CNN

Roger from Ca
It really would be so much better if we had a single-payor system. No more premiums. No business will be disadvantaged by being forced to pay for health coverage when others are exempt. Sure, there may be a slightly longer wait period for non-emergency procedures, and some elective procedures may not be covered. There is no evidence, that the major western industrialized countries with single payor systems have worse health care than the US or that the general health and life expectancies are any worse than here (in fact, they generally are better).

You want evidence, talk to someone from Canada or Great Britian or Cuba.

Or just compare existing government agencies to public sector companies like the U. S Post Office compared to FedEx or UPS.

That's what I call bipartisanship. Why to lie your way to the top obama. Thank the lord I didn't drink the koolaid like the rest of the idiots

It's easy to add a program IF all you're going to do is raise taxes on the American taxpayers. The hard part would be to add a program where everyone who gets a piece of the pie pay his/her way equally. Now that's a fresh idea for any politician -– cut out some of these free programs and help those who think they need never lift a finger to help themselves to help themselves.

What new about this this country has always been debt. It trulty amazing how in six month the world came to a END when President Obama became President.Housing vaule fail.bank fail, car dealship fail, unempolyment high over10%, war in Iraq who know how much but now it on the books, America remember all this started only six month ago. If you believe this you are two can short of a six pack

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada will join the chairs of the tax-writing committees in the House and Senate — Rep. Charlie Rangel of New York and Sen. Max Baucus of Montana — for the White House gathering. A Democratic aide told CNN that House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer is also attending the meeting.

Where's Larry, Moe and Curly?

Oh, and to all you wingnuts out there whining about taxes and the cost of health care reform.... I don't know about you, but I'm already paying through my employer a pretty big chunk of change towards my insurance premiums (let alone deductibles and co-pays).

Stop your apoplexy about paying taxes. What, precisely, is the difference between paying a tax and paying a premium.

It really would be so much better if we had a single-payor system. No more premiums. No business will be disadvantaged by being forced to pay for health coverage when others are exempt. Sure, there may be a slightly longer wait period for non-emergency procedures, and some elective procedures may not be covered. There is no evidence, that the major western industrialized countries with single payor systems have worse health care than the US or that the general health and life expectancies are any worse than here (in fact, they generally are better).

But, the GOP nutjobs have made single payor untenable. A shame. BUT WE MUST GET SOME REAL HEALTH CARE REFORM.... AND SOON!!!!

End "for profit health care" in the US!

"Family values" dictate that our health should not be treated as no more than a commodity like soy beans and pork bellies for Wall St. to profit by!

Do you all remember the person who said no new taxes and then bam here comes the new taxes. George bush senior and bam he was a one term president. Obama the second.

We need comprehensive healthcare reform. Doctors, hospitals, insurance companies, tort reform, and drug companies are all part of the problem. Healthcare consumers also need to take responsibility for their own personal health. Obesity leads to numerous health risks/problems that involve a lot of medical care. Heart disease, stroke and diabetes are the biggest risks to the obese. The biggest reform needs to be in Washington D.C. where all of the special interest groups and lobbyist have our Senators and Representatives in their back pocket. Cramming an expensive, rushed, and ineffective healthcare plan down our throats isn't the answer. This is a huge undertaking, not something you can do in a few months.

It doesn't matter about the GOP, they don't need to be in this meeting because all they are gonna do is whine(party of wine) if they don't get their way or suggestion. They've done this for years and they are the one's that want to be partisan and secretive on issues so they can all agree on one answer. They have made their suggestions, but time and time again, their solutions or suggestions don't have substance or clear details. I think they are trying to set up Democrats so we all need to just ignore them as normal.

I hope they do better than they did when they fixed the auto business. That didn't go well...but they only wasted $50 billion on that one. They are ready for the big time with health care. ( Anybody want to bet they end up owning Blue Cross, too? )

Just please get SOMETHING in place that will result in REAL reform!

The health care crisis is probably the single most important domestic issue. It is morally repugnant that there is anyone out there unable to get the best quality health care without suffering financial ruin, and that anyone has to fear financial collapse from ongoing health issues should one (a) lose a job, (b) move to a new company that doesn't provide decent group insurance or (c) stay at a company that drops its coverage.

