CNN

[...] According to CNN, that is, "...far less than previous estimates...."But folks, that is a lot of money. [...]

$611 billion divided among about 80 million taxpaying American families mean that, on average, each of those families is going to be hit with a bill of over $7500. That's $7500 that won't be available for your kids' education, $7500 that won't be available for your retirement. It's a new car you'll have to put off buying until another year or a new house you may never be able to afford because the government took that $7500 away from you. All to pay the medical expenses of complete strangers too irresponsible to pay their own bills.

"just wait until our medical care sinks to the level of other socialist countries" Eric, if you look at the facts, the US ranks very low in life expectancy compared to other industrialized countries and well behind those with some type of government sponsored medical system. Health Care in the US is years behind in technology and procedures to the point where many medical professionals from this country don't meet the minimum requirements to work in the same field in Europe.

Honest Independant. He is pullling us out of Iraq. Did you not read the news that we have handed the cities over and that there is a timetable to leave the country completely?

People need to get off of the "Socialized medicine" rant. What is being proposed is health insurance, not socialized medicine. The government isn't going to own the hospitals or employee the doctors and nurses. they will still be private organizations. Unlike the banks that GW nationalized.

Obama has never been specific on anything dated back from his campaign days. That was why I could not vote for him though I loved his speeches so much. He is a celebrity not a president.

Wow, I was actually convinced this was a good idea – but then the courageous and highly intelligent community of spam blog commenter changed my Librul mind. Thank you oh beacon of rationality and sanity.

So, how did the pricetag magically get cut in half?

When something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. This smacks of somebody "reworking the numbers" under new assumptions to make it prettier

Right. Of course Congress under control of the proponents of the system are going to lowball the estimates. The CBO has a much better track record of budgetary forecasts...

And lest the Republicans start pointing too many fingers, their claims about the cost and various other aspects of the Iraq war were no more accurate...

I'm not sure why there are so many people against this bill posting here. They act as if the isn't a problem with the current system. That Obama must be making all of the numbers about how the cost of health care will balloon if nothing is done. It all must just be a conspiracy to drive us to socialism.

If even the medical companies realize there is a problem then shouldn't we try and do something about it? Or because some people believe it will not be a s good as advertised we shouldn't even try to cut costs with health care.

People don't like to look at the broader picture and realize that insurance companies avoid insuring some people based on preexisting conditions and still charge more than some can afford. Even the people who are happily insured might not be safe from a medical catastrophe that could still cause them to have to declare bankruptcy.

Instead conservative like to try and use this as another example of democrats overspending and score political points and fundraising $$$. I just don't understand how people can keep such a narrow view of the world while ignoring some of the major problems with our current system.

Let's do this. We need to keep people from using emergency wards as drugstores because they can't afford prescriptions that would keep them from getting really sick. How many small businesses would this help? If we had done this fifteen years ago, would GM still have collapsed under the weight of it's pensioners health care costs?

I'm healthy and young and STILL health care costs eat my lunch. AND I HAVE INSURANCE! Not doing this would be a crime. Yes, it's expensive and is liable to change taxes, but I am ready for this. I don't want my kid to grow up in an American ruled by the social darwinists, where health care is only for the rich and privileged. We can't afford to wait.

Anybody stupid enough to believe these revised estimates will also believe that they will get healthcare for free. Wait until they can't get the care they expect and then are told to pay a large deductible. The public healthcare plan is coming, but it will mean a reduction in care at a higher cost. The winner? Politicians who stand up and claim that we all are getting what we asked for, then take the tax dollars we give them and spend them to be re-elected.

Even though I do not want a government backed health industry, it's likely going to pass. I can swallow 611 billion better than 2 trillion.

Though someone should be held responsible if this analysis was fudged just to get the votes in by August 1st

40% decrease? From What? Since the plan is not built yet, this number must be from Moveon.org as they are really good at fabricating numbers. Remember Moveon.org says this will be a great plan even though no one knows how it will work. By the way, Moveon.org may have some kool-aid available in a brand new Obama glass.

Or...We could ask private insurance to come up with options similar to what the government's.

We can make insurance mandatory like auto insurance and have people carry very basic coverage.

There are plenty of options out there that people can use. Many choose not to have insurance.

Tax payers shouldn't have to flip the bill for those people unwilling to insure themselves.

Considering Medicare and Medicaid are going broke, I just don't see the point in spending 611 billion for another public option.

"He will have to raise taxes on the middle class to pay for this. You watch. And middle class is defined as those making less than $250k. Wait and see. But we're all used to him breaking campaign promises already.

Why should we pay for the coverage of almost 7 million illegal immigrants? Because they will vote democrat?"

They can't vote to begin with for one thing. Paying taxes is American. That'ss what makes this the best country to live in. I don't mind paying some more taxes to stop pollution and to allow everyone to have access to healthcare. As for campaign promises, show me a president that has ever kept ALL of their campaign promises.

ok, dems are in COMPLETE control now.

WHERE ARE THE JOBS? LETS GET THE JOBS.

no mre crap about sanfords love letters, no more bush excuses, no more gop excuses. just do it. you have complete control now, no reason to look back, you are held accountable form here on out.

I love those people who scream for their entitlement. Our fore fathers would be rolling in their graves if they knew what our government has turned into. Wake up America...nothing is for free. Where do you think this money is going to come from? It will be coming from US! Let me rephrase that...it will be coming from taxpayers. Taxes will shoot through the roof! Since y'all love to pay taxes, you may as well get your senators to sponsor a free car for everyone bill. I'm sure you wouldn't mind paying extra taxes for that, so your neighbors can get a "free" car.

I'm very pro-health care reform. I would call it my No. 1 domestic priority.

But this still sounds fishy to me.

Do you people even know how Congress and the Government get their health care?

You all seem to think that the Government doesn't pay for health care. That is not the case. We pay a premium too... it happens to be 25% of the cost. We buy it through a private insurer. Such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, HMO style offers, etc.

Wake up people, quit thinking the government get their health care for free and from some company that you the individual could not purchase it from.

For all you dumb republican's running your mouths without your brain and opposing government option on healthcare.
One single advice. If you are a republican getting medicaid or medicare, just give it up and go get your private insurance and pay for it and ask your grandparents to get off medicare because it's socialized medecine.
It will make the government save money in order to provide medicare for the rest of us liberals.
REPUBLICANS ALL OF YOU GO FOR PRIVATE INSURANCE.
DEMOCRATS LET US GET ON GOVERNMENT PLAN.

Oh republicans won't do that? Oh I understand.

97%? That means we're also going to be covering illegal immigrants. yay?

Of course it is far less. It needed to be so it can pass. After it passes, then they will say they forgot to figure in.................... But too late.

This administration is a joke and will hide what it can to see thier agenda through.

Hey russell, you believe that a government option won't drive the private health industry out?

The government will sit the cost so low because they can subsidize the cost with their endless taxing and printing of money. And they will have no issues with taking our country further in to debt.

The private industry does not have the same access and can only drop their costs so far before it becomes unprofitable. At that point they go out of business and those on that plan move to the government run plan.

You eliminate each private plan by under cutting the cost and soon you have no competition. If we get a government plan, you watch in ten years there will be virtually no private plans available. You will be left to the governments plan.

