CNN

don't you just get a "warm and fuzzy," with this guy announcing he's going to fix health care? I mean, with the stellar cabinet picks: Tax cheats, dirty business dealings, backroom deal cutting...and then picking a racist judge....Couple that with the his current apologies to the muslim world, and we're really set for a good time! It's been proven that Americans are paying off debt and saving money versus spending it, as OBamnuts anticipated with his reckless gov't spending...well, not everyone's fiscally irresponsible as liberals. There's those of us that work, save, and tend to our lives without trying to rob others in the name of "fairness.." Go, ahead, Waffle, this will be the straw that breaks the financial back and cause market meltdowns...who knows? Perhaps it'll lead to riots in the streets! Oh, my bad, those folks are the very supporters of the messiah...this is like watching a trainwreck.

Obama has already proven on many occasions that he knows nothing about economics and somehow I doubt that a crooked Chicago politician knows anything about health care. This is all sturm und drag, they may make some unimportant changes around the edges but major changes will not occur.

We can't afford NOT to reform healthcare now. The insurance companies have a monopoly on our Health, and they need some healthy competition! They are bleeding our economy dry.

A public option for those of us who can't afford the out of control premiums is the ONLY answer! We will save Trillions of dollars over the next decade by reforming Health care now!

Obama is out of his mind , and out of touch with the american
people. He has no plan for health care reform , just speeches.

Fix health care now! Its a big part of fixing our economy.

To those who parrot the GOP's line about health care reform = the government taking away your health care choices:

Right, like the insurance companies don't do that? Ask around; you probably live in an area where:

- there is no competition for health care, so you have only one insurance company to choose from
- that insurance company sets the prices and demands that all health care providers contract to them
- if you have pre-existing conditions, you are automatically excluded from coverage
- more and more people are under-insured or have no coverage and therefore, end up costing us all more as they can't afford preventive care/use the emergency room as their only means of health care

We need health care reform now! Of course, the big-money insurance companies are scared of competition and will do anything to try to stop reform.

But the American people and American businesses have had it and are demanding change – NOW!

Steve: Where are your facts on your claims? Actually America ranks 34th in the world for health care.

How can anyone make claims like that when 45 million people are not covered, when people go bankrupt due to health care costs, and when people are denied coverage at the whim of Insurance Companies who decide whether they have preexisting diseases.

Any Congress person who does not work for health care reform MUST relinquish their socialized medical plan and go out to the private market and purchase their own.

I just hope it can be as successful, efficient, customer oriented, dependable, and economical as the US Postal System! I always hear people say the USPS is faster and more reliable than say FedEx. NOT! My sister has universal health care in Belgium. She says its comparable to America but, fewer choices, somewhat longer waits, and it only costs her 51% of her income in taxes.

There is so much abuse of publicly funded health care now; abuses that privately funded care would never tolerate. Clean up what we have now from public funds before expanding.

yes. healthcare in this country is broken. yes. changes need to be made. but no, government controled/ run/ managed/ or whatever other term that may be use, is not going to be the answer. there are so many problems with this solution, first of which is the cost. with the proposal to tax 'unhealthly things' the door opens for all sorts of dysfunction with this system. then there is the matter of the actual day to day implementation.

healthcare needs to be addressed and fixed. it is broken and needs sensible remedy. still, the proposed idea can be like some therapies... more toxic to the patient than the actual desease.

To liberals are idiots: Medicare's administrative overhead is approximately 5 cents on every dollar; private health insurance spends 20-60 cents of every dollar on administration costs (with the average medical insurance CEO's salary at $14 million, there's no mystery where all the money is going).

For-profit health care benefits these CEOs and not the consumer. Fine if what we're talking about is rubber duckies, but we're talking about health care here.

- If you truly support small business, support health care reform.
- If you truly want our nation to stay competitive, support health care reform.
- If you truly want to reduce the stress in your life (when you're one illness away from bankruptcy), support health care reform.

Stop giving speeches and work for it............
Health care costs are killing us...........

I would like a single payer system for health care. This country already has it with Medicare. I am on COBRA insurance now and my monthly premium is over $620.00 a month. The job market is horrible and my COBRA is almost up. Then what I will not have insurance at any price.

I need help now no more broken promises!

Just remember America. Coverage for all is great, but you won't be treated as well, and, in major cities, I can't imagine how long you will have to wait; especially in a new system working out "kinks."

Finally, when you get old enough to where you are too much of a burden to take care of, well what do you think will happen then?

what Obama doesn't say and AXELROD has told him not to say is this:

as multi-millionaires they will NOT have to be concerned.

everyday citizens will pay more and have health care rationed.
that's the dirty litlle secret of the 'PLAN'.

87% of the people will pay more.
13% will get a great deal.

OBAMA. AXELROD, EMANUEL and BIDEN as elite politicians will be exempt.

watch and see. this is a first class scam.

Of course CNN will screen out my comments (awaiting moderation). My point is made.

This is unbeliveable!!!! Can't people see that the government ruins everything they touch? SS is almost bankrupt!!! Ford should sue the Fedral goverment for trying to put them out of business using monoply of GM (government motors).

I wish CNN (the clinton news network) would be honest with America and the world insted of selling us out for their own intrests. What a joke!!!!

@ "mother and sister of a soldier"........ Thank your son & brother for their service. And please, do some research about healthcare. If you are a Christian, how can you deny your own American citizens healthcare?

There is a way to have national healthcare, and for those who have private insurance we can keep it. Right, now, dear lady, we the Taxpayers ARE paying for all those without healthcare.

I hope you will do some research, and not be fooled by the fear-mongers who ALSO manipulate you, with their lies and misinformation.

God bless you & your family.

Boo! Obama is a self-serving politician who real agenda has to do with his mother dying of cancer while fighting with insurance aompanies and he wasn't there. So sorry Mr. Pres we are not paying for your guilt!

Thank-you Mr. President. This is the reason I voted for you. Please make good on your promise to the american citizens. DON'T HALF STEP like Clinton did with "DON'T ASK DON'T TELL".

Spend some more money we don't have. How many times does China have to tell you, your spending is out of control before you stop? Obama wants to be a dictator and control everything. When Chavez says your to the left of him and Castro you know you are a dictator. Obama runs the car companies, the banks, the insurance companies and now he has appointed another czar to police the internet. Don't any of you see he is trying to control everything? The czars are appointed to by pass congress and only answer to Obama. This is wrong and Obama needs to be stopped now! We are a free country and the dictator will not change that. We the people won't allow him to take over.

Just put the Congress on an HMO for a year and they will be
more than ready to go for National Health Insurance. Why would they care about giving us good insurance when they have the
"best in the world" and don't have to pay for it. I hope this is brought up when they are debating why we should not have it.
Scum that they are.

What money??? How can we NOT afford National Healthcare when.....

62% of America (citizens) file for bankruptcy due to healthcare bills. For an average insured Family the cost that throws them into bankruptcy is:
$17, 745 (source: suite101.com)

And for the American citizens who have no insurance the cost is $26,971, which is the amount that causes them to file for bankruptcy.

Our family is blessed to have good healthcare through jobs, however, millions of Americans are not so "lucky".

And, to all the nay sayers whining about "cost" I say.... WE ARE ....... already paying for the uninsured! Look it up! When the uninsured fill our hospitals emergency rooms, guess who the hospitals bill????

The American Taxpayer! We need to support President Obama. He will commission a committee of folks wise enough to come up with a good plan. In FACT, the program that will work best is the ...... one already enjoyed........ by....... the U.S. Government.

In the world's wealthiest nation, to deny our own citizens healthcare is just morally wrong.

Beware folks, of the cries of "socialism!" The GOP called Medicare...... Medicaid..... Social Security..... Unemployment Benefits........ Minimum wage, etc., socialism too!

Socialism here we come! Goodness, the gov't can't run anything right, why trust them with health care? Here's an idea, get a job people, don't expect the gov't to take care of you from cradle to grave.

"With what MONEY?"

How about with the money taxpayers spend right now on healthcare for the uninsured ? We spend a fortune right now on emergency care for people who wouldn't have needed emergency care had they just received some primary preventive care and standard treatment of common ailments. By the time they go for care, they need a hospital, critical care, ICU, and sometimes the morgue. WE pay for all of that.

Who paid for Octomom's millions of dollars in neonatal care? Maybe she'll pay for it now that she's cashing in but it's more likely that taxpayers picked up the tab. A national health program will cost us less in the long run.

Our company insurance increased this year by 55% because we canceled the previous provider when they raised theirs by 84%! Don't try to blame that on tort either – lawsuits and awards have decreased but while insurance costs are spiraling out of control.

The luxury we can no longer afford is to pay for all of those people who have grown up on welfare, receiving food stamps and medical coverage and never having to get off of the 'free' ride. Even people who draw unemployment have limits while those who've never worked get the very best treatment. Everyone who participates in this social medical care should contribute or be removed.

Obama has been wrong on every decision that he has made so far, whether it be the VP, cabinet members, bailouts, stimulus plan, unemployment,national security, Gitmo.,the auto mess, housing disaster, or everything he has had a hand in, is worse today than when he took office.
Bush can be the blame only so long. Excuses do not correct problems and so far that is Obama's only message. Maybe he should get a new speech writer or a new teleprompter, about all he has going for him is talk and freeloaders.

Yep just what we need, the gov to run health care. The VA does a horrid job at running their health care and cannot get it together so now it is time to see how well the gov can screw us (i mean it) up. Everyone thinks that Canada and other countries have it great with "free" health care. I am here to tell you different. The current administration will limit what tests will be covered and thus done. So you may be eat up with cancer and dying before the symptoms are so bad you look like walking death. My father was denied tests because he was on a gov heath program and had rectal bleeding. They told him he had hemmies and to use over the counter medication. Well 8 months later he started coughing blood and rapidly loosing weight. Guess what he had colon cancer that had spread to his lungs (he had a softball size tumor) and his brain was littered with tumors. He died two months later. You can take this gov health system and stuff it.