Where is the health care Obama talked about during the campaign? Remember him saying "we should all have the same health care as Congress"? What happened to this argument? Slow it down, people. Let's get this right!

If we all got past the mentality of the government will take care of us and take care of our own families, we would not be in this mess. Quit crying because you lost your job. Go get a job that provides insurance or do whatever it takes to purchase some and live within your means. Suck it up and pay your own way. If you don't, then we are all going to live in a socialist state, with the government telling us where to live, what to drive, when to turn the lights on and off, they will tell us what to eat, when to exercise, when to have children, they will tell us when it's our turn for health care, they'll tell you when you are too old for health care. I know, you don't believe it can happen here in the USA, but what if it does.........Do something before it's too late. We are the only ones that can stop all this insanity. Be it Democrat or Republican or Independent or just plain American Citizen, don't let these crazy politicians completely ruin our country. Tell them "no more political correctness". Let our voices be heard in no uncertain terms. We want our freedoms back............NOW

@ TCM, who said "Commericals? You mean like the ones sponsored by MOVE ON.org? or the DNC discrediting everything conservatives come up with…those commericals ? "

Duh. We'd forgive the GOP's commercials too if criticizing and crying wasn't the ONLY thing they were doing. At least the Dems are trying by putting forth proposals that make sense...not regurgitating broken ideology that has (yes, it has) been disproven over the past several decades and has (yes, it has) been rejected by the majority of Americans.

I have employer driven health care. For my wife and my self, I pay $800 per month out of my gross income. If I am hospitalized the first $5,000 of my bill falls on me. Forty dollars to see my doctor, $50 to see a specialist, and 20% on all imagining studies.
Is this health care in America today?
Obama, we voted for change, don't throw our votes away trying to garner R support. They will burry you.

That's one thing I love about Democrats, they may have the power, but they don't feel the need to be lock step with their party.

@Marc, you mean like when the Republicans offered ideas on the stimulus and were told by Obama 'we won'? Was that YOUR idea of studying, following up, and taking what can be used? Face it, Obama is about as bipartisan as Rush Limbaugh.

@Yuri

What's with the alliterations? Put down the pipe and get a job. Maybe then you'll have some healthcare.

NO NEW TAXES FOR ANYONE.

If they want to change health care than make it like dental care.
You get so much and thats it. Everything else is out of pocket.
If you are poor, we will send you a bill and you can pay it later.
This FREE crap is not free.
Someone has to pay for it and it is NOT right for someone else to have to pay MY bills. PERIOD.

Why do so many of you not seem to realize the poor already get free health care!!! It's the working people that do not have employer provided health plans that are suffering!. I have an idea how to pay for this as well, charge all participants a similar rate to private insurance and then charge federal employees the same 20% for there insurance that most of us pay.

I wonder how long it will take the democraps on this blog to realize that the government produces nothing, makes no profit, and therefore can only "pay" for something by taking money from individuals.

Obamacare, Cap & Trade, Porkulus etc. will cost the US well over $1 trillion per year. If you declare anyone making over $100,000 a year "rich" and tax 100% of his / her gross income, you still don't have enough to pay for Obama's programs.

Now if you liberals are so intelligent, how do you propose that Obama's programs get paid for?

Open Letter To Barack.

Please move back to Kenya and stop screwing up the United States of America. By all reports and your own words you hate this country and always have.
Please get out now.
You are killing the economy. You are dragging us down further each day. You are now set to ruin healthcare. You are tearing apart the CIA and any form of National Security. You are stopping the police from arresting illegal immigrants. You are partial to destroying the constitution. Please just leave and go back to the country you love where there is So so much prosperity and freedom.

I have lived under "National Health Care" and it was a disaster! But go ahead and prove the GOP's point! This Independent will enjoy the fiasco and the dem demise!

Sure, invite Eric Cantor and his ilk so they can later grandstand on Fox News and bellyache about the Democrats. When they put their "big boy" pants on and try to work in a bipartisan fashion, then they can come. Bravo to guys like Bachus and Greenley who are trying to come up with bipartisan solutions.

@johnnie
"president obama, will succed in getting health care done this year. "

And we'll be paying for it for years and years to come.

Go ahead – make my day – ram it down our throats and you are finished BO!

