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[...] CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time Blog Archive ... By CNN's Jeff Simon Asked about insurers' role in health care reform, House Republican Leader John Boehner conceded they "certainly aren't lily white in this fight." But he added, "most Americans like the health insurance they have. … They don't think ... If Pelosi and co. really care about the public in general, have them get us the same medical plans they have. Start asking your local congressperson and senator about THIER healthcare package, and why isn't it affordable for the rest of us. ... CNN Political Ticker – http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/ [...]

She is just so disgusting and vile I don't know how she got to where she is.

Why doesn't this health care plan address the high prices paid by
patients for drugs? Why isn't there a congressional and presidential
initiative to invesitgate drug prices? The White House plan appears
more focused on cutting expense at the level of direct patient care
rather than improving the patients well being.

I would suggest that most people who like their current plan,
1) have never or rarely used it;
2) have no idea what premiums actually cost;
3) count as their only medical expenses the amount of their copays.

One thing we should all see on our payroll check stubs is the cost of our employer-provided benefit programs. This would allow us to know exactly how generous the boss is (or not), and would give all Americans a sense of what Health Care actually costs.

My own coverage appears to run about $600/month, which is an awful lot of money for an every-other-year checkup, don't you think?

I hope that the Dems and Repubs understand that they are going to be up for re-election! They are (some of them) signing their own demise. Not voting for the Health bill with the economy is in the toilet and not allowing Citizens the ability to get health care is going to ruin them. Also, not going for Soto-Meyer is just wrong. Get a grip. the lady is qualified and ready to serve. Just like the Repubs not accepting President Obama and some Dems it will backfire on them. Keep it up. They didn't think that President Obama would be President and look what happened. Spanking upon spanking. It will bit them in the tuckus. I realized what was happening, that is why I am no longer a Republican and if the Democrats keep it up I will no longer be a Democrate and go independent.

Rochelle of Stone Mountain, GA

The insurance and pharmaceutical industries are obscene in both their profits and their tactics. A robust public option will help keep them in line -but its imperative that the true message get out to the American people – that no matter how good they think their insurance is, they are at the mercy of it. High premiums mean lower wages and fewer jobs, and anyone who has worked in health care or been victim of a catastrophic illness can tell horror stories of the claims that don't get paid and the financial ruin heaped on the hard working people because of it.

It is a 1,000 page bill that most politicians haven't even read through yet. Wake up people!!
If Pelosi and co. really care about the public in general, have them get us the same medical plans they have. Start asking your local congressperson and senator about THIER healthcare package, and why isn't it affordable for the rest of us. Then watch them stammer.

Under Obama, Pelosi & Reid leadership; USA is HEAVILY in DEBT, millions of Americans are JOBLESS. Pelosi next time find something else to blame; how can you blame insurance when everybody in your party all the way to Obama are in the pocket of insurance lobbyists and trial lawyers? Lying day in and day out doesn't make it come true; a lie is still a lie no matter how you dice, cut, grind and chop it.

This whole thing is nuts.... just because we have always handled our healthcare one way is no reason to stick with it! Bottom line... healthcare should not be a for-profit system.

Of course the insurance industry is fighting this.... they are fighting for their lives. The old system is a dinosauer, we need to look to the future and fix a system that is bankrupting this country.

Don't let lobbyists and big business buyoff our congress or force you to reject change out of fear.

It's not just the insurance companies, it's the whole health care agenda! And the insurance companies, and the medical industry as well.
The people just want affordable, common sense health care. It's going to take the leaders in all of these area's to make that happen, then the government can come up with some sort of health care plan.

The Republicans are the biggest fear mongers.....after the last 8 years of crying wolf, you would think the citizens would have learned by now.....they have no substance so they create fear to "control" the people........not any more!!!

Speaker Pelosi is right. However a more accurate characterization would be to say "its the fault of those politicians who are receiving major contributions from the insurance industry – my colleagues the Blue Dog Coalition". The insurance industry used to buy republican votes but now that the Dems have a super majority, they have changed their strategy to bribing the conservative Democrats. Its hard to regulate or change an industry that has bought so much power over the years. But it can be done if the politicians had some back bone and acknowledged their moral responsibility to dramatically change medical coverage in this country to reflect the government run health care systems of the rest of the industrialized world, which are far superior.

