taxes in a very serious recession.
Okay, Ali. thank you very much. Appreciate it.
Well, by investing in preventive medicine, this is a way to seriously cut spending on health care.
Andrew Rubin is vice president of Langone Medical Center and clinical affairs and affiliates at New York University.
He is also the host of Dr. Sirius Radio's health care connection.
You know the topic very well and people like you are in need now because they want to know how we can solve the health care problem, but to solve it in some affordable way.
So let's talk about waste.
Where does the waste in the current health care system come from?
Andrew Rubin from LANGONE Medical Center at New York University: Well, it's interesting.
You have to put this in context.
So President Obama wants a bill that won't cost taxpayers more money.
So the only thing you can do is find out where the waste is.
Now, waste can be found in many different parts of the health care system, but I think something that is easy to see is obesity.
You know, it costs $200 billion to take care of obese people.
I think in a recent study, the number of people smoking was between $190 and $500 billion.
So, you know, we have to filter out all the noise in politics, really start working, start solving some areas where we can save some money in the health care system to cover more people, because that's why.
Harlow: That's right.
There are many proposals floating around Capitol Hill, and now lawmakers in their hometown are talking to their voters this month.
But in the Republican and Democratic proposals that you have seen so far, what is included when we talk about prevention?
Rubin: First of all, before you talk about these bills, part of President Obama's stimulus plan is a billion dollars for preventive medicine and health programs.
You know, now people can say what's going on with this?
It's a drop in the bucket.
But it's a good start to make people healthy and take care of themselves better.
In the bill I have seen, especially in the Senate bill, there is currently $10 billion for health and prevention programs.
Again, it's just a drop in the ocean, because if you're talking about $200 billion in obesity, it will cost $10 billion to make people healthy.
That being said, if you can solve the 25% obesity problem, you will save a lot of money and you can save $200 billion.
This is a lot of money.
Harlow: We're talking about the costs of individuals, families, American families, and businesses.
I mean, the medical expenses and the medical insurance that subsidizes the employees are a huge cost for the business.
What do you see American businesses doing or should do in terms of health programs and disease management?
Rubin: I recently saw a research report from the price Water House Company.
Large enterprises in insurance;
They put a lot of money into health programs, preventive medicine programs.
Now they are a little skeptical about whether it will work or not, but they are putting money in.
So, subsidize gym members, quit smoking programs, you know, better eating, healthier food choices.
They are putting money into this, and in fact, I think, IBM is the latest example of a company that has invested in two or three years, about $80 million, in terms of lower medical expenses, the return on investment was $0. 19 billion.
So, there's real money there, but, you know, it's hard to quantify sometimes.
Harlow: Finally, what can I do as a person to reduce my medical costs?
Does this come down to the fact that I don't need too much insurance?
Rubin: The problem is very complicated.
I want to say two things about this matter.
First of all, in the current legislation, they will basically eliminate discounts on healthy people, which I think is a bit of a problem, but we will see how that happens.
Listen, it's always better to be healthy.
If you take care of yourself better, you will always save money on health care.
See a doctor less, less medication, good health.
Harlow: go to the gym, don't smoke, eat healthy.
Andrew Rubin, thank you.
Okay, let's go ahead.
Bill of Rights for credit card holders.
This week will affect the changes in your wallet. (
Business break)
Harlow: on average, each American has more than $10,000 in credit card debt, most of which consists of interest payments, fines, and fees. And the so-
Calling, the Credit Card Bill of Rights was passed in May.
The first rule will take effect on Thursday.
So what you need to know here is
Founder and President of BillShrink. com.
Thank you for joining us. Appreciate it.
Schwark satyavolu, BILLSHRINK.
Thank you for inviting me.
Harlow: Let's get started.
You find that people with good credit status have the highest interest rates. Why is that?
SATYAVOLU: Usually, the people with the best credit have the best interest rate, they have the lowest interest rate, and in the face of new legislation, what the credit card industry is doing to reshape itself the lowest price they offer consumers.
This means that the people with the best credit now pay a higher fee for their credit.
Harlow: Actually, it seems to be counter-intuitive, but at the same time, you're dealing with banks that face the highest default in years.
So essentially, they're protecting themselves, right?
So consumers will suffer?
This is correct.
I think to some extent what the Credit CARD Act has done makes it difficult for the credit card industry to make money like they usually do in terms of income, through interest rates and fees, etc, when the full law came into effect in February, it was difficult to change interest rates.
