Fortunately, I have had little need to use 'health insurance' - but at this age I'm finding that there is a need. Most of the cost of medical service is paid from my Medicare account. The remaining cost comes from an insurance carrier that I selected. My doctors are always pleased when I present my insurance cards. They say they are paid within a reasonable time - and my records validate this. With so many complaining and in fear - are there many who are having a different experience with Medicare at this time?

I hope that NUK/Mudcat/Jmart are enjoying the very soothing brainwash they have undergone in repeating the medical industry mantra that lawsuits raise the cost of health care. It is a myth.

I for one would be pleased if jury trials were abolished in medical malpractice cases. Congress could do it through a constitutional amendment. After all, medical malpractice is almost always a simple, unintentional mistake. So if we focused on simply the actual losses it could be fair to both sides.

But what has happened is that the medical industry has emasculated legal access while not in fact reducing medical care costs. It has simply raised physician and hospital profit. Take for example Georgia. Georgia enacted strong tort reform. Sonny Perdue bowed to the white coats and MAG Mutual. Georgia abolished any malpractice suits against any emergency room physicians or hospitals, for example. So, say a construction worker with a wife and two kids (and no insurance) gets injured in a construction accident, goes to the ER, the doctor makes an honest mistake and gives the wrong medicine and the worker is paralyzed from the waist down---- worker and family are barred from suit and get absolutely nothing. Did health care costs go down? No. Did doctors volunteering in poor areas go up? No.
Did doctor and hospital profit go up? Yes. Why is it that the medical care industry is tripping all over each other to tap in to profitable fields of medicine like oncology and cosmetic surgery but doing nothing in leading the way to a solution to our nation's biggest economic problem? Greed.

Justice may be prevailing though. Just as the two words you cannot say in an airport are bomb or gun, the two words you can't say at a doctors' convention are "medical tourism".

http://www.nal.usda.gov/ric/ricpubs/RHNsprsum02.htm

That is just one article on the topic worth reading.

You are not considering even remotely the amount of care prescribed to PREVENT the law suits from being filed and the number of operations and tests performed ... specifically in the OB field. The reason for the reform in Europe (and now in America since 2000) was required was because of suits like those filled by a recent presidential candidate (John Edwards) that were driving OB's out of practice and casing women facing high risk births in to a battery of tests, 'C' sections, and deliveries with staffs, additional nurses, life-flights on standby and entire units at hospitals like Egleston with level 3 and 4 NICU on standby at costs that you would find hard to fathom. Edwards and his ilk is the father of the 1.7 million dollar delivery and it is far more common than you know. Most of those costs are almost exclusively to avoid lawsuits and are not reflected in court cases but are certainly impacting the cost of healthcare.

Georgia abolished any malpractice suits against any emergency room physicians or hospitals, for example

Uh, no they didn't. I don't know where you got the crap from, but it's totally inaccurate.

Here's the actual law:
"In an action involving a health care liability claim arising out of the provision of emergency medical care in a hospital emergency department or obstetrical unit or in a surgical suite immediately following the evaluation or treatment of a patient in a hospital emergency department, no physician or health care provider shall be held liable unless it is proven by clear and convincing evidence that the physician or health care provider�s actions showed gross negligence."

The standard is proof they exhibited "gross negligence." Sounds perfectly reasonable to me.

J Mart: Yes, many OB tests are run unnecessarily but they are often run for a different reason--- to essentially get the Federal Government to underwrite the costs of an abortion. Feds pay for the test; the abortionist charges $79 for the abortion. And yet any member of Congress will deny that the Feds fund abortions even though the effect is precisely as described.

NUK: Suits against ER have been practically abolished. Gross Negligence--- look it up--- it means essentially that the doctor meant to do harm or exhibited such recklessness that intent is inferred. That NEVER happens in a medical setting. The injuries complained of are always an honest mistake. But the injured patient may in fairness need a remedy. In my example, the innocent construction worker who is the victim of an innocent mistake in the ER does not have access to the hospital insurance unless he can prove that it was nearly intentional. It never is. Therefore, no suits will ever succeed against the ER. You need to re-read the standard of "gross negligence" also coupled with the much, much higher burden of proof of "clear and convincing evidence." You will not find a lawyer who would represent the poor construction worker in my example. Sadly, costs have not gone down; profits have simply gone up.

that out of control Juries and Ambulance Chasing Attorneys are at least part of the problem..