I don't have insurance and can't afford to buy expensive health care. I also need an operation, what should I do DIE?

I also wonder, even if I could buy insurance, with a pre-existing health condition will any insurance company take me?

It would be wonderful if our Congress targeted one of the primary issues driving health care costs up - no tort limits. In our litigous society, malpractice expenses and insurance are killing us. We have way too many trial lawyers in the White House and Congress to do anything substantive about this, but the insurance companies and doctors are being compelled to respond to legal demands. In the absence of serious tort reform, we are spinning our wheels. It is the 800-pound gorilla that no one wants to discuss.

I hope everyone is reading all the posts on this topic and can see what's going on–Under President Obama's leadership we're taking back our government, a government that has been run by special interests since the Vietnam war.

It's our government again. This health care issue and the fact that Obama is even in office shows we have the power of the vote.

Politicians, give us health care reform with a public option or you will be voted out of office!

Until Congress comes under National Health Care like everyone else the Health care will remain a problem as it does not effect any member of congress. They have become a priveliged class.
Their retirement should be the same Social Security as other wage erners.

Insurance industry profit margins aren't out of line, what they fear is that they will have to compete with a government program that is subsidized by tax dollars. Plus, how are they immoral? They provide a service, much like Medicare or Medicaid do and in much the same way.

So now let me see, first the oil industry was what's wrong with America, then it was the banks, now insurance. What's next and which industry do you work in?

Let's make public the details of the health reform bill.

Its the insurance company's fault??? Thats about like Pelosi. Not her fault at all or the fault of congress. Its not like they are the ones to cast the votes, its the insurance executives who vote and pass legislation. How pathetic.

No, its the people out here that have seen program after program created by Congress be sub-par and abused.

Do you people really know where a one-payer system leads? After they have fixed and forcefully lowered costs, the government will need to basically take over all hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and pharmaceutical companies. Doctors and nurses will need to be licensed by the federal government, not the state which means even less oversite. We will have fewer and less motivated health care workers because pay will be decreased. I bet we will even spend less time allowed in the hospital for recovery. With Hospitals no longer being run for profit, several Hospitals will be closed and consolidated in metrepolitian areas to contain costs. It is a no win situation.

On this issue, Speaker Pelosi is correct. Time to shut down the huge profits handed out to big insurance funded by our medical conditions.

I am so tired of these Democrats, Blame is the fame for teh Democrats, keep Balme Bush for all the problems. I almost guarantee you that next year the Majority of Blue Representatives will be reduced.
Get a life people.. Oh by the way The President had no bussiness mendling between the Stae Police and Professor Gates. In my opionion, it stupid and he should not made any comments what so ever. I am not racist, I love Black people but I think the President is sticking his nose where it should not be.
Democracy what that? lets have a beer shall we?

is eugenics really the ONLY option?

Let's make public the connections between congress and the opponents of healthcare reform!

BCBS has paid health care bills for decades. They have saved lives, they have saved loved ones.

And now, they are the villains?

Some of you are very ungrateful.

Peloski is the villian and the fact that people do not gov. controlled health care. Communism here we come big time if this passes.

You have not seen "The mess'. You have not even seen the begginig of the Mess. Barack Obama is the Mess.

I've worked in health care administration for almost 20 years. I can tell you without a doubt that this is one thing Pelosi says that is absolutely correct. Insurers are the ones who ration care. Insurers are the ones who ratchet up premiums. Insurers are the ones who decide pre-existing conditions won't be covered. Insurers are the ones who beat providers down on prices to the point that the docs lose money. I'd love to see a single payer system and wish it weren't off the table. If all Americans could see what I see on a daily basis, health care would've been fixed before it was broken 20 years ago.

CBO works for the insurance company?

CBO said the Democrat's plan wouldn't work.

Come up with a better plan and stop blamming corp America for everything.

Elitist Boehner has the audacity to say we don’t think insurance cost too much. Sorry, but what?! Has Boener priced average family insurance lately or even know how much it costs us when we have to use it? Talk about being out of touch.