And this country will be so far in debt and the health care will be horrendous.

Mississippi Mike July 2nd, 2009 12:50 pm ET

Where in the Constitution does it say that taxpayers should pay for everyone else to get health care? Oh right, it doesn't. This is total bullcrap and is not withing the scope of authority of the federal government.

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Here's a newsflash for you Mike – you're already paying for the healthcare for all. The uninsured get treatment and the insured end up paying for it in the long run through increased costs. It makes much better sense to cover all and reduce the cost for all. But comprehending that takes common sense, and serious thought and you're obviously too blinded by your selfishness and bitterness to see the obvious.

I hope Obama's health care plan works as well as his stimulus plan did.

With all due respect to everyones' different views on the new healthcare package that congress is working on. Just think of this, you are unable to do your job because of health reason, you are terminated, you pay over 1300.00 per month cobra for 18 mo., when the cobra is ended, then you pay 797.00 per month for coverage on yourself only and do not have the really good plan you had when you were working, you will welcome a health care reform that will help with this. This is how it is for my husband who has worked very hard all of his life. Without my job, we would not be able to make it.

The Republican argument: We can spend 1 Trillion to provide freedom in muslim countries in a stupid war in Irak.
What country is next saoudi Arabia?

In the same time we can't spend 800 billion in america on the americal people to provide the healthcare for everybody.

And you believe they love this country more than the democrats. Wow the dumbest person on earth know this is stupidity.

Except that Bush is still blamed for the current crisis...

I went to school, studies hard, got into a good grad school, and now have a good job with good health benefits. Why do I have to pay for others to get for free what I worked hard for?

It always blows my mind the way (some) Republicans can ignore facts t hat are staring them right in the face!

Fact 1: our health care system is broken. Too many people are uninsured or underinsured and those that have insurance pay through the nose! I'd be delighted if my health care came to only $1500 a year!

Fact 2: For what we pay, our level of care is pitiful. Someone said we rank #37 in the world for our health care. For what we pay, we should be #1!!!

Fact #3 Republicans say that if we go with a public plan, there will be bureaucrats and/or politicians getting between us and our doctors.
Got news for you: bureaucrats working for the health insurance companies do that already! The insurance companies decide whether you get tests or not, not your doctor!

Fact #4 Canada and other countries have universal health care and their citizens seem very happy with it. And everyone is insured!
What's the problem with that?

DOn't use that estimate, use my estimate. I estimate it will save us $500 billion per year. Trust me.

Change you can believe in. Change the numbers until they look good enough to get popular support.

Go to heritage.com for the real true figures! I don't trust anything Obama and the boys have to say. They are LIAR'S.

And the liberal called Bush stupid. What is the benefit to those of us who are going to have to pay, especially if Obama exempts the unions from paying taxes as another payback for electing him?

Dodd and Kennedy claim it will be less than the CBO estimates. Well we all better run and run fast from their plan because you know they are two of the biggest liars in Congress. Hey GI Joe, the wealthy are pulling their money back because of folks like you and your President – why do you think the economy is still stagnant? I bet they pay more in taxes today than you make in a year but i am sure that you still do not think that is enough. Jealous people like you that have no motivation to be successful is what is ruining this country...

I don't know if this budget number is "accurate" or not. All I know is that Blue Cross/Blue Shield will insure me at $2600 per MONTH. A public government plan can and will do better. It's time the insurance companies stopped reaping such huge profits at the expense of the middle class.

Stop freaking out about the money. Just do it. Fix it. I should not be terrified of getting hit by a car as I cross the street because it would make me homeless when the bill came in. Nor should anyone else.

Stop the Republican and insurance greed. By whatever means neccessary.

@ GI Joe: "I hope the wealthy finally get hit with paying something. They have profitted on the backs of the middle class too long."

Personally, I hope the welfare parasites get hit with paying something, like maybe their own medical bills.

Government healthcare...It's gotta be done.

For those of you who say Obama will have to raise taxes, you're right. But government health care isn't the sole reason. We're going to start seeing inflation next year which means the fed is going to have to print more money. Our currency isn't going to be worth the paper its printed on. taxes are going to have the be raised to offset this but that alone isn't going to get us out of this rut. It's going to take some slow healing before we see any REAL recovery.

This isn't Obama's fault and sorry to say Bush isn't entirely at fault either. Greed has caught up with us. We have to revamp how we run our businesses, our government and our personal finances. A major overhaul is needed and that's what Obama's trying to do. He did say in his campaign that he might make mistakes along the way but that he would always have American's interest at heart when making decisions. Over the past 6 months that's what I've seen from our president.

im just curious...WHAT EXACTLY DOES OBAMA GAIN BY SOCIALIZING MEDICINE!?? even if thats what he does. wheres the profit for the obama admin? you people act like there is some agenda they have. the only people that are profiting is the health insurance companies RIGHT NOW. if this option is available it will help the american people. nobody would profit! thats why the conservatives rally against it. because the insurance companies wouldnt be able to line their pockets so they propogate through imbeciles like glenn beck, which reaches the most gullible people in this country.....ugh you people should go to school and STOP homeschooling your children like you know whats best!!

For lots of Americans, a government option will be the key to survival. My husband and I pay $14000 per year for a plan with a $5000 deductible for each one – and even at that we are held hostage to a system that says we have to make sure our physicians are in the right network or claims will go unpaid altogether. Not only will a public option mean those that the private insurers don't want will have a place to go, it also will create a competitive atmosphere that will force the private insurers to lower costs. Frankly, I don't care what healthcare reform with a public option costs – equal access to health care should be a right for all Americans.

"The secret to keeping health care costs down is limiting the awards that people can receive in medical lawsuits. Those have pushed health care costs up like nothing else."

This is a blatent right-wing lie parroted by idiots. Stop it.

Obama's health plan doesn't reduce the cost of healthcare. In fact, the plan will increase costs, but deflects the costs to the taxpayers.

I've seen the numbers. Of the 45 M uninsured, 9.1 M have incomes over $75,000, 11 M already qualify for a program (Medicare, Medicaid...), 9.7 are illegal aliens....

We can fix some of the problems without Obama tanking our economy. First, increase efficiency (electronic medical records, better practices...), reduce lawsuits/amounts, proactive care (diabetes, obesity...).

The sad reality of this health proposal is that people who have poor health insurance (high deductibles, co payments, expensive) will be forced to keep it AND pay for everyone else. What a crock!!!!! I would support a government plan if it were universal...otherwise I say no!

$611,000,000,000. Cheap.

Think I'll believe the numbers from the non-partisan group.

As for Kennedy & Dodd who say "...completed bill virtually eliminates the dropping of currently covered employees from employer-sponsored health plans" what we'd really like to hear is that is COMPLETELY ELIMINATES dropping of currently..." There's just too much wiggle-room and spin in the word 'virtually' when it's used by politicians.

Why will illegal immigrants be covered under this plan? There will be unintended consequences if this is done. Of the 47 million 'uninsured', close to 10 million are illegal immigrants. Also, CNN, please stop referring to the 47 million uninsured as 47 million Americans. Report accurately, no bias please.

