I also have GERD compounded by barret's esphogus which is a precancerous condition and take gerneric prilosec. It is called omeprezol and is available OVER THE COUNTER. I am also covered by insurance and have changed jobs and insurance companies 3 times in the last 5 years and have not been denied coverage.

You are either stupid or lieing since I have been taking prescription medication for GERD since the early 90's and have never ever been denied.

I sympathize with your situation and I am really in favor of insurance reform that would fix that problem. The fact is that Congress could've fixed that and other things without destroying the entire healthcare system and the economy, but they wouldn't listen to the American people. American people wanted reform, but they didn't want THIS reform bill. They will pay dearly for ignoring us.

I understand your position completely. It is really hard. I am 35 and was diagnosed with lupus when I was 20 years old. I also have seizures, arthritis, and several other chronic conditions. My parents' insurance dropped me soon after I was diagnosed and my doctor refused to see me without insurance. Since then, I have gone to school and have a job teaching. I was blessed when the school's insurance company decided to cover me. Many others, like my twin sister (and you) are not so lucky. I believe that this bill will help people like us. It will help so many people. I am excited.

I think it's rather telling, that the VERY SAME objections against Medicare and against giving people Social Security benefits are being used against health care reform. The naysayers were WRONG then, and they are WRONG now. Who was it that voted against Social Security? Congressional Republicans. Who voted against Medicare? Congressional Republicans. How many Americans have been helped by Social Security? Millions upon millions. How many Americans have been helped by Medicare? Millions upon millions.

This country OWES its citizens the right to health care. It's the LEAST we can do...........

Just for the record, DirtyH and Ac Gun, DemocratYes stated that he takes the GENERIC form of Prilosec. Which is omeprizole (or however you spell it). That is a side issue and an unnecessary distraction from his point. Leave it. Also, it is entirely possible that some companies would deny his case and others would not, which is why he is probably not a liar and also why we need this bill.

I understand your concern and health problems. The bill apparently pased today will start providing care in I think 4 years. The porblem you and I and all others will now face is being able to see a physician. I know the President says we will be able to access health care but I prayfull ask, Where are the new physicians coming from Where are the new hospital beds coming from Should you beleive any of this will occur without increasses in taxes, fees and health care cost I'm afraid you will be disappointed.

havent you heard? 1/2 ounce of apple cyder vinegar before each meal and acid reflux will be history. (dilute with water to taste)

dirtyharriet1010 - You should get your facts straight before accusing DemocratYes of being stupid or lying. OVER THE COUNTER medications are NOT prescription drugs. A prescription medication must be PRESCRIBED by a licensed health care professional. Over-the-counter medications are available to anyone without a prescription.

People ARE denied coverage for very minor pre-existing conditions. People who are employed full-time with health care benefits are usually covered by a group insurance plan that doesn't deny coverage on the basis of pre-existing conditions. However, people who are employed part-time and those who are unemployed generally must purchase their own health care coverage and pay out-of-pocket for the coverage. These are the people who are denied coverage by insurance companies for minor, trivial, pre-existing conditions.

I am currently unemployed and looking for a full-time job. I was denied health care coverage by Aetna because I was honest enough to include on my application that I had suffered a rotator cuff injury in a fall 10 months before I submitted the application. The injury healed on its own within a period of six months. I never consulted a physician about the injury but merely mentioned it during a yearly physical. I included the injury on my insurance application because my doctor had a record of the fact that I had mentioned it to her during the physical and I didn't want to be denied insurance for lying if the insurance company checked my medical records. There is not a minute that passes that I'm not scared to death due to my lack of medical coverage. I've never expected anyone to pay for coverage for me. That is my responsibility. However, I don't expect to be denied for an injury that healed without medical attention of any kind. You can rest assured that I won't be so honest on my next application.

Reforms definitely need to be made to the way that health care is covered in this country. The current bill simply goes too far, is too expensive, and will bankrupt a country that is already too far in debt. There is no reason that the federal government can't start on a smaller scale, perhaps by first prohibiting insurance companies from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions and by tort reform.

So, dirtyharriet101, don't resort to calling others liars or stupid. It is you who are ignorant and uninformed.

Not surprisingly the few who actually support the bill begin their reasoning with "I have (some condition)......". Instead of looking for and expecting a handout from everyone else, sometimes you have to deal with the hand you are dealt. Everyone has their own problems and own tragedies, paying for yours may benefit you while bankrupting them. The again if you cared your reasoning would include the effects on everyone else instead of simply "I have ...".

I think Congress shall make no law that applies to the Citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators or Representatives, and Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators or Representatives that does not apply equally to the Citizens of the United States.

We need the same health care that Congress enjoys till death.

A federal goverment bill to assist all you needy is one thing. Unfortunately this bill is not focused on just assistance it has too much extra spending for all kinds of sht just to buy votes!

This bill is also like every other plan the feds start to create dependency. They always projected low spending and end up spending 500 times that. The government can't run anything efficiently It never has and never will..

Why would anyone be for something that the very creators of this bill will not publically sign onto. I told my Congressman John Yarmuth (D) Kentucky that if he was going to vote for this that he should be a real man and step up and be the first recorded Congressman in the US to sign onto this. Guess what he said and did? NOTHING.... You all who believe in this have been duped.

I have excellent insurance and I support he bill.

I completely agree, DemYes: I have at least 5 "pre-existing conditions" (potentially fatal illnesses without the necessary treatment or medication) that will prevent me from ever getting my health insurance re-instated at work, thus also preventing me from getting full-time employment, too, as full-timers MUST be covered. My company sees it only as a loss of funds to do either, as a result. (I was formerly full-time, had to take sick leave for almost 9 mo., came back as part-time, and there ya go.) I must rely now on partial care for the illnesses and chronic conditions, and am grateful that my GP will see me at all on a cash basis (of which I still owe thousands of dollars, btw, for visits and necessary monitoring tests).

I know I am not the only one in this boat, and can only see this bill as a blessing to people like myself that have no other recourse than to go into enormous debt when they are penalized for the very thing that insurance was designed for in the first place. I don't understand ANYONE that thinks it is better for someone to die than to have health coverage.

fix VA healthcare before venturing into everyone else.

it now takes over a month to see a doctor when you are sick

First, the one part of reform I was for was pre-existing conditions at some sort of reasonable cost.

As to many other items in this bill, it is a takeover, not only of HC but student loans too.

For the many that are saying we are probably the same ones that cried about Medicare and SS... uummm, they are going broke under the gov't run program. Why would any sane person think this bill will not go in the same direction.

And, why would anyone want this bill to pass when it wasn't even good enough for Congress to accept as their own HC plan.

Anyone who supports the Democrat bill supports the two-tiered "rich" vs "peons" program that Nancy, Barry and Harry are now passing. You see, they are all richie-rich, and all have Cadillac health plans, which WE pay for. They keep these really good plans, and we get crap insurance. So the Democrats are now the "upper class" and Republicans are now the party of the working class.

And even the uber-liberal MSNBC poll shows a MAJORITY of readers think this bill stinks.

You are completely wrong. Completely wrong. I'm not going to waste time explaining because you aren't going to pay attention.

I have good health insurance but want healthcare reform. Not for me today, but for those who cannot get it because of their income level (most likely middle class, poorer folks can often get coverage though Medicaid) or pre-existing conditions.

But unfortunately you won't see the results of this crappy bill until 2014. The people in office right now had the votes months ago to revamp the ins. companies and hold their feet to the fire...they did nothing! So whose to blame? Now because of greed and narcisstic behavior, they vote yes on a bill they haven't even read nor do they understand. And the point of the matter is you won't even know if this thing works or not...for another four years. Good grief....what the hell are you people thinking. Why weren't you yelling and screaming at your Democratic Congress to do something about the insurance companies..NOW!!....two months ago....four months ago......fourteen months ago? You can't even see the forest for the trees.

I totally agree with you. We have needed this legislation for too long. Americans have more to fear from big business running healthcare than big government.

CM48

Every individual in this country wants health care reform. What we do not want is this bill full of pork that helps selected groups (made in closed meetings)while costing more than this country can afford. There are better methods of getting the reform we need.
For example, break the huge, difficult-to-comprehend bill into understandable and more powerful segments of laws that stir less controversy and have the support of the people.
The fact that approximately 75% of the population oppose this so-called reform bill and yet the Democraps insist on forcing it upon us is just the beginning of the totalitarianism that Obama is driving us into.

[quote]DemocratYES

I'm only 39 and I have a pre-existing condition. Acid reflux which causes me to take a generic Prilosec pill once a day. I earn roughly 24000 a year which puts me above medicaid or state help and below the threshold of being able to afford 400+ a month in premiums. I have been turned down by 2 insurance companies for this very minor pre-existing condition. I believe that this practice needs to be changed. Vote YES.[/quote]

You gave me a good laugh. Nice try, but anyone with a brain would know your full of &%@!.

Acid Reflux?... Please...

I have that and a ton more, and I have never once been turned down by any insurance company.

I have been told by mulitple doctors, that I am 98% different, as far as health goes, than anyone in this country. My health is horrible. I wasn't supposed to live to see my 21st birthday, but I did. I'm now 31 and keep developing more health problems as I get older. I had my first heart attack when I was in the 5th grade. I had two more after that before I was 21.

The pre existing condition is complete BS.

The is a power grab by the dems.

I will quote Nancy Pelosi - commie.

[quote]We need to pass health care reform so we can find out what's in this bill[/quote]

Yes, she actually said those words.

What happens when the government can't pay for your much needed surgery or the medication you take or may need. Don't think that can happen? Well it's happening in other parts of the world where their health care is government controlled.

This bill could literally sign my death certificate.

I am sorry but I do not believe that at all. I am an insurance broker and I do not know of any company (and I am appointed with 100's) that would turn you down for GERD. Some will rate you a little higher, some will exclude treatment for GERD and BCBS will issue a policy standard (no rate up) since you are taking OTC meds for the condition.

It is false statements like this that get people all upset with insurance. If you have been turned down by any insurance company, then I suggest you get a better agent who knows the guidelines for each company. You should be able to find a good policy for around $200 a month.

Your suffering and how reform will help YOU is utterly irrelevant, as is whether it is or is not good for the nation or the American People.

What is relevant, however, — the only thing that is relevant and the only thing that matters — is that this whole sham is utterly unconstitutional on its face.

And, above all, the "Federal" government is NOT reforming any kind of heath care system; rather, it is unconstitutionally commandeering the several State systems, their institutions, economies, etc. and CREATING a repugnant NATIONAL system.

In effect, it is using politics and the revenue system AGAINST the People and their State governments in order to "COMPEL the States to comply with the will of the Genl Government, and to grant it any new powers which might be demanded." [in convention, Aug. 21]

Furthermore, why discuses and debate whether it is a good plan or a bad plan; — whether it will make government bigger or smaller; — whether it will raise taxes; — or, whether it will increase medical costs and premiums or lower them?

Merely discussing and debating that which is lawless wrongly gives an impression of legitimacy to that which is illegitimate to begin with and actually perpetuates and facilitates lawlessness at the governing head.

This is NOT a political issue and never should be made into one.

It is purely one of Right vs. Wrong; — lawfulness vs. lawlessness; — constitutional vs. unconstitutional and that which is repugnant and contrary to the essence and fundamental purpose of UNION — to wit, contrary to the fundamental purpose of the general government, which is this: —

"...the general government was meant merely to PRESERVE the State governments; NOT to govern individuals: that its powers ought to be KEPT WITHIN NARROW LIMITS." [in convention, June27]

Consider why the Federal government is denied the power to tax exports, because: —

"It might be made use of to COMPEL the States to comply with the will of the Genl Government, and to grant it any new powers which might be demanded." [in convention, Aug. 21]

Why insert such plain protections if the Constitution was meant to be subverted and perverted by politics and faction — outright ignored and not enforced literally as plainly intended?

This protection was thrown right out the window when the government discovered that it can do, and presumably get away with, exactly that for which this protection was meant to guard against — instead, using the long arm of its revenue agents directly upon the People — using tyranny with threats of punishment and imprisonment if minimal health care coverage, according to arbitrary "Federal" government rules, is not purchased by individuals that, in ITS opinion, can afford it.

However, was Congress meant to have the whole power of legislation over the States? Is it meant to govern individuals? NO!

Want proof? Consider why the Congress is not of greater numbers, because: —

"...the LIMITED powers of the Congress, and the control of the State legislatures, justify less frequent elections than the public safely might otherwise require, the members of the Congress NEED BE LESS NUMEROUS than IF they possessed the WHOLE POWER OF LEGISALTION," [Madison, fp55]

Consider further the part of the ratification alluded to by Virginia Rep Alexander White in the 1st Congress, which we know today as the 10th Amendment, concerning "a clause proposed as an amendment to the constitution, to RESERVE to the States INDIVIDUALLY the powers not delegated by the constitution, nor prohibited by it, to the States":

"...we MUST ADHERE to the LIMITS described in the constitution. If we advance one step beyond its boundaries, where are we to draw the line to circumscribe our powers, or secure the liberties of our fellow-citizens?"

"I understand our system as DIFFERING in form and spirit from ALL other Governments in the world." "...the Congress is NOT to be compared to National Legislatures;" "This is a Government constituted for PARTICULAR PURPOSES ONLY; and the powers granted to carry it into effect are SPECIFICALLY ENUMERATED, and disposed among the various branches. If these powers are insufficient, or if they are improperly distributed, it is NOT our fault, NOR within our power to remedy. The people who bestowed them MUST GRANT FURTHER POWERS, organize those already granted in a more perfect manner, or suffer from the defect. We can neither enlarge nor modify them."

"This was the ground on which the friends of Government supported the constitution. It was a safe ground; and I venture to say it could not have been supported on any other. IF THIS PRINCIPLE HAD NOT BEEN SUCCESSFULLY MAINTAINED by its advocates in the convention of the State from which I came [Virginia], THE CONSTITUTION WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN RATIFIED." "I will only quote the ratification by the State of Virginia, in which you will discover, in strong terms, the sense of the federal party on this subject; I say the federal party, because they drew it up without the interference of any other, though it was a clause agreeable to both sides of the House."