I guess the Economy is Fixed now then, since we can move on to Healthcare. The stimulus that was rushed through to create new jobs must have worked, since unemployment as at 1983 levels now and still rising. Thank goodness this Government knows how to fix things. I wonder if there will be any Transparency with this subject, like he promised on all other subjects and yet to see happen. This is NOT a Crisis and better not be rushed through Congress and the Senate. This is a HUGE undertaking and needs through examination before any steps are taken

Lets face it, he has NO idea what he is doing and saying whatever that sounds good, just to make people like him. He does NOT have a doctors degree and doesn't know how the system works. He was a Constitutional Lawyer for Pete sakes. Yes, there are problems with Healthcare and most of it is the malpractice law suits, fraud and greed in the form of overcharging. Things do need to be changed, but not run by the Government.

This is NOT the Country our Founding Fathers had designed for us. This is another step closer to Socialism if there ever was one. The Government telling someone they are too old to live, so they can be denied care is where this is going.

We need Changes, not a complete re-write like he intends to do.

Our elected officials are GUARENTEED the best health care in this country on behalf of the American Tax Payer. They should be working their asses off to GUARENTEE each tax payer this same type of health care. Health care should be a right...

If this country want someone "to deliver on healthcare" then they should have elected Hillary Clinton.

Nothing at all remotely significant will be done on healthcare by the current administration – too many people (liberal and conservative) with their hands out stirring this pot!

It scares me that no one seems to look around the world and see the failure of every other single payor healthcare model. In Canada, they had to pass a law to force practitioners to accept the government insurance. Why? Because it beat them up no their rates so significantly that they weren't taking insurance at all, anymore. When we lose incentive for people to practice in medicine, we lose the soundness of care.

Everyone seems to forget that healthcare is also more expensive because we have technologies and techniques that are new and costly. in 1980 if you had a heart attack, you only had a 60% chance of survival. Today, you have a 90% chance of surviving a heart attack. R&D costs money. I don't want 1980 care. In 2019, I won't want 2009 care. Single payor will freeze innovation.

I won't even get into the concept of access. Research how many Canadians come to the U.S. for care their government won't pay for.

For all you idiots out here who don't seem to have a problem with health care now, let me say this, how is it ok for the health system that we have now that denies people health care or even won't insure people who have health problems, which also cost people to go bankrupt if they or a love one gets sick, or just flat out deny people treatment b/c they have no insurance, you people think that is ok, WOW, we truly do live in a country were evil and greed exist. If some of you, out here call yourselves Christians ( DON'T ), b/c that's not what a real Christian is all about. You go Obama, do what you think is right for all Americans and don't let greedy corporation and the insurance companies and those, don't care for the average people, greedy business loving Republicans, who all they care about is keeping money in the pocket of the rich. Don't let the talking point Rethugs,with their fear and smear get you off your agenda.

obama care is nothing more than giving FREE healthcare to his irresponsible voter base. If you think your healthcare will cost less, think again. Your taxes will go sky-high to pay for others.

Years and years of deregulation have crushed the health care system just like everything else. Intelligent people are not afraid of the government anymore. They know all that rhetoric was just about the republicans, they are the only individuals to fear because they have shown they are incompetent at running government. Government can revitalize this country if done with thought and the American people in mind and not profits of corporations and hatred toward the American people at the forefront like the republicans do.

Time for Obama to resign! He is bankrupting America and will make America and Americans to fall under foreign laws.

It is the ECONOMY STUPID!! and you Prez O not Bush have saddled this country with massive debt (2Trillion in one month) that is immoral to future generations. I have nodoubt you and our complicit congress will cram this bill through without reading it as well. Who will pay – my children and theirs because they will no longer be able to live a prosperous life due to this massive burden being placed on future generations.

Steve got it right. It is not the medical costs -it is insurance and lawyers driving up medical costs. We so trust what the wonderful gov can do in running things – take a look at medicare and medicaid and social security. Oh and by the way we do have a single payer system it is the medical coverage for Veterans and it stinks. Those of you desparate for change will get it — and you will be sorry. It is unfortunate that those of you clamoring for Universal Health Care (Kelly and Gary from below) don't bother to read about how terrible the Social Univ Health Care system is in Britian and Canada. 1000's die every year waiting for coverage. Why do you think they come here for treatment? When you wake up and others like you it will sadly be too late.

Where is the equal protection? Why can't I have the same policy at the same price as my Congressman? Why can't I have the same retirement plan as my Congressman?

What I'm reading are comments from a lot of frightened people. The best way to remedy this is to get educated on exactly what is being proposed.

Our government is capable of running many things well...our military is one example.

I cannot comprehend of anyone not wanting a comprehensive, reasonably priced governenment-run health care *option* for those people and businesses who are priced out of our current options.

I think that only the most uncompassionate, survival-of-the-fittest types would think that no health care is better. There's only one indisputable fact you need know...without some sort of affordable insurance, medical and prescription costs will add up quickly. Unless you're a millionaire, your life savings will likely be drained after an accident or illness. Not fear mongering. Just the truth.

To all conservatives who are so afraid of government run health insurance, please do the right thing and reject medicare when you turn 65. You do realize that medicare is a government run health insurance program. To all who are so afraid of govt. deciding health care. I know plenty of people on Medicare and they love it. They decide their own doctors and have no complaints from it. Likewise, I know people who have health insurance from corporations and they get denied treatment and their insurance company decides their doctor (in network vs. out of network). Right now, some joe blow with no medical knowledge is sitting behind a cubicle (yes, I know people who have the job) deciding what treatments you should get based soley on cost and not making you sure you get healthy. If the treatment you desperately need interferes with their profits, then you will get denied. Of course, you could pay for it yourself but it costs too much unless you are wealthy. We have to stop being a country where a person will go bankrupt or worse die simply because they are not rich. I still to not understand conservatives some times. You claim to be pro – life but have no problem with someone dying in America due to lack of healthcare.

For those who think we do not need healthcare reform are nuts. If we had such a great system then why are almost 50 million people without healthcare? We are the richest nation in the world and our healthcare system is a travesty. Reform is NEEDED.

I'm with you all the way Mr. President. Something needs to be done. Keep pushing a PUBLIC OPTION PLAN. If Medicare has worked for the seniors all these years and that's a gov't run plan then why not a similar plan for the rest of us if we so choose it? And the operative words are IF WE CHOOSE IT! It won't be forced on anyone and it will reduce the costs for all of us. Sounds like a win win plan to me.

Now this is real change!

Look at the big picture with health care. If it wasn't such a cash cow, why are there new medical facilities (hospitals, clinics, doctors offices) opening up all over the place?

Why do people feel entitled to health care for what they think will be free? You pay for cell phones, IPods, Playstation, expensive sneakers, jeans etc, but you don't think you should have to pay to go to the doctor?

How much of a payroll deduct do you think we'll have for our "free" health care? Do you think we'll even be able to get in to use our "free" health care? How much time will you have to take off work (if you actually work) to go stand in line to try to see a doctor?

With this administration, pay attention to what they do, not what they say!

Our President if correct! It is time for action on this issue NOW. I urge EVERYONE who supports health care reform to join up with Organizing For America. Thousands met around the country today about this topic. Get onboard! Call your Congressperson! Call your Senator and let your voices be heard!

People who have health care and think that it is going to continue are being fed a line by the rich insurance companies. They are raising rates every month. Even the American Medical Association knows we are not headed for a train wreck – we are in one.

The Repugs don't want to go forward because they need more time to make up more lies about how we will all suffer. The only one's who will suffer will be them – no more insurance money into Repug pockets while Americans choose between medication and their light bills!

This is the grade I have given to Presidents beginning 1900 to 2009,based on the Unemployment rate and also the Inflation rate.-– Roosavelt(A+) Taft(C-) Wilson(C+) Harding(D-) Coolidge(D-) Hoover(F-) Roosavelt(A+) Truman(C+) Eisenhower(F) Kennedy(C-) Johnson(A-) Nixson(F-) Ford(D-) Carter(D+) Reagan(A-) Bush(C-) Clinton(A) Bush(F-) , and so far for Obama(D-)

Healthcare? After the gov't gets thru with our SS check, there is no way we could even feed ourselves for a month. We just keep working. First there's the medicare deduction and then we have to get drug ins. and then let's not forget the medical supplement ins. (when it pays). Something has to be done about the healthcare costs in this country. I am so in fear that when Congress gets thru with a "new healthcare system" we will all be up a creek. Insurance companies and the trial Lawyers suck!

It is the ECONOMY STUPID!! and you Prez O not Bush have saddled this country with massive debt (2Trillion in one month) that is immoral to future generations. I have nodoubt you and our complicit congress will cram this bill through without reading it as well. Who will pay – my children and theirs because they will no longer be able to live a prosperous life due to this massive burden being placed on future generations.

Steve got it right. It is not the medical costs -it is insurance and lawyers driving up medical costs. We so trust what the wonderful gov can do in running things – take a look at medicare and medicaid and social security. Oh and by the way we do have a single payer system it is the medical coverage for Veterans and it stinks. Those of you desparate for change will get it - and you will be sorry. It is unfortunate that those of you clamoring for Universal Health Care (Kelly and steve from above) don't bother to read about how terrible the Social Univ Health Care system is in Britian and Canada. 1000's die every year waiting for coverage. Why do you think they come here for treatment? When you wake up and others like you it will sadly be too late.

Wait times in Mass. to see a doctor have skyrocketed due to the state mandating that nearly everyone have health care. Socialized medicine has failed everywhere it's been tried. Besides, with trillion dollar deficits forecast for the next tens years (Thanks Dems) how do we pay for it. Just like closing GITMO, another bright Obama idea with no plan on how to make it work.

The republicans and the drug companies, the AMA, and the insurance companies will not go along with reforming health or even discuss the possibility of reforming health care in a meaniful way so ALL Americans can receive proper medical attention.

The insurance companies and hospitals like it the way it is now so when someone without insurance goes to the emergency room for treatment with a cold they can cbarge some 2000 to 2500 dollars and medicaid has to pay the bill with our tax dollars.

Let's get it done this year, we've already paid big insurance companies more than their share. People that say Government is trying to control our lives well guess what, big insurance companies have always controlled Government. Think about it.

hey db,
If you researched it even slightly you would quickly realize our country is spending significantly more money on health care than any other industrialized nation in the world- and it is not because our care is top notch. In fact, our standard of care is much lower compared to nations that have a national health care system. The idea here is to redirect the money we are already spending, or wasting more accurately, where it counts; not on things like useless paperwork. Get informed!