The real strain on the system is coming from ILLEGALS getting true FREE care by coming in the ERs to get meds for a cold.. I have seen the full to overflowing rooms with maybe 5% speaking English..
Shut the Borders send the ILLEGALS home and then we can get a handle on cost...

They use our sysytem and never pay... so someone else has to... US.

"When the person who in possession of a government, shall say to a nation, I hold this power in 'contempt' of you, it signifies not on what authority he pretends to say it is..but an aggravation to a person in slavery"..Thomas Paine

Yep, I see it for our future if health-care reform is not enacted. Instead of the World coming here for health-care most of us will be forced to go to a foreign Country to get our health-care because we won't be able to afford it. Actually it is already happening. Of course, if you have more money than God, no need to worry is there. I've got mine have fun getting yours...

I was just reading tonight about Medical Malpractice in Florida. They too have enacted about the same practices on Medical Lawsuits as Georgia that cogitoergofay blogs about above. Almost impossible to bring a lawsuit against hospitals or Doctors in Florida as well.

Malpractice suits.

Malpractice

A google box comes up on the above link saying it is broken but if you click on link the page will come up. Americans for Insurance Reform is the Web site.

This is like the tobacco industry sponsoring studies that show that nicotine isn't "that bad." AIR is part of Center for Justice and Democracy, a far-left org that is all about litigation non-stop. AIR and CJD are against anything that reigns in ambulance chasers.

Who speaks for the people? Corporations have lobbyist, Insurance Co. have lobbyist, Doctors and Hospitals have Lobbyist. Just WHO speaks for the people? Are not, we the people, the important ones here? Our Senators and Representatives are sent to Washington to speak for us but most do not. Why, because they have been bought off or they just follow along like dogs and do what their leaders tell them to do. They have jobs so cushy, evidently, they can't take the chance of being thrown out of office so they just go along to get along.

Justice for All, isn't that what this Country is suppose to be about? Someone has to speak for We the people. Far Left or Far Right, if they speak for We the People so be it. The Far Right, the last 10+ years have only been the party of ME, when they become the party of WE again, then, maybe I will give them some thought...

Now those "LEFT" Blue Hound Dogs, I'm going to have to give them some more thought. As of now they are on my Doggies that aren't going to heaven list, but of course I could change my mind...I think all doggies should go to heaven, if given half a chance.

Exactly why we should be flooding the email/phone lines/ etc. of our representatives with our opinions and directions on how to vote! They represent us! The lobbyist may give them big bucks - but they return to Washington by our VOTE! Even though your perspective may not be representative of the majority of the voters in an area - you still need to be heard.

Try this for malpractice information

Shucks - this didn't work either. This is the URL

http://www.insurance-reform.org/pr/090722.html

You just have to click on the google link that pops up..You have to click on just the word "malpractice"

Hit three times! Nite!

Sounds like the widow and her dear departed husband (rest his soul) didn't do a good enough job of planning ahead. All the widow has to do is go find a job, just like many people in their 60's do.

....trial lawyers and malpractice lawsuits at every moment of the day, driving up costs to everyone.

The best trial lawyer in the world getting a gazzilion dollar settlement from insurance companies and that qualifies him to run for VP or even to be Honkie Prezbo?

Libs have some real good candidates and some even get elected.

And they really have helped the country they are trying to destroy. Trial lawyers? Community Organizers? Veterans turned traitors? Peanut farmers? Wow, what greatness.

I know, it is all Bush's fault.

"We see change as our ultimate opportunity," said Stephen Hemsley, UnitedHealth's president and chief executive. "Change provides us the opportunity to create an even more significant and diverse enterprise serving the needs of Americans across this immense and growing social marketplace."

UnitedHealth posted profit of $859 million, or 73 cents a share, up from $337 million, or 27 cents a share, a year earlier. Prior-year items included legal settlements that hurt the period's profit by 40 cents. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters were expecting earnings of 70 cents a share.

Revenue increased 7% to $21.66 billion, slightly below the average analyst estimate of $21.77 billion.

The health insurer also raised the lower end of its 2009 forecast by 10 cents and now expects a profit between $3 and $3.15 a share, straddling the average analyst estimate on Thomson Reuters of $3.07.

UnitedHealth shares have risen 52% from their March low, outpacing the 39% gain in the S&P 500 over that period. In midmorning trading, UnitedHealth shares rose 1.93% to $25.32.

