Cecily O'Connor
RedwoodAge.com

When it comes to health care reform, boomers are following the bill like it's in intensive care.

Those with exisiting health conditions would benefit from the current legislation.

About 83 percent of boomers said they are tracking legislators' latest reform moves, even though only a third think the final reform package will benefit them, according to a new survey MetLife, a company that sells financial services and insurance to future retirees.. In comparison, about three quarters of Gen Y adults and 63 percent of Gen X individuals are keeping tabs.

While the Senate recently passed a hotly contested health care bill, House of Representatives and Senate negotiations still need to take place in January to reach a final version. Some of the biggest issues to resolve include how to fund the legislation, whether to incorporate a government-run insurance plan and how much to spend on subsidies to help low-income Americans meet insurance expenses.

It's also hoped that the bill will clear the way toward measures that will better protect and strengthen Medicare - coverage that the oldest boomers will be eligible to receive in 2011. With so much at stake, individuals are keen on knowing the final outcome.

"We have seen a great appetite for information on health care reform," said Ronald Leopold,  a doctor and vice president of US business at MetLife, which interview 701 consumers between the ages of 21 and 65.

Good for America
To stay updated consumers turn to traditional media such as TV, radio, newspapers and magazines. Yet most of their attitudes are influenced by what they think of their current medical benefits, as well as their health status. More than six in 10 Americans without any medical insurance said they feel health care reform will be "good for America," compared with 42 percent of those with a health plan.

Among the 78 million boomers, nearly two-thirds say they're satisfied with their current health coverage. About 34 percent said they believe reform will help them personally.

The promise of help largely depends on employers, and many aren't planning sweeping changes should legislation pass, said MetLife, which interviewed 501 benefits "decision-makers" at companies with 10 or more workers.  Thirty percent of those that offer medical coverage expect their health benefits to remain unchanged, while 39 percent of those employers who don't currently offer medical coverage aren't anticipating offering that benefit, MetLife found. Even so, employers would be wise to talk about next steps with employees to help put minds at ease.

"While there is understandably a reason for a 'wait and see' approach by employers as the legislation is debated, communicating to employees that their current benefits are not changing in the short-term can be surprisingly reassuring," Dr. Leopold said.

Regardless of company size or whether or not they currently offer medical benefits, about 83 percent of employers said they are staying on top of the legislation.