Then again, Boehner has received over $1.7 million from that not-so-lily-white insurance/health/pharm industry.

Go figure. i know that this will not be posted but "Insurance" is the biggest SCAM of them all!!!!

Peace

FOR PROFIT "Health Insurance" companies can continue to dole out health care (or not), as long as we let them, with impunity!
The fact that insurance companies are the most aggressive in the quest to kill health care changes ("reform") SHOULD tell everyone, everything they need to know:

If there is competition, they have to COMPETE... If they have to compete, they'll have to work harder, make less money and treat their customers like HUMANS instead of piggy banks that can be tossed aside when they run out of funds, or worse, need to USE the insurance they PAID FOR.
At least with a Government option, we can get congress people on TV and embarrass them. As things are, Insurance Companies deny service and are never seen.

So what's next? A state-owned oil company to compete with the oil majors? Then the gas prices will come down?!?

I really wish the Govt. would start selling affordable cigarettes. Call them G-cigarettes.

Insurance companies are an enemy of health in America and the major cause of out of control health care cost. As a health care provider and a healthy American who feels ripped off by he insurance industry at both ends, I would LOVE to have a single payor, government run health care option on the table. Of course business is to make money. A fundamental question we need to be asking ourselves is should life and death decisions be used to make some people people filthy rich while others are deprived basic needs to realize the right to life, liberty, and persuit of happiness (all dependent on basic health). I view insurance execs with the same level of moral fiber as a mafia loan shark only the fromer is legal only in America.

to tell u the truth can't blame the insurance companies, when the plan the dems have brings the government into the market as well. KEEP THE GOVERNMENT OUT OF THE MARKET! Instead, the obama administration should try to create a new market, instead of bashing the old, and blaming everyone, the problem is not health insurance, it's the government getting in the market as well!

I've already contacted my representatives both by phone and email.

If they vote NO on the public option, I and my family will vote NO to their re-election.

Too many people don't have company provided insurance and a lot of them can't pay the premiums (which go up every year) and the deductibles (which increase every year).

I hope the President, the Speaker, and the rest of congress would approve a plan, any plan and shove it down our throats regardless of how effective or expensive it is. We desperately need a huge change and the sooner people see it and get used to it the better. We can go back and fix it latter but we need to get started before the privateers can block it again.

I would much rather pay a government bureaucrat to manage my healthcare than a private bureaucrat who's bonus depends on telling me I can't have the care I need.

Democrats are so messed up. Any industry that makes profits is evil. Yet as a nation, if private industry does not make solid profits, our economy fails and jobs are lost. No wonder the Obama/Pelosi stimulus was not designed to help business create jobs. The only jobs coming out of the stimulus are government jobs.
Dems – private industry profits bad, bigger government good.

People Read the Bill before you open your mouth. It is quite enlightening. I voted for Barak but, I hope the current plan fails. If this plan is so good for us American, why isn't congress going to be covered under this plan?

Mr Moderator, thank you for allowing my post on the Barney Frank video on real clear politics that shows exactly what the aim of any public plan is..complete takeover and single payer system.

To those that believe in single payer, fine lets debate it , but it is important not to hide behind this (Its just there as an option to keep insurance players honest, I dont want big governemnt ) line of horse hockey we have been getting.

All we ask is that you stop trying to trick us and level with the American people and have them decide if they are with you as to your ultimate goal.

I'm not an insurance company and I don't want the government in control of any health plans either.

If someone thinks the insurance companies are ripping them off and they are still doing business with them, that makes them appear quite foolish, doesn't it?

Nancy, you play the blame game so well...keep getting facelifts and your ears will touch –or at least get as long as your lying nose.

Great. Democrats have control of the House, Senate, and the White House; and they continue to blame every one.

Except themselves of course. Watch this space.

All the liberals keep talking about again and again is about how the Republicans are the "Party of No".What are the Democrats other than the "Party of Blame"?