I would have thought we learned that getting government involved in anything relating to the economy has negative effects that they never contemplate.
there are plenty of examples of this but the most blatent has to be when government, (clinton mainly, but with Dobbs helping), decided it would be great for people to own homes even when a bank feels they should not have a loan, and we all know where that got us.

Now they decide everyone should have healthcare even if they cannot afford to buy it.

Anyone have any ideas where this is going? Anyone believe if you are dumb enough to not listen to history, you are doomed to repeat it?

Health care is NOT a big problem in the uS. The government running it IS!!!!

When will you dim-bulbed dems realize that the Gov't can't run anything efficiently. Anyone ever heard of Social Security? Yeah, how's that runnin'??

There can be a better way BUT not gov't-run healthcare.

I'm really tired of the health care is not a right argument. I'm guaranteed the life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, I don't exactly have any of those when I'm dead because I couldn't afford the operation that would have saved my life. I don't see what is so hard to understand about that fact that we pay double what anyone else does for health care and yet we rank 37th in the world. What needs to happen is we need a comparison between what businesses and individuals currently pay for health care vs. how much our taxes would go up. Also, why invite republicans? They through out bipartisanship along time ago.

It is amazing to read some of the simplistic, slogan spewing GOP/conservative or whatever you claim to be postings on this blog.

I got give to you folks, you are certainly, absolutely sure you are right.. .............

but deceptively you only use half of the facts in your analysis, so that makes most of your post disingenous at best and willfully un-informed at worst.

Some of you saying you do not want to "pay for others" should look beyond that narrow little limbaugh lemming nose. Who in the he!! do you think is paying for those "others" today? You are, you morons, and you are paying at the highest possible rate, the emergency room rates!

Now for those same little weak minded lemmings that do not want healthcare "rationing", what do you think it is when the insurance company will pay for you PPO or HMO doctor but no other one. What do you call it when some insurance admin clerk making $9 dollars an hour denies you services because the insurance company and it's "experts" decide you do not need the procedure/medication YOUR doctor prescribed?

Some of you are simply too stupid to understand an explanation of reality

@ tedious: If Bush spent money like a "drunken sailor" then Bo Bo is spends it like a "drunken sailor with stolen credit cards (read: my tax dollars).
I guess Bo Bo's secret meeting with only Democraps in attendance is his idea of "transparency".
We are so screwed, but you "Hope and Change" nut cases keep singing to the Messiah. He'll make all your problems go away.

I had a patient in today who told me he couldn't afford health care because he worked part time and his hours were getting cut.

He then told me he had a $397 car payment on a used Lexus.

The guy was 20 years old.

He was thinking about applying for public aid.

Please increase my taxes and let me pay for his health care so that he can keep his used Lexus....I beg you

mike,texas July 13th, 2009 3:35 pm ET

Easy solution Tax The Rich,Show me a rich person who went broke paying more taxes and I'll show you a liar.

Ask GM and Chrysler how they're doing. Increased costs (analogous to taxes) served them quite well, don't you agree?

Wow! This is a man who can multi-task!

He makes the Repugnicans look like slugs!

Jody: there is no such thing as "bipartisonship" - get over it. The people voted this man in because we WANTED change from the "do nothing" Bush administration. Go give Dick or George a call if you're looking for bipartisonship – see what they can do for you. Otherwise get on the bus or get left behind.

The people at the meeting from Congress already and always had FREE HEALTH CARE. Now if you can only find a way for them to PAY for it everyone would be equal. Whay happened to your pledge Mr. President that we would all have Congressional Health Care, I heard you pledge this.

Don't work- don't succeed- stay on welfare.
King Obama will give you free health care, housing, cars etc..
Rich folks will pay for it. Ha ha

TCM – July 13th, 2009 3:24 pm ET
'let's see….I believe it's either 3 or 4 plans that the republicans have presented as healthcare options.' And none of them were worth a second look, and you know why?
What is in discussion is how to reform the healthcare system that puts the richest nation of the world in a very humble 37th position among the best healthcare system. 37th! This according to the most neutral source since they use both official data and reliable unofficial ones.
A reform is needed in the whole system, but what were the Republicans propositions? 'More of the same' and 'Tax cuts', as if it can be called a proposition of a REFORM.
WHEN, 'when' and not 'if', the Republicans present a REFORM propposal then the Dems will have to check on it and study it and see what they can and what they can't agree with, or your criticism will be THEN right.

