Moms are the healthcare managers of the family – just one of the tasks on their busy to-do lists. As one mother quipped, “I could be on the space shuttle to Mars while my husband’s right outside the school front door. But if my kid falls on the playground, it’s ME they’ll call!” Besides the sharing of care responsibilities, women have many other concerns. At a Roundtable of winning moms, sponsored by Sam’s Club, mothers told lots of personal stories about health and wellness, which produced laughter, sympathy – and outrage, depending on the stories. Not surprisingly, their children’s health was their first concern. “How can I get my kids to eat better?” asked one mom. “What are the signs of diabetes – and how can it be prevented?” School meals are another source of worry. “How can I get my daughter’s school to offer healthy alternatives – especially if food can’t be brought from home?” Sanitation or cleanliness was an important topic. “I want a safe, healthy school environment for my kids,” demanded one mom. Another said, “I want to feel confident about the doctor’s office and the hospital.” Their concerns ranged from mandatory hand washing to the presence of new “super bugs” at healthcare facilities. The moms also talked about health insurance – a HUGE worry for American families. We heard: “What if I lose my job?” “What if my employer changes or downsizes its plan?“ “What if I go into business for myself?” These women felt strongly that affordable insurance should be available for part-timers, small business owners, and the unemployed. And they wanted flexibility in their choice of healthcare providers. “Don’t let insurance dictate treatment!” cautioned one mom.  Availability of healthcare was an issue. The winning moms suggested mobile treatment facilities, more authoritative Internet health sites, and printed materials for non-computer users. An innovative idea was the one-stop diagnosis for family members, instead of multiple visits and phone calls. “I’m willing to schedule a full day of testing and consultations,” one mother said. “But I want all the tests done that day – and at the end, I want to know the results.” Scheduling doctor’s visits around work responsibilities is a major problem for working moms. Wellness versus treatment was discussed in detail.  The moms suggested that employers, insurance companies and parents could offer rewards (points, cash, etc.) for healthy practices and behavior modification. One mom offered this: “Make health a family project. Join a gym. Share menu planning. Get everyone involved!” And the final subject they discussed? Don’t forget – moms need to take care of themselves, too! Are these the concerns that keep you up at night? Or provoke conversation at your watercooler or dinner table? And what more would you like to learn on each topic?  Please comment below.