CNN

what are all the bushelover mc cain lovers when it goes through and it will and you will all look like jerks but you already do yyes obama yes

I have been a nurse since 1975 and have seen many changes, not all of them good. Most hospitals are "not for profit" meaning they can't show a profit on their books so they have to spend the money they get. In the past few years, they have seen an increase in costs due to so many people without insurance that use their emergency rooms, but these same hospitals continue to build or remodel because they have to spend the money. I worked in one hospital for 11 years, and the first 6 years the OB and womens health floor was under constant remodeling. Their C-section surgical rooms had tiles on the wall that had 22 ct. gold in them. One of the doctors was unhappy with the layout, so as soon as it was done, they remodeled it again, including tearing out the gold trimed tile and putting up new gold trimmed tile. Obviously, the nurses thought that just maybe, that money could have been used to hire more nurses or give raises, but no, that money came from the "building fund" and couldn't be used for anything else.

John November 20th, 2008 4:18 pm ET
Regardless of your afiliations if we don't get the ridiculous costs of helth care under control we are doomed. Neither Gov't or Private can deal with that.
Step 1 Reform the Tort system. No more huge frivolous malpractice suits
___________________________

You are so right, John! The only thing wrong with our healthcare system is –as it is EVERYTHING in our country - is that people want to sue, sue, sue to reap some "windfall " profit. If you have hangnail and your doctor doesn't order an expensive MRI for you, you sue!

As always, it's the "entitlement" mentality that brings us down - and will continue to bring us down with Obama.

Want a ham and cheese sandwich? Ask the government to provide it and you get a $3000 meal. Ask private industry - and you get a ham and cheese for $2.99 - with fries and a coke thrown in.

But I guess people don't mind the $3000 - as long as it's "liberal." Good luck, suckers !!!!!!!!!!!

What exactly does it mean to "Change Washington"? Same people? Same policies? Same Lobbyists? Was it "Hope and Change" or hope they change?

Kevin....you need to stop listening to your recorded Palin stump speeches........she was an idiot too...........

I totally agree with the rest of my fellow Canadians who have supported our health care system and am astonished with the uniformed opinions written here by people who really know nothing about our system..

We have a population of about 38 million people, which is over 5 miliion LESS than the number of people in America who have NO health care. No one will go bankrupt from a catastrophic medical problem and no one will be denied health care costs due to a socalled preexisting disease. Doctors do not have to apply to a paper pusher for permission for treatment.

Like any system, it is not perfect but there is an inherent pride in a country that looks after its own. When I compare my health care costs (aout $100.00 for medical, extended health and dental) and my taxes with friends and relatives in the US with their medical costs and taxes, I am way ahead financially.

I read these posts and it confirms to me that people just keep dumbing down......and I'm not talking about the democrats!

I'm going to grab some popcorn and watch our healthcare system collapse as waves of docs retire early.

You thinking a 5+hr wait at the ER is long now....

Daschle?????? OMG, NOT Daschle the jellyfish !!!!!!!!!! There goes quality healthcare. Here comes Daschle (or anyone's) universal healthcare - where folks over 65 won't get any meaningful services at all - where folks of any age with a REALLY serious illness like heart disease, cancer, or kidney disease have to wait nearly a year for diagnostics and treatment (just check out Canada and the U.K.) - and won't you all be just SO pleased. I hope you're all under 30 and healthy !!!!!!!!!!! If you're not - BOY, are you in for a rude awakening !!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have terminal cancer , it seens like the world have bottomed out, for people like me. The problem we have are we are Americans. There is no help for us when our health falls to this degree. But if we are refugees from another nation we can get all the help we need to live as normal people for the little time we have to live from this cancer. Will some one please help with this issue. HEALTH CARE PLEASE !

I lived in South Dakota until recently. I voted for and have met Tom Daschle. He is smart. He is articulate. I think he would be the right man for the job.

CHANGE = BRING BACK THE OLD GUARD??? c'mon.

This guy a is a liberal and he will join with Ted Kennedy to have Universal health care. Americans will have to wait for a long period of time each time for medical treatment.

Germany has a double digit un-eployment rate. Germany is trying to do away with their state run health care, its near bankruptcy.

This so called crisis , is just another excuse for the govt to take over a huge part of private sector business.

cmg, you must be a liberal, if you had any brains you would be a republican.