Would his health care over his big brother Osama?

mother and sister of a soldier June 6th, 2009 11:41 am ET

I am begging people NOT to be steam rolled by another Obama agenda until thoroughly investigated. This dem "grass roots" movement starting at the top (they start with the people) is just another grand manipulation used by our Chief Community Organizer.

millions in contributions and it isn't a "grass roots" effort? This is a classic case of projection. The tea partys in April were "astroturf", generated by Dick Armey's focus group and propogated by Fox News.

Yes, we need health care reform but we cannot run into reform like we did with the stimulus package which has not added jobs and increased our debt to an all new high.

Here's the problem: the healthcare industry, having nothing to do with the welfare of patients and everything to do with the welfare of the shareholder, will not magically regulate itself.
The AMA and insurance providers have their hooks in almost every member of Congress, so regulation is impossible due to government corruption. Therefor, we need to circumvent their fudging around with solid laws governing the way healthcare gets done in this country.

I would quote the rest, but why bother? It's just a load of fear mongering and "what if"-ing about a president not of your party.

But out of curiosity's sake, since you are in favor of some reforms, what reforms would you propose?

The principle for understanding why we don't already have universal health care is simple my friends. The ultimate goal of Conservative ideology is to bankrupt the Federal Government budget. This way, Conservatives can assert the complete privitization of America and implement a "serf" system squashing the middle class. The tools of deliverance for this bankrupt economy goal are Insurance companies, Banks, and investors from Wall Street who know how to avoid proper ethics for personal profit off the "back" of our nation. This is why all attempts at Universal health have failed. The GOP has blocked all attempts. but as Mr. Obama has said, "this time will be different."

The principle for understanding why we don't already have universal health care is simple my friends. The ultimate goal of Conservative ideology is to bankrupt the Federal Government budget. This way, Conservatives can assert the complete privitization of America and implement a "serf" system squashing the middle class. The tools of deliverance for this bankrupt economy goal are Insurance companies, Banks, and investors from Wall Street who know how to avoid proper ethics for personal proper off the "back" of our nation. This is why all attempts at Universal health have failed. The GOP has blocked all attempts. but as Mr. Obama has said, "this time will be different."

Matt ..I do have an idea how the health care system works....Badly.. and we live with failure every day.
The U.S. faces several gigantic challenges in trying to join the industrialized nations of the world in providing universal health care.
.The U.S. cannot afford the more than $10 billion dollars a month spent on our little military adventure in Iraq.
.The U.S, cannot afford to be the world's policeman requiring the multi billion dollar aircraft carriers, $220 million dollar aircraft, etc.
.The U.S. cannot afford the more than 20 million illegal aliens waiting to jump on the health care bandwagon and the tens of millions more that will flood the country if we have universal health care.

These factors make it extremely unlikely that the U.S. will ever have a universal health care system that is enjoyed by Canada, England, Australia, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Sweden, and Switzerland. No one in those countries every went bankrupt to pay their medical biils. They may have to wait for some care but the poor in the U.S. wait forever unless some charity steps in.
The current system DOES NOT work. We have more than 40 million Americans with no health care that receive minimal free medical care through the emergency room. So the poor and uninsured get no medical care and the rest fight the insurance company to pay the bill.
Put it to the test...Go see a doctor and tell them you have no job and no insurance.

"Fixing what’s wrong with our health care system" is easy: get the idiot government out of the health care system, and keep it out.

Already, the government itself is saying the US needs to ration health care. That means long waits for even necessary health care, let alone elective health care. Further, judging from the fact that lots of docs refuse to deal with the Medicaid and Medicare bureaucracy, getting government further involved will be a big disincentive for people to go into medicine, making the shortage worse.

Government screws up everything it touches. We really don't need government screwing up health care.

The day this happens is the day I stop paying my taxes. Why on earth would we go for socialized medicene when we cant even afford to pay attention. WE ARE BROKE- lets not add to our piles of debt.

Let's face it; National Health Care is a must. But some people say we (as taxpayers) can't afford it. They're wrong.

Right now, each of us pay a portion (out of pocket) for our health care and the companies we work for pay an even larger sum just to be able to offer their employees health care benefits. This leaves companies less profitable and the worker with less money in their pocket.

I'm not suggesting the government supply the nation with health care at the expense of the taxpayer. I am suggesting the companies and businesses continue to contribute to the cost but at a substantially reduced rate.

With a National plan, the cost of health care coverage per person would be greatly reduced thereby, considerably reducing corporate contributions resulting in a more profitable company with no employee out of pocket expense [resulting in a larger paycheck]. It's a win-win situation.

Of course, the employee could still contribute toward an added plan with greater benefits.

"Fixing what’s wrong with our health care system" is easy: get the idiot government out of the health care system, and keep it out.

Already, the government itself is saying the US needs to ration health care. That means long waits for even necessary health care, let alone elective health care. Further, judging from the fact that lots of docs refuse to deal with the Medicaid and Medicare bureaucracy, getting government further involved will be a big disincentive for people to go into medicine, making the shortage worse.

Government screws up everything it touches. We really don't need government screwing up health care.

The transfer of wealth from those who make the economy go to those who are nothing but a drain on it continues...

Conservatives never seem to amaze me. With 50 million people without health care and the #1 cause of bankruptcy being caused by people who can't pay their medical costs, they continue to insist that our system is the best in the world. Conservatives with health care, STOP being part of the problem and become part of the solution.

A very simple way to expand health care coverage to everyone it to open the health care plan that Congress enjoys to ALL US Citizens and let us pay no more than members of Congress pay. Done. Simple as that. We all get the same coverage at the same cost.

As for saving Social Security, let's all be granted the same benefit that members of Congress get right now. Done. Why is your Congressional representative getting so much better deal that you do with Social Security. It's OUR tax money, not theirs.

The government planned health care is one more way to put free enterprise out of business. By the time they are finished they will charge us more and give us less and spend the rest to finance another war.

@Paula June 6th, 2009 12:02 pm ET
Just shut up already......OK!!!

Isn't it strange that those most opposed to health care reform are those who already have adequate care for themselves?

Proud DHS radical-

You really have to cut down on your intake of Limbaugh, Beck and Hannity. It is affecting your thinking.

WOOOOHOOOOOO and it wont cost us a penny!!!!! Oh wait i forgot about JUST the down payment 684 billion. Oh then the 25% sales tax. Lines out the door at the doctors because the governemnt will only allow a certain number of doctors to keep their job so once again the unemployment rate will go way up! Oh dont forget, you get to deliver your baby without any privacy and share a room with 10- 20 other people!. What a great idea Obama!!!!!!!!

If the new system can remove the corruption and collusion of the doctors, drug companies and the insurance companies it would be worth it to have.

We have the worst health care of the top 19 developed nations. That means we pay twice as much and in almost all statistical catagories we are 19th (ie death rate with chronic disease, life expectancy). The health insurance industry is a parasite that sucks billions of dollars out of our economy, while adding nothing to the patient-health care provider equation. Our present health care system is just another way to make a few very very rich at the expense of most of us.

I am sure the right wing nuts do not need affordable health care. When the elderly have to choose between medicine or eating, you begin to realize that something needs to be done.

I hope that when it passes it is as good and cheap as what Congress get from the taxpayers. That being the case I will drop my insurance coverage and get it from the government.
If you can't beat them, join them. If I am going to pay for it might as well use it.

Absolutely pass health care reform. Even if rationed it's better than having an insurance company bean counter make decisions on medical care. Do you want your doctor to determine what care is best for you? It's not up to him now, he calls your insurance company for procedure and prescription approval and provides the best care they allow him to. These are the same insurance companies that charge you astronomical ever increasing premiums. In true capitalistic form the insurance companies need competition. Don't let them write the healthcare reform bill the way Bush and the Republicans allowed them to write the prescription drug bill. That was way corrupt.

Git 'r done. It is time to move our health care system into the 21st century.

people i am 56 year old male who has lived half his life in canada and the last half here in the united states please trust me do not followthe canada system thetaxes are astronomical high i had cancer and had to have my voice box removed if i was in canada i would have waited 3 months to see a doctor over there my relatives tell me how long they have to wait to see a doctor here i can call my doctor and probably see her that day if not o ne of her associates would see me there is also a scandal now about how they have mixed up mammagrams for women telling woman with cancer they do not have it and vice versa also when a high ranking politicians wife develpoed cancer in canada he came to the states when paul mccartney wife had breast cancer he di not have her treated in england but at sloan kettering in new york trust me the best system is here

I love how wingnut leaders and supporters criticize yet offer NO alternatives. Still shaking their fists in the air from the November election.

Good! Im tired of having to go to Mexico for affordable medication and medical care. By the way (Its better than what we have here and way cheaper).

At the pace that Obama and the lunitic liberals are spending money we don't have, we will be a third world nation before the next Presidential election. But then again, maybe that is the plan, because history proves that when people are so broke, and beaten down with no hope, that is when sosialism and dictatorships are formed. It is time for people to wake up to what is going on in this administration, like, who is voting on, or overlooking, all these czars that Obama is creating to "overlook and regulate private industries'. Very scary practices for a "free" country.

Single payor means medicare for all. Do you know what medicare pays physicians? In my specialty it is 30% of other payors. Do you believe I will still work for a 60+ % decrease in compensation? Dream on socialists! Every physician over the age of 55 who can afford to will instantly retire. It will be like Mass. where everyone is "covered" by insurance, yet providers can not afford to see these patients.
I guarantee there will be no legal reform to go along with the Obama plan. The cost of CYA medicine is staggering. Almost every surgery patient in America gets extra blood tests and EKG studies because of defensive practice.
If you truly want to save money on healthcare, examine how much we are wasting on end of life care. It accounts for at least 40% of all medicare dollars.....

I know there's a bunch of arguments about how to pay for healthcare, but the reality is that right now, healthcare costs account for the overwhelming amount of personal bankruptcies and health insurance is nearing payroll as a leading cost for businesses. There are many out there who (rightly) doubt how we can afford to undertake a healthcare overhaul, but there are also many of us out here wondering how we could afford not to.