Above Article from WSJ.

The above mention of Legal Settlements, mostly of which were fines for not paying, dropping health-care, for clients under UNH policy's.

The bottom line is these Health-care Insurance companies have No competition. With a Obama Health plan those Insurance companies would finally have competition and would be forced to reduce their policy's to compete with the Governments plan.

Everyone knows if a business has no competition they can raise their prices to the moon and the people can either afford that product or not. Our Health-care system is not working in this country for all of it's Citizens. Over 40 million people and counting have No health-care in A Country that is most prosperous in the world and yet we are not in the top 10 Countries with our Health-care System. What is wrong with this picture?

It is way past time for a change. It is only a matter of time before only the very rich will be able to pay for Health-care.

. .telling the citizens of the US who are experiencing the highest unemployment rate in recent history to 'get a job'. Small businesses and government institutions are laying off employees; increasing cost of health care is closing businesses. Thanks for the advice. We have representatives in Congress who SHOULD have the skills to work together to work out a solution to the problem of health-care in America.

I have had the same Primary Care Physician for 20+ yrs. I saw him yesterday for a routine followup and blood work. I asked him about the proposed changes in healthcare. He said "Before I came here I was in the Army as a Doctor and was in charge or more than one clinic. The bureaucracy was unbelieveable and while we did the best we could for our patients, often that bureaucracy caused significant and unnecessary outcomes in patient care--so in short, I've experienced Govt managed healthcare first hand and it doesn't work."

Utilizing technology to correct the horrible bureaucracy of the medical profession is SUPPOSED to be corrected in some manner in the bill. The members of Congress need to stick to the task; work this out; so that the mistakes made in patient care are corrected. Are we saying this can't be done?

It's not those "evil" republicans that are tying this bill up as the democrats enjoy the numerical majority in both the house and senate.
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.

Let's hope that the moderate Democrats (or whatever they're called) and some Republicans can get the job done to figure this thing out. If we can go to the moon - we can figure out how to make sure that Americans have a health-care plan that includes preventative methods/improved record keeping/affordable basic health care/affordable insurance costs. Let's hope that what is holding it up is the sincere desire to answer some of the concerns that many have about the plan - and get this thing settled.

The fear mongering needs to stop with President Obama. He stood in front of the cameras this evening and used fear mongering to scare people into thinking that the future of America resides with his administration and their plans to nationalize health care.

He offers nothing new that hasn't been tried in the past. It has been proven time and time again that government intervention drives costs up and quality down. For example, look at the current education system in Washington. The average amount spent per pupil in the Washington system is $24,600. President Obama sends his two lovely girls to private school at a cost of approximately $28,500 per year, per student. The cost of public school (government run) in Washington is close to the same as the cost of private school because of government bureaucracy. The government has given us absolutely no reason to believe that they would run health insurance any differently. It will be nothing but a bloated, innefficient mass of government intervention that punishes the responsible and rewards the irresponsible.

The same fear tactics that President Obama used to get the stimulus plan passed has resulted in an unemployment rate of over 10%.

If the people that are part of the problem solving process would take the time to stop and read the President's bloated Health Care bill, they will see that it will lead our country down a long, downhill path into a pit that will be extremely difficult to climb out of.

Joe

Are you supporting the representatives that believe as you do? To get a bill that truly improves a system of health care that leaves so many uninsured - and is putting small businesses out of business - our leaders need to sit down, close the doors, and work out a better system now! We don't need to hear what won't work - they are there to develop something that does work. This isn't about Obama or GOP or elections in 2012 - it's about getting health care (affordable and universal). . .and that is the job of Congress to work it out- not go home for a vacation!

Did you get in?
Did you wait for weeks or hours?
Did you see the doctor?
Did you get treated?

Let me answer..

YES
HOURS
YES
YES

So the system is not broke.. look past your liberal progressive entitlement give me another program ideology and stop asking the taxpayers of America to give you people another handout.

