Diagnosing The Health Care Debate

Sunday Morning: How Are The Candidates' Health Proposals Different — And Will They Help The Uninsured?

(CBS)  Our presidential candidates are offering their own proposals for how to improve our health care system. What changes can Americans look forward to, particularly those not insured? Our cover story is reported by Rita Braver:

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At Signe's Heaven Bound Bakery and Café on Hilton Head Island, S.C., everything is made from scratch …

"Butter, sugar, eggs, there's nothing in a box, never in a box," said owner Signe Gardo.

The dozen or so employees who work here pride themselves on the food they turn out. But customers are blissfully unaware of something that troubles Gardo:

She cannot provide health insurance to her employees.

Gardo, who at age 67 is herself covered by Medicare, once did offer insurance.

But now she says, like some 40% of all small business owners, she just can't afford it.

"Recently I costed it out," she told Braver. "It could go as high as $70,000 for me. I mean, it's a matter of where do I appropriate the money? It's not coming, you know, through the door."

There are now about 46 million Americans without coverage. The folks who work at the Heaven Bound Café have been lucky - none of them has faced a health care crisis, yet.

But if you wonder what's it's like to be seriously ill, and have no health insurance, travel a few miles down the road and meet 48-year-old Sharon McGovern. Last year she was diagnosed with an aggressive type of cancer, follicular lymphoma.

"You never think that something like this is going to happen," she said.

"I was panicking, I didn't what to do. You know, some people with this disease can wait and watch. Some people can't and I just knew in myself that I could not."

McGovern (left) had reason to be scared. In 1998 her then-32-year-old husband succumbed to liver cancer, after he put off getting treatment because his construction job offered no health insurance.

"How long between when he was diagnosed and when he passed away?" Braver asked.

"Six weeks."

Sharon was raising their son alone. She'd found a job with health insurance, and was doing fine … until she was laid off. She could have continued her old insurance by buying a temporary bridge plan but there was a problem:

If she had paid for what the health insurance was costing, she couldn’t have kept paying her mortgage.

"No, I couldn't. I could not. We couldn't afford hardly anything at that point."

Before she could start a new job, her cancer was detected.

"And my greater fear is 'What's gonna happen?' I'm by myself. I have my child to take care of."

22,000 uninsured Americans die each year because they can't get care. And without insurance, Sharon McGovern was turned away by several doctors.

Her life was saved because she came to the Medical University of South Carolina, where she got onto a clinical drug trial.

"She wasn't just sick, she was dying sick," said Dr. Jack Feussner. "And somebody has to take care of the patients when that happens."

"Somebody" usually turns out to be a non-profit hospital like this one, says Dr. Feussner, chairman of the department of medicine.

"Our charity care has escalated in a frightening way to us: $80 to 100 million," he said. "We are getting to the point where this is threatening our financial solvency."

It's not just here: In 2006, American hospitals provided $3.2 billion worth of unpaid care.

And patients like Chris Fleming (left), who works full-time for a property management company, still flock to emergency rooms all across the country.

"Has your work ever offered you any health insurance?" Braver asked.

"Eh, no, they have not," Fleming replied.

The hospital hires social workers like Stephanie Power to help find care for uninsured patients.

While the truly indigent are entitled to free insurance thru Medicaid benefits, and the elderly get Medicare, low-wage earners often turn up here because, under the law, hospitals must provide emergency room services for all patients.

But who really ends up paying for the uninsured? All of us.

"Maybe the standard amount that you charge a person with health insurance is a little bit higher to make up for all the uininsured?" Braver asked.

"Correct," said Dr. Feussner. "Patients with health insurance probably pay disproportionately more than they might if everybody was insured."

The two presidential candidates have radically different approaches to the health insurance crisis.

Sen. John McCain says it's time to move away from employer-based care …

"I want to give every American family a $5,000 refundable tax credit," he said. "Take it and get anywhere in America the health care that you wish."

As a trade off, McCain would tax - for the first time - employer-provided health insurance policies, which average about $12,000 annually for a family.

"The practical effect of the changes in the tax system that he's talking about are going to decrease employer sponsored insurance," said Linda Blumberg of the non-partisan Urban Institute's Health Policy Center.

That's because, according to Blumberg, young, healthy people will be able to find cheaper coverage on the open market than at work. And employers may no longer feel obligated to offer group insurance for everyone else.