Therefore, many credit card companies are preparing for this new change today, and some changes have been made today to make it possible for them to lower interest rates later, after full legal entry into force.
Well, shivak, obviously it's all going to take effect on February, but one needs to know what's going to happen this week.
Thursday, yes--
Some effective rules.
Talk to us about this, starting with preventing any rate increase.
This is correct.
So I think there are two clauses in the whole bill that actually come into effect on Thursday.
The first is to prevent arbitrary rate hikes, a clause that requires credit card companies to notify consumers 45 days before any rate changes.
Usually, the credit card company will change it at will and you will find it afterwards.
Now, you must have 45 days notice before making any rate changes.
Harlow: OK, what else will happen on Thursday?
SATYAVOLU: The second big thing about the change is the grace period adjustment.
At least 14 in the past-
You can pay a one-day grace period for your bill, and now, you have a 21-
A one-day grace period for paying bills from Thursday.
Harlow: Well, in the end, what do we have to pay attention to in February when it all works?
SATYAVOLU: There are many different aspects of this law.
I think there are two very interesting things that will benefit consumers.
The first is the fair distribution of balance.
Now, this is a very complicated rule, but it actually means that if you have a zero percentage balance transfer, then you transfer $10,000 to a card with a zero percentage, then it costs $100, which is to earn interest or you pay 18% interest.
You pay $100, $100 does not apply to $100 and interest is 18%.
In fact, you can start paying the zero interest balance today.
And by February, 100 will be paid when you pay $ 18%, keep it at 0%.
That is to say, consumers will save a lot of money in the overall interest paid in the long termrun.
Harlow: So, soon, what about a general default?
This is a big problem.
This is the case.
Today, if you default on a card, or have any negative activities on a card, such as Card Company, your card at credit card company B can actually raise your rate to what is called a default rate, usually around 30%.
This will no longer be possible in February.
Therefore, each card company can only take action when you actually default to reduce or increase the interest rate to the default interest rate, not other credit card companies.
Harlow: OK, very useful, helpful information.
Thank you for joining, shivak. thank you very much for joining.
SATYAVOLU: Thank you.
Harlow: Well, July.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 5 million people are engaged in a variety of jobs.
Now, as employers reduce their hours of work and wages, many turn to a second job in order to get extra cash.
So, what do you need to know before you start moon lighting?
Laura Raleigh of Yahoo!
The author of Money and Happiness.
"She has some useful advice with us.
Laura, let's start here, thank you for being here, thank you for it.
Laura Raleigh of Yahoo!
Finance: Thank you.
Harlow: Before you decide to do some extra work, let's start with the first thing you need to know?
Raleigh: The first thing to consider is, is this a violation of your employer's policy?
Don't you want to jeopardize your first job for a second job?
Second, what is the financial impact.
Do you have to pay for your commute?
Do you have to pay for daycare?
What is the meaning of tax?
Will it push you to a higher tax level? You actually don't make as much money as you think?
Finally, do you have to pay for any device?
There are some legitimate call centers that answer the phone if you can work from home, but you have to have a designated landline for $25 or $30 a month, so in order to pay for the device, you have to work five or six hours.
Harlow: Yes, so is mathematics.
Of course, think about how it will affect the quality of your life.
Are we talking about bartenders, restaurant hostess or waitress when you are looking for a part time position?
Or any other chance?
ROWLEY: it really ran around.
It could be a bar, a restaurant, or even a nanny for young people.
For older people, this is usually an extension of what they do at work.
So it's my man. T.
People may help people install home computer audio devices at home.
Harlow: Let's talk about the time you put in when you take a second job.
You are saying that you have a time limit for yourself and set some goals.
If you need cash, it would be nice to do an extra share, but set some goals and limit it, right?
Yes, absolutely.
Whether your goal is to pay a credit card, get an emergency fund, or change your career, please state what is the goal of the time I will spend in this regard.
I will do three, four, five months so you can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Because it does take a personal price to do two jobs.
Harlow: Yes, you have to think about the time I spend with my family and my own time.
You know, you read the story of people working two 10 hours a shift.
You know, work 70 a week.
You must also consider this.
Finally, if you take a second job, or you look at it and say, listen, it doesn't really matter to me, but I'm not happy in the current position, I don't do enough. What career change can you make without moonlight?
Raleigh: Well, I think it's important to sit down and see what you really want to do.
Who can help you?
Can you spend your time on a second job that has nothing to do with your job, not on a second job, can the education, training or certificate you can get raise the salary of your current job?