I mean, we look at bankruptcies like GMs... what's their number one non-payroll cost... healthcare. We look at the costs, both in terms of dollars and of vectoring, of having the poor go without care until their conditions become emergent, and it becomes apparent that regardless of whether or not universal insurance is part of the solution, universal access must be.

Take the lawyers out of the equation, leave my insurance alone as unlike many of you Obama voters, I actually get up every morning and go to an actual job, no hand outs like you people expect.

The "gubment" can't run nothing correctly and now this fraud wants to control this as well, absolute power corrupts absolutely and this is a sham and nothing else.

They will over power YOUR INSURANCE now, and when you Mommy or Daddy is too long into illness they will be put to the bottom of the list as it makes more sense to "save" a healthy person, need surgey but are a riskm, again bottom of the list as it won't be cost effective to the bean counters that will run this.

Remember someone way more intelligent than you Obama sheep warned you of this and if you want to quit bleating the stupid liberal talking points, GOOGLE – Managed care – surgery and medicine quotas IT IS HAPPENING ALL AROUND THE WORLD.

Great line by the fraud in chief "America is the greatest Country, help me fix it".

FRAUD.

I have news for anyone who thinks that government run healthcare will be "rationed". Your healthcare is ALREADY rationed by your insurance company who doesn't care about anything but turning a profit this quarter. Your health is NOT their primary concern. I say this both as a provider and a consumer. The insurance companies are FOR PROFIT organizations whose primary edict is to turn a profit.

Medicare on the other hand is excellent insurance on both the provider and the consumer end. It is in financial trouble right now because only elderly people who need the most healthcare get it. If we balance the system to include younger people who don't access services as much it will remain solvent forever.

Oh and anyone who thinks that government run healthcare is "Socialism" needs to take a basic political science course before they speak and sound really dumb. It is not socialized unless all the doctors work for the government (as they do in Canada). That's not going to happen here.

The BIGGEST issue on our plate. I totally support a Public Choice Plan built on the insurance model. This will provide a government backed but consumer financed plan and instead of paying insurance CEO's 14 million dollar salaries (the average), the money goes to a publc plan, administered by public servants who make a good but reasonable wage, and is responsive to voters and public pressures. It would provide an insurance more affordable for small business and private citizens and at considerably less overhead. It would inevitably force insurance companies to contain costs to compete and keep them to the promise, which they have made but will not otherwise keep, to lower costs. Write your congress people. The insurance companies are spending millions to fight this. Only YOU can stop them.

Obama promised to fix our energy problems too.

Gas prices above $2.60
The average cost of a gallon of gas rose for the 39th straight day and is up more than 27% during that time.

Mr Austerlitz– you state "...And bottom line, good health care = less profits."

How so? It's the promise of a higher reward (i.e. profits) that incentivize hard work and ingenuity. That's why this country is so great and capitalism works. The idea is that you study hard in school and work hard so one day you can enjoy the fruits of your hard labor.

Bottom line...take away the incentive and kiss quality goodbye!

For all of you that say that government run healthcare is a mistake because government can't do anything right i point you to the police department... the fire department.... social security.... the post office.... medicare.... shall i continue? There are many many things the government does a good job at. The problem is when you get people in positions of power that want the government to be inept and they make it that way, so their buddies in the private sector will get rich. ..... But none of this even means much because as Obama has stated numerous times... you will not be forced to join any healthcare that you don't want. If you want to stay with your current rip off healthcare then by all means do it. If not then join the single payer/ public option/ government run/ whatever you want to all it.

Are you going yo be happy after Obama runs this country into the ground, and Government controls EVERY aspect of your lives???
...America, no longer the land of oppertunity...just the land of entitlements. enjoy Comrades.

Everything seems to be urgent with this guy. This is how they do it here in Chicago. Everything must be done today to prevent disaster tomorrow.

"..it’s a necessity we cannot postpone any longer.."

Chicago's Mayor Daley uses the exact same langue. It's amazing to watch. It's as if they are all using the same play book.

Illinois just increased the tax on a pack of cigarettes to $.63 to help pay for their S Chip program All kids. The program will have funding as long as people continue to smoke. Then they put a smoking band on restaurants.

So if you support government health care and you live in Illinois, please start smoking. We need the tax revenue.

"Just shut up already!"

who should shut up? So much shutting needs to happen, you need to be more specific

For Gary below who wants Obama to "take the profits" of the insurance companies. Once that is done there won't be insurance companies (last time I checked people are in business to make a profit).

Then, with no insurance companies, the government will be the last man standing – the government will tell you to get in line for that needed surgery and the government will tell you who will do your surgery.

No insurance, no choice.

That's what the left wing and Obama want – government run everything.

Can't wait until GM turns out government autos. You won't be able to turn right, only left.

Yes we are in DEBT, Yes the debt we are in started LONG BEFORE Obama became President. Yes the government is incurring more debt everyday it is still open. And YES congressional members have access to health care system that surpasses anything the average American has.

Not only does congress have a doctor located in the capital building which they can see, they also have access to Walter Reed as well as a voucher system that affords them 5-10 different health care plans in each city they are based in. Basic health care premiums are paid largely by the taxpayers. They have to pay additional costs for coverage above and beyond the basic coverage they receive.

All Obama is trying to do is expand that system provided to YOUR REPRESENTATIVES to YOU. BASIC HEALTH CARE SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO ALL as part of our tax dollars.

I was a medical practice administrator for 15 years and I promise you that Medicare was better run and easier to deal with than any of the for- profit insurance companies. President Obama isn't trying to nationalize or "take over" health care – he's hoping, however, to offer a government plan as an alternative (if you want it) to private insurance. Knowing what I do, I'd opt for a government plan over any for profit plan.

Good Luck President Obama on all you are trying to do to make the USA a better country, but as long as you have people like Rush, Cheny and Rumsfeld (the three axis of evil) it is going to be hard as they try to bait people to oppose everything that is decent for the USA. The GOP is the Group Opposing Progess and will try their best to egg on hate and terror to us. The Idiot Bush was the one who egged on terrorist to our country and no other president had had any group attack us as he did and still go around bragging as if he did something great. That happen on his watch and he was not doing his job. Now we are in the deepest hole as a result of him and they want to blame you. IT Is the grace of God working here because i Know in my heart they are the seed of the DEVIL.

We are 28th in the world in healthcare....If national healthcare is so bad, why do all the countries in Eurpoe have a higher rating than us??? Hmmm.....(People in Europe are living longer than us, too!)

Why does he not visit Canada and other countries and let them tell him how flawed their healkth care system is. WE do do want socialised health care. We want to pay for it as we have ben doing. Regardless of how he stresses it is fo everyone regardless of if they have money or not we the tax payers have to be overtaxed and burdned down by those who cannot pay. We of the middle cklasss, some who have no jobs due to Obmas misguided bails outs decision have not money to pay for all of his extreme plans. He needs to have his head examined nad we the people need to impeach him befoer he really destroyus our country.

Obama has already run up a debt that even my children will not be able to pay off.

While Obama was overseas consistently aplogizing at every turn for America's "misdeeds" he produces the weekly message before he leaves – subject – lets spend more.

Obama isn't about leadership = he is all about spending other people's money – redistributing it – and he is bent on the destruction of our economy as we know it.

Last week he is black, this week Muslim, taking care of the Latinas of the world....

and screwing the taxpayer and small business people of the country.

What has Obama done for me lately? Let's see, I still don't have health coverage; my taxes are sky high, but I do think I saw a pothole being filled in up the street. Instead of indulging himself with his Islam worship tour, in order to work out his own identity issues, why doesn't this "President" get off the stage, out of the lime light, stop making speeches and get to work???

Simple – Make all health care non-profit and out of the hands of the investors and speculators on Wall St.
Since when is our health a commodity to be traded and profited from by the likes of these people?

When did you ever hear a Canadian or European wanting to change from their health care system to one like we have in the US?

Health care in America is a failure and a national embarrassment!

The only type of healthcare reform the insurance industry wants is an "enforceable" mandate to purchase their high-priced insurance policies from the private health insurance market, AND no public option. The result will be a "captive market" for their overpriced products, the elimination of any genuine competition (that would occur with a robust and less expensive public option available to all), and the continuation of their multimillion dollar compensation packages. THAT is what the insurance industry means by healthcare reform, and THAT is the only thing they'll embrace. THAT is why the Republicans and dead-set against a robust public option available to anyone who wants it.

Working in the medical field, with lots of experience with Medicare, ramming health care reform down our throats as fast as he can is politics by Obama and company, and stupidity by anyone who has common sense–not a political agenda. How many of you even realize that many doctor's offices no longer take medicare, and medicaid is essentially a no-go even to some degree with not-for-profit hospitals?

There certainly is some need for some changes–but carefully, thought out, well planned, well put together. Not a couple of months. This is pure politics–and we all need to remember this every election–especially the next one.

To "Mother and Sister of a Soldier"....
Yes, we need reform....
Yes, we are a nation of "brainwashed sheep(at least since 2000!)....
Yes, the Republicans like to keep you in a "scared" state, so they can control you!

I'm behind the President 100% and implore Congress to make sure a public health option is part of any health care reform. As a former medical practice administrator, I've seen firsthand how lives can be ruined by lack of insurance or lack of good insurance.

Steve said it all. Insurance costs are largely driven by ridiculous awards from lawsuits and the insurance premiums that providers have to pay to cover those ridiculous awards. The government won't address tort reform because government is largely comprised of lawyers and they look out after their own.

Does anyone out there really believe that government can be trusted to run anything efficiently? Just name one governmment program that is universally acclaimed to be well run. Now imagine healthcare in the hands of these bozos.

He makes me more optimistic every day.
I Support Our President – I Support America

My girlfriend works at Burger King, it stinks but it's a living, and at least she is employed (she was laid off from her good job, and had to do something). They do not offer health care to regular crew members. Currently, even with the reductions that have gone into Cobra for laid off workers, she can not pay that kind of bill on Burger King Salary. Nor can she afford medical treatment if she needs it, also due to Burger King Salary.