At least we'll be spending money on people rather than wars or banks. Citizens, we can't be the only wealthy nation that doesn't take care of the fundamental health needs of its people. I've been waiting for this since I was in 5th grade and I'm now eligible for Medicare.
What's wrong with us? Let's do it this time.

Mississippi Mike

the constitution talks about the governments limits it would not talk about what the american people have to do. thats not what the constitution was written for. you know nothing.

Obama team and finals years at Rome is EXACTLY alike... If Obama stay with this path, then america will fallen down without people relaized.

I better consider to get plan to move out of this country.

@ Fair is Fair

$1525

The Medicare cap amount is $1840. The amount you projected is under $1840 meaning there is more room for services to be added. Now we're getting somewhere. For a $180 charge, with 4 units being billed to Medicare, they reimburse at $60 per visit. $1525 is an adequate amount for a public option. You must also realize that Medicare is for seniors so the additional money they have is well deserved. Younger Americans probably wouldn't use up the complete $1525 cap.

Govt can't run healthcare succesfully. The bottom line is that businesses succeed when they specialise in something. The govt specializes in nothing but taking more money from the taxpayers as they increase their waste.
The govt has no incentive to be efficient or cost effective. Thus they're always more expensive than private businesses. Also, they don't have to worry about going bankrupt as Congress will just increase the funding with your money.
The bailout of AIG this year that everyone is soooooo upset about.... the same thing has been happening with govt programs for the last century.
Lastly, obamacare is NOT free. The money will come from the private sector (as usual) and the rest of the economy will suffer from it. It WILL go overbudget year after year just like medicaid and medicare until it's threatening to bankrupt us...all in the middle of a recession. Nice work democrats...

If the estimates here are anything like the estimates given so far on the economy and/or jobs, this price tag is going to double. I don't see a viable plan to pay for any of it so far.

its amazing that whenever cnn posts something about healthcare the posts get flooded with right-wing nuts that still dont see anything wrong with what bush did!!! healthcare industry is fighting hard to keep their pockets fat!!

Republicans are SOOOOOO patriotic when it come to America, except when they are asked to pay their fair share of taxes. You idiots, without taxes, there would be no police, fire fighters, ambulances, hospital, military, paved roads, and therefore no peace. All the republicns want is a rich class of people and a poor class of people. Thats how they would maintain their majority. I'm sorry, but we REAL PATRIOTIC AMERICANS just can't let that happen.

How can we allow anyone to die because they can’t afford the medical help they need to save their own lives?

And where are all those people who complained about their own insurance companies and HMO’s for the last ten years?

Have insurance plans really gotten so much better and cheaper all of the sudden?

Oh, come on, Illinois! Lawsuits are a protection for all of us! This is propaganda! If we have NO recourse but to accept shoddy medical practices, the medical community will have no reason to improve their shoddy practices or to protect their incompetent colleagues! I suspect that if you had the wrong breast removed for breast cancer or a medical tool left in your abdomine or a limb removed for someone else... you might just want some recourse! I surely would... and we hear of these misconducts all too frequently! If one of us performed so on our jobs, we would be fired so fast our head's would spin! Get real.... *LOL*

"the voice of reason" and "Dutch/Bad Newz, VA" some of your comments are just plain inflamatory without the facts to back it up. First, I am assuming you are both Democrats, but as a Moderate, you are making the party look like a bunch of Liberal Loons.

This health care plan is not going to provide adequate "QUALITY" coverage to the people it is supposed to insure. I used to live in the UK, and trust me when I say the NHS in the UK is far from a model system. They have waiting lists for procedures that often exceed the life expectancy of the patients who need them. More and more people are getting their healthcare needs done outside of the UK (I for one would rather fly back to the US to get my procedures done then rely on the UK to something as simple as a tonsillectomy which had a waiting period from 6 months to a year).

Doesn't it make ANY of YOU wonder why Senators want to opt out of this plan? Clearly this plan is not fit enough for Senators but good enough for you to accept...makes you seriously wonder.

Also, Cuba and the Netherlands spend about half of what we do and continue to have the same or better life expectancy than we do.

The stimulus plan has always had an 18 month horizon starting in March, 2008. We should see the full effect of the stimulus in Sept, 2010. If unemployment is 9 % in 2010, then the stimulus failed. If unemployment if 6% of less in September 2010, the stimulus succeeded.

Obama has said exactly what to expect. If the economy is bad is Sept. 2010, then in November 2010 you can throw the democrats out. To get all bent out of shape before 2010 is immature. The real question for now is looking at the timeline and seeing when TARP funds and how much of the TARP funds will be repaid. How long until GM and Chrysler start to sell cars and private investors start buying the stock back from the Government.

@Dutch/Bad Newz, VA July 2nd, 2009 12:53 pm ET
Well I believe in sacrifice. Whether it be in the form of taxes or whatever. No sacrifice, no victory! Nothing in life comes for free. People thought the VP made a gaffe when he stated that paying taxes is patriotic. Newsflash: He was right.
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Cool but you don't have the right to sacfrice what's mine! I pay taxes just like you. I am just tired of geting taken for a ride by BOTH parties! It is so easy to talk about sacrifice when the sacrifice is not yours (HEAR THAT WASHINGTON????)

Eric

the top 20 countries rated by the world health organization all have socialized, government ran health plans. thats all i need to hear. all you sheep that cheered as we spent trillions on a war FOR NO REASON now have a huge problem with spending when it has to do with the health of the american people!!!!! you are twisted!

DaBird July 2nd, 2009 12:45 pm ET

@ Dutch – If you really believe a trillion dollar savings then you would be considered a true sheep. Obama lies constantly (see Youtube). The government cannot run anything effectively, US mail, Amtrak, and Congress. Every American will see a HUGE tax increase in all forms.
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Bird, are you suggesting that we privatize the US Military since the Government can't run anything? Or do you have some moronic double standard when you talk about not having the Government run things, other then the things YOU want them to.

Throwing out numbers would be worth something if they had a comparative analysis of what taxpayers are currently spending on the uninsured. Right now the only way for insurance companies to profit in this business is through denial of claims and minimizes plans as fees are increased. Single insurer plan is the only way to provide a quality health care plan until the aging American population becomes much smaller than the majority of the American population. It is that simple.

Price for democratic plan on affordable health care: $1.6 trillion over ten years. Current spending by Americans that goes into the pockets of private insurers and health care providers: $2 trillion PER YEAR! The private companies are already ripping us off for over ten times the money the public option would give us.
Our two tiered health system allows insurance companies to charge individuals one price while allowing drastic reductions to insurance companies. Health services should have the same price to individuals or insurance companies.

It does not take more money to fix Health Care, because we are already spending the money on the current system, which by the way According to the World Health Organization we are now 37th in the world in healthcare, and the cost of our healthcare is far higher than any other Western Power. What we need to do is restructure how we are spending the money currently.

Precious

you are NOT a democrat!!! i am so sick of you republicans pretending to be dems in your posts. dont you understand you give yourself away when you say that dems are in anyway wrong for BLAMING bush for the mess we are in!! any democrat would no that bush is a bumbling idiot ONLY a republican that STILL will not admit that their boy was horrible for this nation would make a statement like the one you just did!! it shows that republicans, whether politician or constituant, is ONLY about pride and tactics. the future of this nation is truly of no concern to them!!!!! the party of NO future!!!