Harlow: That's a good point.
ROWLEY: or get into a career and maybe look at what part of your favorite career you have.
Maybe you are an accountant, but what you really like is to communicate with others.
Or you're an event planner and you really like the digital side of the business.
Find your favorite job and work in that direction.
Think about what education training I can do, internships, not a second job, and move in that direction.
Harlow: make the most of where you are, right?
ROWLEY: Right.
Harlow: Thank you very much, Laura. thank you very much.
Thank you very much.
Raleigh: Thank you.
Harlow: OK, then, green your home.
Projects you can do now to cut your energy bill. (
Business break)
Harlow: OK, you turn off the lights.
You unplug your electronics and you even take a small shower, but your energy bill is still on the roof.
You are not alone, according to EnercyStar, and you should know that.
Governor, an average household has an energy bill of about $2,200 a year.
Our next guest has some projects that you can do by yourself now to reduce your energy costs.
Amy Matthews is a Chartered contractor and host of the DIY Network "sweat asset.
"She's also from Minnesota, which naturally makes her an amazing person, like me, from the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
Amy Matthews, a licensed contractor: Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Harlow: Thank you for being here.
OK, so when you want to save energy, you have to reduce the waste and then you do it with it, are you kidding? A candle?
Matthews: candles and paper towels.
Harlow: What happened?
Matthews: this is a simple DIY test method to view leaks in windows or doors.
You can do a blower test, this is someone coming in and you're spending at least $200 on the test.
They suck out the air from the House and the high pressure air from outside comes in and you will see where the leak is.
But, you can go to the window with your own tissue and see if it's a pillow and a candle and put it anywhere you think there might be air penetration, if the candle is bent, you know you need to seal the Windows better.
So, this is the cheapest way for you to do it yourself.
Harlow: Well, it makes sense, do it yourself, do it within the budget.
Matthews: Yes.
HARLOW: Let's talk about your windows, because doing wind and rain treatments for your Windows is a simple, affordable way to really save some energy.
How did you do it?
Matthews: Yes.
Well, there's --
First, you can get new windows and use tens of thousands of dollars in your budget.
But if you put in the new window, you will get a good return and the buyer will live like this.
But a cheap way is to buy a product like this, a window insulation kit.
All different brands do this.
All you have to do is put the plastic in.
You 've probably seen that already, and some are sticking around all year long because they don't even want to take it down.
Harlow: we have it on the Minnesota window.
You have to do that in Minnesota.
HARLOW: We do.
Matthews: basically, your window is shrinking.
There is also a bubble that can continue.
This is available in any area.
You know, if it is a wooden window, it will expand and shrink, it will get tighter in the summer, but in the winter you will have a leak, this to all of things are seal.
For the door, you will get a lot of drafts, it is just under the door, which is perfect for putting under the door and stopping any air.
Most of these packaged products, up to $10, $20, so for your entire house, $150, you can seal it up and save a ton on overall energy costs.
Harlow: Well, the bigger your home, the more things you may need to do.
Actually, focus on the bathroom because your shower is really a waste, right?
Matthews: Yes, I mean, we use four to seven gallons of old shower heads per minute for your shower head.
Now the new federal regulation is 2. 5.
So, at least they get better.
So, if you haven't updated the shower head for a long time, update it anyway.
But low traffic like this is 1.
75 gallons a minute
OK, so you will reduce the cost by another 30% while saving water.
Harlow: What about your toilet?
Matthews: The toilet is really important.
The new toilet is 1.
Six gallons in a rush.
The old one is like seven gallons per rush, just a ton of waste.
A family of four, you know, you're talking about 16,000 gallons a year and you can save money by buying a better toilet.
Now they also have double flush toilets.
So, if you have liquid waste, you can just use it by pressing a button. 8 gallons.
So if you look at all the water savings in the house, there will be a lot of savings.
Harlow: Also, when you look at the tap, I mean, it's a nice tap, so you can update the design and save it.
Matthews: Yes, if your faucet was made 92 years ago, then it will use 5 to 7 gallons per minute.
You ate a regular meal and spent 120 gallons.
And that's bad.
If you have updated this recently, you can also not have to buy a brand new faucet, just put this small oxygen generator on the top and it is here.
It only costs $10, which will reduce the flow to about 1 to 3 gallons per minute, which is great.
Harlow: Do it yourself.
Finally, let's take a look at these lights.
This is under your cabinet, right?
DoNews: these are under the cabinets and I always show them along with DYI a great way to improve the kitchen, its beautiful so you made two
Folding, you make your kitchen more practical by adding it under cabinet lighting.