The McCain plan, I think, would actually hurt people who have health conditions and people who are older, because they would not fare as well obtaining health insurance coverage away from their employers."

Fr the highest-risk patients, like Sharon McGovern, McCain says he would get states to subsidize special insurance pools called "guaranteed access plans." How they would be funded is unclear.

As for Sen. Barak Obama, he said, "If you've got health insurance through your employer, you can keep your health insurance, keep your choice of doctor, keep your plan."

Obama wants to build on the current employer-based system, subsidizing small businesses that can't afford insurance.

He would also create large insurance pools to sell affordable coverage to the uninsured, including those with severe health problems like Sharon. Larger businesses that don't offer employee health insurance would be required to pay in.

Health policy groups estimate that many more of the uninsured would be covered under Obama's plan. But it would be more expensive:

"The Obama plan just sounds like it's going to cost taxpayers so much money," Braver said.

"Well, there is potential for big increases on spending if we're not careful about putting a serious emphasis on cost containment," Blumberg (left) said.

Today, more than half of all bankruptcies are due in part to health care expenses. It has not come to that yet for Sharon McGovern, though she did lose her house.

She doesn't know what she will do if her cancer goes out of remission.

"It's so scary," she said, "because I don't know what's going to happen."

What's more, she worries that no matter who wins the election, health care reform will become a low priority again:

"And that's one of my greatest concerns, is that it will get shoved under the rug because of the way the economy is right now."

And Dr. Feussner says hospitals like his have no choice but to keep trying to provide the best treatment possible, even as funds are harder to find.

"And what happens if we reach the breaking point?" he said. "Do I hope one of these candidates will become president and help with this? Yes, I do. I hope that they will do enough - if they don't do everything, that they will do enough - so that we don't have to look into that abyss."

"I don't know what the answer is," McGovern said, "but it should not be this way. How can we as an American people let people walk away or die because they can't afford health insurance?"

[ratkins815]

Medicaid is for uninsured people who have little or no income but an adult with no minor children at home must be deemed disabled before receiving benefits. Being determined disabled is not easy. Aside from having to go through a process which may last months, if not years, to get benefits, Medicaid can''t help with preventative medical care, or medical treatment for a serious illness until you qualify for benefits.

[hypnotoad72]

"I want to give every American family a $5,000 refundable tax credit," he said. "Take it and get anywhere in America the health care that you wish."

And that money, which is probably taxable, covers how many months'' worth? If 12, and depending what''s covered, then it''s no problem.

What about people with preexisting conditions or ramifications caused by an accident or injury made by a previous doctor? Or war? Let''s bring tort reform into this too.

Sounds like both candidates'' plans will cost taxpayers'' some money. May as well do what is most effective.

[wbmartiniii]

We have a system that is broken because it lacks the basic principal of ''supply and demand'' price control. Prices continue to spiral out of control due to federal laws that control supply while the population continues to demand more.

I, for one, was a qualified medical school applicant with MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) scores in the top 15%, but my grades were inferior due to a desire to do too much (work in an ER, ambulance, and fire department plus more course work than "desireable" applicants ever had). There was NO way around the applicant dilema and no way to "test out".

Besides an abundant supply of ready, willing, and able physician-appliants, we also have foreign nationals who are over-educated and under-employed.

Today, I sell real estate. Why? Because, there''s nothing I can do inbetween and no mechanism for those who do 20 years of medical research to contribute to the health care supply.

Bill Martin
rlstate.com

[bb543]

You can argue this till you''re blue in the face. The
only way to bring about UHC for Americans is to:
i) Stop doctors from getting rich.
ii)Stop insurance companies from getting rich
on heatlh insurance policies.

Given the power of their lobbyists, neither is
very likely. EOArgument.

[doctor--fool]

OMG! Did you see McCain on Meet The Press today? He looked befuddled and confused. Couldn''t remember the names of former secretaries of states who had endorsed him. I felt sorry for him. This is really no way for him to be remembered. He bit off more than he could chew this time, and it''s kind of sad.

[zaniacloclo]

Socialize medicine will seriously diminsh the quality of health care provided to Americans. Quality of health care not quantity is critical. It does us no good that we all have a doctor that can not heal you.
In countries with socialize medicine people do not have as good as care as we do here because they do not have the advances and the choices that we have.
It also takes you twice as long to get any procedure done regardless of how critical the needs is.
There is a lot of misinformation out there right now on very critical issues that will change the quality of our lives.