Is it true Halliburton/Cheney and Blackwater we're paid more than this and are still being paid but yet the Republicans don't want our children, elderly and indigent to have healthcare. Wake up people, those 2 company's employees were paid more than an American soldier fighting in the war.

Mississippi Mike July 2nd, 2009 12:50 pm ET
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The constitution doesn't say we should pay for police departments either, nor fire departments, nor public education, nor social security........guess we should get rid of them too eh? Oh wait, you probably have double standards when you bring up moronic questions, don't you?

1. Has anybody with a vote read this?
2. Does it apply to Congress?
3. Where did te price cuts come from?
4. What was added and what was cut out?
5. Is somebody lying to me (again)?

So if you run the numbers the U.S. Taxpayer will be paying 176 billion to cover the estimated 13 million illegals. That is if you trully believe there are only 13 million illegals.

[...] maybe you'd prefer some independently verified [...]

There may be expense to getting this off the ground... but in the long run we will all profit... and be healthier in the process! The Canadians as well as the Europeans are happy with their programs! God forbid that Doctors should be MORE concerned with keeping us healthy instead of treating the symtoms of illness with drugs that can kill you in the process of treating your symtoms! This is ludicrous and insanity! The very fact that Republicans are fighting to KEEP us From health care reforms shows just how stupid their cause is! And of course, the obvious millions perhaps billions of dollars spent by the entire Medical Community should show how invest financially they are in keeping the status quo!

Let's see the 3 stooges (Obummer, Pelosi, Frank) sugar coat these estimates.

Typical Liberal Democrats: Spend, Spend, Spend, with no way to pay for it.

It's time for COMRADE OBUMMER to go.

Another $600 billion wasted. A new record for Obama. Unemployment now at highest level in 26 years. Another record for Obama.

I see a sustained repeat of Jimmy Carter.

This is idiotic! Do the American people actually expect this to be free???? Healthcare reform is a huge task and it is going to require a sacrifice. It IS going to cost us something whether we do anything about this or not. No wonder the government cant accomplish anything with all of the whiners and ignorant haters in this country. We cant even have a civil debate or take a pragmatic approach to important issues- BTW, spare me this " our children and grandchildren will be paying for this" nonsense. The previous generation have plunged us into an already deep debt and huge crisisi to deal with because of deregulation, complacency, and an " all fo me " attitude. Stop with the hate and fear mongering and get something done. It amazes me how the " country first" crowd is so unwilling to sacrifice and pay for anything.

To those that think responsible citizens against this bill are against it due to the increased tax costs. Hey, you're right, I think Americans need to be concerned when there is a strong potential for the Federal tax bracket for a family making $200,000/yr moves from 34% to 50% while at the same time cost of goods sold are expected to increase 20-30% (Cap-n-trade), while at the same time State and local taxes increase 12-20%. Sacrifice? you mean like when government lays off some of the bureaucrats sitting around twiddling their thumbs with nothing to do instead of giving them raises or so politicians in Washington can have it all while my family suffers, give me a break, go sell it to an ACORN community Organizer!

@ DaBird, who said "The government cannot run anything effectively, US mail, Amtrak, and Congress"

I guess you should keep them firemen away from your burning home next time the curtains catch...and our military must really suck, not to mention the police force in each city and town across our truly messed up and incapable land. You know, now that a Dem is in office, we should all just talk about taxes and spending and act as if we'd all be better off with no federal gov't whatsoever, even though we glibly allowed Bush to record us talking dirty phone talk to our girlfriends on 9/12/01 because we were all a-scared of the big bad brown people.

BTW, Amtrak is fine...I get where I'm going with Amtrak all the time and frequently get there early (altho I will say that the MBTA here in Boston leaves something to be desired haha).

the bill says that companies will be fined if they don't provide coverage.....if they elect no to provide coverage, they will finance those fines through cost cutting...a ka lay-offs......if you want jobs...the last thing to do is tax companies even more...........companies don't pay taxes...they either pass it along in the cost of the product. or cut costs/people.............wake up lefties

I can't believe how uninformed many of you are. Either you have your head in the sand or your just stupid. In the world now we have several wars going on......North Korea wanting to start another one.......Iranian citizens dying for freedom......illegal aliens coming over the border.....Our car companies....banks...etc. falling into the hands of our government. You actually believe what this administration says. Unemployment is higher than ever..... Good people are out of work.....The media is in the tank for the president. The said thing is that a card carrying republician helped me out of my hole to see what really is going on....If everyone would just research the proposals a lot of minds would be changed. I have always voted democrat. Things are changing now I belong to no party...... I will decide after research who to vote for now.....I am so sick of all the fighting between political parties. BTW The healhcare plan that is being proposed will tear the country down.

First, the real solution is single-payer. Period.

Let me put this in the proper perspective. In the criminal justice system, you are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The main idea behind that is that it is better to let a criminal go free than convict an honest person.

The same philosophy should be applied to the healthcare debate. Really, who cares what it costs if every single person has access to health care? If 1 person's life is saved – really, people are DYING because of the current system, lives are being destroyed through "medical bankruptcies" – if 1 person's life is saved who otherwise would die because of the current system, IT IS WORTH IT.

If you do not agree with me, then I would ask you to GIVE UP YOUR HEALTHCARE and volunteer to be the person that dies. NOW do you support health care reform – Get it? Got it? Good.

How have they done with Social Security, Medicare, and our national debt. Do any of you really think that our government could possibly manage more health care?

Also, what are the incentives than for going into the high stress medical field if it is under federal requlation?

Why 60%? Congress and registered voters currently run about 60%. Democrats outnumber Republicans, as do liberals over conservatives. It's easy to vote for "free stuff" when you have very little skin in the game.

As to the pundits that all talk about our ranking in the global market related to healthcare, our country still has the lowest density, highest per capita income, and greater opportunities for motivated people. 85% of Americans seem to find a way to make it work. If this happens, we will open the flood gates to massive illegal immigration and other social problems. Many smart Americans will pick up and leave, causing a devaluation of of our economy.

It's about time they pass a comprehensive health care bill. They've already spent 1T on the wars, and that hasn't really benefited anyone but Halliburton.

US is the only first-world country in the world without some sort of a universal healthcare system.

It's becoming a competitive issue when companies in other countries don't have to provide their workers with healthcare, but here in the US, small businesses are being crushed by the cost.

Anyone who think the status quo is OK is dreaming. As expensive as the 660B sounds, doing nothing will have us spending 1/5 of our income on healthcare in 10 years (even if we have medical insurance)

Wake up folks.

Yes, more phony baloney numbers from Congress to trick the weak minded Americans among us into supporting this bamboozle. Wal-Mart and Seribus are backing this bill because one knows that American retailers already in the red cannot afford it and it will ultimately minimize their competition and the other knows it is one step closer to achieving their ideological dream of a Socialistic America. Why hasn't one politician taken the stance to reform the legal industry through tort law reform in an effort to curb in insurance costs that directly effect your premium costs? Americans have great healthcare, it is insurance premiums that are killing us all, control the lawyers, control the insurance and the free market will control the rest!