From 2002-2008 Democrats and Liberals began a trend of "Blame Bush. Blame Cheney. Blame the Republican Congress". Now they have both the White House and Congress, and they just keep on with the same old tired act. Now it's "Blame the insurance companies, blame the CIA, blame Wall Street, blame auto execs, keep blaming Bush, keep blaming Cheney, keep blaming the Republican minority in Congress" etc., etc. It's like they're addicts who just can't help themselves anymore.

Since 2002, the Democrats are accountable for nothing that is wrong in this country or world. Must be nice.

Why don't the Republicans come up with a plan? Oh that's right they have one that is so bad for Americans it's laughable. Anything to maintain the status quo though so they will forever be known as the party of do nothings.

Insurance companies do not want to lose the meal and honey that they are having now so they will try everything to scare people and try to stop health care reform. Insurace companies pick you up whenever they want to and drop from receiving coverage whenever you get a disease that requires a lot of money. This is unfair. If the insurance companies do not hesitate to take money from your pay check, they should not get hesitate to pay for your bill when you get sick. But, they are doing so. This is unfair. Medicare and Medicaid are government run health care and they never denied you coverage when you really need. The private insurance companies been doing so for so long and they realize having a broader system that function like medicare, medicaid will put them out of business so they will lobby to try to stop health care reform.

Notice how democrats always have to have "a villain?"–someone to demonize. It's usuall to draw attention away from the fact that they usually are the villain themselves.

Here we go again. When corporations, through lobbyists can threaten or coerce our officials in government with cash or threats of giving cash to their opponents they have stepped over the line. When the wallet comes out the cell door should slam shut. Those who take money from lobbyists belong in jail. They operate like a gang. The individual doesn't get the cash, the party does. Gangs are prosecuted under RICO, an ongoing criminal activity. It's time to ban cash lobbyists. You can try to persuade someone to your view but when cash is involved it's a bribe, plain and simple. Anyone who claims it's free speech is an idiot or a criminal.

All you Obamabots don't even know what you support. They are trying to ram a bill down our throats that will ration care to people. A "board" picked by politicians will tell you what procedure you can get. Is that REALLY what you want? All this and trillion dollars more debt....and we will have to pay for illegal aliens care. You lefties should get a job and not think govt. is your guardian.

A public option would be fine if it had to play by the same rules as the private companies: no tax dollars to support the system and governed by all the different state rules that private companies have to abide by. Think US Post Office versus FedEx and UPS.

Congress will be unable to enact any reform due to the influence of corporate lobbyists. Ours is not a government of the people but of special interest groups, like health insurers. I find it amusing that people think the Democrats would not be beholden to special interest groups. The only difference is that the Republicans never tried to hide it.

It is always somebody elses fault when the dum dims don't get their way.Nancy stay out of the botox chair.

I would love to have the VA healthcare. I am a veteran of 10 years but I was not in combat or disabled in any way so I dont qualify. VA care would be a 100% improvment over what i have now which is NOTHING! I am home with the flu today but I can't go see the doctor because I have to pay for 100% of it and god forbid Ii find out that I have something serious and need to be hospitalized. My fragile finances would be finnished. Im pretty sure I would be OK but my 2 children would suffer. I am one of those millions of americans caught in the middle, I make too much for any type of government help but not enough to afford insurance. Please help me

Obama is doing a GREAT job...better than any president in such a long time. I don't care about the polls, just want him to continue doing what he's doing. I hope everyone wakes up and lets his health plan pass..america really needs it. We need to stop the Reps against the Dems already and work together.

You really believe Government Health Care is going to solve the problems? Please pay attention – read what you are so eager to get yourselves into. Just because they say "this is right" doesn't make it so. Get educated people. Sending Nancy back to "Oz" would be a great start.

FYI- Pelosi's new bill contains new language on paying for the healthcare system. Anyone(family) making over $76,000 will pay a 10% surcharge. Sounds like a tax on the middleclass to me.

Every time Nancy opens her mouth and proves her stupidity causes me to pray just a little harder that one day an earthquake will split California from the rest of the Unites States. Then the socially progressive but economically-challenged state will cease to be a drag on the rest of the country.

Hey Mr. Moderator.....since when are you allowed to trample on free speech. Not posting anything hateful, just truthful!