0bama,the incoming captain of the USA , now re-named the ss Titanic. The stock market as so much confidence in this guy that it's dropped a couple of thousand points since he was elected. ( Soros bought the elction for 0bama aided and abetted by the press). Son enough buyers remorse will set in. The people that actually voted for 0bama are nothing more than lobotomized lemmings.

On top of that, if you are 80 to 90 years old, you shouldnt be treated for a new heart or be treated for expensive cares. It doesnt make sense. If you love America, you should think about helping lower cost down, by asking yourself if you really need the treatment.

As a fellow South Dakotan and a nurse, I am tremendously pleased with Tom Daschles selection for Health Care reform...

You know, I like Universal Healthcare, but we may not have enough doctors. I believe that for your common illnesses, we should use Walmart and Walgreens' services. They have clinics that treat your regular cold/sflus/acnes and other ailments. I think this will free up the real doctors for more important illnesses and will reduce traffic jam at the doctors' offices. Think about it!! Be smart and work smarter not harder. I pray that America has enough brain to work this Health crisi out.

Sen. Clinton would prefer Daschle's job I think. Also, either Gov. K. Sebelius or Dr. Tyson would be an excellent choice for Commerce Sec! Go well in those selections; keep it up!!!

From a loyal supporter, and not a fair weather friend!

The govt. isnt the solution to your "problems" YOU are. The govt IS the problem, and what you can do about it is vote . Vote out jerks like Barney Frank and Chris Dodd ( the two hogs responsible for the freddi/fannie fiasco). Vote out Murtha who called his own constituants racist and than ammended it to " rednecks" , nice guy. He has contempt for you, the people. Have term limits for both the congress and the senate.

Of course all the greedy republicans do not want universal health care. I can't understand why republicans are so shelfish.

cynthia , have the two of you been out togethere? Have a long meaningful conversation? What do you actually know about him. His own constituancy didn't re-elect him. They knew more about him than you think you know. His ego has finaaly found a home with the 0bama administration.

To Pat F
The Canadian nurses may work in Detroit, but they come home to Canada after their shift. I live in the area (Essex-Kent ) that you talk about, and I do not know where you get your info from, but I do not know any people that cross the border to get treatment in your hospitals, and I know a lot of people!! If they do, it is a small percentage. We have to pay for out of the country insurance to do that. If you took a poll, the over whelming number of Canadians would say out system works!!

Kevin said: "Have you ever noticed that every other country that has universal health care has a stagnant economy, and exorbitant tax rates?"

Have you ever noticed how conservatives often spout non-facts and statistics as if they were gospel? Canada has a stagnant economy?? Since when? Currently we're faring better in this economic downturn than you. The UK has a "stagnant" economy? Granted, pretty much everyone does right now, perhaps, but the US is no exception. It obviously has nothing to do with universal healthcare, which just makes sense from a humane perspective.

We need universal health care and we need it NOW! I'm retired Military and a healthcare provider. I have health insurance from my present employer and Tricare (military health insurance). When I retired and finally faced what medical insurance was all about I was shocked at my ignorance. I worked a couple of years in an Emergency Room and saw long lines and extended wait times for routine medical needs competing for care with true medical emergencies. This, because the ER would see them free (if unable to pay) and that these patients had no physician (because no medical insurance, although they were employed). We ALL pay for this with our taxes in the long run, either for the ER visit or hospitalization of chronic medically manageble illnesses. We must think of the long term cost rather than short losses in taxes. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

I have always been a supporter of Tom Daschle. He seems like a very sincere and intelligent man. I would love to see him work out a health plan for all of us. We already have programs that possibly could be expanded on. My health insurance is one of my most costly expenses. Any help would be welcome!

The master of faux outrage leading the healthcare initiatives of Obama? Please!

I still remember when Daschele gave some convuluted speeach on the senate floor (I believe he was railing against something Bush did) and he went on and on about how mad and outraged he was about what Bush did. The funny part was he did it all in a whisper.

Change? Change? We'll all be asking for Change on the street corners in a year.

Are you "universal health care" people self-deluded or just stupid?

Our entitlement system is already deep deep in the red and we're printing money like it's going out of style to bailout the Dems' last socioeconomic engineering schemes (CRA, Fannie, Freddie).

The Democrats have already ruined the medical, energy, automotive, and financial industries with their insane restrictions, regulations and mandates.

WTH would anyone want to out those economic illiterates in charge of something so personal and private as their health care?