"... the State of North Carolina has expressed nearly the same sense as Virginia, with this difference only, that she would NOT adopt the constitution until she was satisfied of the establishment of this GREAT PRINCIPLE, that we should NOT, by constructive acts, enlarge our powers, in order, at a future day, to swallow up the State Governments, and with them the liberties of the people. And Virginia took, in my opinion, the more prudent course; she adopted the constitution UNDER A FIRM belief that THIS SECURITY WOULD BE OBTAINED."

Considering the fundamental "GREAT PRINCIPLE" made plain by Mr. White, with the 10th added to remove any doubt WHATSOEVER on this fundamental "GREAT PRINCIPLE" — to satisfy those States that made it plain as an uncompromising condition of staying in the Union and to those States making it an uncompromising pre-condition to enter the Union — it is undeniably plain that we have, GUARANTEED by the Constitution, a government having few GRANTED powers "SPECIFICALLY ENUMERATED" — that the government is "constituted for PARTICULAR PURPOSES ONLY" — and, Health Care of the WHOLE is NOT one of them.

As such, being a "Federal" and NOT a National government, it plainly has NOT the privilege of nationalizing anything it pleases under the pretense it is for the public or national good. It is plainly overstepping its just bounds, usurping powers not granted, intruding into that which plainly belongs to the States, lawlessly interfering with the individual sovereign societies composing this Union and commandeering and regulating their individual systems, institutions, manufacturers, etc. — even going so far as to tyrannically govern individuals by compelling them to participate in its lawless acts under threat of punishment.

And, contrary to the whole works of the Convention, instead of being the guardian, it is the source and facilitator of the evil of State upon State — on a perpetual WAR footing AGAINST the States, their governments and the societies that compose them — JUDGING instead of preserving them, interfering with their RIGHT to individually govern themselves as they choose, promoting Class aggression, judging each other, denying the Right of choice, and compelling one to burden the expenses of another.

Consider, also, these words of Alexander Hamilton:

"Though I trust the friends of the proposed Constitution will NEVER concur with its enemies in questioning that FUNDAMENTAL principle of REPUBLICAN government, which admits the right of the people to alter or abolish the established Constitution, whenever they find it inconsistent with their happiness, yet it is NOT to be inferred from this principle, that the representatives of the people, whenever a MOMENTARY inclination happens to lay hold of a majority of their constituents, incompatible with the provisions in the existing Constitution, would, on that account, be justifiable in a violation of those provisions; or that the courts would be under a greater obligation to connive at infractions in this shape, than when they had proceeded wholly from the cabals of the representative body. Until the PEOPLE have, by some solemn and authoritative act, annulled or changed the ESTABLISHED FORM, it is BINDING upon THEMSELVES collectively, as well as individually; and NO PRESUMPTION, OR EVEN KNOWLEDGE, OF THEIR SENTIMENTS, CAN WARRANT THEIR REPRESENTATIVES IN A DEPARTURE FROM IT, prior to such an act. But it is easy to see, that it would REQUIRE AN UNCOMMON PORTION OF FORTITUDE IN THE JUDGES TO DO THEIR DUTY AS FAITHFUL GUARDIANS OF THE CONSTITUTION, WHERE LEGISLATIVE INVASIONS OF IT HAD BEEN INSTIGATED BY THE MAJOR VOICE [controlling faction] OF THE COMMUNITY." (Hamilton, fp78)

In other words, the People are bound to the Constitution as are their servants — not by oath, but "though" their Representatives who are under oath!

BUT, WHAT ABOUT THE GOOD OF THE NATION?

Does not Congress, if not the People, have a right to make laws that are for the good of the Nation, even though the needed powers are not enumerated in the Constitution? Is not such the privilege of Congress?

The answer to this question was made plain by Mr. White, above, in the 1st Congress with the addition of the 10 Amendment, which was not inserted to change the Constitution, but was inserted so as to REMOVE ALL DOUBT WHATSOEVER as to its PLAIN literal intended meaning and operation.

However, if that is not sufficient evidence, consider three powers (described next) that were proposed in convention — ALL of which were negatived (rejected) by an actual "recorded" VOTE and so omitted from the Constitution — making it PLAIN that NO such powers were ever given up to it, nor intended, and so deliberately denying Congress these powers.

Consistent with Madison's Report on the Virginia Convention, it was understood that powers and objects omitted — above all by vote — are powers and objects denied and so meant to be prohibited. This is an undeniable fundamental principle consistent with a government that can "NOT be deemed a NATIONAL one; since its jurisdiction extends to CERTAIN ENUMERATED OBJECTS ONLY, and leaves to the several STATES a RESIDUARY and INVIOLABLE sovereignty over ALL OTHER OBJECTS." (Madison, fp39)

Therefore, it should be plain to all that Congress has utterly NO such powers as these following three that it can legitimately exercise — powers NOT implied by ANY power or object already given up at the time of these three votes:

1. Proposed, voted and REJECTED: Power to legislate where Congress, in its "opinion", felt the States incompetent;

2. Proposed, voted and REJECTED: Power to negative State laws that Congress or the Supreme Court, in its "opinion", determined were inappropriate or bad, even though not contrary to the Constitution;

3. Proposed, voted and REJECTED: Power to legislate where Congress, in its "opinion", determined that it was for the good of the nation, even though no express power was given up to it by the States.

In addition to the above great intrusive powers denied Congress, the following powers were also denied, thus the whole works of the Convention keeping true with creating a "Federal" government having few ENUMERATED and LIMITED powers:

1. Proposed, voted and REJECTED: Power to cut canals or augment waterways — so as to be consistent with the fundamental principle that each act of legislation that addresses a legitimate object of the Federal government be for the "general" welfare of the "whole" and NOT, as in the case of canals, for the welfare of the States where the canals are to be cut with the burden of the expense falling upon the other States that do not stand to directly benefit from the burden;

2. Proposed, voted and REJECTED: Power to regulate manufacturers — leaving to the States the power to regulate their own manufactures, commercial and agricultural interests;

3. Proposed, voted and REJECTED: Power to build or regulate schools and education within the jurisdiction of a State — leaving to the States the power to establish schools having whatever religious or non-religious preferences conducive to the morals, habits, cultures and interests of the State and its communities;

4. Proposed, voted and REJECTED: Power to make sumptuary laws; thus, in conjunction with the rejected power to regulate manufacturers, making it plainer that the power to regulate commerce does NOT include the power to "directly" regulate the objects "of" commerce, but only the commerce created by the conveyance of objects "through" a sovereign State; — and, NOT preemptively at the exclusion of justifiable and fair regulations made under the authority of the "true" sovereigns, but only "when" unjust interferences happen so as to facilitate trade between Sovereign and Sovereign and not to be the source of aggressions and interferences against them and their individual separate commercial interests, cultures, customs and habits;

5. Proposed, voted and REJECTED: Power to emit bills of credit — to wit, power to print paper and lend money deliberately struck out and removed from the Constitution so as to categorically deny the power to print paper or lend money, giving Congress the power to borrow on the credit of the United States, only; — i.e. the Federal government is NOT a bank or lending institution and has NOT the authority or power to pay the debts of individual States or their bankrupt commercial interests or enterprises;

Unfortunately, too many in Washington that merely say that they want to uphold the Constitution according to its intended "true" meaning using "true" construction for one part are incapable of being consistent in doing so for all parts — preferring "true" meaning and construction only when it is convenient and setting aside all of that which the original legislators intended when inconvenient or when, as such, it interferes with their personal beliefs, politics or the agenda of the faction to which they have an allegiance; thus, making them not the enforcers and upholders of "true" law, but the enforcers and upholders of men and faction — substituting the will of the original legislators with their personal will and that of politics and faction — judging and not expounding the Constitution — subverting and not supporting it — changing its meaning and operation, not through constitutional amendments, but through repugnant re-interpretations — lawlessly changing its meaning and operation to that which they THINK the Constitution should mean RATHER THAN THAT WHICH WAS INTENDED by the several State Legislatures and agreed to by the People by its lawful ratification by the People on behalf of their respective States.

The Constitution was never intended to be expounded or enforced "a la carte" or according to "convenience"; and, Hamilton, in fp78, on the Judiciary Department and on expounding, puts it this way,

"There is NO position which depends on clearer principles, than that every act of a delegated authority, contrary to the tenor of the commission under which it is exercised, is VOID. NO legislative act, therefore, contrary to the Constitution, can be valid. To deny this, would be to affirm, that the deputy is greater than his principal; that the servant is above his master; that the representatives of the people are superior to the people themselves; that men acting by virtue of powers, may do not only what their powers DO NOT AUTHORIZE, but what they FORBID."

They still can decline you ..no where in bill does it state they will cover all conditions

my mother is 81 and she gets turned down all the time<medicare>

bill says you must have insurance if you cant afford they will help

This bill will NOT reduce health care cost. TORT reform (looser pays all) and caps on awards, no government mandates, competition across state lines; these greatly reduce cost and are not in the bill. The 75% of people satisfied with their current plan are going to be severly punished under this bill, along with the remaining 25% who believe it will help. When the real content of the bill is published, you will see how much worse we all will be. Why is it the government's responsibility (and therefore the tax payers) to provide your health insurance?

Other pre-existing conditions exist. What do you suggest these people do? My husband has one (Crohn's), so the status quo does "get me all upset." If he loses his job, we lose our house (especially in this economy, because we would be paying for expensive COBRA), and possibly much, much more.

Most insurance companies limit Pre existing Conditions to the first year of coverage.. You haven't shopped with the right insurance company.. So, now every American pays because you have acid reflux? That's life. I have arthritis. That's life. It's not everyone else's responsibility to pay for me. I have a job luckily where I still have benefits, they are costing me, but I have them. Why not increase your ability to earn and take something upon yourself to improve your situation instead of expecting your neighbors to take care of you and everyone else?

Everyone needs to vote NO!! The gov't owns our banks, our car makers, our mortgage lenders, oil already and now, they will own your health. How much longer before Hitlerbama ignites his final master plan and bows to show his allegience to Osama and Al Qaida?

I am so excited for you as well DemocraticYES!!! I am ALSO VERY EXCITED FOR THE CHILDREN THAT ARE NOW COVERED. I keep hearing republicans tout that we have the best health care in the world although we REALLY rank 19th (behind Portugal). We are the richest nation yet turn our backs on our children with pre-existing conditions, I finally feel proud of our country for helping the children that aren't from rich backgrounds (affluent society)! Shame on those trying to confuse this CHILDREN benefit starting tomorrow with abortion (which is a lie), and shameful fear tactics (business as usual for Republicans - U LOSE!!!!).

Buy Prilosec OTC....it's cheaper, even if you have insurance usually

I wondered how long it would take for me to get to a post with the FOX talking points about Tort reform and buying insurance across state lines. Tort reform actually saves very little money. It DOES however protect the insurance companies from having to pay out a large malpractice award. And buying insurance across state lines? Give me a break! How'd that work out with the credit card companies? Remember when they all moved their headquarters to the state with the LEAST regulations so they could gouge consumers? Same thing will happen with insurance companies if that stupid idea goes into effect. You FOXbots just crack me up. You just parrot what the entertainers on that channel tell you to say without having an ounce of common sense about what you are saying.

By the time this comes about to where it might actually do something for me - I'll be under the poverty level from the extra taxes and increased costs.

What is most unfortunate is that it will never be undone - even when it is obvious to an idiot that it is a failure.

But then, they have better insurance, still

Hey never fear aciphex,nexium as well as any number of acid reflux medications are accepted by most all insurance companies. if it's acid reflux the it could be diagnosed by your physician att any time rolaids and tums are great pre cursors to new diagnoses

I have 3 children and am married my husband and I make too much to be accepted for the CHIPS program yet if I pay for Healthcare it would take all of my paycheck. I am willing to vote for this Bill considering I haven't had any medical checkups for myself or 3 children in the last 10 years!

Are you obese? Eighty percent of reflux is caused by obesity. Until the obesity epidemic is controlled, our health care cost will continue to go up.

Scales67-

The OTC generic omeprezol (brand name Prilosec) is the same that I get with a perscription. It comes in 20 mg doses. The problem is because I have barret's espophogus I need the 40 mg capsule that is not otc. Same generic though.

I probably know almost as much about acid reflux and GERD as your average doctor since I've had it for over 15 years (not counting the time I ignored it - which was another 5+ years)

So I know when to call someone stupid or lieing.

PS - I am a registered Democrat for over 40 years.

DemocratYES: Please explain why we need a 3,000 bill to resolve your personal situation?

go take tums cry baby. i have heartburn i need to see a doc. change your diet also so you feel better.

dirtyharriet: Why on earth were you "collapsed by the msnbc communisty"? What did you say that was controversial in any way? I have Barrett's too, and I certainly wish you well. I have to wonder why so many of us have been diagnosed with this condition. I was prescribed nexium for my condition, and it seems to work, but it's becoming even more expensive, so I'm always looking for alternatives. Thanks for the information. You are not alone in dealing with this. All the best.

DemoYES,

If you cannot afford the $400/month now, how are you going to afford the $600/month after this bill passes? And if you are expecting your employer to just start picking up the tab, then I hope you are one of his best employees and are willing to work a lot harder to pick up the slack for all of the employees that will have to be laid off to cover the extra insurance costs. Nothing is free. TANSTAAFL

This is outrageous.

My husband and I pay almost $500 per month for health insurance now. What will we pay when this passes? Try living on social security and retirement, paying for your home, car, and now this health insurance rip off so that every poor person in America can have another kid that they cannot support.

I just don't give a @!$%# who is republican or democrat... I don't care about Nancy pelosi or Harry Reid... and I care even LESS about the @!$%# in charge.

The bottom line that I care about us that I SHOULD HAVE A CHOICE what I spend MY money on.

I do not want to support people on welfare that are lazy and don't work.

I do not want to support rampant child bearing among people below poverty level. If they have kids THEY should support them - not me. I think abortion should be mandatory in those cases.

And these old black men running around DC spouting "we make our own rules" in Washington are making me SICK. This isn't ABOUT civil rights for every black and hispanic in America - its about civil rights for ALL Americans. White people fall into that category too. If I see Jesse Jackson Jr pound that gavel one more time I swear I'll shoot my TV.