Our system's broken-ness has become so highly developed that now it defends itself from being repaired. Anyone out there who's still deluded enough to think that the American people are in charge of their government need only look at the health care situation.

The people aren't in charge- big business is in charge.

Democrats really have this Blaimstorming thing down well.
It's easier than having to figure things out, especially when your philosophies don't work in the real world.

I blame meddling politicians for the problems in the health care industry. If they would let HMO's actually run their businesses instead of telling them which states they can operate in, who they must cover and how to determine fees we wouldn't be in this mess.

maybe it is time for americans to take health care out of the insurance industry .and start a program that doesn't rape our pocket book. make it like social security. and don't let government borrow money from it and make all the elected officials join in the program . everyone gets treated equal

wow what a deal that would be . insurance giants not controlling our lives . and the program would become profitable ...the only catch is the money generated would stay in the program .and not be used for lobying money for elected officials or big business ONLY FOR HEALTH CARE...and for future research in medicine.

gary davis

proud american and proud of our president

There is plenty of competition in the insurance business. If someone could do it cheaper, they would be offering insurance now. Unfortunately, too many people do not want to pay for their health care. They want someone else to pay for it.

If the insurance industry "is the only industry other than baseball that's exempt from the anti-trust act. That's the reason the have 450 percent profit over the past 10 years."

Instead of overhauling the entire industry and practically causing panic – why don't they just add the insurance industry to the anti-trust act and make healthcare more affordable. Why is everyone making such a big stink over all this? Let's use our heads for once and make concise decisions instead of the democrats only being in it for money and personal gain.

My premuims will go up 15% in September, and I consider myself lucky in comparison to many Americans. You clowns can attack Pelosi all that you want, but the reality is that the insurance companies have the best government representation that money can buy. Paying off the Republicans was easy to do, given the nature of Republicans. They had to dump a bunch of money into the coffers of a few conservative Democrats to turn the tide in their favor. They (the insurance companies) will rip off the American people until the healthcare system collapses, then they will have their hand out for a government bailout. If you haven't figured that out based on Wall Street and the banks, then you are incapable of learning.

Health Insurance is a hustle!!

If you don't like insurance companies, don't do business with them. Pay your doctor directly.

Here's another example for the simple-minded folks out there on how insurance companies get over on you. Let's say you have a plan that requires you to get pre-authorization, the only reason the insurance company wants yuor services to be preaithorized is so that if you're treated on a day that is not covered under your pre-authorization, that means the insurance company doesn't have to pay the provider.

We do need reform now, we don't need government management of healthcare or mandated healthcare.

"The insurance industry, my friends, is the only industry other than baseball that's exempt from the anti-trust act. "

You do realize that this one simple fact knocks all the "free market" blabber right on its tuckus, don't you? The anti-trust laws (Clayton, etc.) are designed to ensure that companies are not allowed to engage in anti-competetive behavior, such as price fixing or forming an oligopoly. Getting the picture? Yeah... 2 + 2 = .....

The sky is the limit with healthcare costs. The American public, in no way, keep up with the rising cost. We need reform NOW.

Immoral is the congress intruding in our lives to such an extent with a bill that will wind up costing us MUCH more than they think.

You want government run healthcare? Go talk to a Veteran and the VA. Remember the poor conditions reported at Army Reid Medical Center? Well, that's what we're all in for and we'll be left wondering, why are we paying so much for such poor healthcare?

Single payer is the only way to truly reduce health care costs. For profit insurance companies (who pay 78 cents on the dollar vs 90 cents for non-profit and 97 cents for medicare) are sucking the life out of America. Big shocker they want to keep the status quo that is un-sustainable.

The CIA lied to me, the insurance companies are crooks, George Bush ruined the country, the blue dogs are not on our side, the GOP is not playing bipartism politics.

Who is this lady going to blame next, the people who voted for the wicked witch of the west????????

Why does she not blame the person who is President. Instead of telling us how this is going to work exactly, he is out on the campaign trail doing town hall meetings where all he spreads is rhetoric. Oh wait, that is what a community organizer does. I guess Pelosi and Obama have forgot he is president now.