You can leave me out of your mandatory socialist health care schemes, thank you very much. I am quite happy with the insurance plan and doctors I have now.

Question: Why is it the only choice Democrats want to allow us plebs is the choice to abort?

Anything the govt gets its hands on is a failure. Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, govt. failure that we , the US taxpayer are paying for.
It's OUR money , not theirs. A free market economy is what works, socialsim doesn't

United States of America
1776 – 2008
R. I. P.

Am I going to get free plastic surgery when they implement this new health care for everyone?

Just adding to the discussion... As a small business owner (no employees) I am paying for my own health insurance (~350/mo) and I am just happy to have it, although it is not easy to make the payments. I am originally from Germany and all my family lives over there. It has been interesting for me to see how well they are cared for when needed and not having to pay much extra if anything at all. My brother, sister, brother-in-law, dad and mom (at the moment for the 3rd time in hospital this year) all needed major care this or the past year. I have been worried about them but the healthcare system works fine there. They are not financially affected with copayments etc. as I see it here.

Well as I sit here with a 100k 401 K that is now worth 59K in the past 2 months, I sure hope that we begin to take care of the American economy, seems that they can't even give the 700 Billion Bail out away correctly. Tough to believe in Congress and the Senate getting it right,

Dear Veteran in Kansas:

We have national health care systems for the most vulnerable Americans. They are called Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP and the VA.

Have a really special day. Sarcasm and anger are poison, you know.

Something needs to be done in regards to our healthcare system that is for sure. It will take great minds and time to improve what we have right now. I would think looking at all the countries that provide universal health care, like Canada, France and Germany should give clues on what to do.

Kevin –

I'm sorry, $100 a month?! Maybe 50 years ago. Most of the people that I know who can't afford healthcare either can't afford a HOOPTY, drive a hoopty, or have the cable that has 3 channels and local news. My boyfriend, for example, is an independent college student with a part time job trying to pay for school and other bills by himself. He can't get healthcare through his job, but if you know of plans that are only $100 a month, PLEASE tell me so he can get his pinky (which has been broken for 6 months, and they want to charge 400 just to set it) checked out. ^_^

G.R.I.T. – Girl Raised in the South: I live in Detroit. Everyone in Windsor, Ontario and throughout Essex County, Ontario comes across the border from Canada for decent health care here, with no waiting lists. Heck, half the nurses in Detroit hospitals are Canadian.

Don't talk about what you don't know anything about.

Have you ever noticed that every other country that has universal health care has a stagnant economy, and exorbitant tax rates? I'm all for health insurance for everyone. I'm sure most everyone is, even staunch conservatives. The issue is how it will be paid for. Raising taxes seem like the only way to do it, and that ultimately hurts everyone.

Ah yes, change is coming Obama. I see it in all of your appointments. The same old guard. Now that is real change.

We already are a socialist country–police, fire, transportation, road repairs and removal, schools. We just do not have health care and if we did it just might improve our ability to attract companies back into this country. I have friends who live and work in Canada and they sure like it and feel safe if they move from job to job. Their economy is NOT collapsing!

Kevin,

I'm a healthcare provider. At best you can find something for $320 a month and that is a bottom of the barrel premium.

I tell you something else a survey has gone out and 49% of providers say if they can find something else in 3 years that is what they will do because if the insurance companies.

The healthcare industry is about to get very interesting.

Dookie: I have never once heard of a person from Canada, England, France or Germany having to come to the U.S. for surgery. Iraq or other third world countries, maybe, but not the ones you named.

Universal Health Care for Everyone!!! Let's make it happen!!

PS – one thing that always confuses me about American conservatives: have you ever noticed that most of the rest of the developed, Western world already HAS these things? I'm not sure how you can maintain the illusion that everything will fall apart if universal healthcare is implemented, since you are one of the LAST wealthy countries in the world NOT to have it? Dumbfounding logic.