The only thing I've learned from reading these posts is that the LANGUAGE IS DYING!!! Liberals like to paint a picture of intellect and education......but these clowns are illiterate. Go back to school, get a better job, pay the taxes....and Press ONE for English.

Finally some real thinking. Taxing the rich more will not work. Skyhawkdriver said it the best. This is not about giving the hard working american insurance. This is about giving the illegal alliens and the welfare crowd an insurance plan paid for by the hard working people of this country. Stop all welfare programs or make them earn the money by doing community service. And make them have to take random drug test like I have to before they get any money. Get rid of the illegals PERIOD.............. Oh and I really do not care if you people holding your hand out like this or not.

@Jefe:

Here's an idea, you start paying 90% of YOUR salary in taxes and the rest of us, seeing how well you're doing and impressed at the example you've set for us, will follow your lead. That way we can ALL have the government provide our health care, green energy, plasma screen, transportation, and just about everything we need. And, we'll have a whopping 10% of the fruits of our labor left for discretionary spending.

I think you've found the way to Utopia, c'mon everyone, hop on board the Jefe express! Yes We Can!

@ Enough July 13th, 2009 3:31 pm ET - Punish those who work hard to get ahead and reward those who choose to be so called poor and on welfare…………….yes it is their choice. Nobody in this country has to be poor, we all have the same opportunities in life and they don't all require a college degree…………….just hard work, and that is where the problem is, nobody wants to work hard anymore.
_____________________________________________________
Wow Enough. You are really, really smug and self-satisfied aren't you? I wonder how long you could hold out after a series of life-changing bad breaks that could put you in the category of the people you say want to be poor and on welfare. Karma is a b!tch, so you had better hope you don't get what you really deserve – a dose of reality.

Rob from the working, give to the lazy.

President Pinnocio and his minions have no idea what they are doing and they best keep their grubby hands off my health care.

Here's a health care alternative...leave my health care alone.

Hey Typical Democrat the more money your make the more they take out in taxes. So tell me how the "so called rich" will be paying for health care by being taxed to death themselves? Who will pay their insurance when they can't afford it? What a stupid plan by Obama.

How will they pay for the health care???? Read my lips!!! LOTS of new taxes! Ante up, people.

Tax increases = losses in Congress = losses in Governorships = loss of Presidency in 2012. Read my lips (or words, anyway).

Unfortunately the GOP congress members will only contribute to the debate only if it benefits the insurance companies and big pharma.

That is why the are not included in some of these meetings, because they will use the forum to score some cheap, half baked political points instead of attending to the real issues.

The GOP is simply on the wrong side of this issue this time and most Americans know it.

@Kyle, Insurance companies get a better rate due to having enough policies to negotaite 'bulk' rates. When you buy a six pack of coke you spend one price per bottle, when you buy a case you get it for a lower price per bottle. This is economics 101, not some vast conspiracy. One of the prime reasons for high health care costs are unessasary tests ordered by doctors afraid of being sued for malpractice. So far the Obama plan hasn't attempted to limit legal lawsuits or malpractice awards. If they did, costs would drop like a rock.

For those of you who voted for "hope and change"-this is it.

I'm rich. But thanks to the IRS and BHO, I have removed about $20,000 per year of chartable contributions. You poor folks can go wait in the soup lines-not another penny from me unless BHO steals it. Hmmmm, he will probably do that.

Plus, I'm tired of seeing all the fat and lazy people at Wal-Mart.

I can't understand these petulant GOP posters on this blog. They spend everyday complaining about what our President is doing. It seems they are used to, and/or prefer the inactions of the past administration. They simply want the economy to implode so they can be happy.

If any of you GOP / Republican twits were as vocal when Bush was spending money like a drunken sailor in Iraq; you might to be geniune in your complaints. The difference with Bush...he did nothing and we have a huge problem to fix. Obama is doing what he believes is best for the country ...and I might add....with much critcism and zero ideas from your famous "American Taliban party" known as the GOP

which taxes.....................the most wealthy tax elite.
the most wealthy companies.
the most wealthy wall street ceo's.
the most wealthy ceo's.
the haves...................not the have not's.