STOP blaming everyone but yourself Nancy. Your number three perso in this country, and you can not get the bill passed. Soooo, either your not as good as you think you are, or everyene else sees right through your bull.

Maybe the problem is that this health care bill is garbage and will ruin the country? Pelosi is a scumbag crook. And you want her telling you what procedures are allowed?
People, King Barack is taking our freedoms...WAKE UP!

I'll GLADLY take GOVERNMENT single payer over this so-called "healthcare" we have now. What we have is nothing more than "premiumcare". Can't wait for the GOP attack ads in August with all of the cool fear and division buzz words........rationing, socialism, blah, blah, blah.

Nancy Pelosi and Obama are nothing but a big joke... They are both Liars!!! They are running out of people to blame. Obama has not fixed anything he has put the American people so far in debt . He and Nancy are a disgrace!!!

For everyone that says we have to have free market. Our premiums keep going up, our benefits keep going down. The insurance companies keep making millions. Who do you think pays for their profits, salaries, bonuses, marketing. WE AER PAYING FOR THEIR 450% PROFIT. I am all for a free market, but healthcare need to be a right for everyone. You can not do a good job with healthcare with all you care about is your bottom line. They are not going to give the best healthcare, they are going to give the cheapest. Do you really think any insurance company cares about your health?

These companies are pumping millions of dollars into the pockets of every Congressman they can corrupt.

The money has no party lines and we need to find a way to stop these companies from buying our representatives.

We need a public option, for the competition with private insurers, but we don't need the plans being put forth solely by the Democrats.

Public non-acceptance of those disastrous plans are the roadblock, not insurance companies – they don't have a vote.

But it seems nobody is listening to the public.

There is an acceptable compromise between the cost-containment of the Republican plan and the spend, spend, spend plan of the Democrats, but party lines rule, not the public.

Politics as usual.

can we have your insurance as an option nancy? boehner is right. the majority of americans have no problem with their insurance. but the arguement i keep returning to is. has there really ever been anything (medicare, medicaid, social security) that government hasn't totally screwed up? do we really want this people? if so...fine. say goodbye to a lot of jobs. say goodbye to good prompt care. say hello to trillions of debt.

what pelosi and her supporters don't get is that while most americans want healthcare reform, many do not mean that to be universal healthcare. most americans want the practices of the insurance companies that deny coverage through less than reputable methods stopped. we already have a system of universal healthcar; it is called medicade and medicare. additonally, many americans struggle with the question of wether it is their responsibility to provide healthcare benefits to those who are here illegally. if pelosi and her supproters work harder towards addressing current practices and put into place safeguards to protect most americans, then this effort would enjoy wider support. most americans believe that they should have the right to have the opportunity for healthcare that protects them, not the right to simply have healthcare.

The Spendocrats have a majority in both House and Senate and they STILL blame someone else.

I thought the Dems had a majority in both the House and Senate? Is it possible that some of their members are taking money from the insurance industry to block this?

Nah...Dems have morals, right...?

If you can afford health care now I hope you can keep up with the rising costs. If your insurance refuses to pay a portion or you owe 20 -30% after you pay your deductable, you're medical costs could send you reeling into bankruptcy. Think about it. The GOP have bowed down to the Insurance lobbyists for years-where do you think they get their largest campaign contrinbutions? THINK. WE NEED REFORM NOW.

No one cares, until it's their ass that's dropped or they're the one facing a 70% increase in insurance premiums. There is no reason my health insurance premiums should be more than my fricking $1500 mortgage!!!

It's disgusting beyond belief. I will say that the GOP is brilliant at getting their base to believe and spread outright lies and half truths through fear and distraction.......BRILLIANT.

ALL, look at real clear politics, this is no conservative site, but look at the clip of Barney Frank admitting the goal of any public option is to eventually get full single payer govt run care. It is shocking in its boldness but noe shows the true intention. See it, pass it along.

Shocking

aren't companies supposed to make money?? that way they can hire and pay employees.....and provide a return to their investers?? those pesky economics............don't you just hate when it makes you look foolish

The problem rests squarely with President Obama and his failure to produce his own plan and focus his full attention on fighting for it. He needs to step up, lead and kick some butt. The worthless Congressional Democrats (and some Republican fellow travelers) would get in line quickly if the President would show some strong, and even revengeful, leadership. My fear is that this is just not in his nature...he seems to be seeking a congenial concensus...let the people (ie. Congress) decide...three cheers for participatory Congressional democracy...where is LBJ when we need him?