JB: Where are you getting your statistics? I'm Canadian and have never paid extra fees for decent coverage. The only health care costs I ever pay for are dentist fees and prescriptions, although those are mostly covered by extended medical through my school. So yeah...I really don't envy you guys. You've been brainwashed by HMOs into thinking you'll die without them. I feel sorry for you if you're that easily deceived.

to Kevin:
You say that if everyone gave up things that they could afford $100 month healthcare policy.
Well not sure wher you atre getting your numbers, but I am a 54 year old man and when i look at private health insurance the premium for me is over $350 a month, and for my wife who is 48 the premium is over $300 a month....we both work for small businesses that do offer insurance to theirr employees. So we would have to pay $650 a month for insurance. We do not drive fancy cars, no have the high end cable package, but with rent, utilities, car and life insurance, food and gas costs we are just making ends meet. We know we are rolling the dice but we cannto afford the amount that is being asked for for health insurnace converage, purchaning it as individuals, not corporate. If we could find health insurance for $100 month for us both.we would have it. But that is not the reality of the system as it exists now.

Kevin> Right, because the health care system is AWESOME now. That's why most people who have lost their houses have lost them due to not being able to pay their mortgages b/c of HEALTHCARE bills!
The system is broken. It needs to be fixed. Being healthy is a right, not a privledge.

the same man who closed shop and the only one when the senate had a terrors threat a few years back remember..........

Hey JB
You know nothing about Canadian health care. I do not pay extra for treatments, and the comments about long wait times are wrong. I have been to the emergency dept in a Florida hospital and I waited much longer there. If you take the number people who go across to your country as a percentage of Canadians, you will find it is very small, our health care system works, and yours bankrupts people. We may pay more taxes, but if you add your health care costs to your taxes, you will find you end up paying more. I know my American brother does. If you think it does not work, tell me why so many countries use our system or a version of it!!

How about figuring out how to pay for it as goal #1?

I wonder how many people who don't have healthcare right now drive a really nice car and have a hefty car payment, have a satellite dish, or the premium cable package, or any number of luxury items that they could give up for a $100/month health insurance payment. I'd think that if they don't have health care, they could give up one of their luxuries to pay for health insurance. It is not a "right" to have every cable channel one can get or drive nice car, but priorities matter, and everyone should live within their means. Even if it means giving up some luxuries. If the gov't thinks everyone should have health insurance, I'd like to find out what percentage of Americans can afford it, but choose not to purchase it b/c they want cable or a nice car, or likes nice dinners at fancy restaurants. I'd also like to point out that Mr. Obama's idea of "free" health insurance is not anywhere near free. American taxpayers, and ultimately the small percentage of Americans who actually pay taxes, will pay for this. Some of you out there think that is fair, but it is not fair for those of us who are paying for other people to live off of the government and not work hard. Just think about that. I'm all for helping people out who are in a pinch, but not providing for freeloaders who could provide for themselves.

This is good! I agree with LyonsPhilly, Let's do this! We all need it and remember this is our government and finally they are doing what the people need! Great News!

I'm a Canadian living in America. Canadians would riot if you took their healthcare system away. It works exceedingly well with minor issues like any other system. I miss it. The private insurance companies here are bankrupting people who are sick. If its not fixed, this is your NEXT nation-crippling crisis.

Under the current system, health care costs are so high because people with no other choice have to go to the emergency room to get even basic needs treated. Emergency rooms cost so much because the people working there are extremely specialized and get paid pretty well. Medicaid and Medicare don't cover nearly enough people, so even still you have people going to the emergency room.

What needs to happen is that all people need to have access to a primary care physician, who they can see instead of going to the emergency room. Once less people go to the emergency room, health care costs overall will go down. Insuring more people under a national system will actually make things cheaper for those who have private insurance!

In this country we like to think that we are free because we are free to buy whatever we want. As long as so many people are dying from lack of health care, can't get affordable housing, can't afford education...then we don't have as free of a country as we think we do. Freedom is not just freedom of the market, but freedom to live without fear that you won't have basic needs met.

To Kevin:

Your tired, ignorant, and irrelevant statements are the exact reason why the Republicans have lost the confidence of the American electorate. Your statement should have been, "people Republicans ideals are not the solution they ARE the problem!"

I hope the American public remembers what party thinks it is acceptable to have millions of children go without basic health care, millions going bankrupt because of medical bills, etc, etc, etc.

So the government is going to take over health care now?!Great...they've done such a good job of handling Social Security and Medicare. I guess we can add yet another underfunded entitlement program to the list. The Dems are smart...they know that once a big entitlement program goes in, it can never be undone.

I do believe that this country needs to do all we can to help those without health care coverage. But a government run program is just not the answer in my book.

Dookie...I had heard the same thing as you anecdotally, but haven't seen any data to back it up.