@TCM,--–What the GOP machine is failing to 'get' is that the annual cost of the present health system in out of control and doesn't benefit any american rich, middle or poor or businesses. It only benefits the insurance companies and big pharma.

If you like what you have, keep it, but don't stand in the way of reforming so many americans have to choose literally in many cases, between health care and bankruptcy or food and medicine or no health care at all.

That kind of choice is not cool in anyones book. The GOP is simply on the wrong side of this argument this time.

@GI Joe -

Hope something gets started. People are hurting out here.

If it isn't perfect at first, recommendations and modifications can be made, but something has to be done very soon. Our nation is going bankrupt while Insurance Companies continue to lead in profits (notice how many insurance ads on tv? they aren't free).
___________________________________________

Freedom isn't free either, and that's exactly what's going on in Washington; degradation of our free society under the guise of Hope and Change...and healthcare...

It is not a FREE insurance. It is simply a public option. It is NOT WELFARE.

And to all you "responsible" republicans saying "get a job get insurance" you are so wrong. We used to have insurance until my husband got laid off from building houses. He is now self employed – thanks to the outrageous insurance costs (OMG- an insurance co. greedy- go figure) we can't afford to pay private insurance rates for a family of four.

ROLL BACK BUSHS TAX CUTS ON THE WEALTHY!!!!!!!!
It's a priviledge-lol

Why work? the government will give it to me.

Either the current democrats are dumb, or they simply don't care about rationing results. Aborting babies is okay w/them so I guess rationing and killing elderly is okay as well. Afterall it's easy to spend others money as well, and not pay taxes yourself ie Rangel, Geither, Gov MIssouri, Labor Sec, and 5-6 others who are hypocrites in Obama ADM.
I'm poor, but understand the rich already pay 70% of taxes and appreciate that fact.
This stupidity will reach a breaking point I'm afraid.
CUT THE WASTE IN HEALTHCARE AND YOU WILL HAVE AN ANSWER.
Jean B
WI

@Sniffit -

Commericals? You mean like the ones sponsored by MOVE ON.org? or the DNC discrediting everything conservatives come up with...those commericals ? Or are simply just lost in Obamaland to the point where rational thought escapes you?

I have no problem with government run healthcare, 'cause corporate (for profit ) run totally sucks. I already have an insurance parasite looking at my plan (which I can only afford because I get it through work) telling me I don't need Nexium for my heartburn, I can use something over the counter. Not a big deal you say (in comparison to some of the horror strories I've heard, you're right, but bear with me for just one more moment) the Nexium I was prescribed wasn't for heartburn, it was for acid reflux and it helps heal the esophagus before the lesions that were healing turn cancerous. So, instead of giving me what my doctor prescribed, and letting me heal, they now have a means to refuse any future treatment for esophagial cancer (get it, I now have a "pre-existing condition").

@Lynne -

I wonder if you'll be laughing when your take home is $1200-1500 less a year so that you can subsidize the entitlements of those Obama supporters who find it more lucrative to stay unemployed? I bet you'll be rolling on the floor then, huh? So, not only will you have to pay for their Obamacare, you'll be fined if you don't buy some for yourself! Hope and Change is here!

It's interesting how the democrats continually are saying that the republicans don't provide any new ideas, so Obama doesn't invite any of them to any "secret meetings" to discuss health care. Now who is promoting partisanship??

I"m not sure about one group of people paying the way of others. Even though they say their going to make the rich pay for this beware. I find that OBAMA has no concern for the middle class either. He said he gave you a tax cut ,but with cap and trade going full force. Which overall is just a tax hike on the middle class. Now one of things they want to do is tax the middle class by taxing our health care benfits. Please call your congressmen tell them this is unexceptable. I just wish this adminsration would be honest they say their on your side ,but every entitlement (tax) will effect the middle class the most.

Why huddle? We all know our taxes are going up to cover this tax and spend administration. This bill alone will keep the economy in the tank for several years and the liberals will blame Bush for decades. hey Gi Joe: If it werent for those ads, those shows would not be on. Think about it.

@annie s

I've seen your comments before about how you're willing to pay more taxes for "comprehensive" health care.