Well duh! It's because of the Health insurance that the single payer option was taken off of the table. Please believe that there are so many of our current congressional representatives so deep in the pocket of Big Pharma and Insurance lobbyist that we may never get universal healthcare
Universal healthcare will destroy the healthcare industry.
Health Insurance companies and large pharmaceutical don't want universal healthcare. They don't want any reform at all. They don't mind people are dying. they don't care if they bankrupt you for a cure.

Stop wasting the taxpayers time and patience, it's not just one entity–the insurance indusrty. It's the abuse of the personal injury industry. The waste of resourses, time and money of the goverment agencies already involved in the system. tell Nancy and the like to look at themselves first!

What could possibly be worse than having the government in charge of your health care?

I'll tell you what–Having a bunch of profit-driven insurance companies in charge of your healthcare. Anybody who thinks these people are interested in the health of the average American is blind or stupid.

Pelosi may be an idiot, but that doesn't mean she isn't right on this.

Pelosi is a nut case and needs to go home..........and she should take Obama with her......they make a good pair...........

As someone who works in the "healthcare" industry, far too many of you are far to ignorant to the realities. With all the trumped up pre-existing conditions just to drop people who paid on time for years...........it was the last straw for me.

To see people get bonuses for dropping the most people.........it was the last straw for me.

To see the disgustingly lavish parties put on for members of Congress in an effort to maintin status quo..............it was the last straw for me.

Not having affordable healthcare.............IS THE LAST STRAW FOR ME.

Let your elected officials know that if they don't support a REAL healtcare reform bill, not this superficial crap Blue Dogs are pushing, they will NOT get your vote come 2010 and 2012!!! Let them know!

I've made my calls, when will the rest of us stand up and say "NO MORE!

Enough with the excuses...do somebody do something positive and stop blaming others. Can only imagine how an Govt run Healthcare System would run. Crazy

And, Americans DO want another government run program. They voted for it, why can they not have it? Obama specifically said he wanted to give us a choice, INCLUDING a public option. He won the election by a landslide. WHY can we not have a public option? WHY????

Hey Nancy, maybe if your Democrat colleagues weren't accepting so much money from insurance companies and trial lawyers, then they wouldn't hold power over you. Quit making excuses and playing the blame game.

So you can afford health insurance huh? But can you afford to pay the costs that your insurance company refused to pay? The costs are rising and rising. The sky is the limit. Can you afford to pay that? Wake up America, we need Reform now!!

I blame the republican and blue dog democrates.

She is right, insurance company execs have gotten very rich off of denying americans the very coverage they purchase to the point people are literally dying waiting for insurance companies to pay.

the whole idea of this type of insurance is to take in a much money as possible, without paying anything or the very minimal.

Face it america you have been robbed blind by these companies for years and too stupid to even know it, and now being manipulated into voting against you own interest.

Unfortunately, americans can be breath takenly naive and pliable.

Ahh yes... those EVIL companies!!

Big Oil = Evil
Big Healthcare/Pharma = Villians
Big Utility Companies = Devilish

Big Government = wonderful, honest, trustworthy, efficient....

(eyes rolling)

Pelosi's right! keeping the insurance industry in the healthcare system while trying to 'fix' it is like giving a facelift to a patient who needs a heart transplant. single-payor is the only way to truly fix the system and make it work for everyone. HR-676 is twenty-seven perfectly clear, sensible, workable pages, not 1000 pages of compromises and gobbledygook that's only a band-aid solution.

A Blue Cross Blue Shield example of how they reimburse:

Charge = $180 (4 units of P.T.)
Reimbursement = $48
Pt. copay = $25
$ written off by provider = $107

Clearly, the insurance company can cough up some more money!

This woman is a witch. She has yet to respond to her 'lying' about the CIA briefings. How can she escape from her explanation. Besides she does not know how private insurance company are operating. This is the blame-game that Democrats play including Barack Obama. Get a life..