[callistemon-2009]

i see on *judge judy* people can get SSI without seeming to be the slightest bit disabled. i know judge judy is just a tv show that comes on, but surely some of that is enough true to warrant her being all upset by these people *using the system*. what i don''t understand is...how can these people who seem to have just a little something wrong, like a hurt foot, get disability from the government for something as insignificant as that? i know i''m making snap judgments here, based on even someone''s else''s (judge judy''s seemingly snap judgments), but i''d really like to know how much money a year goes out to these people who could really be working and making their way in life, instead of just sitting there and pulling in money that theyre not entitled to.

yes, i watch judge judy in the afternoons. i work nights.

[laugef]

There is a solution to this problem. 59% of physicians now support a single payer health care system. This would socialize the payment of medicine (ie insurance) but leave the delivery of medicine (when you go see you doctor) private. The is a house bill HR 676 that is for a national healthcare insurance. McCains plan would essentially allow insurance companies to profit off of healthy people and make the public pay for everybody who is sick. Obama''s plan is a rehashing of the plans that have already failed in Massachusets, Vermont, Tennesse, Washington etc. We need a new system. Visit physicians for a national health plan www.pnhp.org for more info.

[renonv5]

We just want the same health care that all of the politicians get, for the rest of their lives. Of course we pay for that and they give us nothing in return. Do you see anything wrong with that picture???

[rudy654-2009]

Posted by renonv5 at 12:01 PM

exactly!!!!!!

Let''s take away McCain''s health care package, leave him with one trailer house, and only medicare and let''s see if he doesn''t get a new point of view.

[rudy654-2009]

Posted by myhog6 at 12:06 PM

That''s actually bullcaca brought out every damm time by you people. I know people from Canada and Europe who absolutely refuse to give up their citizenship in case they need to go back and be taken care of.

[rudy654-2009]

The patient would be dead if they waited.
***********

I guess an idiot like you is unaware of how long people have to go without healthcare in the US. Didn''t even read the article did ya?

[mccain08nc]

Does anyone that is commenting here actually work in the medical field? I mean really Is it doctors greed that makes them go to school for 10 years to help people? How many of you believe a doctors should be forced to live like the rest of us?

It just is discusting the way the left thinks of people, there are very few millionaire doctors but with out doctors none of us would be here.

While were at it lets look at medicare and medicade these are government run how well do they work?

[mccain08nc]

You people who want more government in our lives are truly ignorant! Government has proven time and time again all they can do is screw things up. But yet you think they won''t screw up our healthcare worse than it already is.

[rudy654-2009]

While were at it lets look at medicare and medicade these are government run how well do they work?


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Posted by McCain08NC at 12:11 PM

Why don''t you complain about the trillions of dollars going to a fake war????

Every other western nation has their people taken care of, and you people only care about the unborn, but after their born they''re on their own.

[rudy654-2009]

While were at it lets look at medicare and medicade these are government run how well do they work?


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Posted by McCain08NC at 12:11 PM

AND I guess you think the Maverick''s plan to tax our benefits is cool. Right??? JOE DUH PLUMMMER??

[mccain08nc]

Why don''''t you complain about the trillions of dollars going to a fake war????

Every other western nation has their people taken care of, and you people only care about the unborn, but after their born they''''re on their own.

Posted by rudy654
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See there in is the problem you want to bring up a war when we are discussing health care. I asked a simple question and you bring back to the war.

Lets use the war I agree the government screwed it up it and wether you want to admit it dems were involve in *** up. So lets turn our healthcare over to them. And I love people who want to use canada as an example.

Yes canada''s system works for people who are low income because they will take anyting compared to nothing but people who can afford it come to the US because our quality of service is 10 times better.

[tincup356]

The problem we face is because of Greed,research and discovery costs are a farce, way overrated.pharmaceutical companies make billions overcharging people for medications they need.Simple non surgery illnesses for the middle class with no insurance can add up quick, with no real treatment to actually help. My wife just went to the Dr. and was diagnosed with kidney stones,office visit and x ray...300.00, then a trip to an imagery specialist...700.00, then back to the first Dr. for meds.another 200.00 plus Dr did not listen to allergy info and wife had no pain meds because we could not get in touch with Dr. No answering service or emergency number.Still she has not gotten any real treatment and we are out over a thousand dollars.not much to some people but when you live paycheck to paycheck because the cost of living has run out of sight you do what you can. Yes we have a massive greed problem and it is costing Americans dearly so the elite few can ride in style while we pay for it.