"When the person who in possession of a government, shall say to a nation, I hold this power in 'contempt' of you, it signifies not on what authority he pretends to say it is..but an aggravation to a person in slavery"..Thomas Paine

I have worked all of my adult life--til retirement at age 68 and still work occasionally. I receive social security--which I was forced to pay into for years. I pay for Medicare as a deduction taken from my social security before I receive it. I scrimp and pay for supplemental insurance so I will be covered and also so I have no co-pay. I go with the basics on everything, be it cable, cell phone, or whatever. I am not asking and never intend to ask anyone else to take care of me. I do resent having to take care of others who do not use their money wisely. I also resent paying for the medical care of others who are not citizens. A few days ago I was in a business establishment, the person helping me was from another country (not Mexico), she is a citizen through marriage to an american serviceman. In between helping me she was on the phone talking to a young lady recently arrived here from her native country, who spoke no English and was having a hard time explaining to the lady at the Medicaid office what she wanted. Seems this young lady is already receiving Medicaid and was trying to approval for radiology tests. The lady helping me kept saying how sorry she was that the young lady was having so much trouble having people understanding her and how sorry she was for all the red tape she was having to go through. I was flabbergasted that someone in this country only a month or so was already receiving Medicaid when I know Americans who have had to jump through hoops for years to get help when they became disabled and could not work. This is what is wrong with our system. Our government takes care of these immigrants (legal or illegal) with hardly any questions asked, it insures or offers medical assistance to those who choose not to work (and don't bring up the economic situation today, we have had dead-beats collecting money and medical assistance for years with no effort to make them join the work force). Before they ask small business owners, working Americans and yes, even the rich, to pay more than their share they need to get these other situations taken care of. Every time we fight in another country, we end up letting thousands of those citizens come here and offer them all kinds of aid. It happened with Korea, Vietnam, and other 'wars'. We need to repair our country and stop trying to change the world. It hasn't worked in the past and it will not work in the present nor in the future.

I'll just bet that you have already collected from Social Security and Health costs (Medicare insurance) combined, than you paid in for your entire working life! The insurance you pay is a small fraction of the actual cost.
Aren't you glad that you "HAD" to pay it?

I don't know anymore about the person on the phone than you do.
If she is poor and has no job, yes she can get some assistance for health care. Someone who is dying will be treated in this country---whether or not they are yet a citizen!
I would expect no less in any other country where I got sick, legal or not.

Even if those deadbeats you mention join the work force, which many do, they still couldn't afford to buy insurance because the type job they get doesn't pay for it!

That is why we need Medicare for everyone!

I may or may not have already used up more than I paid in--but I paid in. Because I was gainfully employeed I was not given a choice.I earend it. And if you think American citizens can go into any hospital or doctor's office and get the care they need--you are off your meds again. There are many instances of people with cancer and other life threatening illnesses that do not get the care they need because they work and do not qualify for financial assistance. There have been many American citizens who have died because they could not get the surgery or the medication needed. Every one should have the opportunity to have their medical needs taken care of-but it should not be on the backs of others when they have done nothing to make their situation better. We need to take care of our own before we open the flood gates to so many others and give them instant financial and medical help. Who is going to be there to help anyone when businesses large and small have to close and those employees end up on unemployment? People can only be taxed so much. Other nations have failed for these reasons and we are foolish if we believe it can never happen to this country. Please let me know what country allows immigrants (legal or illegal) to come into their country and immediately receive financial and medical aid. Most other countries have strict regulations about allowing immigrants in and usually only after they have proven they would be self-sufficient and offer something to the country they are wanting to enter,i.e, doctors, scientist etc. who bring something to the table and are a benefit to that country. What country do you think you could go in today with the exception of a few socialist countries that would take you in for medical treatment and not expect to be paid. If it were a socialist country you would probably die waiting to get in for that care.

I can't decide if you want people who are sick to have medical treatment, or not!
Sounds like you don't if they can't pay!

By the way your Medicare and Social Security payments are now "on the backs of others." That account has been empty some time. We are getting it off the contributions of the "boomers" who will soon be on it! No one to pay theirs at all!

Most people do pay into social security---they have to do so if they EVER work any! The company hiring them takes it out.

"The poor will always be with us," and it is not as bad as you think---about 7-8 percent are destitute. They won't break us!

I have insurance. Ask that question of those who don't. . . and I never have waited for longer than 20-25 minutes. Outstanding doctors in Fayette County and Piedmont Fayetteville Hospital.

Wrong again SL.

America to give you people another handout.

I'm sure you're talking about 'progressives' as 'you people'.

"
I have insurance. Ask that question of those who don't. . . and I never have waited for longer than 20-25 minutes. Outstanding doctors in Fayette County and Piedmont Fayetteville Hospital."