Where you see an insurance lobbyist is where you'll find a Republican. No kidding.

Wow, talk about the pot calling the kettle black. A few short months ago we HAD to bail out AIG, an insurance company no doubt, or the world would collapse. So, first insurance companies had to be saved and now the are demons. Evidently politicians can change their minds in a heart beat. If AIG was making so much money, why were they in a position to fail? Guess you won't ever hear truth come from either Senator Reid or Rep. Pelosi. So sad, you can't trust leadership in DC.

You are nothing but a self centered joke and should be run out of office. It's a sad day when she spends more on what she wants and her city that the insurance people do.

I hope she doesn't get re-elected we would be better off with out her never ending bad comments unless it's what she wants.

If you have inusrance now and think that this isn't your problem, you'd better think again. I have insurance, however, trying to pay off what the Insurance company didn't is sending me into bankruptcy. Before long, NO one will be able to afford any medical care. God bless one and all.

I love my health care as it is. My medical care is excellent and my insurance company is great to work with. It couldn't be better.

It IS the Insurance Industries fault. Ask yourself this? What, exactly, do Insurance Companies contribute towards making Americans healthy? Doctors? yes Nurses? yes Drug companies? yes Therapists? yes Guys who make everything from X-ray machines to band-aids? yes. All of these providers help contribute to health care and should be paid for and be able to amke a profit from health care. Insurance Companies do not add one thing of value to the process. Instead, they suck off about 15% of all the dollars spent in this country for healtch care and give nothing back excpet a bunch of hurdles and red tape. NOTHING! The "value added" claim of these companies is a bunch of bull!

The greedy insurance & pharmaceutical industry should be ashamed of itself! That includes ANY public servant doing their immoral bidding, instead of working towards real healthcare reforms for the American people.

Funny to see people praising and defending such unbridled corporate greed.......meanwhile, they struggle to pay their premiums. Only in Bizarro Republicanville!

Attn: ANYONE WHO IS LIVING UNDER FANTASY THAT ANY PUBLIC OPTION IN ANY FORM IS NOT THE DESIGNED FIRST STEP TOWARD SINGLE PAYER GOVT RUN CARE, you must listen to Barney Franks startling admission of that very strategy. It is on Drudge. Posters, defenders of conservative liberties, spread the word.

And Liberals, it is OK, this is the best for the country. Finally , we can have a more respectful debate since the true goal we knew all along is revealed. Lets debate the long term known outcome.

Of course the insurance industry wants to make as much money as possible, and with their deep pockets they will try anything to minimize the "damage" to their botton lines.

Watch to see how many lobbyists show up to try to get as many changes as possible through.

The insurance has brought this on by their greed, now they don't like this.

I would ask, if this healthcare plan is sooooo great, then why are the congress EXEMPT from participating. They get to keep their very lucrative and lavish lifestyle while they keep telling the rest of us – there needs to be sacrifice and WE need to share the wealth. IF IT IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR US, REMEMBER, YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO WORK FOR THE PEOPLE, THEN ALL THE THE VOTED INTO OFFICE SHOULD ALSO BE INCLUDED. I BET WE WOULD SEE BETTER GOVERNMENT AND BETTER EVERYTHING IF THEY HAD TO LIVE WITH WHAT THEY EXPECT THE VOTER TO LIVE WITH !!!!

[...] insurance companies are opposed to healthcare reform legislation which might increase their competition and/or lower their profits. [...]

George W. and fellow Republicans gave the Insuranee Industry full rein. Thats what Repunoicans did for us!!!

I worked for an HMO and their sole mission was to drop as many customers as possible, while avoiding any legal ramifications. The more you dropped, the more you were paid in "bonuses". Something is very wrong with that, especially in this so-called "Christian nation".
In this country.......................it's all about a buck!

FACT: HEALTH INSURANCE IS A RACKET.

Free market principles do not work with Health Insurance because it is NOT something you can shop around for. If you want it, you have to take what you can get.

Pelosi needs to home and listen to what her constituents have
to say (of course they're all goofy too).

Looks who's calling the kettle black!!