This looks to be a sound and solid plan. The conservatives will rally against it in an attempt to kill/murder more of our own people via denial of health coverage, but we all know that's what they do in their free time: think up new and creative ways to kill fellow americans with out using guns.

It's time we give the rest of america an option, not this 'Screw off and die if you can't afford it, who cares if the health companies are price gouging us all...you need to die if you don't like it' mentality.

It's time for democrats to rule completely. We've seen how republicans mess up everything they touch, no reason to keep drinking that soured milk. It's bad, and it won't be good again. The milk/republicans has spoiled and need to be thrown out!

Health Care Executives in America are EXTORTIONISTS.

Health Care Executives in America live in LUXURY when others suffer.

Health Care Executives in America are LOOTERS.

Health Care Executives in America don't allow Doctors to use their INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT.

Health Care Executives in America are LOBBYISTS who control the Government.

Health Care Executives in America should be JAILED.

WE NEED FREEDOM from the Health Care Executives of America.

LIBERATE us from the Health Care Executives of America.

Someone from Ca said – "I'm always amazed when conservatives complain about spending too much for health care. We already pay the most money for the 37th best health care in the world." Then goes on to blame the war in Iraq for our money problems. I have two comments First, isn't Ca broke? Aen't they about to start paying suppliers with IOUs? Perhaps you should work to take care the issues in Ca before moving to help us "fix" national issues. Second, Obama could have our troops out of the middle east tomorrow – if he wanted to. I guess that was just another Obama lie.

JEFF July 2nd, 2009 12:47 pm ET

If you think that it is only going to cost 600 bil…you are dreaming and niave. The point is that service will decrease, politians will be deciding what services you can have. People wait in Canada for months and months and months just to see a doctor or have an operation
________________________________________________

Jeff...are the Canadians talking about going to our system? Is any other country in the world talking about going to our system? NO !! Because theirs works and our doesn't.

I think it should be considered a right of an American to be able to see a doctor and to remain healthy whenever possible. We currently have the most expensive health care system out of all 30 OECD (organization for economic co-operation and development) countries YET we have the least satisfactory rate out of all countries. This is because we are able to treat a minimal amount of citizens through work health coverage, and if the company is small – workers may not even be able to get health insurance through the company. This leaves people to go through private insurance, which can total up to more than a person makes in a year. HOWEVER, if we were to take the top single marijuana bust from each state in 2008/2009 and rather than burning the money or giving it directly to the government (probably to go to the war) WE COULD COVER UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE.

Private employers will drop them. Small businesses can't wait to relieve themselves of health insurance costs.

We need to have the government control health care because those greedy insurance companies are all out for a profit. Government control is the best solution. We all need healthcare, so we should have it and the government should provide it. We also all need food. All of those greedy food corporations make a profit off of our hunger. I find it to be ridiculous and think the government needs to take over food production and lower costs. Also, we all need to heat our homes, yet the greedy oil, coal and gas companies insist on making a profit off of our basic needs. We need to have government take control of these industries to lower costs. We all need jobs too, but we have greedy corporations that will not hire because they need to make a profit. If the government controlled those industries then they could hire everyone and there would be no need for greedy corporations anymore. Let's have the government control everything with no other option. I mean really, what could possibly go wrong with that?

one day the bill is 1.6 trillion and everyone gasped today we knock off a trillion dollars and the koolaid driners are having orgasims we never get details just a number that will look more politically acceptable what about the current chips program we just expanded for kids medicare etc we already have for the unisured . if this is so great will obama and kennedy opt into it? you know the producers of this country has had trillions and trillions of dollars transfered from us to the govt to the so needy since the great society programs of lbj just 2 thoughts on this 1- taxspayers have never been thanked just asked to pony up more 2- with all theses trillions of dollars spent you would think we see a liittle progress by now or maybe our fellow citizens just got use to the free ride and our politicians thier votes but where does it end or where is their some encouranging results from our sacrifices

Honest Independent wrote For all of you mentioning Iraq and the spending I have one question. Why hasn't Obama pulled us out of Iraq and Afghanistan and saved the money for health care? Oh that's right, you are all still blaming Bush.
_________________________________________
Who should we blame the war on Milia. The stupidity that come from the right wing fanatics is almost comical. It seems like the fanatics are so desperate that they are throwing everything against the wall hoping something will stick. I have yet to hear any solutions that would help reducing the cost of health care, stimulate jobs, improve the US standing in the world. Oh ya tax cuts. If the American public was just a little bit smarter, the gop would not stand a chance & would already be gone. Unfortunately you have to deal with Texas domr of the dumbest people on the planet.

The real cost can't be estimated. How many small companies and Unions will drop coverage on their employees and members forcing people into Gov't coverage plans ? It might take a little time, but Insurance companies will start to raise prices on existing plans because they can't keep or attract new business. Soon we will be in the on-payer system and the cost wil triple.

Please post this CNN – it's a great idea!

Why not build "Super Section 8 Hospital/Apartments"?

Build huge, bigger than ever before, apartment buildings with a hospital unit or doctor on each floor, preferably in California, and include an underground shopping center underneath that accepts food stamps, has fast food and clothing stores, and cashes any other type of government assistance check that they may need.

The shopping center in these Super Hospitals/Apartments can employ the residents who elect to work. Those that save enough can buy tickets to take a vacation outside of their super building and border fence, and visit other states, like Nevada or Oregon. This new state can also serve as a micro-economic model for liberal political ideas, and if successful, then we can pop them up in other states.

So that is 611billion dollars to pay for the dead beats healthcare. Not enough to pay food, drugs, kids and housing bills for the leisure crowd now for just $611 billion more the taxpayer ( folks that still have a job) is expected to subsidize the lazy.
I don't know about you but I've had enough!

@ Reggie says,

"but I don't recall such a public outcry about a war that has yet to be proven legitimate"

+ – + – + – + – +

WHAT??? Did you just immigrate to this country?? There has been a sunami of outcry about the cost & our involvement in Iraq – FOR SEVER YEARS!!

And the HUGE difference between spending for Iraq and this healthcare bill...... our troops are coming home. We will STOP the spending on Iraq... it's a FINITE number.

Universal Healthcare is FOREVER. Just like Medicare and Social Security (both of which are BROKE) – this Healthcare plan will be a taxpayer fustercluck and drown the US economy.

Why do people still believe the GOP about anything?

They are ALL working for the insurance companies and have said so! They are not working for you!

If you want to keep shelling out thousands of dollars a month to a private insurance company that will deny your coverage if it is too expensive for THEM... You still can!

ME, I want to BUY (no one is talking about getting anything for free... so stop LYING NeoCON SHEEP) into the same system all of Congress gets from us for FREE!

Add up the cost of the Iraq War... if we never went, we would have all the money needed for this and then some... well we are pulling out right now – so... here is the money!!! Works out great...

Face it... you wont get the truth from the GOP if it means THEIR donors will lose some money... This plan will SAVE money over the long run for US! That is a FACT!

Why the mad rush to spend even $611 billion ( as if anyone believes this number anyway ) when we don't even have any indication that the $1 trillion stimulus bill will have any impact on the economy at all?