My mother is disabled, still has a slew of medical problems due to past surgeries, battles with cancer, etc. My father, who supplied the insurance through his work, has been released on disability after a massive heart attack. They currently pay over $800 a month for Cobra, they do not get the lower rate, because they were not laid off. Disability payment are not enough to cover that along with rent and food.

Currently there are medications out there that we pay an arm and a leg for, and guess what, you can get the same type of medication for your dog from your vet, for a 5th of the price. How can the pharmaceutical companies do this you ask? Because a human being must spend the money they ask, for your dog, you can choose to let it rot and die, so they charge the human form of the meds at the higher price. Sick and wrong I say. Some others here seem to say, the current system works fine. You are either blind, in-experienced, dumb, or just plain greedy.

The president is right,

The time is now, I am proud to say I am the first to sign up for the grass roots meet in my area

It's time for the Countries bail out......

P.S. Hey mother of sister and soldier, just so you know, I have seen lot's of jobs created by Stimulus, and read about much more. I have seen and felt the begging effects of the stimulus on our education system as well. Realistically speaking, it has only been a few months since the bill past, if your expecting things to just happen like magic after the bill passed, you should re align your thinking. Maybe do some reading while on this site.

Problem: Lawyers, HMO's, OBAMA!

Solution: GET RID OF THEM!!!!

Yes! The only people who will lose out here are the giant insurance companies who have siphoned off their fair share for far too long and at the expense of the American people.

Anyone that does not see the need for national healthcare is either a liar, a plant for the insurance companies, an idiot, or all THREE!

I am not a fan of the health care insurance industry, because as an employee of the medical provider system I see the profit system that we have in place either deny benefits or break the patients that need them most. However, the only thing that is bigger, greedier, and very poorly managed is our government attempting to regulate health care. Medicare and Medicaid are a bloated disaster. Don't tell me that healthcare is being put on a singlepayer waiting list, or worse, a denial of benefits list.

Thank you, Mr. Obama. We've been waiting for this a long long long time. And we're ready to roll. On your marks and get set...

Yes, we need healthcare reform now.

But I don't believe the health care industries' "promises" that they will reduce costs. That is not reform – that is just kowtowing to the lies of the same people who are responsible for the health care mess.

What about the Pres' campaign promises, to make the same health care plan that's available to Congress available to people who do not currently have health care? Why is he no longer talking about that? What about his promise to subsidize individual health care so everyone has access to health care? Why is he not talking about that?

Once again the government wants to attempt to implement "Socialized" health care for all. Leave us alone for the love of Christ please! We still thankfully live in a capitalistic society but if we do not voice are concerns we will become a socialist nation. Look back to the Bill of Rights and the Constitution for reference if you are confused. We cannot afford to pay for healthcare for illegal immigrants and those that leach off of our government. If you are able to work then get a job but stop blaming those that have something. If you want health care get a job, choose the policy but do not let our government do it for you. And by the way it is no longer General Motors but now " Governmental Motors". This country is supposed to be for us by us not by those in control that want to determine everything that we will or will not do. We must retake our country, stand up America and stop listening to the liberal media and the corrupt politicians.

It really saddens me to read some of these posts. Most of the comments against healthcare reform show that people are listening to the Limbaugh and Hanity and have not even taken the time to actually do your homework to find out what is really happening in Congress. You think that the government is going to take the profits from the Insurance companies to pay for the rest, or you think that it will be a single payor plan and everyone that has employee based health care will lose their care. If you really want to do something about what is happening, then research it and get active. The idiotic, stupid, uninformed comments on this site show that you are too lazy to do that. You would rather spew hatred than actually get involved to help this country.

gosh is somebody talking again . why did you people vote this civil rights con man into office . alright i understand you were conned . but what about the rest of us we have to pay for your mistakes huh ?

Other countries that have government run health care are just as good as what we have in the US. Unfortunately some people are either too lazy or don't want to have their opinions proven wrong so they don't do any research so they make unfounded statements like it fails in other countries.

The main reason our health care is so expensive is BECAUSE of Health Insurance companies and HMO's. The RED TAPE and Bureaucracy of those companies makes anything the US Government has for Medicare look streamlined and cost efficient.

Most of the money for Health Insurance goes to pay EXECUTIVE SALARIES and PAPERWORK and not to pay for medical care. If the government took it over, even with the sometimes wasteful methods they can use, we would SAVE MONEY.

But then again the people saying the government shouldn't do this don't want to know the facts because it shoots a hole in their argument.

If you want affordable health care you NEVER let an HMO or Health Insurance company manage it.

I have worked in a government run health system- the military. Get ready for long waits, regulations. Those who have no care now will certainly see a huge improvement. For the 250 million other who have coverage- get ready to have less access, longer waits, and lower quality.
I am so happy we are becoming the United States of Mediocrity. Lets strive to bring up the few at the bottom while we hold back all the rest.

Doesn't it just make you feel so warm and fuzzy to know that Obama wants to provide "free" medical care to all of the "poor" people in America.

First of all the United States is in a economic meltdown, just in case you haven't seen the news in the last two years. The price tag for this "reform" is at about one trillion dollars give or take a hundred billion or so. Now we have just borrowed another one trillion for Obama's social agenda IE stimulus package that is not working. So the reality is how are we going to pay for all of this "free" medical care.

Taxes is how. Now I know that all of you non taxpayers (50% of you) could care less about higher taxes. But, your buddy Obama is looking at a new national sales tax of about 25% on everything from groceries, to your rent. No exceptions!! Think about another 25% on top of everything you spend money on.

Don't look at this with emotions, look at it with some common sense.
There is no such thing as FREE medical care!!!!!!!!!!

Time to deliver...your birth certificate!

Obama gives boon to health insurance lobby! That's change we can believe in! I cannot believe he has the nerve to use the term healthcare as those of us already being profited off of by the insurance industry by denying health care will only see things get worse as we pay tax on our benefit (or lack of) so that the insurance industry can now profit off of poor people by now giving them insurance they cannot afford and will not use and NONE of us have health care and the Obama fan club is naive enough to think that this is anything close to a single payer system. Yes, I voted for change, but I got more of the same. I'm not ashamed to say I was duped and start fighting for the change we did not and will not get with him. The rich and the privileged never had a better friend.

Why don't all of you run for president?. I can see you guys can stand against the president in anything he wants to accomplish for the american people including you. maybe, none of you has a degree to run for president.

I'm concerned that our government is looking for a quick fix and will ignore the true complexities of the situation. Government-run health care does not seem economically sustainable over time in this country. Look at social security...

All you seniors that are complaining about govt health care sure dont mind that medicare you are getting do ya?

Just like getting a college degree first requires grade school, middle and high school and the ENROLLING in college, the health care of this nation must be STARTED.

If it isn't perfect at first, work on what's wrong. We can't go from no health care to perfect health care overnight. Too bad, but realistic.

The first step is cutting out the horrendous profits the Insurance Companies make. Look at all the TV ads, and the biggest buildings in any town or city – ALL PAID FOR BY INS. CO. PROFITS.

liberals are idiots June 6th, 2009 12:00 pm ET

wow government run healthcare..cant wait..they do such a great job with everything else!!
_____________________

If other countries can guarrantee great, affordable health care, then so can the US. Cynicism will get you nowhere.

steve,

Unites States has around the 30th best health care in the world.

J in LA June 6th, 2009 11:56 am ET

Wow. Another government takeover? No thank you. We are going to hand over the largest health care system in the world to the one of the most bureaucratic and inefficient organizations known to man (the US Congress, etc.)? I don't think so. The American people aren't that naive, President Obama.
________________

And our health care system as it is has been working wonders...for the insurance companies... The American people aren't that naive, J in LA.

It would be hard to believe years ago, reading some of this comments about people fighting over health care, but not anymore. I mean people trying their hardest to fight , to keep people from having healthcare. I believe we should give this President a chance on it. Heatlh insurance dont seem important to some ( only gives them something to fight about between Republicans and Democrats), but just think that if those people came down with a chronic disease and the big bankers was going to take their home and everything they got because they ran out of money, what would they do then? Its easy to fight when your healthy then when yours sick. Folks like John McCain, Joe Bohener, Rush Limbo, George W Bush, and majority of Republicans ( i didnt say all) would like to see their insurance buddies continue to get rich. We need to take a look at this from a indepedant perspective.

Government control of our health care system would be the biggest mistake of our life times. We CAN NOT allow the government to nationalize health care. Our quality of life would go down substantionally and it will ruin the healthcare industry in this country. There are plenty of ways to provide affordable healthcare without the government being in control.

GOVERNMENT control is NOT the answer.

It is nice that our government is now working for the people and NOT for big business.

There was a time in America when employers offered medical insurance and retirement funds for all of their employees and companies did not go broke doing so. But, in those day's CEO's only made 2 to 4 times as much as the workers.

Then greed set in at the top, CEO's now make millions a month while workers only make a few thousand a month and have little or no insurance and retirement.

It is not the pay and benefits of the average worker that is making companies go under, it is the GREED at the top.

"wow government run healthcare..cant wait..they do such a great job with everything else!!"

So you think for profit, cost escalating health care is better? Actually the government does just fine with Social Security and Medicare, if only they didn't raid the funds. Single pay, with private hospitals and doctors is the way to go. Get the greedy HMO insurance companies out of this.

@ Proud DH S radical, the Government will be good to their workers

I just love when people here are so arrogant, illegals, trust me, your ancestors were once upon a time were equally illegals.

I have two parts Native American, and you foreigners intruded. So before you truly open your arrogant mouth, remember NONE of us carry American blood, not even me.

Obama already spent all his allowance on fluff and now he wants more? How about instead of bailing out the insurance industry, automotive industry, the state of california, and all the money he is earmarking for "foreign policy spending" – whatever the hell THATS gonna be- why didnt he START OFF with the medical reforms that he promised in his stump speeches that got him elected?

And what about Gitmo?

And what about pulling out of Iraq?

and what about and what about and what about...?

We dont have any money left Obama- you spent it all in your first 100 days!!!