I always thought Hillary and Daschle were really close in the senate because they always seemed to be together in photos -I'm happy to see Daschle in the cabinet but please keep Clinton out.

kevin...quit foaming at the mouth

thanks to bush there will be no more good days for a long time, even while Obama takes office....bush has made a HUGE mess

move to russia or china if you don't have the stomach to digest change, and don't want to roll up you sleeves to work on uniting america.

Now comes the really hard part-who do the democrats throw under the bus???

See, in order to have NH work, you need tort reform, and that means tossing the trial lawyers and the inner city structure of scam artists under the bus. Hard. Because if you don't, you won't have docs for your NH system.

Require docs to carry lots of insurance? Ha, good luck getting Aetna or Cigna to continue to underwrite malpractice insurance at artificially low rates.

The gov will have to establish insurance for docs, which will be another bailout–for the trial lawyers.

Government controlling costs, wages, premiums, and industry. Hmmm. Tell me again what that system is called, comrades???

All those opposed to the healthcare incentive should be very very careful. We are in a recession and no job is safe, none. Imagine life without healthcare – it could be you.

Hey Ann-

What do you know about the Canadioan healthcare system? Do you know that about 70% of the population pays for additional care because the basic plan sucks? Does your friend?

So, those without the money to pay for additional coverage have bad care. They pay more in taxes, and then have to pay additonal monies to get "dedcent" care.

What are the waiting times for non emergency procedures?

Why are Buffalo hospitals filled with canadians paying cash for procedures?

The crime in this situation is that multinational, multibillion-dollar companies are allowed to pay people sub-poverty wages and not provide health care benefits. That's screwed up.

LISA YOU'RE RIGHT ABOUT "the people who have jobs have a somewhat decent health plan cause that is all we're going to have for a long while", AND OBAMA HAS TO COME UP WITH A PLAN FOR NEXT YEAR'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE OR MANY WON'T EVEN HAVE A DECENT HEALTH PLAN ANYMORE. NOT ONLY THE DOW SLUMPED, NASDAQ AND S&P ARE ALSO IN THE BASEMENT TODAY... HOPE TOMORROW LOOKS BETTER.

A RX I WAS BUYING BEFORE MEDICATE PLAN D WAS $62.00 WITH NO INSURANCE NOW THEY SAY THE RETAIL PRICE IS 175.00 WHY???

Did Bush pick experienced and skilled people to not only take over but to begin laying plans for improving the government. NOT

Well..as long as we cannot and will not control our borders...the system will fail.

Taxpayers can only support so many people. When it gets to the point that more people are sitting in the cart then pulling it..then the cart stops moving forward and ceases to be.

I cannot wait to see all you Obama lovers cry in your soup when you see what he is reall going to do to all of us. He is a socialist and we will all pay the price – big time. Tom Daschle is a lobbyist – full blown. I listen to how you keep praising Obama like he is some kind of God who has come to heal "the government" and set us all free. Its nuts and so are all of you. I want to keep my health care and I do not want to stand in line to be seen or have to wait for tests and operations with NHS – no thank you. And I do not want to pay for anyones mortgage, or car or anything. Pay for it yourself – I have paid my own way and so should you. Yuk to Jan. 20th

I am sorry to say that I cannot see the US getting universal health care anytime soon.

We have been struggling this whole week to decide whether or not to bail out the automakers. That is another 25 Billion dollars right there on top of the 700 Billion we already committed to bail out the financial industry (even though now we are not).

We simply will not have the Billions and Billions of dollars it will take to even start a universal health program. Maybe in about 3 or 4 years it will be at the talking stage. But it is going to take at least 2 or 3 years to get back in a Bull Market. The Bears are taking over.

Laura, Boston

Regardless of your afiliations if we don't get the ridiculous costs of helth care under control we are doomed. Neither Gov't or Private can deal with that.

Step 1 Reform the Tort system. No more huge frivolous malpractice suits.

Let the socialization of our country truly begin! I hear Chavez cannot wait to meet Obama.

There will never be enough money for the government to pay for people's healthcare, any thinking person understands that, but why can't those of us that are paying a fortune for healthcare now, as individuals, not get on the same program as Obama now if we are willing to pay?