[erasmus81]

Then you need their permission for an Operation to take samples. Then you need their permission to remove a malignant tumor.

Posted by myhog6 at 12:06 PM : Oct 26, 2008

I love it how you people get on here and spew a bunch of gargage. It doesn''t even have to be true.

The government of Canada does NOT say whether I can have any test or surgery. My doctor does. If my doctor says I need an MRI or surgery, I get an MRI and surgery.

[mccain08nc]

AND I guess you think the Maverick''''s plan to tax our benefits is cool. Right??? JOE DUH PLUMMMER??


Posted by rudy654
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If you can tell me how the almighty one will pay for his plan I will say it is better then Mccains. But the prblem is all we have from Obama is a pandering promise with no plan to impliment it. I know Mccains idea to tax our current plan is scary but at least he put his plan out there. A pandering promise is just that unless you give a plan how you are going to pay for it.

[lmartink]

Something has to be done. Hospitals nationwide are in a crisis phase. Almost no one can pay for the care that can save lives.

And make no mistake, the quality of health care in this country is spiraling down when compared to other countries. And we haven''t reached bottom yet.

[tincup356]

i cant believe anyone an give support to either party as neither represents the people, this has become quite evident as the vote for a Sellout was made.who represented you and who represented the lobby dollar , its real simple folks, want to know who''s responsible? FOLLOW THE MONEY, just as water flows to the lowest spot , this money will flow to the source of the problem.

[erasmus81]

Posted by zaniacloclo at 11:41 AM : Oct 26, 2008

"Socialize medicine will seriously diminsh the quality of health care provided to Americans."

BULL

"In countries with socialize medicine people do not have as good as care as we do here because they do not have the advances and the choices that we have."

BULL

"It also takes you twice as long to get any procedure done regardless of how critical the needs is."

BULL

"There is a lot of misinformation out there right now..."

You got that right, and you are the one spewing out that misinformation.

[laugef]

I don''t like government not do I particularly trust them, however I have absolutely zero trust for private companies who have a legal obligation to maximize profit and minimize spending. The only way that you can do that is to deny people care. The overhead cost at Aetna (insurance company) was close to 20% last year (that''s not including the amount of money that hospitals and physician offices had to spend on medical billing specialists). The overhead for medicare was about 4%. So that is at a minimum 16% more money to spend on health care. The insurance companies aren''t necessarily evil they just have a legal obligation to maximize profits. This interest is usually at direct opposition to the best interests of the patient.

[tincup356]

Move over David Copperfield, you are no longer the greatest illusionist, The United States Government has hereby created the worlds greatest illusion,they are going to make trillions of hard earned future tax dollars magically appear in the accounts of corporate world and we the people will be left with the bill, and be starving in the process because we will not be able to afford to eat, house ourselves, or afford to live normal lives.Thank you to the faithful followers of both parties,through your hardheadedness we have been sold out by your great parties, and have been left to fend for ourselves.FORGET PARTY PRIDE, we need to vote out all incumbents who have supported this mess, forget thinking they are heroes, because they are far from it .They are the problem and they come from both sides of the isle,insurgent congressmen, and they must be eliminated.

[relee42]

McCain''s family made their fotune off the backs of Mississippi slaves. McCain has lived his entire life under "socialized medicine". Why would anybody in their right mind vote for this Wile E. Coyote wing-nut of the extreme dixiecratic.

[x-republican]

George Bush you are the greatest and thanks again.

Posted by AFactJack at 12:26 PM : Oct 26, 2008

Guess as a lame duck president, you don''t have much else to do besides congratulating yourself under a pseudonym. LOL

[zaniacloclo]

If anyone has any doubt about this. Ask a Canadian or a German...

Socialize medicine will seriously diminsh the quality of health care provided to Americans. Quality of health care not quantity is critical. It does us no good that we all have a doctor that can not heal you.
In countries with socialize medicine people do not have as good as care as we do here because they do not have the advances and the choices that we have.
It also takes you twice as long to get any procedure done regardless of how critical the needs is.
There is a lot of misinformation out there right now on very critical issues that will change the quality of our lives.

[mccain08nc]

So tell me, what''''s McCain''''s plan that is so much more detailed than Obama''''s? Yeah, didn''''t think so.

Posted by rafterman1


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Mccain put out there that he was going to tax current plans not very popular but he put it out there. Now What has Obama put out there?