My voice has not been heard at all. No one is listening, and no one cares - so I don't either. Maybe I'll start a senior citizen gang, arm them and let them terrorize the cities like young ethnic gangs have over the years. Believe me, we could do it meaner and better than any latino or black gang ever thought of because we have been abused and belittled far more. We have experience.

Who among us has EVER had a positive experience with the IRS? Now they are gonna be in charge of insurance premiums? What brain trust thought of that? These are the same people that have been ripping us off with ambiguous tax regs that are contradictory and abusive to a fault. Let them collect from Rangel and Geithner before they ever knock on my door because I WON'T PAY THEM. I refuse.

When the poor folks and federal employees (Congress... ) gotta pay too maybe things will be fair. Until then - leave me alone government. You have betrayed me.

John: How many phony posts have to begin with the words "I have great coverage but I support this bill..."? Are you people being paid by Obama and Pelosi for your ridiculous testimonials on leftist msnbc? If you currently have decent medical coverage and you support this bill, you either (a) haven't read the bill, (2) are lying, or (3) are totally stupak--I mean stupid.

otc drugs arent covered by any insurance anyway. when insurance companies have to start picking up the high risk individuals all premiums are going to go up drastically. they will make up the loss somewhere and everyone currently covered is where that will happen. there will be no decrease in waste or fraud (not part of this legislation). no tort reform so law suits will still dictate medical tests and treatments whether needed or not. and all the government subsidies will have to be paid by tax payer dollars. where they thing all the new jobs from this b--l s--t will come from i have never known. the few people still paying taxes will undoubtedly have an increasing burden from this.

Arizona Grandma: It's time to take your pill now. That's a pill that the rest of us will be paying for in the future. How do you say "thank you", Grandma.

This action by the government is NOT health care reform, which is actually a very simple issue. It is not a federal question, of course, but still a simple issue, and I am quite in favor of it.

Based on what little has been released about the "health care reform bill(s)," this disgusting system will shorten my life. I am sixty-one. I will not live to see sixty-two. Period.

I worked for years in a well-paid position, paying more in taxes than the majority of people earn each year. Along came a serious injury that led to disability retirement. My occupation was not one covered by regular law regarding such incidents, so it took several years of litigation to receive any disability retirement income. That period stripped our assets completely. Then I developed congestive heart failure. 85% of my heart died. I live now on that remaining 15%. Multiple back and hip injuries have come home to roost in the form of degenerative disc disease and permanent hip damage. Pain is my one constant now.

The Medicare program we paid for with our taxes all those years, and now must pay for monthly out of our retirement, covers but little of what I need to survive. Not live, just survive. Now Medicare will be cut, with its replacement several years out. I cannot survive this. I am not alone.

I am tired of whiny people bitching because the government won't give them band-aids, condoms, drug treatment, and abortions, among other things. None of those issues belong on the government plate. Illegal aliens, convicted murderers and congressmen get better treatment by thus country than do life-long taxpayers. I want nothing for free. I want what I earned. Take the socialist state and shove it. This will cost the dems dearly.

Yardpilot (yeah, really)

The pre-existing condition fix is also part of the Republican plan that was submitted. We could reform the system without it costing a TRILLION dollars to cover 12 million people. That is $83,000 per person that will be covered. Imagine how much health insurance premiums could be paid for with $83,000. Oh, and this is assuming that it only costs what the CBO projects, which almost NEVER happens.

Lose some weight and get some exercise. Change your diet. It will go away.

I survived for twenty years without health care by making payments to the hospital or clinic I visited. People just want something for nothing and want others to pay for their problems. You finance your cars, your T.V., and all your toys, not to mention cigarets/alcohol, YOU CAN FINANCE YOUR OWN HEALTH BILLS. I also only make 24,000/yr, and I do not support socialism of any kind. There are ways to get by. Have you made the neccesary life style changes to help prevent your condition? I understand that people have their problems, but more than likely it is caused by their own lack of control. You need to keep your weight normal, eat right, exercise, don't smoke, and limit your alcohol. Health care is the individuals responsibility not my neighbors.

So get a better job. Find employment with more benefits, dont rely on the rest of the country to support you!

For all you saying you have pre existing conditions and with this bill you will be able to get coverage,well yeah, you will,but it will cost you and everyone else half your paycheck.You are nieve if you think it will be free,somebody will pay.

Something else to consider,Friday when the Dems started saying they had the votes,Insurance company stock went up,yeah the evil insurance company stock went up. Get used to a sore bottom.

Sorry to hear of your dire medical situation, however, you can take some Tums and you'll be fine. With Obamacare, the biggest power grab in the hisotory of the United States, those over 65 will not get care and will be be allowed to die. This same type of selecting one group over another was tried in 1936 and we all see how that turned out. Hitler could have taken lessons from President Blamebush. GERD is hardly life threatening, no treatment for cancer for those over 65 is.

We as a nation must begin to care about our brothers and sisters. Other countries take care of their people; what's wrong with us? I think Health Care Reform is the right move, and given a chance I believe all Americans, except Republicans (politically biased) will be pleased with the outcome.

I have been a health insurance agent for over 20 years and have never seen an applicant declined for acid reflux. A rider, yes. Decline, no.

When an adult male, age 39, can only earn $24,000 a year, the problem is not our health care system. Sorry fella, no sympathy here.

has it occured to you that this bill is like throwing the baby out with the bathwater. We need to fix insurance issues not the whole health care systm. if you have that kind of income there is no reason you cant afford insurance. Are you looking for freebies cuz they arent out there. I am on medicaid and it works great. I have had medicare, it works great. You have been duped into thinking you are entitled to something for nothing.

In about 4 years under Obama Care your new medication will be called..."deal with it"

We can regulate insurance and get you your Prilosec without spending trillions of dollars we don't have. $400 for healthcare is a bargain. You will be paying much more under Obama, especially in hidden taxes. It also begs the question...why should I pay for your healthcare? Or for illegal aliens? The Socialists have taken what could have easily been fixed with some sound regulation and blown it into a civil war. Shame on Pelosi, Reid, and Obama! November will correct their excess and we'll get back to something more sensible, fair, and...CHEAPER!

I'm 28 and own a business. I have to lose what I've got so we can suffer equally despite my not having "issues." Thanks a lot jackass.

Join the club. I'm self employeed and have no insuarance. I suffer the same conditions as you but I WILL NOT BE OVER RUN BY MY GOVERNMENT! I would rather die than be told were I have to spend my money! JIM

that's great for you any anyone else in your situation, but why should my insurance double because you don't have a good enough job to pay for you own health care. Now my family and anyone else that has busted there butt to get a decent job will now be forced to pay for your problems.

Have you ever heard of alternative medicine? Fast on water for 3 days and you'll be healed for probably 2 years until you learn to adjust your diet. We don't need to give up another 20% of our income to eugenicist bankers who propagate this culture of sickness, ignorance, and short life. I'm sure they same people that own the Federal reserve and the IMF are majority holders of the insurance companies which is where all our money will be going. We are dumb downed slaves.

dirtyharriet1010 - You stated, "The OTC generic omeprezol (brand name Prilosec) is the same that I get with a perscription. It comes in 20 mg doses. The problem is because I have barret's espophogus I need the 40 mg capsule that is not otc. Same generic though."

Last I heard, 40 mg is twice as much as 20 mg. Why aren't you taking two 20 mg tablets of OTC generic omeprezol rather than paying for a prescription? Probably because your insurance company covers most of the cost of the prescription medication but you have to pay out-of-pocket for the OTC version, which isn't cheap. Don't go judging others who aren't as fortunate as you are to have good insurance. You don't know the details of their case or the policies of the insurance companies involved. Not all insurance companies are the same.

"I probably know almost as much about acid reflux and GERD as your average doctor since I've had it for over 15 years (not counting the time I ignored it - which was another 5+ years) So I know when to call someone stupid or lieing." Is it ever appropriate to call someone stupid or a liar when you have never met that person or do not know the details of his/her life? BTW, it's spelled "lying" not "lieing". It's "prescription", not "perscription". And it's "esophagus", not "espophogus". Who is stupid now?

"PS - I am a registered Democrat for over 40 years." Enough said. That completely explains your attitude.

If you think every medical expense will be covered by this bill, you are daydreaming. Just as with medicaid and medicare, you need a supplemental policy to have 100% coverage. Poor families will get healthcare but will also receive a bill for the part that is not covered. Yes they may get tax breaks to buy health insurance but it will not be 100% coverage just as what happens today with medicare and medicaid. These families will still not be able to afford healthcare because they know they are going to get a hefty bill. They will not be able to afford the supplemental policy either.

Thanks to this bill seniors will now pay more for their supplemental policies because government is cutting benefits that the supplements will have to pick up. I predict an increase in these supplements by 50%.

The numbers from this survey speak loud and clear that the majority - almost 60% do not want this bill and see the follies. I for one will never vote for another democrat no matter how good they are and how poor the opposing candidates are.

As a letter from Catepillar indicated this bill means more job losses. Many of us who are now employeed will lose our jobs. More job losses. Thank the democrats for decimating this country. Backdoor deals and arm twisting. Obama is a dictator along with his liberal democratic party. A sad day for America!

I believe that we had a surplus until the Republicans took control in 2000. W, a Republican, put us in a deficit. This bill is going to cut the deficit. So, I believe you have that statement wrong.

I totally agree with you. This nation will become a place where the black race with rule us or kill us. They are our natural enimies. Obama is working hard towards this and the crooked Dems are his willing helpers.

You don't even know what's in the bill. Quit being an ideologue and actually research what's being proposed. I work for a health insurer and I wanted a public option - or better yet a single-payer system - even though either means I would likely need to find a new career path. This is about cost containment and providing a safety net for those who are in need. The progressive tax, championed by Theodore Roosevelt (a Republican, I might add) was based on the premise that those who have more should pay more. And he was someone with tremendous wealth at his disposal - and was impacted by his own policies. ALL taxes are about wealth redistribution for the common good of everyone. I don't like paying taxes - but what are you going to cut? Military spending? Postal service? Federal funds for bridges and highways? I live in Minneapolis where the I35 bridge fell - you want that for your own state? Where was your outrage at George W. Bush and his immoral wars and the billions upon billions of dollars spent on them? Not to mention nearly 6,000 American lives. Where are your priorities?

To JustMe: Your handle says it all! I'm astounded, as you describe exactly what the Republican fascists are trying to do: bankrupt the country and send us all into servitude (serfdom, as in the Dark Ages). Only you attribute it to the Democrats, who are mostly trying to stop this from happening. You, and millions like you, have succumbed to the fear-mongering of the corporate lords. For shame!

Our current level spending is unsustainable even without wasting another TRILLION to have the most wasteful, inefficient organization on the planet(U.S. government) takeover healthcare and mandate insurance for all citizens. This bill only accelerates our circling of the drain at a time when the brakes desperately need to be applied.

JustMe, whatever his number, is spewing ridiculous nonsense. We live in the only developed nation in the world that fails to provide decent healthcare for all of their people, privileged or destitute, young or old, everyone.

I don't believe that universal healthcare is a human right. In some dire circumstances, it simply cannot be accomplished. However, some benefit must inure to every citizen as consideration for the social contract with which we are bound as a civil society. There is no more fundamental or just demand of our fellow citizens than that they make reasonable provision to facilitate our opportunity to sustain our very existence. We owe universal healthcare to one another because health, police, fire, and military protection are the mostfundamental services a civil society can provide to justify its existence; and we have the capacity to provide that protection in a practical and economical manner.

By not allowing insurance companies to extort tribute from their populations, most nations provide higher-quality healthcare for all of their citizens for less than we pay to cover only those with insurance. Anyone who defends the extent healthcare delivery system in the USA is morally sick. It is time for it to end.

How very curious that the Republicans who whine that this bill will INCREASE the deficit, choose to ignore the report of the Congressional Budget office whose figures show that it will REDUCE the deficit. How VERY telling it is, that these same Republicans who whine (incorrectly) that this legislation will increase the deficit, IGNORE the fact that George Bush turned a budget surplus into a DEFICIT over an ill-conceived war. Where were their objections THEN? How easily they embraced deficits on a war to kill people, how resistent they are to providing health care coverage to SAVE American citizens' lives......

MOST revealing.......

Did you neglect to read the part about the "doc fix" that will result in a net loss of 59 million in the next ten years (according to the CBO). The House knows this and thus took this part out of the bill and made it a separate bill. If they want the 'doctor fix' bill to pass, they need to figure out how to pay for it. Time for paygo. If the dems do not manage to pass the increased Medicare/Medicaid rates, good luck getting a doctor. All you whiners who want free healthcare will not be able to find a dr. willing to be paid at a loss to take care of you.

Justme, can anyone seriously trust Obama to honor his word on abortion funding? I don't recall any honor from this socialist/Marxist. Executive orders can be made and rescinded at the whim of the President, so remember seeing, the C-Span healthcare proceedings that Obama promised? I didn't thinks. The soviet union ascribed to the adage "the ends justify the means" , and so does Obama. I can't wait until November. It will be a long time before I vote another democrat for our national government.

Doobie - it was your liberal buddies right along side Bush choosing to go to war, so get off your lying high horse. And if you are one of those who says "Bush lied" then you have to admit all the dems who voted with him were idiots - the same idiots who now want control of your healthcare.

The Democrats and Obama have lied repeatedly about what is or isn't in the bill, what it does and doesn't do, and so have the Republicans.

The Federal Government is a COMPLETE FAILURE. They have bankrupted the most prosperous nation in the world. Dems and Reps alike are all guilty.

Our only option is to reduce the federal government to a shadow of its former self - 30-50% cuts in every department.

Let the states and cities take care of themselves.

Because this bill not only won't work, it will hasten our demise as it adds new spending now, hiring THOUSANDS of new federal workers, paid by taxpayers, who are becoming a smaller and smaller portion of our nation.

The economy is worsening, and these idiots are adding new spending. Brilliant. Oh yea, this is going to save money. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA but it's not funny.

Doobie-1458862
... IGNORE the fact that George Bush turned a budget surplus into a DEFICIT over an ill-conceived war. Where were their objections THEN? How easily they embraced deficits on a war to kill people, how resistent they are to providing health care coverage to SAVE American citizens' lives......

So it's okay for Obomba to continue to send troops to the Middle East, create the largest budget deficit in US history, and provide health insurance for no other reason but to bolster his public image. How can anyone still believe this lying b*&#$%! Roll another one, just like the other one....