What have we seen so far? Based on the results of their taxpayer funded investments on Wall Street and on Automaker bailouts, it's amazing they are even allowed to talk about another big program.

Where's the accountability?

Considerably ess than the cost of occupying 2 sovereign nations, and a much better use of my tax money.

I all for a compromise. Select 60% of the States to trial a beta test of the proposed government program for five years. Let the people who want government health care pick up and move to those States. Let the people who voted for the plan, support it with their tax increases, job changes, and economic uncertainty. Then do the studies to see if the plans work, and the stars align according to Obama.

If this really works, I'm in for my share of the pain. If not, I won't feel bad for getting burned like the folks who voted for Obama when he predicted 8% max unemployment. He doesn't know squat about our economy, as most professors don't. He is Jimmy Carter – The Sequel.

You determine the rates and see who takes the deal.

This is one big huge Ponzi scheme..... Obama is likely to make Madoff look like a two-bit thief compared to what we are in store for. Paying taxes patriotic???? Those who think that probably should move to Europe........

Healthcare and the environment will be the next economic bubble. Watch where the big investment banks are starting to put their money. Once the economy turns around in 2 years or so, we'll start seeing a lot of prosperity in these sectors. Speculation will eventually blow value way out of proportion. The whole thing will come crashing down in about 10-15 years and we'll be right back here where we started. Have a nice day!

Kennedy would be dead already with goverment health care. if he lived in France, Canada or Britian they would say sorry Ted your to old just go home please dont drink and drive again and DIE! This is what you hippys want.

Since we are a divided country and the DEM blamed Pres. Bush for the past crisis, isn't if now fair that the REP blame Pres. Obama for the present crisis. I survived through the BUSH years (whether good or bad), and I will survive through the OBAMA years (good or bad).

From a DEM

Why don't the liberals just call this budget what it is?....a big, fat lie? Because they want to believe that only conservatives lie. How hypocritical! And the comparison to the Iraq war is just plain stupid. That war has helped deliver freedom to an oppressed people that lived in fear under an egomaniacal dictator. This healthcare plan helps deliver medical benefits to a free people that live in the country with the greaetest opportunities to advance oneselves and they still choose to mooch off of those of us who work hard for a living!

And if you think the loss of our soldiers in Iraq has been great...just wait until our medical care sinks to the level of other socialist countries. Many more lives will be lost as we wait for mediocre treatment that will never come. Obama '08! Yay!..... whatever.

Oddly enough, anyone who thinks that we'd be receiving the SAME healthcare as the members of Congress is sorely mistaken. They have 100% coverage with access to all of the finest medical procedures and pharmaceuticals at ZERO cost. Who pays for their Cadillac health care? The tax payers of the United States! Who's going to pay for Obama's plan? The tax payers of the United States– which means that our taxes will go up to afford this monstrosity.

The secret to keeping health care costs down is limiting the awards that people can receive in medical lawsuits. Those have pushed health care costs up like nothing else.

For all of you mentioning Iraq and the spending I have one question. Why hasn't Obama pulled us out of Iraq and Afghanistan and saved the money for healthcare? Oh that's right, you are all still blaming Bush.

Interesting – I am not ready to buy 611bb yet but the democrats won the election so they should pass it without angst for 20 years of wanting this program this should be one vote they are willing to lose their seat on. One this I notice about Obama while some of you accuse him of lying, communism, socialism and even fascism and nazism lol (btw you can't be socialist-Communist extreme left wing and fascist extreme right wing)
and ever name in the book. I've never heard him utter a disperaging word
about any of his political opponents not one time. The bloggosphere, talk radio and the RNC could learn a lot from them. Kind of reminds me of modern version of Regan who had the same temperament.

I don't know much about the numbers. Making projections into the future isn't easy.

Since we are talking about reform healthcare, can I use what I pay for alternative healthcare? I know Western Medicine is advanced and probably save lives, but I prefer the former, living my life more naturally, living and dying consistent w/ it, no transplants, no assisted living technology, etc, just let nature takes its course, where ever that might be ... except for pain control medicine ... I can use that.

@ DaBird

Well I believe in sacrifice. Whether it be in the form of taxes or whatever. No sacrifice, no victory! Nothing in life comes for free. People thought the VP made a gaffe when he stated that paying taxes is patriotic. Newsflash: He was right.

please donot fall for those tactiic's by politiciaans whether their republicansn or democrats , you constantly here from conservative groups ,that if we offer govenment sponser healthcare it drive other issurance companies out of business , that's a flat out Lie . ( think of their motives ( money + greed ) to many politicians allow the drug companiesand the insurance companies to pad thei pockets , why do you think that so many of them are opposed to fixing something that will cost the average family of ( 4 ) in a few years anywhere up to 36,000 $ a year , healthcare needs to be fix now , so don't be bam-boozeld intro thinking that the government is gonna take over your healthcare ,you can keep the same plan that you already had and what's wrong with a little compitition to make insurance companies honest..............

I am no expert in this issue in any way, shape, or form, but I do know one thing is for certain – if we continue to kick this can down the road, this will cost even more.

The millions of baby boomers who are aging now lost 25-50% of their retirement savings, and 25-40% of home values. Who do you think will have to pay for their coming old age issues? Where will we go for care? Walk in supermarket pharmacies? That's great for a cold, but how about a heart attack?

Until politicians learn that their re-elections are not as important as the health care of aging Americans, this fight will continue. And by being so greedy, SS and medicare will go broke while the banks and wall street steal the rest of our savings.

The baby boomers did a disservice to America by allowing deregulation, out of control spending, not teaching kids financial responsibility, and most of all, turning GREEDY. They ignored the lessons of their parents who survived the Great Depression.

How sad, and expensive, for all of us.

$611 Billion over 10 years... $61 billion per year... to cover 40 million more. Comes out to $1525 per insured.

Yup... I REALLY believe those numbers.

He will have to raise taxes on the middle class to pay for this. You watch. And middle class is defined as those making less than $250k. Wait and see. But we're all used to him breaking campaign promises already.

Why should we pay for the coverage of almost 7 million illegal immigrants? Because they will vote democrat?

I'm always amazed when conservatives complain about spending too much for health care. We already pay the most money for the 37th best health care in the world.

This plan is effectively $61 billion dollars a year, which is just over $5 billion per month. We spent $12 billion dollars a month in Iraq in 2008, I'd say that pulling that money out of Iraq and investing it into this health care plan would save us $7 billion a month. Not bad.

Invest in the US, not in foreign wars.

Lee, Ann Arbor, Michigan - I'm thrilled. It's exciting to have a president who is actually getting things done, and not spending half of his time on vacation, starting wars, and ignoring constitutional law. But, you wouldn't understand any of that, would you?

Where in the Constitution does it say that taxpayers should pay for everyone else to get health care? Oh right, it doesn't. This is total bullcrap and is not withing the scope of authority of the federal government.

Its great,keep up the great work President Obama.Rush is almost ready to have the big one,a day that will make us happy and proud.Hes the ugliest antiAmerican living today.

Obama 2.0 July 2nd, 2009 12:31 pm ET

They better pass it with a public option. 72% of Americans say to do it. 72% not 72 people. How many elected officials get elected by a 72% margin? NOT MANY. Get it done or get out.
_______________________

72% of Americans have the terms "public option" and "public assistance" mixed up.