Then what the heck do you want UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE FOR???

90% OF AMERICANS ARE ALREADY COVERED.. UHC WILL ONLY COVER AN ADDITIONAL 7% ...There will still be 3% uncovered.
Why can't we cover the 18 million that really is uncovered and leave the rest of us alone.. 1.5 TRILLION at MINIMUM to cover an additional 7%.. This is all about power, Control and "setting right percieved wrongs"

Why DM does the bill have addtional rights for minorities.. setbacks and quotas... Why does this "HEALTHCARE" bill subvert States Rights and force them to accept Gay Marriage.. ?? WHY???

If this was really about Healthcare then you have to ask yourself why are these provisions in there... Oh yeah right.. you told me during the great "PORKULOUS" debate.. OBAMA is so intelligent that he allows these provisions in so he can veto them later..

How did that one work out DM?

"When the person who in possession of a government, shall say to a nation, I hold this power in 'contempt' of you, it signifies not on what authority he pretends to say it is..but an aggravation to a person in slavery"..Thomas Paine

Then what the heck do you want UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE FOR???

I have the choice to keep what I have. . .and I belong to a group that has excellent coverage. Universal does not mean you have to give up what you have and join another service UNLESS YOU CHOOSE TO DO THAT. . but that there will be a program for everyone. The problem is paying for those who don't have any insurance/health care. We figured out how to get health care for all of our children - and everyone did not drop the coverage they already had under their own policies and take advantage of the government plan. . .but our children in this country are covered.

Page 820 & 821

Provisions set forth that you as an individual "CANNOT" thats can't DM make any changes to their individual Health Plan if they opt out of the UHC plan.. If you make any changes at all... ANY changes.. you will immediately LOSE your individual option and MUST opt for the PUBLIC plan...

Choice... Is this choice DM??

"When the person who in possession of a government, shall say to a nation, I hold this power in 'contempt' of you, it signifies not on what authority he pretends to say it is..but an aggravation to a person in slavery"..Thomas Paine

We'll see. At least the Congress is working - hopefully for the American people. There must be health care reform in this country.

simple questions.. Why is it all of sudden broke??
Do we have people dying in the streets...?
Dropping DEAD in ERs?

Why?

"When the person who in possession of a government, shall say to a nation, I hold this power in 'contempt' of you, it signifies not on what authority he pretends to say it is..but an aggravation to a person in slavery"..Thomas Paine

Charles Krauthammer has the answer: "Because rhetoric met reality!"

Maybe this guy is wrong, who knows. http://blogs.ajc.com/kyle-wingfield/2009/07/22/choice-is-a-casualty-of-obamacare/?cxntfid=blogs_kyle_wingfield

I yam what I yam....Popeye

I think we're just going to have the read the bill for ourselves - and make our own analysis.

A different point of view

Read the bill. Great idea. Looks like many are doing exactly that and they are raising some real interesting questions. So many that the brakes have been put on this horrible idea by Democrats, of all people - at least the sensible ones who still listen to their constituents back at home. It appears that once again the moderates of both parties have prevailed and Obama's (actually his handlers) phony crisis that has to be solved this week has been derailed.

There is no way he can reach so far so quickly and expect everyone to just sit back and let him ruin the country. The apathy and stupid idol worship of this empty suit lasted far longer than I would have thought, but thankfully it appears it is now over.

I hope Pelosi actually forces a vote on this because it will be defeated and those in the House that voted for the worst bill ever presented will be huge targets in next year's election. Sort of a replay of 1994 - backlash against stupid liberal ideas and a shifting of the majority to Newt and the Republicans. It will be good to see the grown-ups in charge and Prezbo neutered.

So it is Newt you want? The man of a thousand ideas to alienate the world?

I wouldn't advise you to ever marry him because if you do and get sick, he will skedaddle!

a different perspective - but hopefully a desire to reach the same goal. Those we've selected to represent us will work out a plan to sensibly fund healthcare reform. I'm sick of the grandstanding and the charts and the 'cute' statements from all sides. These Neanderthals and their egos must put politics aside and get this thing right. Now another problem - the minimum wage! Small business can't afford this now at a time when health care costs continues to escalate. WHERE IS THE REPUBLICAN PLAN THAT CAN SOLVE THIS ISSUE? Is the goal to denigrate Obama or help the American people?