[quote]Geo-1693543

To JustMe: Your handle says it all! I'm astounded, as you describe exactly what the Republican fascists are trying to do: bankrupt the country and send us all into servitude (serfdom, as in the Dark Ages). Only you attribute it to the Democrats, who are mostly trying to stop this from happening. You, and millions like you, have succumbed to the fear-mongering of the corporate lords. For shame![/quote]

You are so blind, it's scary.

Obama has spent more money than any president in U.S. history. 1 trillion dollars and counting.

The democrats are the ones trying to bankrupt this country. It's sad that you can't see that.

The democrats have the power in government, and are the ones that have bankrupt this country and continuing to spend money we don't have.

I still haven't figured out if liberals are incapable of seeing the world as it really is or if they are really just that ignorant.

I agree 100%! It's too bad too many people have been brainwashed to believe the USA is (now!) a perfect democracy. Maybe it was at the beginning -- but with Demorats turning into Socialists, (and even Communists!), and Republicans treading dangerously close to the Fascist line, this country is surely NOT anywhere near a perfect democracy!

We really are living in a "Matrix" -- it's so hard to see it, but it IS there, Buy such videos as "AMERICA -- FREEDOM TO FASCISM", and others like it, to get am eye-view of the hidden REALITY we all live in. A new organization, with the website, www.ToolsForFreedom.com, has many fascinating items for sale. They also have a free catalogue -- and it's worth sending for the catalogue even if you buy only one or two items....or even none at all, because just reading what they have to sell is a primer on the dangers that free people, (in the USA! -- and elsewhere)-- face today! It can't happen here????? Well, THOMAS JEFFERSON said, "Eternal Vigilence is the Price of Freedom"....and, considering the alternatives, it isn't too big a price to pay....but too many people are either brainwashed or lazy, and just won't be vigilant! To these people, I warn: Remember the school bully? There's a whole bunch of adult bullies, right now, in such places as the Boheminan Grove, the Bilderberg Group, the Trilateral Commission, the Council on Foreign Affairs, and other "secrer societies". Most -- if not all of these members think they are SO much better than the "ordinary" people of the general population. There even are rumours that these people want to shrink the world's population to only 6 hundred thousand or so.....because then they can control all of us better(!)

On the bright, (or almost bright) side, I have a feeling any Draconian measures these people want to put into practice, won't happen till after 2012. If the Mayan calendar is right, many people will die then anyway. If the Mayan calendar is wrong.....well, they'll put their nefarious plans into practice then, anyway -- because they have to do them sometime......

In the Bible, (or perhaps in the Jewish commentaries), it is reported that the Israelites did NOT become slaves in Egypt all at once. No -- at first they were told that, as strangers in Egypt, they had to go build some storage cities for Pharoh, for a few hors each month. Later, it became more hours each month. Then a few hours each week. Then. after a while, even more hours each week..... Finally, the Egyptians said to the Hebrews, since you're working on building the storage cities so much of the time, then why don't you just go and LIVE where you're building the storage cities? And THAT'S WHEN IT HIT THE HEBREWS....WE'RE REALLY ONLY SLAVES NOW.....

In the USA, (land of the Free? home of the Brave?), freedom has been eroding, at least since the beginning of the 20th century....and maybe long before then. We're of the gold standard, we now must pay income taxes, (which, rumour has it, were instituted by Abraham Lincoln so that CORPORATIONS, not individuals, should give money to the government. I mean-- WHAT law says INDIVIDUALS should pay income tax?), then came ID cards....which resemble non-electronic versions of the electronic monitors that people under house arrest must wear-- for EVERYONE. Then came RFID chips in mobile phones, (and soon, RFID chips in PEOPLE?), and who knows what will come next? Little by little, I ear, we are becoming "slaves", (or at least, quiesent, subservient "ordinary folk"), while the rich and powerful, (including our "hired help", that WE elected, in the Congress!), continue to get richer and more powerful, and continue to feel superiour to us "normal, regular, ordinary" human beings! (But isn't everyone supposed to be descended from JUST TWO PEOPLE....Adam and Eve??????)

Money is power. People in the USA work on the average of five months a year to pay their yearly income taxes. That's right, May 1 is the unofficial "tax freedom day', in the USA! This is SO sad. And what's almost sadder is the fact that MOST PEOPLE ARE UNAWARE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING, UNAWARE THAT THEY ARE ONLY "SEMI-FREE".

Heck -- they won't even let people make money on internet casinos any more, (though it is allowed in other countries, where there has been NO increase in hedonism and NO increased mob influence!) Internet gaming can actually INCREASE a person's sense of responsibility, because, if one limits one's earnings at an online casino to $100 a day, that makes $36,500 a year. It's IMPOSSSIBLE to do that in a 14-day "vacation" to Las Vegas or Atlantic City, because one would have to earn at least $2,000 each of those 14 days to match it! (Not to mention one-week "vacations"or -- shudder -- a weekend or two!) But still, online casino games are not legal in the U.S.A. -- yet. What IS presently legal is online sports betting and online horse-race betting. But these are SO risky! (How does a better know if a horse gets sick at the last minute, or if a sports team has been paid to lose?) But both Democrats, (President Obama is reportedly wary of internet gaming because he's afraid it could descimate poorer minority communities), and Republicans, (who basically do NOT want any mathematical genuises of the lower-socio-economic strata to make any money), keep forbidding American citizens to legally play casino games online! A BIG argument they have is that casino games are games of "chance". With the far more risky horse-race and sports betting allowed online....which are more chancy games? THIS COUNTRY IS LOSING A LOT OF MONEY FROM ONLINE CASINO GAMING TAXES, AND, WORSE, LOSING A LOT OF TALENT THAT COULD BLOSSOM, WHEN DISADVANTAGED, (BUT BRILLIANT!) PEOPLE COULD ONLY MAKE MONEY AT CONVENIENT, ONLINE CASINOS! Most intelligent people who gamble today are NOT "gamblers". They are "gamers" -- the difference being that "gamers" practice their chosen casino games incessently, --to take the "gamble" out of gambling! Casino-gamers are NOT wastrels -- or most are not. They are major, (and minor), mathematical genuises, (they have to be this, don't they?) Well, anyway, if interested in supporting legalized casino gtaming or gambling, once more in the US, go to www.theppa.com , which is the website of the POKER PLAYERS ALLIANCE. (Don't worry--they let players of other casino games -- or even people who just support other people's rights to game/gamble online -- to become members, too. AND BASIC MEMBERSHIP IS FREE!

Some years ago, an ordinary French farm boy was tested by experts -- and found to be a genuis! The world will be a better place if the talents of everyone can blossom, and NO-ONE IS UNDERESTIMATED! To my mind, the only people who can bring this about are SENATOR RON PAUL, and SENATOR MIKE GRAVEL, and the LIBERTARIAN PARTY, (Please see my comment No. 19, for further information). Think about it. The adults in the Twilight Zone episode, "It's A Wonderful Life", probably didn't come under the little boy's power all at once. Though not shown on the screen, the child must have shown his powers gradually -- or else the adults would have bound together beforehand. But, by the time the on-screen story takes place, they are all too terrified to do anything at all, as the boy is now SO powerful. Even when one of the adults pleads for the others to join him, it is then too late. As it was too late, when the Hebrews finally realized they were slaves.....

PLEASE DON'T LET IT BECOME TOO LATE FOR US! Go to www.CampaignForLiberty.com, (website of Ron Paul), www.MikeGravel.US, www.lp.org, (the Libertarian Party), www.theppa.com, (Poker Players Alliance), www.CoastToCoastAM.com, (Coast To Coast AM....history's greatest RADIO show), and www.HealthFreedomRights.com (anti-CODEX site, defending your rights to take vitamins and supplements!)

Thomas Jefferson was right...Eternal Vigilance IS the Price of Freedom. And, considering everything, it's a very small price to pay, indeed!

Are you suggesting that the "American people" want this bill. I don't seem to be able to find information which would lead me to this conclusion. If you have facts, please post them so we can all rejoyce.

I would have voted twice if I could.

As much fuss as the Republicans raise about healthcare reform and "let's do something else that's better/ just start over on the legislation", they've had the White House for 20 of the past 30 years and done 2 things for health care reform. The first one is "jack" and I'll leave it to you to guess the second.

In the meantime, the insurance companies have had massive increases in profits and made use of practices like quotas for denying claims and even investing in technologies for "promising procedures" while denying claims for paying customers who want to use these same procedures that are suddenly "experimental" when the claim is filed.

Enough stalling, already.

That is totally right.

The insurance company profit margin is under 3%. Massive? No.

I don't believe insurance works at all for providing health insurance, but saying stupid stuff doesn't help your argument.

The poll above proves Charles right and Proud wrong. But keep trying.

Well your Demoncratic cronies have had 14 months to do something about the insurance companies......nada, zip, zilch. Instead, they figured they'd shove this humongous pile of papers down our throats and call it a bill. If they cared so much about the American people instead of themselves, you'd think they would have at least started with the insurance companies and that pre-existing thing. Odd isn't it?

Children over 21 are not covered on all policies even if they are in school full-time. I am a federal employee and our children come off our policy on their 21st birthday. We are excited to save the $300 dollare a month we pay for a separate policy for our college age daughter. We plan to buy a new car and make a car payment instead if the legislation is passed. How's that for stimulating the ecomomy!

Well happy, happy, joy, joy for you. A federal emploee with great benefits who had to (sob) pay $300 to cover your kid and now you can indulge yourself at our expense! I'm so happy for you.

The COBRA for my son is $400 per month. He got kicked off our insurance on his 23rd birthday. In this economy, he wanted to stay in school to get his master's degree, but will probably now try to find some job somewhere so that he can purchase health insurance.

I don't see that here, what America do you live in?

And the Dems are blind sheep.

Your kidding me right! Congresspeople don't have the same healthcare plan as you and I. I have voted independent until now. Every SOB that voted for this mess will not get my vote in the future, regardless of party.

Dan-299885 #4.11,

Are you sure? Maybe they just want somebody else to pay for the things that they want.

How much Kool-aid did you have to drink to come up with this crap? Have you bothered to read ANY of this bill? Yes, reform would be nice but THIS bill is not reform in the form that working Americans want. As for the "healthcare" that the government employees have...."we the people" will never see that!! I believe that they should now have to go on our plans now.

Yes they are. They think that all poor people are substance abusers and too lazy to work. That may be true for some, but not all. They don't want to increase minimum wages, but do nothing to stop greedy corporations from price gouging. Republicans want a ruling class and slaves. I could go on and on, but I'm getting angry.

Actually, the profits of all of the insurance companies will pay for 2 days worth of healtcare. Tell me please, how are the insurance companies going to cover 32 million more Americans, not raise premiums, be forced to accept $1000/mo. premiums for people who already are known to have $20,000/mo. medical bills, continue to cover everyone with the same coverage, oh, and save us $1.2 trillion? The lies are just incredible. There is a reason why people are against it. I suppose it will be done with the same majic that Pelosi said is putting all those people back to work. A year and a half ago, unemployment was around 5%. With the stimulous bill, we were guaranteed that it wouldn't go above 8%. Now, we are told that 10% is the norm.

So, with healthcare passed, we know that $550 billion is being taken out of medicare and that seniors are going to receive the same great care.

Maybe things will look better if we can have whatever it is that Pelosi is taking. I watched her speech sober and I couldn't believe that she said what she did with a straight face. I need to take the same thing so I can get that detached from reality.

Why should I pay for your healthcare?

McPeterGriffin

I work full time, have a child, live on my own AND go to school full time, go cry somewhere else!

SO THAT MAKES YOU SPECIAL?

I WAS living on my own WHILE working full time AND going to school until two years ago when I lost coverage under my parents and then became very ill and the limit on my coverage was so low, I am now $5k in medical debt and living with family still working full time AND going to school full time. I guess the only difference is I don't have a child. Maybe I should get a child, then I can be special too!?

What surprises me about people is they don't realize unless then are either uninsured or in the same boat as me, the will see little to no difference in their insurance...if anything it might just get better for you.

gobnait

Well happy, happy, joy, joy for you. A federal emploee with great benefits who had to (sob) pay $300 to cover your kid and now you can indulge yourself at our expense! I'm so happy for you.

And now you could purchase those same great benefits you refer to, and save yourself some money too!!

It's been a Dem. run congress for a bit no

Insurance company profit margins aren't all that great to start off with as compared to other industries. Now they are going to be forced to cover people that don't take care of themselves or people just wanting to get something for nothing. Thanks for nothing.

Are you willing to pay for this "Health Care" and leave my wallet alone??

Look into the damm bill, they passed it without even knowing what is in it.

The majority of the Democrats have been in lock step with the Union Bosses and Party Leaders they have forgotten how to verify what is being said, that or they just do not give a dam!

You stupid moron...WE ARE NOT GOING TO GET THE SAME HEALTHCARE THAT CONGRESS ENJOYS! They have access to the best doctors in the world, what we are going to get is the chance to maybe see a doctor after months of waiting, then have a government bureaucracy decide whether or not we get treated based on decisions we have made in the past i.e. tobacco usage or based on our age. DEATH PANELS ARE STILL IN THIS BILL! Plus you liberal cronie, thankfuly there is still a lot that needs to be done before this all takes effect so we will see whether this government wil still govern against the people. You think the Republicans just care about money, I didn't see Michelle Nobama give her 300,000 dollar salary to charity or Barack Nobama give his money from his books sales to a needy country. Think before you open your stupid mouth and if you want to give live in a socialist country, move to Greece...oh wait, their whole country is pretty such down due to socialism.

Actually, since 2006. BUT then the Shrub had the power of the Veto, which he threatened more than any president before...

Republicans & cronies - in that all you want to do is kill health care then I demand you & all members of congress give up health care paid for by the residents of the various states (it is our tax dollars that pay your salaries & insurance). Then reimburse the state every dime of that insurance until you correct the problem. Why are you allowed insurance I pay for but you deny me insurance I would pay for. This sense of entitlement on my dollar galls me to no end. How many of you with preexisting conditions could afford insurance if you could acquire it.