While I commend you for your altruism, I don't share it.

If some mechanism were established whereby people could voluntarily contribute to some sort of program to provide health care for those who can't afford it, great. I might even contribute a bit to it myself–as long as it was voluntary. But trying to compel me to pay for your altruism isn't reasonable.

Easy solution Tax The Rich,Show me a rich person who went broke paying more taxes and I'll show you a liar.

If you want public health care, then get a job with the Government.

to Jefe:

I agree 10000% that these commercials are not proper.

What's with the idiots on this board who think the rich don't pay taxes and have been given huge breaks over the years? The so called rich have always paid a higher percentage in taxes than anyone else. What about the huge percentage of Americans that pay NO income taxes at all. Why can't they start paying their fair share? It's not the rich peoples fault for the choices other people have made. Punish those who work hard to get ahead and reward those who choose to be so called poor and on welfare................yes it is their choice. Nobody in this country has to be poor, we all have the same opportunities in life and they don't all require a college degree................just hard work, and that is where the problem is, nobody wants to work hard anymore.

@ Fair is Fair, who asked "And why are no republicans being asked to attend (again)?"

Because they are working on the Dems' PROPOSAL. The GOP is welcome to spend some time generating its own PROPOSAL...you know, if it can find some free time between press conferences and making commercials in an attempt to tear down whatever the Dems are suggesting. If they would do that (in a serious manner, not by disingenuously proposing tax cuts and "leave the market alone to fix itself"), THEN it would be time for negotiating some sort of middle-of-the-road legislation. Instead, the GOP spends it's time criticizing and fear-mongering and making silly been-there-done-that suggestions and giving nobody any reason to think that time spent at the table with them would be productive (in fact, every reason to believe that it would be counterproductive). It's all part of the plan. They will vote no against whatever it is anyway no matter what and by creating a situation where they are justifiably excluded, they get to whine about it.

Do not forget that a national system will result in rationing. So if my Father is 69 and my Brother is 22 and they both have the same cancer in the same stage. My Father will not get the same care as my brother.

I am not trying to be fearful I am being a realist. We need to be very very careful on the fine print of this plan.

God Bless America, her people and her President

You people make me laugh about crying about possible tax increases as your health care premiums continue to increase at 3xs the rate of income.

@J.P. -

haha..that's a good one...

@montag24 -

the top wage earners in this country pay 40% of the tax revenues received....stop recitiing obamaese you picked up from USA Today or off of Obamasites....brainless liberals...

@John from California: "It's high time that the rich pay their "fair share"."

Depending on precisely where you define "rich," the rich pay somewhere between 90 and 95 percent of all the individual income tax collected while 40% of people filing individual income tax returns pay no tax at all.

Accordingly, by the "fair share" criteria, the rich are due a huge reduction in the taxes they're compelled to pay, while that 40% in the lower end of the income scale ought to be forced to pay much higher taxes.

Be careful what you wish for–you might get it.

@Kevin B -

let's see....I believe it's either 3 or 4 plans that the republicans have presented as healthcare options. What happens is, liberals like you, who are in a position to censor such information, to further their agenda...crush any viable alternatives. Don't fear, though, I'm sure you're quite capable to fund the medical care of several other "obama supporters," huh? It's not that opposition is created of haters, just those that feel they should keep what they make.

"All the GOP has left is name calling and fear."

And here I thought that was pretty much what they started with...

"Yeah – How dare they work hard and make good choices!"

Or pay their middle-class workers the same average salaries for 30 years during which they've accumulated and horded approximately 10-12% more of the nation's wealth....

Check the stats buddy.

I wonder how many republicans have yet to figure out that if health care cost are not reigned in very soon the complete budget is at risk for insolvency over the long haul and these cost will hamper any chances of a sustained recovery.

But lets all stand by while the GOP rolls out the tired, fear based "socialized" medicine, "DMV" comparisons and how bad the "Canadian "system is; propaganda.

All the GOP has left is name calling and fear.

How to pay for health care reform? It's simple – roll back the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest 1%.

(Yeah, like that's going to happen!)

You could do what Canada does and put some more taxes on cigerattes and alcohol.

I don't care who pays for it as long as it is FREE for me!