I WISH I WOULD HAVE CAST MY VOTE FOR THE OTHER GUY INSTEAD OF OBAMA!!!!!!

The urgency of NOW, and The aducity of HOPE... I find it so unique that I can be inspired by our President, I want for my children and grandchildren the same chance that was given to me by my forebearers. President Obama is such a breath of fresh air for us
Americans, he has started to put back piece by piece the shattered
integreity of the American people. I am inspired by a person that can
walk the walk and talk the talk, without resorting to hate and fear mongering, a person that tells it as it is, and doesn't spend time in
PYA mode or unduly chastizing others. When it is time to talk he talks,
when it is time to walk, he walks, but he seldom talks of his walks.
The news comes out but its not spouted by his administration.

Yup, its that old (69yrs) retired white man from Ma. former Republican

I am really convinced about Obama's health care plan, and i think he will able to do it . If it would come into being that would be my dream. As i lost my job first thing iwas thinking how i will afford to pay my health care for my three children and my wife and myself.
Obama really care about average american people.
I remember during campain when Oboma was telling to the public that he would make health care affordable, most people thought it was just empty words, slogan. Thanks to Obama.

We desperately need a change to our health care system. There are some poor and others in this nation that cannot afford health care and a country like ours should not have some people covered and others not. Health care in America is a right not a privilege. Trust me, people in Canada and Europe don't envy our health care system at all. I am with the President on this.

Please, everyone, educate yourselves before you fall for this so called government run health care. We don't need the government telling us when we should get care. If some of you think it's hard to get healthcare now, it may be impossible if Obama's plan goes into effect. The economy will pick back up and life will go on. Wake up before it's too late. The economy is bad for a lot of people, but it's still great for most people. Don't keep giving this Obama administration a free pass to turn us into a socialistic country..........It's happening right before our eyes..........Just take a real look at what is going on and quit expecting the government to take care of you. Get out and do whatever it takes to survive right now........If we really want our country back, it will take all of us.

This isn't a total government takeover, but everyone tells you it is. If they add a public option, it will provide competition for the insurance companies, which are essentially a monopoly at this point. In the coming months, you will hear incorrect information from both sides of the debate, because there are trillions of dollars at stake. I urge everyone to do your own homework and reach your own conclusions. Don't rely on the media on this topic.

No Steve, we do not have the best health care system in the world. When we spend more per capita than any country in the world and get less coverage, that means we have the worst health care system in the world.

Knowing that #44 and his stooges in the democratic controlled congress have till this fall to ram rod a huge tax burden disguised as Reformed Health Care Bill. After the holidays the bill will become a 3rd rail so no action will be taken and the democrats will also know that we are going to voted them out starting with the governors races this fall.

If you all want one program the US Government manages better than private sector industry think Flood insurance. Private secotr companies will not even insure flood prone places or people, they cannot make enough profit or guarantee no losses so they REFUSE to offer flood insurance, that is why the governement took it over so people could be insured for floods. They also do it at less than a fourth of the closest proposal by private sector companies. How do I know this? I work for insurance companies and if I had the chance I would take the government over my own company any day of the week because then I would be assured I would not be getting raped by another private sector insurance company, only people who trust private sector insurance comapnies are fools, take that from someone who works for a private sector insurance company, there is nothing less caring and more filled with greed than insurance companies, they are one of the most despicable elements of the greed of the business world of this country, if you think financial companies are full of greed, you have no true idea until you realize how bad insurance companies are, after all, remember AIg, that is the typical insurance company, need I say more?

Well, Obama can't make up his mind what "big" issue he wants to work on, can he??? I wish he would stick to one thing at a time, basically, and quit trying to show off all the things he thinks he can do. And our health care system is just fine-leave it alone, or better yet, Mr. Prez, move to Canada where you can have the kind of health care you are so vigorously campaigning for!

You notice that the President and Congress never mention LAWYERS as a cause of high health care - they take care of their own. The U.S. has less than 10 percent of the world's population yet generates 90 percent of the world's lawsuits! The primary concern of Americans should be tort reform.

I look at them trying to control health care as very dangerous, and is just another step towards socialism. Wake up America!

Since Ronald Reagan labeled "THE GOVERNMENT" as the problem it has become part of our national mythology that private industry is more efficient public industry.Why don't we for example compare Medicare with General Motors and see which has been more efficient? Did "THE GOVERNMENT" reduce my 401k?These organizations are made up of people who are no different in character or in ability.Some of them work hard,some of them don't.They are all dedicated to what they do along a spectrum from just picking up a paycheck to going the distance.If we all think that everyone should have heath care and that were all going to pay for it,doesn't it make sense that we have an organization accountable to the people that we elect running it?

Middle class people who resist universal healthcare drive me nuts. Preventative healthcare has been proven time and time again to save substantial sums in the long term, computerized medical records save substantial sums on administration and reduce chances of misdiagnoses, and collective buying on a nationwide scale would greatly reduce costs of medicine. And as a benefit, U.S. corporations would be more competitive on the world stage because profit margins would be more in line with other multinational firms whose countries provide healthcare. Please, before you denigrate change, find out the FACTS FIRST.
Just an afterthought... do you have any idea how many procedures are denied so that insurance companies can squeeze out a few more pennies of profit? George Austerlitz is right-
"bottom line, good health care = less profits."

As if this country isn't broke enough already... Prepare for the downfall of the US, as no country will want to us the dollar as global currency anymore, and we will have hyper-inflation and massive unemployment.

This is just Carter 2.0, bigger and badder.

Vermonter June 6th, 2009 12:01 pm ET
Once the GOP gets through with this, the Christian Science Church could have a total revival. Seriously, why are we the only advanced nationa why health care is not a right?
-------------------–
I would love to see everyone covered. What I don't want to see is healthcare being run by the government! The post office is so efficient, right? Let's have tort reform first so greedy lawyers can't cause skyhigh costs anymore. We can't because Congress is full of lawyers! John Edwards is/was one example!

very true, front page of the news: 60% of bank ruptcies are health care related

shame on you healthcare, most of those bankruptcies are middle class... doing your part to take out the middle class aren't you

of course the GOP and haters (aren't they one in the same) will see this as a red meat opportunity for more hate

nothing to do but not postpone any longer, and NOT listen to the hate, the hate does nothing, just like the haters and the GOP

It's easily understandabale as to why some people are opposed to this when you see quotes like, "we have the greatest healthcare in the world..." Honestly, if that's the case, why do milions of people in this country not have it? It's a chain reaction, health care turns into just another greedy business, leaves millions of people without it because they jack up prices, those millions of people flood the emergency rooms for headaches and sore backs, our health system (hospitals, doctors' offices) system is clogged due to lack of funds.

Don't be jingoistic, just because it's America, doesn't mean it doesn't need some overhaul. Like every other country in the world, we have major problems that need to be fixed.

A smart man ...

That surrounds himself with equally smart people ...

And then does the best job I've ever seen from the Oval office ...

My eyes surely never thought I'd see this day ...

Thank you America ... for the wisest electorate this country has ever known ...

Peace

This is biggest blunder of this new admninistration. It is a joke. Barack Obama wants to make money. H ehas 21 Czar's which are not confirmed by the Senate. Waste of tax-payer's money. More money will go for Health Care. Barack Obama is a disgrace for our country. He has no experience whatsoever. All the Czars are paid with our money.

Why do we:

1. Import Doctors from India?
2. Import Nurses from Phillippines?

Can't we have enough Medical Professionals in our Country?

For all you people who keep saying we have 'The Best Health Care System' in the world it is time to wake up to some real hard facts. We have the highest cost health system in the world but we are down to number 15 and below for how good our health system is. We DO NOT HAVE the best health care in the world, Europeans do, check the facts before you open your republican mouths, we lost first over 20 years ago, but we pay MORE than any other country in the world, far more, the next highest, which is number one pays about half of what we do. So where is the waste and cost going? Insurance companies and attorneys, that is where, not for our health care, that is for sure. The profit for Insurance companies is 4 times higher here than any other country that has insurance companies and they have comparable health care to us. Get your facts straight before you begin sounding off, the US does NOT HAVE THE BEST HEALTH CARE!! We are FAR from the BEST, we are so far down the list as to be laughable to the rest of the world, we are below most of the industrial west countries and we pay so much more that even they cannot understand where all of our money goes and for what.

My daugther was just recently in the hospital with "flu" like symptoms. She is only two years old and we had no choice to make sure that our child would be okay and make it through this to have her in the hospital. We have medical insurance which costs $700 a month out of our pocket. Now the bills are starting to roll in from this hospital visit stay. Although it might not sound like a lot compared to others but to me it is. Our plan covers 80% after our deductable has been met. Well her bills were over $10,000 which leaves us paying $2,000 out of pocket. Hospital's require at least a monthly payment of $100 which will take 20 months to pay off. This puts a loss on other things that need paid for during a month and is just unbelievable how much these things can cost. I am greatful for the care my daugther received and she is doing better now but while you are worrying about your child being sick, you then have to worry about how you are going to pay for it once you are back home. Obama, I really hope you can live up to your word and change our health care system. People have to worry enough about putting food on the table and not having a hospital turn you into collection because you can't afford to pay an outragious hospital bill. Thank you for your time!

It is past time to reform our healthcare system. Insurance companies are making life & death decisions based on profits, instead of the best interests of patients. Enough.

Godspeed President Obama! Let's get these much-needed reforms implemented now....Yes We Can!

Why is that everything in BO's agenda is an emergency and has to get done right away? Oh, I get it, so nobody has time to read the documents pertaining to our stimulus, taxes, health etc.

We are fast heading toward a Hitler regime. Socialism at it's best is coming. Control of car companies, banks, health care etc. God help us all.

GOPe idiots!!

We have one of the best governments on the planet and we run many massive eneavors better than most private companies do. Private industry is not as good as the GOPes spout.

Enron, AIG, Haliburton, the entire banking industry, GM, Chrysler private corporations DO NOT DO A BETTER JOB!!!

The reason our healthcare system is so inefficient is because of the companies that control it now!! The reason the rate of inflation for healthcare is twice the rate in all other areas of the economy is the companies that run it now!!

Once again the ignorant, greedy and self-serving will march lock step chanting dittos with the GOPes!