1) He is going to allow people to join the government plan which should might make the policy cost $7000 to $8000 a year instead of the national average of $12000. So how is the the people who can''t afford 12,000 going to afford 7-8 thousands.

2) He says he is going to force insurance companies to cover preexisting contions. Which will cost insurance companies millions maybe even billions in new costs

3) He then promises if you decide to keep your current plan he lower your cost by 2500. And he''s says he going to this by working with the insurance companies. Translation he is going to try and wave his dictatorship wand and make our insurance cheaper.

So please explain where the plan is any where in any of that?

[mccain08nc]

==="In countries with socialize medicine people do not have as good as care as we do here because they do not have the advances and the choices that we have."===
Posted by pelosilover

Health care statistiocs do not bear this out. In fact, the US is middle of the pack of western countries when it comes to life expectancy.


Posted by rafterman1
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Please explain to me why if the USA is so bad do countries like Poland have lotteries for people to win visa''s tho come to teh US. I mean poland has socialized medicine but their people migrate to the US on a daily basis.

Why if socialism is so grand do cubans die by the thousands every year trying to get to the USA. Isn''t cuba sacialist country?

You USA hating people who think we are a such a dispicable nation should try and migrate to a socialist nation and see how that works for you. Maybe we should promote a 1 year citizenship garentee so when you go there you can still come back to the greatest country in the world.

[ojf64]

Part 1:
The health care system is in dire need of an overhaul.
As a start, when government officials have to live by the same rules the rest of us do they will begin to really care not just pretend.
Pharmaceutical companies are out of control. For instance, my wife has uses an infusion drug for rheumatoid arthritis that cost $5200.00 per treatment every 6 %u2013 8 weeks - that is outrages!

[ojf64]

Part 2:
Our employer over the years has struggled to keep insurance an option and currently still does. Unfortunately the premiums continue to sky rocket the services continue to be cut and deductibles are ever increasing to a point where a person has to take out a mortgage to cover the %u201Cout of pocket expenses%u201D . Once again our employer has found it necessary to look again for a new insurance and in the process our deductible for a family has gone from $5000.00 to $10,000 and it appears the new insurance won%u2019t cover the current medication she has been taking (and working for her) for the past 4 years. It amazes me that insurance companies get to play doctor by choosing which medications or treatments they want to pay for; it obliviously shows they only care about the bottom dollar. I guess we will once again see where this all lands us.
It is really time to make health care affordable for all. It is high time the health care basics are available to everyone not just a select or fortunate few. It%u2019s time to curb the appetite of the insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies who in my opinion are very large portion of the problem in this country.

[mccain08nc]

Part 1:
The health care system is in dire need of an overhaul.
As a start, when government officials have to live by the same rules the rest of us do they will begin to really care not just pretend.
Pharmaceutical companies are out of control. For instance, my wife has uses an infusion drug for rheumatoid arthritis that cost $5200.00 per treatment every 6 %u2013 8 weeks - that is outrages!

Posted by ojf64


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Do you have any clue how much it costs to develope medicines, the years of developement and Millions some times billions it cost to get FDA approval. So what you think they just pull price out of their arse.

You are truly ignorant if you think the government should dictate medical cost!!!

[erasmus81]

Posted by pelosilover at 12:46 PM : Oct 26, 2008

"Which is WHY people try to come to the US when they need something serious..."

The only reason SOME come to the U.S., isn''t because it is serious, it''s because they are RICH snots that can''t wait for a week or so.

"Unless you are DYING, you are waiting!"

Are there some that have to wait? Maybe. It would depend on what it was. I haven''t seen any. I, my family, or anyone that I know of, has never had to wait.

[obama423]

McCain08

You haven''t got a clue buddy, seriously! Where do you get your ideas. Socialize medicine? You''re obviously lacking writing skills as well as being educated in the subject that you just posted about.

Socialized medicine would not diminish care at all, how could it diminish care when people are denied coverage everyday by private insurance companies who are out to make a "Buck". Doctors make mistakes everyday even with the insurance policy in place now. And then when they make a mistake and you catch the mistake ten years down the road and don''t have insurance to pay for the things you needed ten years earlier, who''s door are you knocking on?

The government provides football equipment for almost every high school in the nation to beat each other up and then when they''re all used up they''re left with out any insurance. Why don''t they just get rid of all the equipment for football and start providing everyone with insurance.