It the "powers that be" refuse to give us government run health care; then they should give up their government run health care and apply with the current health care companies that we are forced to sign up with.

Them dems just love to figure out new ways to tax the hard working people to give more hand outs to lazy.

Americans deserve comprehensive health care reform with a public option – and frankly, while I believe the President's suggestions for how to pay for it will cover most of the costs, I really don't mind paying more taxes if necessary. Letting this opportunity fall by the wayside would be a major failure on Congress's part. We voted for change, Senators & Representatives; if you can't deliver, we can do it again.

"secret" meetings to find a way to screw the country??? seems about right for Obozo and the other clowns

Here's a couple of ideas:

1) For every dollar a pharmeceutical corporation spends on advertising, charge them $5 in taxes. That should more than cover it. Pill advertising is disgusting and inappropriate. There is no good reason for the majority of TV commercials to be hawking prescription meds to consumers.

2) Tax health insurance corporation profits 90%. Having a for-profit health insurance industry clearly has benefitted nobody – except for the health insurance industry. 10-20% annual cost-increases is not indicitive of a good business model, its indicitive of an industry in desparate need of either regulation or dissolution.

Your doing a great job President Obama.The middleclass support your every move.Hey Rush,hows that UBS acct.Were saving you for last,like the cherry on top the sunday.hahaha

A cantankerous Cantor from Virginia, and a belligerent Boehner are eagerly waitin' to further fan the flames of furor and fury, by fuelin' a few, shall we say, fanatic fomentations of, perhaps, their own folly.

Nonetheless, BHO has one helluva job to do to convince the cynics of healthcare changes. He always opens his arguments by saying-inaction is not an option. The GOP is becoming a pack of pachyderms, by parryin' those as pugnacious pushes of his policies. Let's wait 'n' see.

When this new $1 trillion comes into play, pills that now cost $2,000 per month will increase to $4,000 per month. How does this help anybody I know?

You can fool all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time, but you only need to fool enough of the people enough of the time.

president obama, will succed in getting health care done this year. the american people want reform,that is the line at the bottom. the gop is trying all they can to block , what has come closer than anytime in history ,to pass a health bill, that will help those without. it is very in the majority,that it will service the ailing .how can any political party be against whats good for the unisured,the gop will suffer more in 2010 and in 2012,for going to try and block it, because they wont.president obama is uniting the troops ,rangel, reed, baucus,and the lady nancy pelosi, to move its power foward. a majority in 3 houses was what the gop always feared, and they better get use to it.the president said today , we are going to get this done ,this year. and that is the truth ,president obama knows how to move his agenda with rapid response. great job mr.president.

The Surgeon General choice is rather interesting when it comes to the topic of funding health care reform. The story about her listed her close relatives and the 'preventable diseases' that either killed them or are keeping them severely restricted – diabetes, high blood pressure, lung cancer from smoking, breathing problems from smoking...

The number one way these diseases are preventable is making the appropriate lifestyle choices.

As long as there are people making lifestyle choices which lead them to have such diseases and the high costs that accompany the disease, those of us who do make appropriate lifestyle choices should not have to pay one red cent to fund the health care for them.

"Hmmm – what should we do?"

"I know – let's tax the rich!"

"Yeah – How dare they work hard and make good choices!"

Why is it that national media has not reported on the efforts of the insurance industry to sidetrack healthcare reform, as was reported last week by Bill Moyer of PBS? It will be a miracle if meaningful healthcare reform is accomplished with this rich and powerful lobby working behind the scene to destroy it.

The only way for this fiasco of a so called health care reform to happen is for the people of this country to endure another tax increase..this plan is not intended to cover the people who are here legally and work for a living..this plan is going to do nothing for us but raise our taxes..this plan is for all the illegals and welfare collectors among us..I own a small buisness and clear in a good year 90,000.00..my accountant has told me that with the current proposed plan my income taxes will increase 17 percent..guess what I will do??..layoff my employees..close my doors and just fly away south..don't be fooled people..your taxes are going up and buisnesses will lay off people and go out of buisness..maybe that's what obama wants..more people on welfare

Why not eliminate Workmans comp insurance premiums and replace that program to become Healthcare? We pay almost $600 per month per employee for workmans comp and we haven't had a claim in over 15 years. Wouldn't that money be better spent to provide our employee with health insurance? Workmans comp only covers on the job injuries, Health inusrance would cover all health related issues. A program like that would cover every worker. That would also eliminate all the fraud and lawyers that there are with workmans comp.