Hey Dookie, who are you listening to about other's health care? My best friend is Canadian and their system is a lot better that you seem to believe. I think you better read up before you go spouting off that others' plans are worse than one that is non existent unless to satisfy the rewards of the HMO's profits lines only rather than the patient. I still want to know what makes Daschle the expert other than his writing a book, being connected to lobbyists, and his wife lobbyinfg for the industry and his being Obama's national co-chairman of his campaign and it being payback time? Why doesn't he fit into the same category that they put McCain in that he has been around the Senate for so long and nothing got done? Even his own constituents wouldn't re-elect him.

We do NOT need socialized medicine in this country. Government isn't the solution to the problem...Government IS the problem. Wake up people, before its too late. The Bush years will be the "good ol' days" once Pelosi, Reed, obama, Schumer, and Daschle get their hands on running things. Hell in a handbasket.............

The election is over and the smart people won! It's our manifest destiny to continue to be the greatest nation on earth! I'm positive we'll think of the best system available. WE ARE THE UNITED STATES! There's a reason why we have more Nobles prizes than any other country on earth! Just shut up and get it done!

Chill out Trinidad.

To Lisa – fixing health care will help fix the economy. Every business, large or small, is effected by healthcare. If we can reduce the cost, it helps ALL.

Now that banking has taken a hit, only healthcare stocks have risen over the last 10 years. We can do BETTER then what we have now.

There is no Health Care Goal: Not the Way Obama said!
Free Health, he said... You need Hospitals by the Dozen. The Gates will be Flooded with Out-patient's.. I know!!!! He is a Socialist...
Just you wait and see, if it is Really Free????

Once again, look and medicaid and medicare. Many doctors are refusing to see patients using those plans. I have good insurance and great doctors. I pay for it. I work hard for it. Why should I give up my quality health care. Should I give up my house because someone else can't afford their mortgage. Should I give up my car because other people have to use public transportation. Should I have to give up my job because other people don't have one. I should not have to sacrifice quality and choice because this country has an immigration and education problem. Medicare and Medicaid are failures. The governement is completely incompetent and you want them to run are helathcare program. Democrats are foolish for putting so much faith in failed systems.

TOM DASCHLE IS A LOBBYIST!! Look it up! You people are sheep!

I thought the chosen one said those guys won't have a job in his admin?

So much for "change".

Grace-

I recently listened to a program on this. The big difference is we spend too much money on life extending treatments that are astronomical in price...just to extend these lives by mear months.
In England, these treatments would not be covered by insurance unless they can prove it will actually be a cure rather than a simple extension of life.
That cost alone adds billions to the cost of the American system right now, however it is a difference in the way life is looked at and treated. Doctors will do anything for an extension and the insurance companies pay for it. I agree with your system, but in the US the lawsuits would be much more costly, and that is our biggest problem right now.

I hope we reform to a Healthcare system like Britain, however I think the value system may not support it. I do. I say..if there is no chance for a cure..then let them fend for themselves if their life expectency is < 1 year.

I truely think the CHANGE we are looking at from Obama is KNOWLEDABLE people in the right positions which ACCOUNTABLITY and GOALS and TIMETABLES.

Something all business do but our government has failed at for many years.

For all this folks wo doubt Obama, please realize he put together the STRONGEST campaign ever, defeated major heavyweights in both parties, and received the most votes EVER for a Dem.

If he runs the country anything like his campaign, I know America will be better off.

I WOULD RATHER HAVE MY TAXES GO TO NATIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM THAN TO BOMBS THAT KILL PEOPLE

As more and more underwriters approve international travel for treatment, U.S. costs will come down. U.S. doctors want to eat, too.

If you want a system in which everyone isn't required to maintain health insurance, it'll be necessary for rates to be determined by the health of the applicant at the time of application. The system won't work if you aren't required to buy insurance until you're sick.

We already have universal health care. Anyone can walk into any ER, any time, and receive treatment for any complaint. Insured or not. The people who are insured or self-pay are covering the costs. In this way, we guaranteed healthcare to all, but it's being delivered in the most expensive way imaginable.

I am very hopeful that we can get a health care system in place that does not discriminate aganist the ill. For too long we have watched and prayed for our unforunate brethern, never knowing what the future holds for us also. The fact that a person can have a health care plan for years and never have to use it benefits and then losing it because you get sick or even being theaten by the insurance company when you become seriously ill is truly sinful...Every thing for profit. even at the risk of a persons life, it should not be this way. When I think of all the charity for the creation of medicines and researchers receive from the pockets of just regular people, for them to finally come up with a cure that just regular people can not afford, is like a slap in the face of humanity and all that is right. Finally we have choosen a leader who cares more about people that about capatalism. And my best wishes go with him because I know he is for the people.