This is the GOP arguement

"wow government run healthcare..cant wait..they do such a great job with everything else!!"

Here are some Fed Govt run agencies you should know about.

CIA
FBI
THE ENTIRE U.S MILITARY (guess these guys suck in your book)
CDC
USDOJ
DOR
CUSTOMS
TSA
FDA

Obama understands that choice means a lot to Americans and that is exactly what he's fighting for. How about read a book before you gobble up everything Rush has to say. He's saying things that appeal to the worst in people.

ya Matt if you think I do then budy you don't have a clue
most of our money private and public that goes into the health network . is used up by paper work and many people employed to make sure the cost stays high. and most everyone has had the letter denieing you of a claim to cover some illness or terminal illness.
so Matt you just go ahead and believe that the money we spend just barley makes the system work ya budy you are the type the insurance companies like to hear from.
the trickle down republican system doesn't work . the money gets gobbled up at the top.

have a nice day

Millions of people do not have access to healthcare. People get denied coverage everyday for "pre-existing conditions." People with insurance go bankrupt every day due to skyrocketing costs. We do not have the best healthcare system in the world!

Where do you think people without insurance (including illegal immigrants) go to receive healthcare? They go to the few community clinics and public hospitals that, yes, we the public pay for with our tax dollars. Giving everyone adequate healthcare coverage will not only prevent conditions from worsening and getting more expensive to treat, but will create a healthier community.

just like we rushed on the wall st bailout, rushed on the stimulus package that no one read, rushed the auto bailout that was supposed to prevent bankruptcy...

lets rush through health care reform too!

If you think Obama & Democrats are doing a GREAT job on our economy (9.5% unemployment, ballooning deficit, skyrocketing debt, crashing dollar, soon hyper-inflation).....

then you'll LOVE his taxpayer-paid multi-trillion $$ social welfare healthcare plan!!

"Never waste a good crisis".... ramming through Euro-socialism before the sheeple wake up!

When it comes to the Healthcare debate, I'm acquainted with three distinct factions:
1. Those that are lucky to have access to adequate healthcare, and are not inclined to see any change to the system happen. In other words selfish human beings who can't muster a level of regard for those less fortunate.
2. Those that have no access or next to no access to healthcare, and are desperate for change. Some of these folks suffer and die unecessarily because they have no health insurance.
3. Those like me who have access to adequate healthcare, but realize that millions of our fellow citizen are not so lucky, and would like something done about it.
Which category do you belong in?

Americans can't afford you anymore Obama! Just go away........forever!!

Once again the self -serving cowards and phoney christians on the right want to stop universal health-care!!

These creeps have kept tens of millions of children without health-care and caused the bankruptcy of millions of American families with their greed.

I wonder if they are going to once again appeal to the ignorant and self serving masses in the "bible" belt with the boogey man of "you won't get to chose your doctor". As if you can now. Or maybe they will pull out the 'it's too confusing for all you simple rednecks" and t"he government does not do a good job of running things" BS, like GM , Haliburton, Enron and AIG do!!!

If you are still a GOPe and you think your choice of a doctor is more important than ANY child in this country not having access to regular healthcare you are an SOB not a Christian!!

Steve; you are right on this one. This is just another way for Obama and his goverment to take controll of our lives. I'm in my mid 60's and I don't agree with this at all. If we stop being a "sue for everything nation" then health care costs could come down. If Obama takes controll where's the money coming from?? Obama and his spending is destroying our country. Why can't people wake up and see this; you can't keep spending money you don't have!!!!!!!!

Yes, reform is needed, but single payer (Medicare for All) is the only option that has a hope of covering everyone and lowering costs. I know this as a family physician who struggles every day to help patients get the care they need.

If you want more affordable health care, you are going to have to accept a lower standard health care.

You get what you pay for.

Apparently Paula already has her health care problems taken care of. She wants Obama and the rest of us to 'Just shut up already'. What a commentary on some Americans. Its like 'I have mine already, the rest of you can just go to Hell'. I think that statement, in a nutshell, pretty much sums up the difference between Conservatives and Liberals. What would Jesus say about this???

This will be smoke and mirrors.

Health insurance is BIG business in America. The ultra-rich recipients of your insurance dollars will never go quietly into the night.

Insurance "reform" will not eliminate insurance companies. To the contrary, insurance "reform" will require EVERYBODY to give, give, give to big insurance companies.

What do insurance companies bring to health care? NOTHING

What do insurance companies take away from health care? TRILLIONS OF UNEARNED DOLLARS

Another socialized program where the Middle Class will pay for it through HIGHER TAXES. Taxing the wealthy to pay for it is a pipe dream, they didn't get wealthy by being stupid. They will move their money to a point that their "taxable income" is below BO's target range. The democrats have a history of attacking the middle class to pay for "everyone's needs". ENOUGH! THE GOP AND INDEPENDENTS, WORKING HARD SO LIBERALS DON'T HAVE TO...

J in LA says:"We are going to hand over the largest health care system in the world to the one of the most bureaucratic and inefficient organizations known to man..."?

It's already in the hands of the "most bureaucratic and inefficient organizations known to man" – FOR PROFIT HMO's! It is their jobs to deny care in order to maximize their PROFITS.

The problem isn't with our health care providers, it's with the greedy insurance companies who practice Murder by Spreadsheet and put Profits Before People.

The only people making out with the current system are the for profit insurance companies, their lobbyists to Congress, and to Congress (staffers and all govt employees) who get taxpayer funded health care.

I suggest we begin the change by removing Congress' health insurance as a taxpayer funded benefit, require all to research and find a current plan that works best for them and their families, then require them to live on $15/hr for 30 days while trying to buy that insurance package. Only then will I be willing to listen to the current ideas that DO NOT include single payer coverage.

BTW, I noticed on CNN's front page that 60% of all bankrupties are because of medical problems. Hmmm...

America is already totally socialist but without universal heathcare. The only socialist country in the world to claim that dubious distinction. To all you hopeless right wingers out there: The U.S. government has already used our tax money to bail out billionaires, failed ceos still collecting huge bonuses and renegade hedge fund managers. Bush was the one was began selling out america's working class to the wealthy. ALL americans with a social security number should have access to health care, every one else that doesn't will not! So simple, cancel the bogus Iraq war and cut blackwater off, there's your money! It's yours.

Hopefully fiscal sanity will return to the country in 3 years. By then the debt will be out of control and will probably take 50 years to pay off. But, we can always hope.

HMO's on steroids is not the answer to our problem.

The country is broke and borrowing money and this clown wants to socialize health care what a joke.

USA is BANCKRUPT, NO MONEY, NO DINERO! Only fools would trust a government to run healthcare. First failure of Hussein Obama and Democratic lead Congress and Senate, GENERAL MOTORS.

Wow, I see the "right-wing" comments are in full effect. Bring your suggestions and actual plans to reform health care to the table so we can work on this important issue. Leave your paranoia and talking points because they do not constructively contribute to the process.

Republicans should stand and constructively contribute their efforts for benefit of the entire country instead of saying "no" and whining about efforts of other

In simple terms, PUT UP or SHUT UP!!!

The best medical insurance I have ever had in my life and hope to never lose, is government provided and run.

A test I had to have while with a HMO cost me $2,000. The same test by this new provider cost me zero.

What is this wonderful provider? VA medical.

fixing healtcare shouldn't equate forcing it on everyone. fix the healthcare industry, mr president. fix it the right way. talk out of only one side of your mouth on this one, mr president.

To those of you who say single payer wont work,

In '06 I cut my ankle. It was cut to the bone and needed stitches. I had insurance but my portion of the bill still came out to $1,000. The total bill was $2,500. It would have been cheaper to buy a ticket to Japan, get my leg stiched up and still get a nice vacation out of it. Oh, and it still would have been cheaper without having insurance in Japan. I could have paid cash. I know this to be true because I used to live in Japan.

The proponnts against universal health care want you to believe you will never get seen by a doctor or you will get inadiquate care. Don't buy that crap! They're trying to mislead the public because most people really don't know that the grass, in this case, really is greener on the other side.

Who's paying for this? I can't take much more in taxes, or in ever increasing prices. I'm all for changing the system but socializing it won't work. I've seen that first hand and usually decided to pay for someone who knew what they were doing out of my own pocket, at great cost, instead of some low paid, bottom of their class doctor employed by this govt while in the military. Come up with something better.

people on welfare can get free health care but a working single mother can't afford it? Something is definitely wrong with this picture.

The government can't even run the U.S. Post Office and some folks want the government to run Health Care. Very very scary!

lots of scared people on this board.

The President is right. This has been something that has be dogging this country for years. Those of you who are against it need to ask yourself what are you going to do if you lose your job tomorrow and you or someone in you family gets hurt or falls ill. How will you pay for all the expenses? Helthcare cost continue to go up every year. It is part of the reason why big companies like GM have failed. Let's get single payer universal healthcare done once and for all.

I am not ready to accept another rushed, ill though out government boondoggle, especially when it involves our health and well being. I agree with Steve that we desperately need tort reform, among other things to get our health care system back on track. Another plus would be concise, common sense easy to understand and comply with regulation of health care. What we do NOT need is the government in charge of health care. It has proven time and again that it can't manage its way out of a paper bag! I don't trust them with my health care....or anyone else's for that matter.

The current system is inefficient and people are making profit at the cost of others health...these things need to be changed...

But healthcare, like any other service, cannot be right

This is not good. Another Govt run business and another CZAR. Granted the health industry needs to be fixed but not by the GOVT. that only spells diaster. People do your homework and see how other countries and most important their people like their GOVT run programs. My cousin in Belgium says it is terrible, the wait to see someone is unreal and to schedule surgeries that we take for granted these days, takes a long time. Don't be fooled.
It is very scary to see how much private business is being taken over by the Govt, little by little. What fools we have become.

Please, please, please tell me what the goverment has run that is better than the private industry. What one country is happy with the goverment run health care. Before this could happen, there needs to be a major cut in spending . . . where will it come from??????