Into who's pocket will this $1 trillion go?

I would say that President Obama is right on health care reform with his excellent apt. of the Surgeon General which CNN's blog does not do justice to in its rush to get the unofficial announcement on its blog.

It is laughable that CNN would comment that it is the President's "first health care meeting" since arriving home seeing as he arrived home just yesterday.meeting

Secret? Where's the openness on this?

The main theme of the meeting will of course be "How can we fool them today?" So what did the hospitals and the pill companies get for all of this money they are supposedly giving up? I know the answer, I just want to hear some liberal answer in plain speak, they never will because it is a sham and hoax, like everything they do.

That's really "reaching across the aisle" and a true show of the Obama's sense of bipartisanship. Why no dissenters? Why not hear the other side out and make some compromises? He just can't let go of his socialist ideology long enough to make a good decision.

The rich need to pay for it. Why should they get to keep the money they earned and not share it with the rest of us, that's just not fair. I couldn't possibly be expected to go out and get a job and take care of myself, that would require me to give up all my spare time and have to work hard to earn a living. No thanks, Obama promised he would take care of my every need with someone else's money. I love this change...............America is becoming my kind of country.

We don't need health reform we need the lazy people to get out and find a job, we need to get the illegals out of the country. We need the young people to quit buying cars and houses they can't afford so they can get their health care. Health care is not a right it is a benefit. stomach. I never realized how many stupid people we have in this country until now!!

How about this: Obama can have his staff set up a web site that accepts contributions toward a fund that pay for health insurance coverage for the presently uninsured.

Personally, I expect this scheme would collect a tiny fraction of that trillion bucks–most of the people whining about how the country "needs" universal health care support it only as long as someone else is forced to pay the bill.

No more taxes, stay way far away from Social Security...oh what the heck...what good is my advice....they already have the game in the box and are now just trying to sell it...or just give it away.

If everyone who used our health care system were paying, in some way, for that health care, and with some controls placed on cost, then the health care system could manage it self; without government interference. The Taxpayers are paying for what we do have, and we are providing health care for the millions of illegals in this country who are not paying any income taxes, reporting either no income or income levels low enough to qualify for "free" healthcare.

The issue of illigal aliens in this country needs to be properly addressed. Not by giving the right to work cards, or constitutional rights, but by haveing the follow all the rules for become citizens, as millions of others have done.

$1 trillion price tag? The last budget analysis done by congress was $600 Billion. And they haven't done an analysis on Single Payer which would come out a lot less.

What needs to be looked at is the cost the American people and businesses are paying for their health insurance, high deductables, and co-pays compared to any increase in taxes.

On Capitol Hill, aides were reluctant to publicize the meeting. One said it was meant to be kept "secret."
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Why?

And why are no republicans being asked to attend (again)?

Survey says! ..... tax hikes!

I'm not sure the Ppresident will have the bill on his desk before the August recess, but I commend Congress for working steadfast on the matter.

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.

Hope something gets started. People are hurting out here.

If it isn't perfect at first, recommendations and modifications can be made, but something has to be done very soon. Our nation is going bankrupt while Insurance Companies continue to lead in profits (notice how many insurance ads on tv? they aren't free).

We have had over thirty years of continuing tax reductions for the rich and all we have to show for it is a deep recession.

It's high time that the rich pay their "fair share".

Where's the bipartisanship Obama promised? Hard to see how he hopes to achieve bipartisanship when no republicans are invited to the "secret" meetintgs.

Guess they're just gonna try to bully through a healthcare bill like they did with the stimulus, the budget, and like they're trying to do with cap and tax.

Well we know we can expect the Dems to tax the middle class to death, to pay for health care. That is always who they force to pay, while the rich and famous keep their fortunes and influence.

Whats wrong with having the unisured pay their own premiums for their own healthcare coverage? Why should the "rich" and those with health insurance pay for those without? I pay for my own insurance.

Of course it was supposed to be secret...this is how this congress of transparency works...the more backdoor the better.