I hope the healthcare plan works...for those who don't want some type of heathcare for Americans they are either very rich & don't need it or are people who don't care about the welfare of others...I am fortunate enough to have good health care benefits through my employer but there are many that do not & living in America who gives so much to others we should watch out for our own on this one regardless of the price tag....

Well, I'm a die hard Democrat and I voted for change. I'm putting my faith in Barack Obama. Yes, we are seeing some faces we all know and love from the past. I think as long as President Obama, I'm so happy to say that, incorporates change with his new staff and staff from the Clinton Administration I think we'll be ok. Hell, after what President Bush has done to this Country I'm not complaining.

Quality of healthcare doesn't have to be sacrificed, the point is that people are dying because they can't get BASIC healch coverage. Kids are dying everyday, adults die everyday, all because they can't afford health care. Even those of us who pay a lot of money for health insurance, don't get quality healthcare. You'll be surprised what your insurance doesn't cover until you need it for an emergency, and when you think you have paid for a certain coverage, your insurance company says it's not covered, then it's your problem. How is that quality of life, how is that safe? Our future is critical. We're talking universal care for people who need basic care for basic illnesses during the year, especially kids. Believe it or not, I know someone who almost died because of bad teeth! They couldn't afford health insurance, so the problem got worse and worse until almost death. How sad is that? C'mon people, where is your humanity? Quit with your selfish attitudes!

In case Tom Dashle didn't notice..the dow is down another 400+ points today. It will take lots of money to fix the economy. I just would like to ask where is the money going to come from to pay for the type of health care we were told about during the campaign.

Answer: It's not! There isn't going to be any universal health coverage with the cost being what it is right now.

Hopefully, the people who have jobs have a somewhat decent health plan cause that is all we're going to have for a long while.

Dookie: I'm tired of Americans criticizing the Canadian healtchare system based on second-hand accounts and no direct knowledge. I gotta tell you, it sure feels nice to be able to stroll down the street to a clinic and see a doctor whenever I please (usually within about 20 minutes) at no charge. Even in my (thankfully infrequent) experiences with hospital emergency rooms here in Canada I have had zero problems.

Best of all, because of universal healthcare, I don't have to sit here and worry about whether or not I can afford to get something checked out. I can take a proactive approach to my health and visit a doctor whenever I feel the need, without having to worry about breaking the bank. And guess what, Canadians who whine about our healthcare system are whining because, well, Canadians whine about everything. You guys would be lucky to do half as good.

The republicans are already meeting together in secret, to stamp out this socialist agenda which will destroy the fabric of democracy! Sound familiar? I hope it's not true, but when has the stubborn right-wing either given in to change.

After all the "bailouts" by congress, better not get sick; there ain't gonna be no money left to help anybody.

It is absolute nonsense that Brits go to the US for operations. We get free healthcare.

I have had three children without it costing me a penny. My son was rushed to hospital with Meningitis in an ambulance kept in for days and it did not cost a penny!

Hardly anyone pays for health care in the UK especially Scotland. I do not know anyone that does. If we wanted to pay there are some private hospitals which we could use but we don't because the NHS is great.

So don't pretend the US has a good system because the US system is a disgrace.

Obama's cabinet is being filled by the same people, that he so eloquently pointed out during his campaign, who were responsible for the deterioration of every aspect of our life during the past 8 years.Unless they have all had an evangelical healing since he got elected,how in the heck are these people going to turn our country around?Where is all the new and changed wisdom that he promised going to come from?

"zzzzzzzzzzzzz – nobody care[s] about any of these appointments other than Hillary as SOS."

This is *not* a good thing...

There are a lot of MYTHS out there about National healthcare! The FACT is that our system is severely dysfunctional. So our healthcare costs are the most expensive in the world!

Here is a quote from a New York Times article "The Wrong Place to be Chronically Ill"

"Chronically ill Americans suffer far worse care than their counterparts in seven other industrial nations, according to a new study by the Commonwealth Fund, a New York-based foundation that has pioneered in international comparisons. It is the latest telling evidence that the dysfunctional American healthcare system badly needs reform."

It is much more costly to take care of the chronically ill, than it is to offer everyone healthcare so that throughout their lives they have PREVENTIVE medical help! What's happening in our nation is, that a vast majority of people can not afford to go see a physician, thus they eventually do become ill.