You all are stupid, My family came heere 2 years ago from Mexico, where we did not have any health care. All you do is fight with each other. i am glad you fixed this health care just like you fixed the welfare my sister is on and now i get health care. now i can get my brothers to come hear and soon this country will pay back what it stoled from Mexico.

Why should you pay for my healthcare?! Because of a little thing called communitarianism...caring about someone besides yourself & your own personal success of owning a Cobra (as stated above). This isn't about what party you belong to or how much money an insurance company will make; it's about making sure a person diagnosed with cancer will receive treatment, or a single mom working to support her two kids can get enough benefits to take them to the dentist when they need to go. It's about caring about people you don't know, just because it's the right thing to do. I understand the economy is tight, I feel it, but the only way for America to reduce unemployment or create a 'greener' earth is to work together and help each other.

I agree, hard working people are going to have to pay for this crap and I don't see why we just can't keep that extra money that we work very hard for to support our own families. Also whatever happened to people being responsible for their own lives, everyone wants everything for free and does not want to work for what they get. This is bull @!$%#!

I am self employed and have Crohn's Disease. Before getting sick, I had paid for my own insurance since 18. I got sick at 28 and was dumped immediately by my health care provider (Blue Cross of Georgia) after 10 years of paying monthly premiums and never needing to see a doctor cause I was so healthy. I spent over $35,000 from my savings for health bills, went bankrupt and nearly lost my house. I began working for myself because no one would hire me as they could not cover me under their issurance plan. I could not find insurance myself for 2 years. I finally found a catatrophic plan (meaning you only use it in an emergency because of the coinsurance mandates and huge co-pays) and I pay $585 a month in premiums with a deductable of $2500. That's just for me! My rate has been jacked up twice since getting insurance 18 months ago! Enough is enough. I've been a life long independent. I voted for Bush his first term and voted for McCain but the Republican party have done NOTHING to help people like me, those with pre-esisting conditions. Thank GOD this bill has been past. And that God for Obama, and that's something i'd never thought i'd say as I joked he was the anti-christ at first but I see now the only biblical thng about him is he's a true Christian and want to see ALL americans do well, not just the rich.

Then what are you doing to WORK for it. Why don't you run for congress? Or are you just another American looking for something you haven't earned.

Why should I pay for your healthcare?

Why should I pay for someone else's kids' education?

Why should I pay for police if I never need them?

Why should I pay for a fire department if my house isn't burning?

Why should I pay for a premptive war I don't agree with?

Why should I pay for old people to get Social Security if they're not my parents?

Why should I pay for roads I don't drive on to be maintained?

Why should I pay for buses to be available in town even though they also charge a fare?

Why should I pay for an aviation administration to work of safe air travel if I never travel by plane?

We all can bitch about things that we don't use or don't forsee using, and maybe your health insurance will drop you and this would become your healthcare as well.

Yosho,

Perfect! Perfect! Well said!

Did you think it was okay when the republicans were shoving worthless crap down our throats just so they could enrich-en the mega rich?

Two wrongs don't make a right. We are treated like we are stupid and need to be shielded from the truth. It is tiime we use common sense and not be led by those who have their own personal agenda.

KG, by that I presume you mean the Republican leadership who will to ANYTHING to prevent President Obama from succeeding. Including misleading the American public on matters so patently untrue that they are embarrassing?

To Wheels460.... I can't name or remember a Republican bill which meant to control this much of the American economy. and cost this much money.... If you are looking for a revenue netrul situation, This is not it... The cost will be enromous and long lasting unless near future Congress fixes this mistake.

Two wrongs don't make a right.

No, they make a bigger wrong, sometimes in the form of hypocrisy. Like the hypocrisy shown by Republicans who gripe about these procedures now but have been OK with their own party doing the exact same thing. You want to have some basis for this kind of argument, then hold your own party accountable for these actions next time they try it.

Yeah, just like the list of lies told by Obama, Pelosi and Reid. The lists are posted everywhere. The lies on on video, for all to see.

He lied about having the most open admin.

He lied about having no lobbyists in his admin.

He lied about 72 hours all bills would be posted before voting. They were still writing this thing today.

He lied about Gitmo.

He lied about the wars.

He won a peace prize while increasing troop levels in 2 wars he was currently waging, so not only is he a liar, the Nobel Prize folks are lunatics.

Yeah, those pesky Republicans.

TO YOSHO: You are correct - Republicans have used this proceedure before. According to USA Today ( last week edition ) Republican use the proceedure 6 times since I think the 1940's and at no time did the use have any far reaching effects. Your Speaker of the House, last week said " Republicans have used this proceedure hundreds of times". I watche her say it on national news.... This was a complete and wilfull LIE to the American people. You may want to get the fact yourself.

He lied about the wars.

Which lies, and do they match the WMD lies told by Bush? Last I checked, Obama wasn't trying to sell a preemptive war on BS intel.

He won a peace prize while increasing troop levels in 2 wars he was currently waging,

I thought putting more troops in Afghanistan was focusing our military resources on the real front in our War on Terror, making up for the premature de-emphasizing Bush did in pursuing his war on Iraq, leaving one front unresolved before moving on to the next. It also beats the what Bush 41 did, washing his hands of Afghanistan after the Russians left instead of doing something to help stabilize the region. That "hands off" move failed to "win the peace" after that war and allowed the Taliban to take power in the first place.

Iraq was a case of getting enough troops there to get the job of stabilizing done so we could leave sooner. Rumsfeld acted on low estimates which disagreed with the Pentagon on what was needed for that front from the start, and several retired generals along with the ongoing war meandering through different areas of Iraq were further evidence of just how half-assed Rummy's plan was. The increase there was to secure the area more quickly so we can get things stable enough to allow a final withdrawal.

In both cases, stabilizing the regions by increasing troop levels to what's needed to get the job done ( as opposed to a half-assed approach that leads only to extended or perpetual war with the "progress/setback" pendulum effect we've already seen ) is working towards a goal of peace.

I believed they used it to pass the bush bill that gave huge tax breaks to the wealthy, and I mean wealthy, over 200K. Don't wast your sympathy on them, they have so many other loopholes to use in order to avoid taxes. That little trick had the far reaching affect to put the country in debt. That was pretty far reaching to me!!! And as far as lies.....................Please...... look at the GOP - they perfected it!! Bush and Cheney were the king of liars................ They all lie, it's apparently an inherent part of politics, but it's your job to seperate all the fact from fiction and so far your not doing real well.

Like the Republicans haven't been throwing up road blocks and refusing to have civilized discussions all along the way....give me a break!

The Republicans made no attempt whatsoever to be a part of health care reform. They were completely disengenous from the start. In fact, they engaged in the same type of campaign against this reform which they always use these days to attempt to discredit issues and discredit candidates. They use the Republican modus operandi of fear, smear, and jeer; all based on misinformation, disinformation and false information. The Republicans have now wholeheartedly embraced Machiavellianism, but the American people will not long be deceive and truth will prevail.

The Republicans submitted one amendment after another, each and every one voted down by your open minded Democrats.

The lies Obama, Nancy and Reid have told are on camera and in print. You just don't want to admit it, which is obvious when you use the 10 year old "they did it too" crap.

The Democrats are the party who locked the Republicans literally out of the room. Justify this horrid behavior all you like - no good will come from this fraud.

This is the most appalling abuse of power and joke of a piece of legislation in American history - and it will be studied for years to come as such. There were so many lies by the media and the Democrats as they tried to sell this to the American people. We should be asking for the President's impeachment! The American people spoke loudly - they wanted them to go back to the drawing board and pull together a bipartisan bill that actually addressed health care reform - not villify and murder the health insurance industry in a concealed effort to bring socialized medicine to our country. And don't be fooled! These health insurance reforms will kill these businesses - they only had a 3% profit margin already in case you haven't been paying attention. And if they can't increase premiums they will go out of business. And oh dear, then they will have to put all of us in Medicare and if you are working now you better expect your taxes to go up to 50%. Cause there are an awful lot of people that are counting on you to pay for their free ride. Welcome to Canada!!!

We didn't need to wait for this, it all happened during the Shrub years while the republicans rammed through his deficits for his war.

If you think this Bill will be bad for your business then you have bought off on the nearly half-billion dollar lobby that fought against health reform in this Country.

You are sadly uninformed...

I read your comments and are in full agreement. As a small business owner this will not help me or any of my employees. It will again contiue to punish small business with more taxes and continued lies about "Helping Small Business Owners" another OmbamLie. No bank has ever helped us and always have excuses as to why they cannot. Now we will be punished if we do not pay for employees to have health insurance. I guess I can lay off people so I can pay for the remainder to have Federal Mandated employee insureance. What a bunch of CRAP! Thanks Democrats! Our government is just a front for what is becoming a dictatorship - Obama gets what Obama wants regardless of what the public wants.

They voted. Electronically. The bill passed by a majority - albeit a narrow one. Are you one of those people who think the GOP should always get 100% of what they want whether they're in power or not? Is that the "rule" they broke? Because I watched the votes. Majority wins. Is that an unfamiliar concept??

They had most of last decade to screw America up.

Let those in power try to fix it. Jeeeeeeeeeeez.

Cost of war in Iraq $102 Billion/year <--wave your flag?

Cost of universal health care $90 Billion/year <--protest?

Am I missing something?

Next vital step in progression: find young, qualified, ambitious, and caring people and make it possible for them to go to med school. Med school is out of reach of too many Americans because of the cost. This has resulted in a dearth of M.Ds and is one big reason for the price of health care.

Step 2: Decrease the wage gap between specialists and family practitioners. Specialists make 3X the wage of family doctors. We need to address this to keep the supply of family MDs high and the cost of a 30 minute checkup low.

Democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that came before it. -- Churchill

Somebody above asked for some evidence that people actually support health care reforms. Try this on for size:

link: http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2010/03/22/gvsb0322.htm

key quote: "The overall legislation is not as popular as some of its key provisions, Deane said. "So there's all these contradictions," she said. "Anybody who's going to try to sell you one clear line ... is not showing you all the data."
Polls have found that the overall health reform legislation is not as popular as some of its key provisions.

Some bill provisions enjoy significant bipartisan support. More than three-quarters of Americans are in favor of reforming health insurance, including ending lifetime benefit limits and exclusions based on preexisting conditions, according to the February Kaiser Health Tracking Poll. More than 70% of Americans support creating health insurance exchanges -- new marketplaces to compare and buy health coverage -- and tax credits for small businesses, according to the same poll.

Republicans also have asserted that public opposition to the bills are based on a good understanding of them. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R, Ky.) said on Feb. 25 that the "American people have followed this issue like no other in the time I've been in Washington."

But the public is still learning about some of the provisions in the House- and Senate-adopted bills, according to the January Kaiser Health Tracking Poll. Just 52% recognized that the bills would provide tax credits to small businesses. Forty-four percent knew about provisions to narrow the coverage gap in Medicare's prescription drug benefit, and only 42% of respondents knew of language to end lifetime health plan benefit limits.

Blumenthal said that "most Americans aren't reading every story about this, aren't following every detail." Much of the health reform news coverage is about the legislative process, not the bills' content and potential impact, he said."

W. Thompson, I suppose you are one of those idiots that only believe what the Republicans tell you that they want you to think! Nothing was done wrong, the congress acted constitutionally and did everything by the guidelines that the forefathers layed out in the Constitution. The Constitution was violated when the Republicans and G.W. Bush invaded Iraq and lied to the American people and spent money to finance an unjust war!

Don't let the BS about this procedure being illegal, its part of the rules the Republicans used throughout the Bush administration. Also as a veteran, the cost of this will never equal the cost of the Bush/Republican war in Iraq...The GOP is so Chicken $!&^%$)(& S)^T that they would never even include the cost in the budget....they used these same type of rules to have the cost as supplemental expenses..yes supplimented the the fat paychecks at Blackwater

I get really tired of people on the left saying the Republicans didn't try to be part of the health care reform. That's a little hard to do on the other side of a closed and locked door. The Republicans were not asked and their comments were not welcome UNTIL Scott Brown was elected and then the Dems thought they should make it appear as though they consulted them. How pathetically ignorant are you people?

For those of you who deny and ridicule people who struggle to get or afford decent healthcare because of their job or their health, I don't wish you ill will. But, if reform fails and you lose your job and then suffer a serious illness, you will deserve your fate.

why not make these same democrats use this so called health care reform...ha ha ha... never happen. i hope everyone remembers the names of these democrats that voted our freedom away while they changed the rules to suit them..don't re-elect them. why didn't obama take that money that he gave to aig to keep them afloat and put that into health care or maybe even education. not all american can send their children to private schools with bodyguards. those of you that re-elect your favority democrat i hope you kiss your ass goodbye, because they just sold your soul to hell. i will do everything i can to stop steny hoyer from getting back in washington. he is a joke and a patsy to the phony grandma (nancy) and people find faults with sarah palin? go figure. tell obama to get the illegals out of our hospitals and schools where they don't pay taxes or bills and our country might not be in the red so bad. or just tell obama to go back to illinois and messed them up some more and leave the rest of the usa alone.

Aquatone,

Of course there is support for certain aspects of the bill, that's a given. Both parties and most people in the country believe that health care must be reformed. But the majority of people in this country are against the bill that is in Congress. And your quote about the public just learning some of the provisions in the bill, hello, most of the idiots in Congress are just learning about some of the provisions in the 2,500 page bill. They are voting on it without even knowing what's in it. Even the amazingly stupid Nancy Pelosi said that they wouldn't know what was in the bill until they voted for it. Brilliant.

Thank God they shoved this down your throats! Why do you suppose we kicked your butts in 2008? It was to enact progressive legislation like Health Care Reform. Finally! I'd have loved an even more progressive piece of legislation, but this will help. Fewer and fewer Americans will be without health care in my lifetime, now. Improvements in Medicare, eliminating barriers like pre-existing conditions. Thank you for finally leading most of our party to this great success, President Obama - and Speaker Pelosi!

For "hdlonerider" - Who said I am a Republican - or are YOU assigning that political affiliation to me - as people who think as you do are mandating insurance coverage be purchased by everyone? You and your kind - those who make assumptions for others and then force it upon them - are sub-human thinkers - out for what THEY want at the expense of others. You need to be one of the first to realize your way of thinking is not what hard-working Americans will accept - and the very poll here at this site is complete evidence that you are dead wrong. 60% of those taking the poll say they will be worse off with this travesty. You - "hdlonerider" - are the idiot in town square singing "Happy Days Are Here Again" while most others are wringing their hands with the reality that socialism is now their burden.