Our health care system is not the best in the world but it is without a doubt the most expensive. The fat cat insurance companies have managed to squeeze every dollar out of people needing health care. In the end unless one is wealthy all that is affordable are up front deductable amount policies. It's no better than rolling the dice at Los Vegas. The cost has gotten out of the reach of the largest percentage of Americans. So much so that companies are cutting back on supplying health care for employees. It needs to be a system where everyone is required to have health care insurance instead of a sliding scale where the ones that have insurance are charged a larger fee to cover costs of people that have no insurance. People on Medicare are required to pay and most hae supplimental policies to cover expenses not paid by part A and B. If one doesn't have supplimental insurance then they pay out of their pocket.

We don't have socialized healthcare because we don't want it..this is not canada or england..just like we don't want the government telling us what to drive..josef stalin and lenin have been dead a long time..we don't need someone in the white house trying to bring them back..

There is a difference between our quality of health care providers and the health care system. The System is that thing that refuses to sell me insurance at any affordable cost because I have a pre-existing condition. The Health Care Provider is the doctor, nurse, pharmacy, and hospital that provides excellent health care but that I have no access to. What good is a great health care provider if I can't have access to it. Just tell insurance companies that if they want to sell insurance, they have to sell it to everyone... that would fix the system. If they want to sell health care in GA then you have to accept anyone that applies or your can't sell it to anyone at all!!! Same thing with home owner's insurance. It's time we tell the insurance companies they can't just take the healthy and safe and then cancel them if they file a claim...

I love Republicans... Government run health care! It's unthinkable!!! The again, the world's best military has and utilizes a government run health care system available to all soldiers and dependents. Yeah, impressive fail. Seriously, are people afraid of everything?

How stupid can this jerk get???? The liberals and media talked about Bush's lack of intelligence . . . now comparoing the two, Bush was so much more intelligent about what is best for America than this stupid liberal will ever hope to be.

Dawn in Pa - you must not work in healthcare. OF COURSE patients with Medicaid get to see a doctor and access other health care services - that's the VERY reason for Medicaid! However, you might be surprised how many people lie and cheat to try to become Medicaid eligible!

To Steve:

"name anything that the government manages well!"

How about the Army? The Post Office? Police and Fire Departments? Schools? Transportation?

Republicans are so fervently for the war and our soldiers and trust the government to run an overseas war, but we can't trust them to run health care? THIS is why the party of "No" is on its last legs!

Steve, I don't think my insurer and I were charged $100 for a 10-minute consult with a student doctor to refill a prescription because people are spilling coffee on themselves.

I don't think anyone is worth $600 an hour. Yes, I know he's not making anything like that, I know there are legitimate clinic fees etc., but c'mon, people, seriously? $100 to refill a prescription? It shouldn't be free, but it shouldn't be _that_, either.

Seems to me private industry and a gummed up free market model got us into the mess we're in now. Whatever the case, it seems clear to me that something is seriously screwed up somewhere, it needs to be stopped and it needs to be fixed. And if not by the government, sir, then _who?_

Socialized medicine means less care, and government making decisions. How can we pay for this when we are already printing money we don't have , and in debts trillions to chinese. Forget Bush/Obama or Dem/Repub, it's about our future. We need to get out of debt. Obama can't "buy" his way to reelection, through mortgaging our countries future.

I agree with the comments about insurance companies driving the cost of health care to astronomical amounts. Even so, I don't believe tort reform is the answer. I've personally seen tort to backfire for those in need. Tort laws umbrella every situation possible. My father was in an accident that took him to a hospital where his spinal cord injury was misdiagnosed and left him a quadriplegic. With the tort in our state he was due a limited settlement for pain and suffering. Is it fair that the livelihood of a man/woman that becomes paralyzed be valued the same for per say a broken arm due to negligence? Saying that, states with tort laws have seen reductions in malpractice claims, yet premiums for physicians' malpractice insurance continue to rise. Our health care system is driven by profit margin of the insurance companies. It's time to let the Doctors control health care again, not big business.

The fastest most efficient health care idea would be to allow everyone to buy Medicare coverage for a modest premium if desired while a decision is made on a long term solution. By simply providing affordable care first, the costs should begin dropping while allowing the public sector to adjust. The focus must be on sustaining life only to begin.

If you want to get a clear view of what Government-sponsered healthcare will look like, spend an afternoon in any VA Hospital across the Country. Long lines, Medical staff primarily consisting of Residents, high infection rates,limited choice,much higher mortality rates,typically dirty and depressing. Please wake up and smell the coffee! Show me one program that Big Government is controlling that is working! Bigger government is N0T the answer!

And just WHAT is Osama sacraficing ? besides the country,

Obamas own words at a rally " We live in the greatest country in the world ,,, and with your help ,,, we can change it!"

All this scaremongering nonsense about "Obama's government-runned Socialist healthcare plan, where people can't even chose their own doctor," is coming from multi-millionare insurance executives and the conservative stooges that they have hired to be their spokesman.

Failing to pass health care reform will only guarantee that these same insurance executives will be able to continue to use OUR need for health care to make themselves RICH.

As a RN in critical care I will love this. Finally we will ration care Not put everyone on dialysis, do CABGs, put on vents for weeks at a time just for them to die. All because families have a gall to say my 90 year old mother needs to live longer. Or better yet the totally debilitated person with a trach, peg, colostomy, and bedsores for poor care at home or nursing home on top of MRSA and VRE has to be treated instead of let go. Say hello to socialized medicine. Get ready. Oh if you do a study on major countries with said health care, here is a big shocker, they are most all in debt. Now have of this is true, I can stand the waste, and will love the rationing. But I hate the fact this is some kind of fix, it’s not. At least it will be out of the families’ hands though, government fixes all, like Amtrac, GM, Chrysler, Banks. Yeah Bush, Yeah Obama!

Steve Wrote:

"We have the best health care in the world. It is expensive, not because of the medical profession, but because insurance companies and lawyers. What we need is tort reform so that people cannot sue for spilled cups of coffee.

The reminds me of the Obama quote "America is the greatest country on earth, help me change it."

We DO need tort reform, we need a lot of things.

BUT

Obama NEVER SAID THAT!!!
A lot of the "Right" wing nut jobs try to attribute it to him, but I cannot find ONE SINGLE REFERENCE to the quote, directly attributing it to him in a speech or in any writing.
When did Rush say Obama said it (or was it Hannity)?

America IS great, but it could still use some repair... If that wasn't true, every one would be happy with exactly how it is...
Are you completely happy?

Just shut up already!

Once the GOP gets through with this, the Christian Science Church could have a total revival. Seriously, why are we the only advanced nationa why health care is not a right?

With WHAT MONEY ?

wow government run healthcare..cant wait..they do such a great job with everything else!!

If the Health Care plan is planned properly for those who are without, then it will be beneficial. If this Health Care plan "runs over" those who have company plans and/or HMO through retirement, then their will be real "bloodshed". To take away medication from retirees and elderly, because they will die soon is MURDER! Wake up America – is this what you want? To dissolve Medicare and Medicaid will be disastrous – to modify Medicare and Medicaid would make sense.

First I'd like to see the free health care system that Congress receives stop! let them find and pay for an HMO like the rest of us. Does Obama plan to offer free heath care to the millions of illegals here?

Wow. Another government takeover? No thank you. We are going to hand over the largest health care system in the world to the one of the most bureaucratic and inefficient organizations known to man (the US Congress, etc.)? I don't think so. The American people aren't that naive, President Obama.

You guys have no idea how the health care system works, or the economics behind any of it.

I have a slogan for this heath care push....

"Brace for Failure"!

I read a post where someone thinks we can take the profit away from insurance companies and put it back into the system. I guess you must live in a magical land with sunshine rainbows, and unicorns all day long.

We have been contacted by the grass-roots support group promoting the President's health care agenda. We agree with the President, basic health care is not a privilege, it is an investment for a better more equitable world. We have agree to contribute toward the success of this effort and we urge everyone else to do the same.

The President is absolutely right. We need to tackle this, and now. It's imperative to put single payer options on the table. People's entire lives are dictated by finding strategies to be sure they have health insurance. I have made career decision that were not what I wanted, but what would ensure that my heart condition was covered by insurance. I am a slave to our health care system. SINGLE PAYER SYSTEM NOW!

I hope he can take the profit out of insurance companies and have it put back into the system as to help reduce the cost . our health should not be used as a share of stock to be given to a share holder as a dividen. its a bunch of crap . greed . on the backs of the workforce.
call it what you want but our system doesn't work . insurance companies get richer and the cost just keeps going up .as to feed the fat cats at the top .

TIME FOR CHANGE
AND ITS NOW !!

[...] Obama: Time For Health Care Now [...]

We have the best health care in the world. It is expensive, not because of the medical profession, but because insurance companies and lawyers. What we need is tort reform so that people cannot sue for spilled cups of coffee.
What Obama is proposing is for the governement to manage health care – name anthing that the government manages well!
Why would we want the government to take the best health care in the world and FIX it?
The reminds me of the Obama quote "America is the greatest country on earth, help me change it."

I am begging people NOT to be steam rolled by another Obama agenda until thoroughly investigated. This dem "grass roots" movement starting at the top (they start with the people) is just another grand manipulation used by our Chief Community Organizer. Yes, we need health care reform but we cannot run into reform like we did with the stimulus package which has not added jobs and increased our debt to an all new high. All the party is doing is giving their facts to the people at these meetings that will influence a person who is not an independent thinker. We are a country of "brainwashed" sheep. Obama is the best since his only other job was "community organizer". I am truly scared by this power. All anyone needs to do is read history and see where this has led in other countries.

"Fixing what’s wrong with our health" PROPERLY requires that we reject the lies of FOR PROFIT HMOs, which have no INTENTIONS or desires of/to EVER accept reasonable/fair profits in exchange for quality health care.
REAL "Change We Can Believe In" requires that we start over, with a single payer option.

I don't trust Government to do a good job, but I KNOW what for profit companies have shown themselves to be – bottom liners...
And
bottom line, good health care = less profits.

Yes Mr. President people who needs medical attention cannot get it. Some have Medicaid that goes along with Welfare. Some people cannot see a Doctor because most Doctors do not take Madicaid. that sucks, I guess the poor people just don't get sick...

This is the big one. We're ready. Let's go!