I rather spend a trillion dollars on health care for united state citizens then in iraq any day
it is in moral for anyone a country or a person not to provide medical care for sick peolpe

If you think that it is only going to cost 600 bil...you are dreaming and niave. The point is that service will decrease, politians will be deciding what services you can have. People wait in Canada for months and months and months just to see a doctor or have an operation.

Let's see now...the cost of the war in Iraq, a who lotta billions of dollars, but I don't recall such a public outcry about a war that has yet to be proven legitimate. Rumblings about cost of the war yes, but nothing like this rancor about health care. People are dying and suffering needlessly everyday for no other reason but profit. Yet there are a bunch of selfish fools programmed by spin doctors who train them to operate from the gut, not the facts. A needless American/Iraqi-killing war cost more over six years than health care would over 10 and now you have MUCH to say?

@ Dutch – If you really believe a trillion dollar savings then you would be considered a true sheep. Obama lies constantly (see Youtube). The government cannot run anything effectively, US mail, Amtrak, and Congress. Every American will see a HUGE tax increase in all forms.

Sounds good to me. As long as the bill has the public option as an alternative to the greedy private insurers..I'm all for it. Why pay a middle-man when you can get the same Govt-provided healthcare as our Senators and Congressmen have?
They seem to love it, I'd like to enjoy it as well!

This is interesting, the CBO puts out a # and the a Liberal Congress puts out a # half of what the CBO proposed....convenient

Health Insurance in America is full of people like Bernard Madoff

Health Insurance in America is a Scam, Crookery and Corruption

Health Insurance in America is worst than living in Third Wrold

Health Insurance in America is a Vampire that Sucks Human Blood

I love how all these people hate this plan without actually seeing it. Remember when you all got sick of Democrats opposing Dubya reflexively? That's exactly what you're doing now! I'm not saying you have to agree, but give it a chance, for God's sake!

I see a lot of rhetoric about how we "can't afford" this. That is nonsense, we can all come off of a nickel or two to provide healthcare to those who don't have access. There are far too many uninsured Americans. Commercial insurance companies have no desire to provide coverage to these folks, so the government must address it. If you have a problem with giving real people a real option for healthcare access, you have deeper moral issues to tend to.

If you call a new entitlement a reform all it really is, is a new entitlement. Lets reform medicare and medicade first and see the results we get. If it works then try it for healthcare. I guess Obama is rushing this so its in place for when he makes all the illegal aliens citizens.

The worst enemy of the Insurance companies who has been sucking American's dry and denying coverage, is their lobbyist and the GOP.

Their fight against a public option has more than ever made it clear that the insurance companies are 'against' the American people by fighting so hard against competition.

Their challenge now will be finding a reason anyone would want to give private insurance companies another dime after ripping off the American people for so long, and denying them coverage.

And why anyone would want to vote for another Republican after they fought so hard 'for' the profits of insurance companies and 'against' the American people. Very much how they fought for the tobacco industry who's product continues to kill over 400,000 people each year.

The earlier CBO report put the cost of the less comprehensive bill at about $1.6 trillion over the same period. This report was not even done and the Republicans knew it and went out and threw this number out there anyway to scare the American public...

It still amazes me that ANYONE takes ANYTHING members of the GOP say at this point ANYMORE!

Wake up idots... The GOP is workinge for the insurance companies – NOT YOU – in this debate !!!

Even at the $1.6 trillion dollar mark, we're talking about $160 billion per year.

You're telling me there isn't $160 billion dollars worth of waste in the federal budget? Particularly the defense budget, which seems to be immune when the time comes to pare the federal budget (even in these times, there's a 4% increase in defense spending)? Remember, Iraq and Afghanistan are NOT counted in the defense budget so this isn't an argument over not "supporting the troops".

Now get it done!

From 1.6 trillion to $611 billion. That's huge savings. Now let's hear the right wing griping.

Now there is NO freakin excuse to not pass it. And NO excuse for moderate Republicans to yes. I am an independent and Dammit I voted for Real Health care reform. Get it done.

The numbers are clearly cooked. Obama and his liberals want one thing and one thing only - to pass as much liberal legislation as possible before they leave office.

To get there, they'll lie about whatever they have to, in the name of the greater good.

First of all I would like to see some reform of health care but this country is broke people it's time to face it and stop all this spending with money we don't have. Second; when King Obama objects to an amount they always fall down; bow to him and then lower the amount and it will end up costing about three times what is estimated. WAKE UP PEOPLE THIS COUNTRY IS BROKE; WE CAN'T CONTINUE ON THIS NON STOP SPENDING PATH!!!!!!

@ Enough, who said "overpriced experiment "

Considering the facts that we're something like unmber 37 on the list of the top 38 industrialized nations for our health care's quality and quantity (i.e., access and coverage), and that the 36 who rate above us all have "socialized" medical systems, you might want to reconsider whether "socialized" medicine is really an "experiment" or whether you're just a scaredy cat who's been internalizing a wee bit too much of the GOP's rhetorical echoes of McCarthyism.

How can anyone believe this, 611 billion won't even cover the ilegal immigrants coming in for health care, or the 20 million that are already there, and don't forget their families when Obama gives them amnesty. Wake up America.

Let's do it!

"The completed bill virtually eliminates the dropping of currently covered employees from employer-sponsored health plans," Sens. Edward Kennedy and Chris Dodd

So they think that Taxing companies with more than 25 people $750 per person will keep them from dropping healthcare plans?

$750 per person vs $8000. How dumb are these people?

It just shows the intelegence level of the people of Conn and MASS!!

$611B, in government-speak is equal to $3T+ in Truth-Speak. I don't care what the actual number is, I just want the costs of healthcare to be reduced by at least 50%. Anything less will spell the total collapse of the US economy.

They better pass it with a public option. 72% of Americans say to do it. 72% not 72 people. How many elected officials get elected by a 72% margin? NOT MANY. Get it done or get out.

Occurred at a "townhall...meeting," which contained preapproved attendees, preapproved questions, and answers...all scripted and staged for the kool-aid drinkers.

".....The president called randomly on three audience members. All turned out to be members of groups with close ties to his administration: the Service Employees International Union, Health Care for America Now, and Organizing for America, which is a part of the Democratic National Committee. White House officials said that was a coincidence...."

A perfect example of the "set-up," for liberals; this administration is far from transparent, and love to provide "make believe," more than Walt Disney.

The powers that be are throwing out lower estimates just to get this passed and the sticker shock will come later!!

Hey Obama, how about doing something about jobs? Quite wasting your time on things that WILL NOT PASS.

Obama is way over his head and is clueless on helping this economy. He is so inexperienced and thinks he's still running for office.

I hope you people that voted for him are happy now.

You liberals are really struggling to put the government in control of every aspect of your life. A you scared that you cannot acomplish anything more in your life besides getting a degree in sociology? Are many of you concerned that the working class will realize they don't need the government providing everything in their lives and start voting Republican? I don't think many of you have the foresight to understand the trouble we are getting ourselves into. I'm sure all of you have good intentions but before you begin thinking we have a solution, step back and examine the larger problems it may cause. Just to enact the first solution to come along because it will take less time is not good a practice. Remember: many people have drowned in good intentions.