But when you do, you don't want to increase your energy bill.
Doing something like this will save you money for a long timerun.
If you can, I would suggest replacing all the lights with compact fluorescent in the house so that you can save hundreds of dollars a year and the life of the Lights costs thousands of dollars.
Harlow: these are great things you can do on your own.
You can save a lot of money, you can prove to yourself, hey, I can do the same, right?
Matthews: simple things.
Just do these things to save 20 to 50% of the total energy cost.
Harlow: not to mention, you're fine, you're green.
Matthews: you are green.
You're saving water.
Amy Matthews, thank you so much, I really appreciate it.
Matthews: Thank you.
Harlow: So, in the long run, why might repainting instead of buying save you money?
So why not buy your next big rental
Ticket items may save you money for a long timerun.
We will show you. (
Business break)
Harlow: Well, these days, whether you're trying to drive an item for the purchaser or just renting it for weekend use, you can rent almost anything.
When does the rent make sense and how much money can you save.
This is a great question, Ann.
Mary O'Neill, deputy editor-in-chief of "really simple.
"She has some answers here. Ann-
Thank you for being here, Mary. ANN-
Mary O'Neill, very simple: it's great to be here.
Harlow: Before you decide to buy or rent, let's talk about the three steps you need to consider first.
O'Neal: Well, first of all, you have to solve this problem. Is it worth it?
To do this, a simple calculation is to calculate the cost of each use.
Is this something that you will use a lot or a little bit, how much it will cost, do a simple calculation, first of all, this is how you calculate whether it is worth it or not.
Then, find out where the project is.
Something heavy?
Do you need to ship?
If so, check it out locally.
In magazines, we have a bunch of national websites with lots of websites to rent items.
So, if they are small items that are easy to transport, you can look for them nationwide.
Harlow: Let's talk about when you want to rent an electronic product first.
Let's say you have a big party and you want to get a great Bose sound system or a high-end brand.
Do you buy that one?
Do you rent that?
O'Neal: Well, you might want to rent a house in this case.
You know, if you have something inferior that you want to splurge on, then it makes sense to actually rent something in this case.
Harlow: Well, let's talk about renting sports equipment?
For example, I want to surf here in New York City, which is hard to do.
But should I rent a surfboard or some skates if I want to learn.
I mean, what's the idea of sports equipment?
O'Neill: Well, renting a surfboard in New York is actually a good example because you might not be going to the beach every day.
You may not know if you like it or not.
Rent it and start and see where you are going.
You might be great in this case, go get one.
But if you're not great and you give up, then at least you're not splurging on big projects like this.
Harlow: I mean, I promise I can't even stand up.
But other than that, let's go rent a car because they're not just on vacation anymore, are they?
O'Neal: Yes, we rent a car when we travel. that's what we have to consider.
But think about if you buy a car, you usually get a test drive for about 20 minutes.
You don't try to pack your kids, your groceries in there.
You don't try to see how many suitcases are in the trunk.
So, a good idea is to rent a weekend, drive it around and see how it matches your lifestyle and buy it.
Because this is a big purchase.
Harlow: Big tools or big appliances?
O'Neal: Well, there are a lot of tools you don't need.
So if you need to shop on a tree, rent a chainsaw.
Hope you don't do this every weekend.
So, you know, it makes sense to rent these things.
And appliances, if you are going somewhere for a short time and the appliances are not included in your rental of the House, then it makes sense to rent these.
Harlow: OK, it's fun in the end.
We are going to a big party. we want a new dress, but we don't want to spend hundreds of dollars.
O'Neill: there are some great websites where you can rent clothes and bags.
There is a website called Avel, which used to be called bags, borrowed, stolen, where you can rent high-end designer bags for a week or a weekend, and a place where you can rent beautiful dresses, called "wear today", leave tomorrow, you can buy 1/10 designer dresses in the store.
Harlow: 1 out of 10?
O'Neal: so say, you have a custom dress worth $1,850 and you wear it only once and you don't spend that much money, but you could spend $185 on a dance or something.
Harlow: you might have a fun night with this dress and bring it back. Ann-
Thank you very much for joining us, Mary.
I really appreciate it.
OK, thank you for being with us part of Saturday.
Your bottom line will be back on CNN next week.
You can also catch up with us on HLN six and Sunday 3: 00 a week. m.
Eastern time, of course, you can log in to CNNMoney.
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Have a good weekend.