If you do, you are sadly misinformed or have fallen under the spell of Prezbo. the Chosen One.

This is about creating a class of voter who like being dependent upon the governent and who will reliably vote Democrat for the next 40 years. Once they have that group under their thumb, the illegals next and all of a sudden it is a black and brown non-taxpaying majority in this country - all of whom vote blindly for the Democrat.

Read Carville's book, which explains this very clearly. All he leaves out is the incredibly transparent manipulation of the public by the President and the press who is totally in love with him. And a newsflash for you, the press is not as stupid as the public, they understand all this and welcome it.

There are enough serious issues regarding health care in America without having to use the 'race-card' and 'fear-mongering'.

"WHERE IS THE REPUBLICAN PLAN THAT CAN SOLVE THIS ISSUE? Is the goal to denigrate Obama or help the American people?"

Welllll... here you go... Enjoy

The Plans

Try reading something for a change.. Stop spouting talking points..

"When the person who in possession of a government, shall say to a nation, I hold this power in 'contempt' of you, it signifies not on what authority he pretends to say it is..but an aggravation to a person in slavery"..Thomas Paine

I read the plans! (Yours)

So, one must be able to choose the plan that fits his budget?

How many average wage workers ($17,000 each) can afford $18,000 for family insurance?
So he can not pick one can he, unless he wants no operations, no hospital stays, etc.

You refuse to recognize that the MAJORITY of workers can not buy decent insurance! And it is getting worse.

It will always be this way. We can not all make $100,000 per year and even if we did we wouldn't be able to afford what is coming for full coverage costs!

It is like the crooked banks: the health industry have run themselves out of a job by charging too much for insurance, and treatment, paying workers and managers too much (just as Eastern and Delta did)and beginning to completely ignore our worst off and sickest!

The end is nigh!

"You refuse to recognize that the MAJORITY of workers can not buy decent insurance! And it is getting worse."

Care to provide some real facts instead of Rhetoric?

Here I will use one of the Progressive sites to give you some info..

Progressive Healthcare

"When the person who in possession of a government, shall say to a nation, I hold this power in 'contempt' of you, it signifies not on what authority he pretends to say it is..but an aggravation to a person in slavery"..Thomas Paine

I am not going to banter with you about health insurance any longer.
You sent out a web site that absolutely says precisely what I have been saying all along!!!!! You make no logic, or sense.

Did You read it?

That site provided the facts.

You didn't read it either!!!

Those facts have been illuminated here many times already. Why would Lindsey want me to even see them?

Folks read the web site Lindsey gave and tell me what it says!

It validated just what you said. Why the lash out at me?

Nuts!

I didn't lash out at you.
You agreed with Lindsey WHO IS AGAINST OBAMAS HEALTHCARE PLAN, I thought you were for it!

The thing Lindsey asked us to read supports what I have been saying for five years, almost exactly! Why, because that is the way it is.

The healthcare of 40 million here is bad and in danger for the rest of us!
Just who is going to pay 15-18,000 dollars out of their 40-50,000 dollars for health insurance? A high percentage , maybe 30% do not make that much.
Some don't even want them to make $7.25!!!!!!!!!!
It blows one's mind.

I think they think that we should have 30-40% of our people in bondage, so that at least some of them will have an incentive to be like them and make more money!

I don't know then who would do the hard and dirty work!

I didn't lash out at you.
You agreed with Lindsey WHO IS AGAINST OBAMAS HEALTHCARE PLAN,
I did not agree with Lindsey - I thanked him for sharing the facts as you had presented them. That was my intent.

All of these plans say yes to universal coverage. Why are you saying that conservatives do not support universal coverage - and why should I as a 'progressive' not support uc? Is this what conservatives support - or is this just for information? What is the Republican plan for funding health care reform? I think that is what the members of Congress are trying to work out - and need more time to get it right. I wish them well.

as defined by OBAMA.. It took me almost a full day to completely go over all the Plans, supporting Docs and references.. WOW you did it 15 minutes.. I am impressed..

"When the person who in possession of a government, shall say to a nation, I hold this power in 'contempt' of you, it signifies not on what authority he pretends to say it is..but an aggravation to a person in slavery"..Thomas Paine

Congress are reading the fine print and having their staff experts do the same. You are reacting to political 'talking points'. Congress has the responsibility of 'defining' this legislation. If this is not done in the interest of the American people - but in the interest of politics - a lot of the current members of Congress, regardless of party, will be going home!