No Thompson, we will not be singing happy days are here again. There is too much work to be done. Too many morons like you who think they have been to the mountaintop. The pole does disturb me because I can't believe that America voted for change, knowing healthcare was at stake. Then, they fall prey to the Republicans fear mongering. It doesn't say much for America. We are better than this pole.

I agree with Dennis all the way. Thank you Dennis for having common sense.

For those who are upset about parliamentary procedure used...

I would point out that filibuster is a parliamentary procedure.

W Thompson - re: 5 - you are correct for most Congressional districts. Unfortunately, the residents in my district overwhelmingly wanted this plan.

Nonetheless, on the whole, Americans did not want this.

My friend said one thing that made me feel semi better. We gave money to Wall Street. Hmmm. Let that be a lesson to us all.

Tyler/NEWSVINE

Please restore the comments deleted by the community. I am tired of people suppressing free speech.

That's the whole point though, this bill starts the discussion between Republicans and Democrats for how to revise this bill only to better serve the people and all budgetary deficits. I don't care how it changes in the future as long as the playing field for the people vs. the insurance companies continues to grow more equal.

But most importantly, THIS BILL IS ABOUT COVERING CHILDREN STARTING TOMORROW! Thank god! And they tried to make this about abortion (which is a lie). Fear leads to selfishness, think HUMANITY!

Bush and the Republican Congress, including many of the same guys in there now, passed, using reconciliation, an addition of trillions of dollars to our debt by substantially cutting the taxes paid by the wealthy.

In contrast, the healthcare bill doesn't add to the deficit, but cuts it over time, and actually wasn't passed by reconciliation, it was passed by a supermajority vote and only a couple small "fix-it" amendments will be passed by reconciliation.

Why should I pay for your healthcare?

You already do pay for others health care, through higher costs for your health care and insurance.

@Hannah-539105: If you think this bill won't add to the deficit you are 1) fooling yourself or 2) buying into the B.S. spin job Pelosi and the Dems have been spewing out.

This bill will not only add to the Deficit, it will be paid for by raising taxes on everyone, not just the super rich.

You don't . I pay over $1200 a year for a healthcare program that doesnT cover much and I have been paying for for 50+years,medicare, and I still have to pay for health care coverage for my wife and daughter. I am retired military and had Tri-care, not good coverage but adiquate,barely. When I turned 65 I was forced to go on medicare, then Tri-Care becomes Tri-Care for Life and secondary to medicare which doesen't cover anything prevenitive. You have to have something wrong or susspect something is wrong and go to a doctor for just that for it to be covered. I discovered this after I had my annual physical and got a bill for it, other than my copay that had always been covered by insurance. When I questioned it I was told that as long as you are healthy you don't need a periodic physical. Tell that to my sister. Her husban was healthy and didn't get periodic (annual) physicals. When he got symtoms that he had something wrong he went to a doctor and was told he had cancer. They gave him some radiation and chemo. put him on hospice care and we buried him in about 6 months. Had he gone in for periodic physicals this would have been discovered and it was a cancer that would have been easily treated had it been discovered in it early stages. Now with the passage of this bill medicare which already doesn't cover much will cover less and you taxes will go up so while you won't be paying for my health care you will be paying for the healthcare of not only the under employed but those too lazy to go out and even try those that sit around with their hands out expecting the government, at your expense and mine, to take care of them and think that, though they have done nothing to earn it, some how it is owed to them.

h@zm@t 1st this healthcare bill will cut the deficit as the CBO said and if you think you know better than the experts on this you are either fooling yourself or need to get at job at the CBO.

Secondly you cannot claim this bill will add to our deficit and be paid for by raising takes on everyone. It is logically inconsistent and betrays your ignorance.

...But I come to expect logical inconsistence form republicons, tea baggers, and the ignorant.

If anyone believes that you can insure 30 million more people and the bill will be deficit neutral; that you can cut medicare by 500 billion and it will still have the same WONDERFUL coverage as it has in the past and it won't hurt the elderly; that the government will run this program without any cost overruns; that there will be no tax increases for anyone making less than 200,000; that insurance is going to be cheaper for the average american; and that it's going to help our economy in the future, then I'm sure soon-to-be-ex senator harry reid has some oceanfront property that he'd desperately like to sell you. The government has done such a stellar job with Fanny and Freddie, the Post Office, Medicare, Social Security, not to mention $1,000,000.00 toilet seats, I'm sure this is going to be amazing. Hold on, America, it's going to be a bumpy ride.

jfw the CBO can only work with numbers that are given to them and I wonder who gave them the numbers, double counted numbers, number that assume certian things will happen that is known won't happen, and other twisted numbers. Of the things that they sent CBO is a large cut in medicare and medicare subsidies to doctors and they previously said that the doctor subsidies would not be cut. try to look past the smoke and mirrors.

With all due respect to everyone with children THEY CAN NOT AFFORD, why should I pay for your children's health care.

Why did you not be responsible like me and others like me and not have any unless you could afford them?

I truly, truly get ticked off when people have babies they can not afford and then expect my taxes to pay for them.

You must be one of those compassionate conservatives I hear about every election year.

If they really had a backbone and believed in the tripe they are peddling, then they and their union friends would have no problem switching to the same health"care" system the rest of us will be forced to use. They also would not need to resort to unconstitutional bribes to states and inviduals to get votes for it.

The good news is, this fight for the free market and individual liberty and freedom from the Nanny state is not over by a long shot.

Well, you're stuck with that vile disgusting company for at least 4 more years, or did you not read the bill?

And that backbone was bought and paid for. Scummy unions, scummy senators with sweetheart deals for their states and not ours, scummy leadership, scummy president. Scummy law.

Great and we can pay unemployment to the hundreds of thousands of people who lose their jobs. So now unemployment will jump up 5 to 8 % more.

Comrade Lester, Do you have your gray government worker issue uniform yet? Long live Chairman Mao!!!

since when is it right to lower my benefits and charge me for a premium I cannot afford.

yes lester, now you can fire your insurance company and in about 4 years, if you are lucky, you might get an appointment with a doctor. I really wish people like you had a brain and knew what the heck they are talking about. Welcome to Venezuela. We have a dictator for a president and I wish he and all his cronies would go back to where they came from and make their lives as miserable as they are making ours.

smrtcookie04 - actually the plan they are giving us in this bill is exactly what the politicians currently have.

It's the Republicans who are the hypocrites keeping their healthcare plan while saying the rest of the country would be worse off if we had what they did!

Currently federal employees use a pooling system to get better prices for private insurance, which is very similar to the "insurance exchange" pooling system the bill will make available to all Americans. Also, I believe the bill includes a provision saying all members of Congress will have to get their insurance through the same insurance exchange as the rest of us.

So you are sorely misinformed. Please do more research.

Why should I pay for your healthcare?

Yeah! I am 50 years old, have worked full-time since I graduated from high-school, and have been jerked around and denied coverage since having cancer 15 year ago (even though I am totally healthy now). My husband and I own a small business, yet I work for a corporation instead of our business so I can get healthcare. Now, I have the FREEDOM (yes FREEDOM Republicans) to work at our small business, and our small business can now get into an exchange so that we can offer our employees insurance. What the republicans don't understand is MORE people will have insurance. Today, taxpayers pay for all those people that can't get insurance everytime they walk into the emergency room.

"We may final be on the road to Medicare For All"

Are you kidding?? Do you know anyone who is currently using it or do you know anything about what your talking about??? I work in the healthcare system and everyday I have to work around Medicare to get the patient what they need. Oh, and Medicare isn't free, there are all kinds of preium and co-pays that are insane. Know what your talking about before you say stuff

You are so right Lester! Thank you for voicing what the Dems want... a business that accounts for 1/6 of our GDP going belly up, so they can come in and pick up the pieces. What a nobel dream. What a great way to fix the unemployment problem...putting millions more on the government paycheck.

Luckily, this bill will reduce the debt by spending more. Huh? And those reductions over the years will be grossly offset by the increases in unemployment due to the fall of the evil insurance system. But then, when unemployment runs out, and we are all struggling to feed our families while our creditors twist the knife, in comes your precious government to charge us fines when we cannot afford their healthcare premiums.

Great system you are hoping for, Einstein.

Nope, amnesty will be next and Lester will pay for that.

Cost of war in Iraq $102 Billion/year <--wave your flag?

Cost of universal health care $90 Billion/year <--protest?

Am I missing something?

Next vital step in progression: find young, qualified, ambitious, and caring people and make it possible for them to go to med school. Med school is out of reach of too many Americans because of the cost. This has resulted in a dearth of M.Ds and is one big reason for the price of health care.

Step 2: Decrease the wage gap between specialists and family practitioners. Specialists make 3X the wage of family doctors. We need to address this to keep the supply of family MDs high and the cost of a 30 minute checkup low.

Amen sir!! I am proud of obama too.

Yes, Hooray for the Democrats, they finally have a backbone to ignore the will of the American people and put a bill through the majority of Americans don't want! Oh wait....

So much for our Representative Republic. Hello Marxism!

Research rocks. Just do it! ;)

Hmmm, novel concept "firing your insurance company". Guess you didn't get the memo. The bill actually mandated that you MUST purchase private health insurance. Oh, and it can't just be what you think you need. It has to be what the Government thinks you need. Ain't nothing in there stating that you were getting anything for free.

Medicare for all. We all know how well the government is running Medicare. Isn't half a trillion of the money to pay for this bill, coming out of the ANTICIPATED cost savings from reducing the FRAUD, WASTE and ABUSE of medicare? As a military retiree, I have Tricare. Thank God the Department of Defense was smart enough to have a PRIVATE company administer Tricare. Otherwise, my Tricare would just be another version of Medicare, God forbid. Well, at least I won't have to depend on Medicare to save my life. You voted for Obama. I wish you the best of luck...

to Lester Wayne Osborne you need to take a good look at medicare and see what it covers and what it dosen't. It dosen't cover preventive healthcare but after you discover that something is wrong with you, which many times is too late, they will give you some small amount of healthcare then put you in hospice care and refer you to a physician that will tell you how or mabee even help you end your life. Do you know why? Because it costs less to let you or even help you die than to help you catch a problem when it is still treatable and in many cases cureable.

You at least understand that the bill will cost us all money.... With the exception of those who don't pay now... We have health care for all Americans now.... Just not the same health as those who pay for it. By the way none of us have the health care we the people provide for our elected officials. Would you care to comment.

We have to stop acting like we are powerless. We 'hired' these people and if we want everyone to be covered by the same insurance as our elected officials then we need to say so. Call, write, campaign -- whatever it takes to make them see that we want the same coverage that they have. So I don't feel so sorry for us for not having their insurance. Because for the most part we accept the spoon-fed sound bytes from TV -or worse- talk radio, take it as gospel and continue to sit on our couches.

But I think those who oppose this bill (and those who support it) are caught up in the present - it's so controversial and inflammatory and exciting. Everyone just LOVES a fight. Ooo! and it gives us one more reason to stay divided. Such drama and fun. But holy cow, folks I'm thinking way down the road when my husband, a doctor, has to hire extra staff just to fight with insurance companies on behalf of his patients. He does it himself now and spends too much of his day doing it. Our own insurance cost doubled this year. The bill is flawed. Imperfect. But the republicans had 8 years to do something about this - but now all of a sudden they decide they have a better plan. Of course it's not really a plan it's more of a 'piecemeal smokescreen where we can do as little as possible and wait until we can vote out Obama so we can go back to coddling our special interest insurance companies' Sorry. I don't trust them as far as I can throw them. The reason it's going to cost so much is because it's been neglected too stinking long. If you drop a brick on your foot and go to the doctor immediately it's going to cost a lot less than if you wait for a month for infection and gangrene to set in and it requires surgery. We waited too long for this to be cheap. And it's our own d@mned faults. Yep, we're going to have to pay. It's a bitter pill to swallow but the pill that costs $30 today is going to cost $200 a few years from now.

Well said, Christy. The Republicans DID have a long time to do something about Health Care, but refused to do so. Their "righteous indignation" and obstructionism of the original bill only served to further prove they are not interested in the well-being of the American people...all they want is cannon fodder for their wars and further recompense from their Insurance lobbyists.

Now we are too far behind to do anything but play 'catch-up' and anyone should know it's expensive to do so, but it MUST be done. And even as it is now, first aid is better than nothing. Gangrene kills if not treated, right?

Charles, who do you think pays for the health care that uninsured people get? Because they do get it, when they are really sick. Hospitals cannot legally turn them away. But the providers don't do it for free. Who pays?

You. And me. And anybody else who buys private insurance now, or pays taxes. Yep, we're all paying for other people right now.

You bet they are going to be out of office. I can go to my clinic and get healthcare, good healthcare, based on a sliding scale so I don't pay more than i can afford. Get real

Why should I pay for your healthcare?

you know what you nay-sayers...we're going to tell you the same thing you said when we protested Bush spending trillions of our tax dollars to kill babies in Iraq.. LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT!

Get off welfare and get a job.

Cost of war in Iraq $102 Billion/year <--wave your flag?

Cost of universal health care $90 Billion/year <--protest?

Am I missing something?

Next vital step in progression: find young, qualified, ambitious, and caring people and make it possible for them to go to med school. Med school is out of reach of too many Americans because of the cost. This has resulted in a dearth of M.Ds and is one big reason for the price of health care.

Step 2: Decrease the wage gap between specialists and family practitioners. Specialists make 3X the wage of family doctors. We need to address this to keep the supply of family MDs high and the cost of a 30 minute checkup low.

Democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that came before it. -- Churchill

And those "sliding scale" clinics are few and far between, even in the largest cities. Very few people have access to such clinics. That is why you saw the weekend FREE clinics take place in certain parts of the country the past few months. Thank you Keith Olbermann for helping to promote those clinics.

just because someone is on welfare doesn't mean they don't have a job. In reality about 15% of all welfare recipients who are physically/mentally able to work are unemployeed.