Why don''t you talk to some people from Denmark and ask they how their insurance works. America is the only developed Country with out universal insurance plan. It''s really a hard subject to understand unless you actually need insurance and you''re not just working and paying for insurance when you don''t need anything done.

You''re ridiculous and have no clue as to what you''re talking about.

[westtexas8]

rafterman1 and znniancloclo-before I post any farther;I love this country very much. The love of country,call that patritism,is not prededicated on the idea of never questioning authority. I do have a question for all of you- why are the same drugs manfactured in Germany or Canada less costly than in the USA? I know for a fact they are. Next question- why are MS patients traveling to Costa Rica for treatment (that is working BTW),why are retirees paying hard cash for countries in the Far east to perform medical surgeries. The cost difference noted is as follows- a $10k surgery here in the US is $3k-$7k. This has been noted by AARP. If a small business makes under 250k per year there is not cost for paying in under the OBama plan. 1099 employess are at no cost,ever. Allowing employess to purchase plans and setting a bar on what the insuracne companies can do/charge will lower costs. In addition,McCain/Palin talk a good game- no spreading of wealth,market controlled health care. Yes well, the ticket does not mind spreading my wealth nor does it mind allowing the same calibar of individuals, (CEO''s and CFO''s, and BOT) who demolished the finanical market to be in charge of health care. Now there is a scary thought.

[erasmus81]

"You people who want more government in our lives are truly ignorant! Government has proven time and time again all they can do is screw things up."

Posted by McCain08NC at 12:14 PM : Oct 26, 2008

For starters, you need to vote in the right person for president. The one you think is LESS CORRUPT.

The only reason that things are the way they are in the U.S., is because the American people have ALLOWED it to become that way. If the American people started DEMANDING what they wanted, things would be different. You can''t expect to sit on your a-s-s and do nothing and expect things to change.

[our2cents]

They could do what the Federal Receiver is doing for California State Prison inmates. They are going to bring prison health care up to an undefined "constitutional standard". (Law-abiding citizens can die without treatment because they are "free" to "choose" whether to seek care, but not inmates.) Anyway, the receiver is building prison hospitals, raising the salaries of all medical staff (which causes competion and higher costs with regular health organizations). The Federal government could build clinics, local and regional hospitals and pay set salaries to doctors who treat the uninsured. This should lower costs for insurance premiums and for hospitals who are now paying for the uninsured. I bet it would cost far less than the billions they just paid to AIG and Wall Street.

[ojf64]

McCain08NC wrote:

Do you have any clue how much it costs to develope medicines, the years of developement and Millions some times billions it cost to get FDA approval. So what you think they just pull price out of their arse.

You are truly ignorant if you think the government should dictate medical cost!!!

You are the ignorant one%u2026.the price in other countries is lower than right here in USA where it is made, explain that! You obviously have not had a spouse or someone close to you have a horrible illness %u2013 let me tell you something oh ignorant one%u2026.I%u2019ve buried one wife from a horrible disease (Huntington%u2019s Disease) already so don%u2019t even begin to lecture me on the costs and pitfalls of healthcare and the issues that surround it!!!!

[trrll]

The fact is that by objective measures such as lifespan and infant mortality, countries with "socialized medicine" do as well or better than the USA. The only major difference is that they don''t have situations such as happen so frequently in the US: your employer lets you go you because you are sick and keep missing work for doctor appointments, you can''t get insurance because you have a preexisting condition, and anyway you now have no job to pay for it, and you can''t get another job because you are spending your days standing in line for hours waiting in the charity line at the emergency room to get the urgent medical care you need to stay alive--or at least to die in not too much pain. This is the true face of medical care in the US.

Choice means nothing when your only choice is which insurance company--and every one of them is looking for an excuse to deny you coverage.

[ojf64]

I really agree with william8891, you have hit the nail square on the head.

Another note for McCain08NC.....it may cost pharmaceuticals millions or billions but how many millions and billions do they waste on ridiculous advertisements and some are so long you want to puke afterwards from the waste.

[jpr9954]

For Rita Braver to call the Urban Institute non-partisan is intellectually dishonest. They are no more non-partisan than I am the man in the moon.

I did a quick check of the Fed. Election Commission''s reports on campaign contributions in this Presidential election. 60 out of 66 contributions were made by employees of the Urban Institute to Barack Obama. The other six were made to Hillary Clinton. Not one contribution was made to a Republican.