Just like the porkulous bill.. time showed you that Obama can not be trusted.. This will not be any different..

Oh and haven't you heard.. THEY DON'T READ THE BILLS THEY SIGN.. THEY LAUGH AT US ASKING THEM TO DO SO.. THEY HIRE SPEED READERS TO DO IT FOR THEM.. THEY ARE LAUGHING AT US NOW..ONCE AGAIN.

"When the person who in possession of a government, shall say to a nation, I hold this power in 'contempt' of you, it signifies not on what authority he pretends to say it is..but an aggravation to a person in slavery"..Thomas Paine

Oops - hit it twice

They are now - no doubt. I have had several good experiences at Piedmont Fayette and never had unreasonable waiting periods.

Now, I suggest you do as I did and ask some of those same fine doctors what they think of Obamacare and what they plan to do if it gets enacted.

You will find that the thing they like best about it is the 3 year phase-in period. That will give them time to set themselves up outside the US (probably Bahamas or Cuba, if liberated) and prepare to treat the richest Americans fleeing socialized, government-controlled and rationed health care. It is a cash only business and all you have to do is make enough money to pay for a malpractice insurance policy. No forms to fill out. No one looking over your shoulder.

So, Davidsmom, if the good doctors and the well-heeled patients abandon the system, what is left? Mediocre doctors employed by the government? Obese patients being treated for diabetes until they reach 50, then treatment is cut off?

Good luck with that.

Fortunately this health care thing is self-destructing. Even if it doesn't and somehow gets passed in the House, the grownups in the Senate will kill it - just like that other liberal wet dream - Cap and Trade and Tax.

I realize that those of us who are rich and have health insurance would like to keep health care just as it is. (Those doctors aren't going to a third world to practice--they will make even more money.)

The new system is not for us!!!
We can keep what we have if we can afford it.

It is for 40-50,000,000 people who do not have insurance and don't like to beg for it and walk out on paying a $10,000 hospital and doctor bill!

No one who is making under $50,000 (most of us) can afford insurance unless our employer pays it, and they are quitting every day. Curently full coverage for a family is about $17,000 per year. Can you pay that out of 50 grand?

Something had to be done! Soon there would have been half of us with no insurance and unable to pay. (I paid nearly three hundred dollars for a semi-professional to just after-check a minor operation I had recently.

Most insurance has nothing to do with paying for eyes and teeth now!

I suggest that if we don't want insurance for everyone, then we also eliminate Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, (use 401-ks as Bush said), Every state build their own Interstates, every state build their own F-22 fighters (GA could start in Marietta), and eliminate ALL taxes and put in a 50% sales tax--no exception to anything spent.

(Boy, what would a three days operation at a hospital cost then?).

Bologna would be $14 a pound and T-bones, $20. Milk $6, and fruit $10 a pound.

Cars would be $60,000--Mercedes $125,000.
Homes - (land- half acre--$120,000; house $600,000 for 3,000 SF.)

I can't even guess at what wages would be or what even "jobs" would be like!

We now run our economy having 30% of it spent for health care---mostly labor.
It must be reduced by eliminating waste and overcharges. Starting with Pharmaceutical companies and their hordes of well-dressed pitchmen.

If you want government provided health care, join the military.

ZoeS

"Never love anything that can't love you back."

Wasn't it just last year that Dems where beating the poor Veterians care over Bush's head..?? Now they want the same system for the rest of us???
I guess their answer is if you can't fix it.. give it to everybody..

"When the person who in possession of a government, shall say to a nation, I hold this power in 'contempt' of you, it signifies not on what authority he pretends to say it is..but an aggravation to a person in slavery"..Thomas Paine

Well, since we sent in a few soldiers to attack the flat-landers poppies, in only this month (three weeks) we have had about 40 killed (of ours).
Haven't heard how many more to the hospital!

Do you have sny comments about how that is?
Might it get back to the hundres, thousands, again when we climb those big old cold Afghan/Pakistan mountains?

This is the war maybe we should have fought nine years ago when we had at least a little help!

I've got a relative in this mess. I want him home.

So you admit Bush started the wars, caused the wounded, and did not plan to take care of them?

If not Bush, who? Newt, Sean, Rush, O'Reilly, the blond headed evil B....? Who?

Yeah, I know, Congress. Right.