SirRobert Why get off of welfare and get a job now. The government will give you money to stay at home, stamps to buy your food, pay for your living costs and medical care. At the backs of those that are working. Overnight we have become a socialized nation and we had no say so. Our congress should be broughtup on criminal charges for what they done today. This day in history will go down as when the Free American People turn Socialistic. Next we will be calling our self's comrades.

Mark in Texas -- You're already paying for other people's health care!! Unless you've figured out a way to not pay taxes.

Please don't be DUMB or think everyone is stupid and gullible.

I have broken both my wrists, my foot, my toe and my arm. I have osteoporosis, am 63 years old and have never been denied coverage.

There is another reason your friend was denied coverage. Any insurance applications I have ever completed never asked those questions.

Do you mean denied coverage FOR a broken toe? I would deny them coverage too if they were running from the cops after committing a robbery and broke their toe. Your statement means nothing.

I have had epilepsy for the past 24 years, have changed jobs 4 times in that period and have never been denied coverage. Everyone can quote at least one "I heard" story.

Exactly, and this bill takes away the uneven coverage that now exists.

Are you really beleiving your statement... meaning all coverage will be equal with the passage of this bill? If all coverage is equal you ( assuming you provide for yourself and family ) and I will never be able to afford it or AS WLLL LIKELY HAPPEN: Quality care for all will be reduced to a level which I suggest may not be acceptable to you as well as myself.

No, Charles. All coverage will not be equal of course. But there will be certain standards that WILL apply to all coverage. Such as the end of denial for preexisting conditions that we were discussing here.

It's always been my understanding that as long as someone has continuous coverage, the insurance companies usually don't deny for a pre-existing condition. It's when you've had breaks in coverage that problems arise. That's one huge negative to having our insurance tied to our employment.

SOMEBODY HAS FINALLY HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD!!!!!!!! Our problem is not "Health Care" - our problem is the INSURANCE INDUSTRY!! They have been allowed to grab the bit in their teeth and have run away with their power. They are the only ones making the profit! Physicians and Hospitals only receive a small portion of what they bill and have to write off the remainder of a bill, some places employees have not received a raise in several years, staff is cut to the bare bone, staff has to pay their OWN insurance now, all benefits in hospitals and Physician offices have been cut back, BUT - the insurance companies are on record claiming "record profits"!!! It is the insurance industry that needs to be "REFORMED"!!

Why can't the two parties stop trying to outdo each other and come togrther like true americans? instead of being together like a truw nation should be.

cricket - the problem with your fix is that this bill supports MORE INSURANCE! This bill feeds 30 million or so new customers, most completely healthy, into the "Insurance" pool. Many of these are young and completely disinterested in health care.

The health insurance industry shows a profit of less than 3% - while Medicare is estimated to be giving away tens of billions annually to criminals defrauding the Government because they are too stupid to stop paying these criminals.

Why on earth would anyone want to feed more money and more people into a system proven to be filled with mismanagement, fraud and corruption?

all that has to be done is fix a problem, not the whole system

I so agree! I work for a large 10 fortune company and my company's insurance health premiums have tripled! My new insurance will not pay towards office visits, hospital or prescriptions until I meet a large deductible. It was just a few years ago with the same company that I had reasonable premium deducted monthly, did not have a deductible, my copay was $15 a visit. The company used to give us 5 different insurance choices to pick from versus one choice today. Regardless, it is still cheaper and better than going with my own personal insurance. I am also very grateful to have a job in this economy even though we are not receiving raises for a second year in row, our company is making the highest profits ever, stock is way up and our CEO gave himself a 12 million raise last year. Lets not forget my taxes have gone up by %10. Oh and did I mention I just received a letter from my health insurance denying medical services? Yes the insurance companies are the ones that need to be regulated and are out of control. If the healthcare bill can help regulate premiums and coverage then there may be some positive. Although I also feel that at the end the tax payer will pay for it one way or the other with higher taxes, increased unemployment and decreased level of Healthcare.

everyone seems to be blaming the ins cos. Why not put the blame and cost where it belongs. The hospitals charge outrageous fees for tests, treatments and everything else. The ins cos have to charge more to cover these costs. Not to say they should not have some more regulations about prexisting conditions or dropping cutomers for filing claims. As far as this socialist bill goes, everyong that voted for it should be deported to a socialist country so they can be happy, which in turn would make the rest of the constitution abiding people very happy.

"Denied for a broken toe." "Denied for a torn rotator cuff." What's next, anyone that has had Chicken pox? Let's be serious. Insurance COMPANIES are businesses and only by providing health insurance can they make money. The companies deny coverage for known MAJOR illnesses. If you force these PRIVATE companies to cover everyone, which unfortunately just happened, they will quickly go out of business. These companies have a 3.3% profit margin. That means that of all the money that they are taking in, only 3.3% of that is above their operating costs (administrative costs, benefits paid, etc). Compare that with the Real Estate Investment Trusts for Healthcare Facilities of 24.6% profit margins. Even Hospital profit margins are higher than healthcare insurance at 3.6%. Yea, these mean old insurance companies and their HUGE profits. Now that you are requiring them to cover ALL pre-existing conditions, what will their profit margins be now? I can almost guarantee a NEGATIVE profit, which will of course lead to NO Healthcare Insurance companies surviving.

Texas54321

You weren't denied coverage because you received coverage through your employer under a group plan. You clearly have no knowledge of how the systems works. Buying insurance outside of a group plan is a whole other ball of wax.

Also, health insurers do not underwrite health insurance as they do life or other insurances. Instead (again, this is outside of group plans) they sell you a policy, allow you to make payments for possibly years and then if you get sick or injured review your medical history and find a reason to deny you. They have a slew of people whose job this is. Solely to review files so that they can deny claims. This is partly why the overhead for insurers is 35% as opposed to Medicare which is under %2. (BTW Medicare is the most cost efficient system in the world. And happens, not coincidentally, to be govt. run health care)

I'm more concerned for those whose lives actually hang in the balance because they currently can't afford or get basic health care.

Reanna,

Me too. I get Tricare for my family and I and I also have the V.A. for myself. All of the docs that treat me are for it.

I am a retired Army officer that never forgot where I came from or the Americans that are less fortunate than I am.

Pass the bill today.

The stock market will do well. You can expect health insurance companies to increase premiums and reduce coverage for the next four years.

Remember when the credit card companies were given a "grace period" to adjust to the new rules. They took full advantage of it and cranked up rates and fees as fast as possible while they could. I fully expect health insurance companies to do the same.

And Obama and his ilk will all profit from their "health care" bill and will be long gone when we have to pay for it. Go Obama, the insurance company's best friend.

Yeah Paul, sort of like Bush is gone, but we're still cleaning up his mess. At least with the Health Care Bill, many more will live, whereas with Bush, hundreds of thousands, perhaps a million all totaled, have died.

I'm sure glad I'm on the correct side of that fence.

There is already federal law in place that forbids federal funding for abortions, and that law has been reiterated in the health care bill that's being voted on. Please: know what you're talking about before you start jabbering. Or at least try.

so i guess that means planned parenthood won't be getting any funding.... i don't want my tax dollars paying for somebody's abortion... stupak sold his soul for a piece of paper that is worthless.....

Yes, Reanna, but abortion funding IS in this bill. YOU please know what you are talking about before you start attacking other people making comments! Why do you think Stupak and his blue dog dem friends had to have a guarantee that the Pres would sign an executive order guaranteeing that abortion funding would be stripped out if this bill passes today?

As for your gall baldder -yep, I believe you have GALL.

Oh dear Lord. I wonder if it would help to say it in the form of a song, or a sonnet, or a pictogram, or hieroglyphics --- this bill will NOT fund abortions!!!!!!!! Hear it and understand!

Not only that, it actually strengthens Medicare. At least according to the AARP.

The abortion rate in Germany is half what it is in the U.S. "This is not a coincidence. There's a direct connection between greater health coverage and lower abortion rates. To oppose expanded coverage in the name of restricting abortion gets things exactly backward. It's like saying you won't fix the broken furnace in a schoolhouse because you're against pneumonia." www.properller.com And, let's see if you can understand this simple FACT - Federal law FORBIDS federal funds from being used to pay for abortions.

Reanna,

Whether we agree, or disagree, please...if you would like to be heard, stop being disrespectful to your elders. Here on the vine as well as everywhere else. I think this is the second comment I have seen you post to a "senior" that you have talked down to as if what they say is below you....I bet they could teach you (and all of us) a thing or two!!!!

But what even the Republicants fail to mention is that the HYDE AMENDMENT has to be attached to EVERY annual appropriations bill. It is NOT a permanent law, so to say that an executive order has no power since it can be canceled with a stroke of the pen, neither does the Hyde Amendment. It can be struck down in any given year by the very body that approved it originally....CONGRESS....when they pass appropriations.

Plus, what is the difference between federal dollars going towards abortions and state dollars? Many states DO fund abortions in their Medicaid funding. Remember that Medicaid is a STATE financed program, federally mandated. And why should ANY taxpayer have the right to determine whether a woman can get an abortion or not. THAT was the reason for Roe vx. Wade. It's too bad all of these 'pro-lifers" have so little concern for the born, while championing the unborn. What about the right-to-life from the moment of birth to the moment of death? That is what health reform is really all about.

Reanna: An Executive Oder may or may not be signed and since it does not require a vote - can just as easily be eliminated... I do not trust our Congress or President to act in the best interest of the majority of the American people. I am truly sorry for your health problems. I do know that treatment is available - it may take longer to access, you may have to wait a long period of time but it can be gotten..... Um,,, sounds like what will happen with the "new health care reform bill"

Hi Charles. Thanks for not belittling me for my condition. There's a lot of that going around.

I do believe that the bill isn't perfect, but I also think that it is a start, and will make things a bit better than they are now. It gives me a bit of hope.

Heathcare cover for all Americans is still in the stone age,we are more than 50 years behind other countries in the world,to name a few,England,Germany, and France,Zweden,Portugal,the Netherlands,clocer to home Canada they all have it and most people are very happy to have it, never have to worry how to pay the doctor,or hospital bills.No it's not free it cost money which you pay during your working live,everybody is paying in that system. If you are in the hi income bracket,you pay more,than somebody with a lower income. It's that simple,the problem here is that most Americans never seen a system like that and are worry about it, thanks to all that fear talks going on. It will work here in America, but it will take years before we catchup with the other countries in the world, we are so far behind, it's pittyfull.Don't worry about the money,so far they always found money for the wars we didn't need,so they will find the money for our heatlh care I would say. It won't be perfect right away but it is a start and something that can be worked on.

I'm familiar with gallbladder problems and since you know as much as you say about it, you would also know there are dieting techniques you can use to reduce the chance of an attack? Since you've managed to post on here quite a few times I presume you have the internet, look it up.

The good part about this bill is that even if you never qualify for your employers insurance (or they just choose to pay the government a cheaper tax than the insurance costs and don't offer it) you'll still be required to buy insurance. You might wanna check out how much the average premium costs and what the government "minimum" coverage requirement will actually cover. When in the history of the US has any of the working class gotten something great for nothing?

When I do get it, I don't even know if I'll be able to pay the premiums.

Well now that choice has been eliminated for you. You are going to pay if you can afford it or not. Some seem to be under the impression all this is going to be free, but all this bill does is mandate that you purchase health insurance. Those who are for this bill, and hate insurance companies.......they are going to be the ones getting richer....32 million new customers have just been sent to their front door...a captive audience, required to buy their product. Oh Happy Day....lol

50 years behind huh? No wonder all these patients keep showing up from these "enlightened" countries to pay for and obtain health care here in America.

Enough with this socialist nonsense. Yes many "democrat socialist" countries have universal healthcare. This isn't it. This is MORE INSURANCE.

John Stossel wrote a good piece talking about Indonesia I believe it was - a universal health system using the HSA model without the need for thousands of new FEDERAL EMPLOYEES or the fraud abuse and waste that these parasites produce.

But why do something simple when we can turn over even more control to our Federal Government, who has already proven they will not take good care of us or our money. That makes absolutely no sense at all.

You can get treatment at any emergency room in this country. My husband had gallbladder problems and I have an ulcer, boo hoo. Maybe I can help pay for your care because we have good insurance and our rates have never gone up.

Sorry for your situation, but why should I, or my children, or my children's children, or my children's children's children...pay for your healthcare?

I had my gallbladder removed 5yrs ago,still sick ins company canceled me,but still am not for reform.I have been a nurse for 30 yrs,I know how ins companynies work.I was forced in to retirement 5yrs ago due to my health.I have no ins now can not get coverage due to my health but still not for health care reform.I take over 15 meds aday (3x)and 5 injections aday,the cost of my meds a month is over 6k that is 82k a yr still not for health care reform.I pay for this (cash)no one helps me with it, that is what am suppose to due know one owes me anything am a big girl that is why I went to college and if I can do it everyone else can to.My mom had 14 children she did not pay for any of her childrens college.I have worked sence I was 12(pumped gas)I worked 3 jobs to put myself through school(college).What am getting @ is don't people know about investing & saving their hard earned money for a rainy day that is what I learned from my mom&dad.That life is not fair but know one owes anyone else a living,and that somedays you are giving rainbows and other days you have to make your own rainbows.I respect each of your opinions but the goverment is going to what it wants to due get the pun(due instead of do)and we the people will pay for it oneway or another.Thanks for reading this and GOD BLESS EACH OF YOU!Please don't type that people don't make enough to save or invest,you can invest as little as a dollar aweek and am sure some spend that on useless staff,instead of going to a show or to a play save it invest it.How I got started was coming home from work and putting my money in a jar and @the end of a month you want believe how much is there than take it to the bank and save it for a rainy day or in this case ins.Sorry one more thing those ins companynies everyone so mad @ well I was giving 2-5 yrs to live I need a transplant if I still had ins it would be covered under the policy that I had the ins would have paid 80% of the bill as of 2yrs ago one doctor (I have 7)said his cost is 350,000 dollars.I wished I still had ins if they find me the organ I will pay for it.I have 3 grown children (all 3 went college)but as of 3wks ago am a first time grandmother I want to see my grandchild grew up.In case you want to know I have never drink any kind of alcohol or drugs I don't even drink coffee don't like the smell of it the only vise I have is God,Family,Friends,Animals and a good conversation and coca-cola but can't drink it any more due to my health seems like every thing I love is killing me.