Furthermore, Dr. Blumberg, who was interviewed by Ms. Braver, was a heath care policy advisor to the Clinton administration according to her own bio placed on the Urban Institute''s website.

Is it any wonder that a majority of Americans think the media is in bed with Obama?

[jpr9954]

For Rita Braver to call the Urban Institute non-partisan is intellectually dishonest. They are no more non-partisan than I am the man in the moon.

I did a quick check of the Fed. Election Commission''s reports on campaign contributions in this Presidential election. 60 out of 66 contributions were made by employees of the Urban Institute to Barack Obama. The other six were made to Hillary Clinton. Not one contribution was made to a Republican.

Furthermore, Dr. Blumberg, who was interviewed by Ms. Braver, was a heath care policy advisor to the Clinton administration according to her own bio placed on the Urban Institute''s website.

Is it any wonder that a majority of Americans think the media is in bed with Obama?

[erasmus81]

The people of America are obsessed with not having the "government" control everything. But aren''t you being controlled anyways? You are being controlled by all the insurances companies, drug companies, etc. The insurance companies can cancel on you at any time. They can choose not to cover whatever they want. You are charged an arm and a leg for your medications, and you can''t even guarantee that what you are taking is indeed what it says it is. Your hospitals are run privately, and so therefore you have no say in what goes on there.

Here, in Canada, because the government is regulating things, our insurance cannot be yanked out from under us. Whatever is said to be "covered" IS covered. We don''t have to deal with any insurance companies. The drug companies can''t scam us. Our hospitals are maintained properly for cleanliness etc.

The Americans are constantly saying how we have to wait, but I have not witnessed it. And even if we did have to wait a bit, or we pay a little higher taxes, it''s worth it. We ALL have health care. No one is dying from lack of health care here.

[cattlekate]

Posted by erasmus81 at 03:11 PM : Oct 26, 2008

Thank you for taking the time to make the Best Post of the Day.

In summary, McCain''s health insurance is for us to marry a Canadian. He is so out of touch.

[aggiekat2004]

I have friends...with two small children, that are paying $1400 a month for healthcare coverage...that doesn''t even cover the cost of actual copayments or drugs...just the "privilege" of having insurance.

And I recently got laid off from my job in construction...the COBRA payment for my coverage (a healthy female) was over $350 a month.

So, John McCain...you''re going to make me come up with the money for health insurance every moneht...out of my pocket...then once a year I''ll get a stupid tax writeoff?

And HOW is this going to help people who are struggling to pay mortgages and their kid''s college and braces? If you''re making a choice between paying the mortgage and health insurance, which do YOU think I''m going to choose? I don''t have an extra $12,000 laying around to pay for your stupid insurance plan!

And ALL we need is deregulation of the healthcare industry. If anything, we need oversight because it''s just OUTTA HAND!

[aggiekat2004]

Posted by erasmus81 at 03:11 PM : Oct 26, 2008

Thank you for taking the time to make the Best Post of the Day.

In summary, McCain''''s health insurance is for us to marry a Canadian. He is so out of touch.

Posted by cattlekate at 03:18 PM : Oct 26, 2008
----------

Agreed. Perhaps we can outsource our healthcare system to the Canadians!

[McHineguy]

Correction for typo errors:

Things that dont matter YET. But will next year.

1. He has NO friends, anywhere. Not even Bill Ayers or Tony Rezko, or just boyhood groupies.

2. He has no college transcripts. Not even a thesis paper or people he studied with.

3. He has no official birth certificate.

4. He has never authored anything except the book "Dreams from my Father". Certainly no legislation.

5. He wants to make the middle class part of the welfare class. Feed us all on spoils from taxing "the rich".

BUT WE TRUST HIM BECAUSE:

1. He isnt Hilary Clinton.

2. We are mad at the Republicans.

3. We think he will do our health care and feed us better than we can.

ARE WE NUTS?

[obama423]

John mccain

He graduated the United States Naval Academy

(Annapolis) in 1958 with a BS.

He ranked 894th in his class of 899, almost flunking out before graduation.

[caldwellptr]

I am on a Health Care Holiday this year, which is a light hearted way of saying that, other than maintaining my Health Insurance, I can''t afford to do anything else like see a doctor. I can''t afford prescriptions anymore so I eliminated them, I can''t afford to go the doctor or have lab work. If I could have only withstood the pain, I would not have gone to the dentist to have a tooth pulled. And I still could not afford that. My budget for Health Care next year - $0