The number ONE reason for bankruptcy in our Nation is healthcare costs!

He can see the need for health care from his front porch. That makes Obama's buddy qualified.

To Dookie

Your name is fitting. The good old USofA is the only industrialize nation in the world without a national health care plan. That is one of the major reasons that our goods are not competative on the world market. As for individuals coming to the US for health care, they may come for certain specialist, but don't be fooled, it you or I needed to see these specialist, we could not afford to, in the mean time our ranking as to quality health care continues to drop and the number of uninsured continues to grow.. I am quite sure that you also advocate taking moneies going into Social Security and investing it in the stock market because you can do better in the market. Have a nice day.

Great selectionI wish him luck and prayers. Hope he succeds in helping us.

Daschle is completely correct. Our broken health care system is hurting our economy. We need to implement some form of universal coverage system as soon as possible, in part so that businesses are no longer breaking under the costs of providing coverage and doctors are no longer drowning under paperwork.

Our system can only get better.

Interesting how Obama's transition team has more plans in place to solve problems than the Bush adminstration did in eight years in office. Mind boggling if you really think about it.

There are still many questions that have to be addressed to be a truly feasible plan.

One big issue is the tremendous lack of primary care doctors entering the field... couple that with the number of doctors that desire and/or plan to leave the field in 3-5 years and the huge nursing shortage that is already a reality and well... its gonna take a lot more than campaign rhetoric to make sustainable universal health care a reality.

I personally don't think it can or should be done. There are definite downsides to universal health care that people seem to be ignoring.

YES, FINALLY!!! it's truly a new day in Washington! Let's get the best national healthcare plan in place and lead the way with a superior plan over the other nations who have national healthcare. It's a national shame that we are so far behind other countries on this topic. My son, who served 4 years in the military of the US, can not afford to buy coverage- he had a tragic accident at age 29 and ruined his financial status and life. It's a national shame that must end. HEALTHCARE IS A RIGHT – not a priviledge for only those who can afford it – as it is now. National Healthcare NOW!! National Healthcare NOW!! Please Congress, do this which is so meaningful to the average US citizen.

Hang onto your wallets people–the government health bureaucrats are about to come raiding.

It's just too bad all you whiners and losers who want everyone else to pay your medical bills haven't got a shred of self-respect or integrity and run screaming away from anything remotely like taking responsibility for yourselves.

A nation of cry-babies...

zzzzzzzzzzzzz – nobody care about any of these appointments other than Hillary as SOS.

he' a lobbyist, his wife is a lobbyist, his kids are lobbyists.

obama do you 'get it'?

He wakes up every morning saying how are we gonna fool them today.

daschle's a good choice. i can do without the holder,hillary picks, and keeping gates. i'd like an AG who would investigate the bush administration. holder wont. richardson would be a better sec. of state. and wesley clark should be chosen as sec. of defense.(he never supported the iraq invasion,just like barack)

well lets do this!! Change is a Beautiful thing!!!!!

I hope Tom Daschle is successful. It's a shame we live in the richest country in the world yeet 1 catastrophic illness is all it takes to sink most of us. This should not be.

Good on you Tom, we need this health care plan sorted out as soon as possible.....it's been a nightmare for years and about time some help was forth coming for all Americans and not just the favoured few.
I think we are in for a great new vision for America when President Obama is in charge.....will things happen overnight, of course not...but it's nice to look to the future with more hope at least.
Roll on Jan 20th!!!!!

I love that Obama is working hard to pick the right people. Experienced people who share his vision and can get things done while he is in office. For the first time in 8 years, I trust the president.

Reining in healtcare and energy costs will be key to the nation's economic, and thus, total, survival in the coming years. Healthcare costs are projected to skyrocket far more rapidly than doubling in 10 years. In fact, it is estimated that by 2020, healtcare will, at its current rates of increase, account for more than 100% of our GDP.

Getting costs under control is far more important than insuring the un-insured. For now, everyone can still get healtcare, either by paying for care, paying for insurance, or having the government pay. In 10-20 years, very few will be able to obtain healtcare, as the system collapses in under its own weight.

The goal of universal health care is certainly admirable, but it can't be done at the expense of quality healthcare. There is a reason that people from Canada, England, France, Germany, etc. all have to come to America to get operations. Interesting to see if this turns out like the Clinton debacle in 93.

Hit the ground running....Let's do it....I see change already.....