Whatever cost Congress states that it will be multiply that by 3 and we will be close.

Get all the illegals out of the US and the toal uninsured will drop by 20% at least.

I can't wait for some liberal to be denied a life saving health care proceedure but see the same individual grateful that he got a hug from O-Blame-ya.

Only fools still support this guy.

Just blame it on Bush! People wake up!

"Nice estimate considering the bill is not completely written yet."

Well, don't worry at all. The bill will never be read by anyone either.

Oh, much better. America can certanly afford to pay another $600 billion after spending $800 billion on porkulus, $1 trillion on TARP, $750 billion to the IMF, $900 million to Hamas, and $1 trillion on Cap & Trade.

It doesn't appear that Obama is learning fast enough what the job entails and what his responsbililties are.

They need to also figure out a way to prevent the vast amount of fraud committed by medical and dental practices. I can't count the number of times dentists have tried to charge me bogus services...one dentist said I needed 7 teeth filled, 2 others said there is nothing wrong with my teeth.

From my first election I have unfailing supported the Democratic Party and voting for only two Republicans once for Governor and once for President and both times I was disappointed. But with this historic opportunity to fix our healthcare system is wasted I will not blame the Republicans but my own Democrats.
Just remember the U.S. Constitution begins with, "WE THE PEOPLE" not WE THE CORPORATIONS.

Whatever the numbers there is no will amongst this Congress to pass comprehensive healthcare reform.

And it works well for Barack Obama – he can go before the people and proclaim that he tried but that it was the lobbyists or the conservatives or something that went bump in the night that prevented reform.

And you know, some folks will believe it.

Lets hear what Congressional Budget Office has to say not congress on this subject.
The amounts that congress gives differs dependig on what side you are on.
EACH SIDE LIES

Kennedy and Dodd?

KENNEDY AND DODD??????

Give me one good reason for Americans to listen to these 2 idiots. Neither one is going to be around come 2010.

Oh, while your at it, Kennedy and Dodd... why don't you come up with a way to slash the amount of unfunded liability in the Medicare system?

What's that? You did??? It's called "cap and trade"???? Ahhhhh... I see.

Give me a break before it was 1.6 trillion to cover 10 million people now they think they can cover 47 million people with 611 billion.

What a joke, quit drinking the Kool-Aid

You really think this is going to work? No way no how. This will cost the America taxpayer or shall we say the middle say even more. Those who don't pay anyway or not going to suffer from there budget as it is. I still think that charity hospitals would be more of a fix than just going into debt. This is a sink hole with no bottom. But when Sen Kennedy speaks everyone listens, yeah right. He has been an embarassement throught his political career and will go down in history as a laughing stock among the politically correct.

And guess who gets to pay for it?

Enjoy the healthcare, it's on me. (And every other hardworking American that holds a job).

Imagine! It's a MIRACLE....they "re-wrote" the bill in less than a week and now it's HALF of what they projected it would cost. And it has MORE in it!!! Those congressman are so good in math.

Anyone who believes this garbage is gullable. They just "retired" the watchdog of Amtrek because the government can't run it efficiently. The post office is a mess. I can't name one government office that can run efficiently on a budget. But we're going to get taxed into the poor house because the government thinks it can regulate health care. I guess that's a lot like that town-hall meeting yesterday with the staged questions. Fool the people and they'll never know the difference.

Look here is the honest truth for everybody. Something you don't see in the media that often.

REPUBLICANS DO NOT WANT ANY FORM OF HEALTH CARE REFORM AT ALL !!!

So any effort to work with them in a bi partisan fashion will only serve to water down this bill and diminish its effectiveness. It is for that reason that I say if this is a solid plan that covers 97 percent of Americans than I encourage the Democrats to use there majority to shove this down the Republicans throats.

We can no longer afford to limit our own progress because conservatives have yet to learn that every man for himself isn't a good plan.

Looks like they are making gains on eliminating costs. Hey, what has the Iraq war cost us since "mission accomplished"?
We cannot allow the republicans do away with public option. Without it the health care plan would be a farce. Without government intervention there will be no cost cutting measures by the insurance, drug companies, doctors, hospitals etc. They have had control for far too long and will not willingly give up their money making, power driven scams.
When our politicans get back to work we must bombard them with e mails, phone calls, letters damanding they represent us and what is right for our country.
Will the GOP'ers listen for once?? Probably not as they never have, but we can and will win this battle.

So when is Obummer going to tell us he's got to tax all of us to pay for health care for illegal’s aliens?

Nice estimate considering the bill is not completely written yet.

Canel the scam that is the "star wars" program and heath care is funded. Which you rather have unlimited funding for the fascism that is the Dick Cheney "war industry" or health care for millions of Americans? Simple choice for me.

Logical thinking people want to know why Sens. Edward Kennedy and Chris Dodd want Congress opted out of their government option!!

wow these numbers sure look cooked. kind of like how they said when it started that Medicare would cost $6 billion in 1991 and at that time the actual cost was $60 billion.

Someone needs to do an expose on HOW THESE BOOKS WERE COOKED.

We're getting duped here people. The president and his "STAGED" town hall meeting are all about lying to us.

$611 Billion dollars could possibly pay for everybodies medical expenses in America. I bet a lot of liberal hippies would be happy about that!!!

yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Just like social security and medicare and medicaid. God would ted kennedy go away. The whole north east is a mess because of this hippy leftest. Stay out of the south!

If your agenda is to socialize all healthcare... but people are freaked out by the cost ($1.6 trillion).... DON'T give up... just get a NEW estimate!!

Who cares if it's right or wrong.... just make sure the new number is more pleasing to the ear.

(eyes rolling)

That's almost a 40% decrease, I'd say that's pretty substantial.

More Fuzzy math by the Democrats. Anyone can figure out they are feeding us a line of baloney to gain support for their overpriced experiment with our health care system. We also know that for anything and everything our government funds they never have enough money and are always raising and creating new taxes to keep it going. Say NO to this overpriced experiment. Look at Obamas stimulus experiment that flopped and didn't do anything. We can't afford another Obama mistake!!

Yeah right. Try double or triple this amount. Bush's prescription drug benefit was suppose to cost 400 billion over ten years and its costing close to a trillion. Congress always gets it wrong and we the taxpayers end up paying a steep price for it.

And dont forget the Iraq war. It was suppose to cost less than 200 billion and now its going to cost 1.5-3 trillion.

Ok, since we know Obama's administration is full of liars and tax cheats, who can't manager money...let's take a conservative approach and create a realistic formula: 6ll Billion x 4 = devastated economy for the next two generations....

It now officially costs less than the iraq war

My family plan currently costs $3200 per year, including dental. And as history dictates.., government options just can't equally replace private options.

We have to decide if we want coverage for all or not. If that is a priority then the price should not matter. Do we want it or not? If we look at the price and say we dont want it then scrap it. Obama was elected to get it done. He should tell us how it will be done and if we like it we should do it. Thats all!

I hope the wealthy finally get hit with paying something. They have profitted on the backs of the middle class too long.