Sorry for your misguided attitude, but tell me...why should I, or my children, or my children's children, or my children's children's children...pay for your healthcare?

The same reason why we pay for eachother's children's education, and the roads we get to drive on and the lights and signs that help us stay organized and safe on the roads, and the parks we get to have picnics in, and the safety of our food... we pay for these things because this is where we live and this is what we do. If a person owns a home but doesn't have kids in public school, they are paying for other people's children's education. I drive 2 miles to work and about a mile to the grocery stors and back. I still "have to" pay for the roads that the commuters drive to work on every day. Okay with me. I hope they stay safe.

You already are. Surprise?

Mark - since you keep asking, and no one else is answering:

1. You already pay for other people's healthcare, and you have been for years and years. Hospitals, doctors, specialists, ambulance companies, all charge those who can pay more, to cover the costs of those who can't pay (because they can't turn them away).

2. Also, for the same reason you - and the rest of us - pay for the roads that other people use, the fire departments that we may have never personally needed, the police, and the armed forces.

Health care costs to insurance companies have skyrocketed in comparison to average incomes. And I haven't read any articles about insurance companies on the verge of bankruptcy. That's why a profit motive can sometimes be bad; the only ways to improve profits (what businesses try to do) to satisfy their shareholdes (the group - the ONLY group - they are really beholden to) are to EITHER innovate (pretty hard), charge more (our premiums) or cut costs ('sorry you just got cancer, we've deemed you ineligible, buh bye!').

You may not realize this, but improving the health for the entire country will actually boost long-term productivity. Healthy people work, unhealthy people often can't.

Hopefully you can accept these, and get past the fact that this bill is coming from a party not of 'your personal choosing'.

Republicans are the party of "Fear" Us poor folks pay taxes as much as anyone else. I am so tired of being put in the catagory of stupid and lazy just because I am poor. Rich people usually think that way. Maybe you remember the commercial with Candice Bergan going thru a fast food window and I can't remember it all, but the voice on the other side says, "you mean we have 50 states now?" and the expression on Bergan's face said it all, "Stupid burger flippers." A lot of people don't even know when they are being insulted. A lot of people have more respect for Bernie Madoff than they do for a hardworking less fortunate soul. "GO FIGURE!!!!"

Tundrapat: The question was "why should he pay for your healthcare?" NOT why does he. There are a lot of people that believe that the Federal Goverment is restricted to the specific responsibilities as defined in the Constitution. The Constitution leaves to the States anything not specifically ceded to the Federal Government. There is nothing in the Constitution that says that Health Insurance is any business of the Federal Government and therefore falls under the powers of the States. Here is the text from the 10th Amendment: "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."

There is a doctor and nurse shortage in America. So this bill will mean nothing except new taxes and more government control over your lives. Too many people fighting over too little medical care due to medical professionals.

Plus there are numerous surveys out right now citing how many doctors will go ahead and retire of change career plans should they be forced to accept lower medicare and medicaid payments. The plan as it stands now is to take people 55 and over and put them into medicaid. With medicaid and medicare already facing shortfalls, good luck getting all that promised, great medical "care".

You're right. We need to focus on education too. But once again, that is just a waste of money. If it doesn't get into executives pockets, there is no point in spending it.

Nobody is forced at gunpoint to take a job in this country. In a typical economy, if you have a lousy job, it's not because you're poor, it's because you have no job skills, and if you have no job skills, it's because you've made some bad life choices. I am a generation removed from poverty and I am not poor in part because I didn't have three kids before 20 (like one of my cousins) and did what it took, including getting high grades through 12 years of free public school and going to a cheap in-state public university, to get a 4-year degree. The current economy is in the dumps and there are a lot of good people in dire financial trouble right now through no fault of their own - I don't think it's a coincidence that the Democrats are ramming this boondoggle through at such an economic low point. That doesn't change the fact that once there are jobs, people with decent job skills will be able to get them and not be poor. There's not a conspiracy to keep the poor man down, unless you consider all the stupidity being done by the Democrats to delay economic recovery and keep business owners from being in a position to hire.

It takes poor people for others to succeed. That is all I'm saying. There are certain people who will be poor, and they are dire to our society. The least we could do is make sure they have adequate health care coverage. They aren't expendable just because they aren't rich.

Matt, I sorry that the world has poor people - You left out a large group of people - namely the middle calss. We will alway have the rich and according to the Bible, we'll always have the poor. What do you suggest will happen when the largest group of people ( the middle class ) don't have any more money left to give and thus become poor. There are not nearly enough rich people to make up the difference. Even if there were, the rich would just move to another country ( or move their business ) where the USA can't taxe it... Did you know this is already happening? Well it is and to a much larger extent than you may want to believe. Be careful in your desrie to take from one group to give to another. There will never be equality ( money wise ) for all people. It just can't and want be acheived.

NAMZ - You have stated the sutuation so much better than I could have - Thank you for simply stating the obvious. You are to be admired.

Poor people have coverage. Why do people keep posting this nonsense.

Many if not most of the people that will now be covered (and why exactly did the democrats leave out 17-25 million citizens from being covered under this bill) will be young healthy people.

The only way these idiots in DC have any chance of fixing Medicare is to get more money, and shift coverage costs to young healthy people.

When are people going to pay attention to the actual language in the bill and what is actually being done here?

Covering any of the working poor in the gap would have been very simple - expand Medicare down and Medicaid in general, and increase payroll deductions for same. Duh.

So well stated and without anger. When voting to rob Peter to pay Paul you will always get Paul's vote!

Paul and Gary,

The answer seems to be: With blinders on and hands out!

Hello, I would like to speak (or err type). I have a college education. I worked in healthcare until the economy forced layoffs. I am not currently employed. I have looked everywhere for jobs including fastfood. I have not (obviously) been hired yet. And I have no insurance anymore. I live in fear of ever needing to use the local ED. Yes, they are required by law to treat me, but what happens when the bill arrives? Because it will arrive. I am very proud of the fact that I payed off my car before I lost my job. I own my house (thank you
God) and the only debt I have are my student loans. I don't qualify for medicare or medicaid because I have no dependents. I do qualify for a local slidding scale clinic, but I can't pay the bill because there is no money comming in. And even if I did, MY state law declares that I can be denied coverage if I have been treated in the three months prior to applying if I didn't have insurance at the time.

I agree that this bill isn't even close to perfect, but it is a stepping stone on which to build. Oh and by the way, since I now have plenty of time on my hands, I am volunteering with two local women's charities.

To mladd: If you were on the "inside" of the provider problem you would be very aware of the fact that when you see exorbitant charges for anything medical it has been caused by those same insurance companies: insurance companies dictate to the hospitals and the doctors what they will pay for and how much they will pay - for example, the hospita charged me $18,000 for a ruptured appendix. You know how much they insurance company said they would pay? $4,000 and the hospital has to eat the rest because of the contract the hospital has to sign in order for the insurance company to "allow" the hospital to be an "in-network provider". The same happens for doctor offices. The real down-side to this manipulation is the LAW that says hospitals and doctors cannot offer one price to insured patients for the pittance the insurance company will pay and another "reasonable" price to those with no insurance who pay out of pocket. The insurance industry and their control have caused the huge increase in what Dr's charge, not the other way around. THE INSURANCE COMPANIES are the ones reporting record profits, NOT Drs and Hospitals.

Cricket, 3% profit is NOT, repeat, NOT record profits. Damn, how ignorant can you be?

Dasvet,

3% of WHAT? 3% of what you make or 3% of what Bill Gates and the next runner up make? I have heard numerous new reports on many different radio stations over the last few weeks about the different health care insurance companies who have "reported record profits" and how their stocks are going up in value. I have worked in the medical field for 20 years and I know what they pay out on claims and I know what it costs to actually provide the care and I know what it costs me - a healthy person - to get medical insurance and the only people making a "profit" are the insurance companies. We actually lose money on a lot of what our office does because the Dr. I work for believes in good medical care even for those who cannot afford it. Most of our patients are Medicaid by the way. If it costs us in actual out of pocket cost to do a $1200 procedure, we have to accept $1250 from Medicaid. I am not a math whiz, but that is no where near 3%. !! How long would your favorite mechanic stay in business if he only made $50 on an auto repair and that $50 dollars had to help pay his rent, his heat, his "malpractice" insurance bill of $30,000 per year? NOT LONG!!

Cricket, If you cannot understand what net profit is, then how can you call them record profits? btw, do you think that Obama/Pelosi will stop the insurance companies from raising rates when they are forced to insure everyone regardless of prior conditions? The insurance companies will raise rates commensurate with the KNOWN huge increases in payouts this bill will incur. That is the fundamental basis for free enterprise business in any field. If there is no profit, guess what, there is no company, and therefore no insurance coverage.

Cricket, 3% profit is NOT, repeat, NOT record profits. Damn, how ignorant can you be?

Sad....the 3% is the profit, AFTER the gazillion dollars in "bonuses", given to people who figure out ways to keep from having to pay for people's health, even after years of paying premiums. And after gazillion's spent to "fight" reform, and after gazillions in advertising, and freebies for the execs, etc, etc, etc. We used to have a saying - "Collect 4, just spend 1...that 3% adds up..."

Shame so many that oppose the bill, are those that stand to gain the most from it. Seems there's a "Fox" in the henhouse.

Dem4Life-1694072

Cricket, 3% profit is NOT, repeat, NOT record profits. Damn, how ignorant can you be?

Sad....the 3% is the profit, AFTER the gazillion dollars in "bonuses", given to people who figure out ways to keep from having to pay for people's health, even after years of paying premiums. And after gazillion's spent to "fight" reform, and after gazillions in advertising, and freebies for the execs, etc, etc, etc. We used to have a saying - "Collect 4, just spend 1...that 3% adds up..."

Shame so many that oppose the bill, are those that stand to gain the most from it. Seems there's a "Fox" in the henhouse.

Your logic amazes me! Guess you never took an accounting class eh? Please don't comment on that which you do not know about.

McPeterI suppose a for profit company doesn't need to make a profit, if one follows your logic. There are abuses in some companies as to bonus's, which, in a free society, is for the stockholders discretion, not the federal government. btw, My life's work was in accounting for thirty five years, and it was cost accounting for the most part. It doesn't amaze me that you are amazed. That happens when you don't have a clue about free enterprise, every time. btw, what is the meaning for "McPeter", sounds sort of gay.

Also to add to the discussion of healthcare cost do you realize that most medical personal graduate with at least $60,000 in student loan debts? I got a physical therapy degree and just to get my Doctorate in order to do my Job I gained $140,000 in loan debt....I have close to a $1000 in student loan payments every month. Currently I make just enough to make my loan payments, rent and have a few extra dollars left over. I have an excellent education and my patients benefit from it. Why shouldn't I be able to charge my patient's for my expertise?? I am not saying it shouldn't be reasonable just enough to ensure that I can pay all my bills and be able to contribute to the economy. Is it going to help this economy if my salary goes down and makes it so I can't afford my loan payments and I have to file bankrupcy? I had no choice but get that expensive degree to do my job....without it there would eventually be no more healthcare professionals and then where would you all be?? If you want the best you have to pay for it

That is what DEMS do march right over people. Listening is a different story.

Hey roketboy? They are only "marching" over Crackpot Teabaggers who spew bigoted epithets, AND over BLATANTLY POLITICAL CONGRESSIONAL Republicans to get to providing health care for all AMERICANS. So aa few Teabaggers and spray-tanned John Boehners get squished in the process, MILLIONS of Americans will be helped in the process. It takes COURAGE to move this country foward. Hey rocketboy: Man it up and do the RIGHT THING for Americans......

Amen and God Bless the United States and President Barack H. Obama.

Our Nation can not forever be "marched over" by those such as yourself. There is a point where "We the People" will say enough is enough. I'm sorry to say but I think that point is fast approching. Giving to everyone and everyone being made equal regardless of their life choices will come to an end and none to soon for me and the great majority of America.

Charles, I agree!! I for one am sick of being "marched over" by the religious right. I It is high time that America was for all Americans.

when are the people of this country going to wake up!!!!!!!!! after the greedy dems bankrupt this country or before!!! it really bothers me to think more of my hard earned money will be used to support more people who have no job and have no plans on finding one!!!!!! if you people think the health care is so much better in other countrys......... move there!!!!!!

Along the lines of NHLucky, I am sick of being "marched over" by corporate lobbyists that have strangleholds on both parties.

You are wrong. I remember. The great masses were in favor of civil rights..read your history

Yes we can!!!

Sorry for your situation, but why should I, or my children, or my children's children, or my children's children's children...pay for your healthcare?

YOU are an idiot! Instead of altering your diet and making changes to your life that you should obviously do anyway, you want 'health insurance' to buy you a pill everyday. Why not cut out the McDonalds and other fast food and spend that money on living.

The democrats had their chance. Get ready for some republicans to reclaim office in upcoming elections.

I am so glad you want to live in socialist nation. Can you please go live in a different one and not try and turn my country into one?

Democrat from CA #18,

"... History keeps marching forward ..."

Are you sure that it doesn't keep repeating ?

"Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it !" Sir Winston Chuchill

Or the fall of the Roman empire, or all of the other former empires.

Winston Churchill?

Try George Santayana. Agnostic philosopher and pragmatist.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Santayana

NHLUCKY, obviously you have forgotten that "All men are created equal under GOD". I have no problem if you do not want to be a christian so why do you have a problem with me being a christian and expressing that? You have the right not to believe and I am OK with that. It does however make me ask you why you have the right to say I am wrong for being a Christian? One more thing, do you know what the constitution says in the state you live? I know what it says in Missouri.

We, the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness, do establish this Constitution for the better government of the state

Tom-1693548 #19,

Heaven forbid ! Are you suggesting COLA's to make adjustments to cover the declining value of the dollar, that is causing costs to climb ? You're not supposed to use commonsense, are you.

"People have eyes, yet they cannot see!"

I liked your post.

Tom, I work in healthcare, and we do have to justify every test ordered. For instance I cannot do a chest x-ray simply because the Dr. thinks it is required. There must be another, better reason for the test. And there is a great number of people who fall into the gap between medicaid and the insured. If we can't pay for individual insurance, how do you think we can pay an emergency bill?