Dear Hillary:

This is how you run for president........
you have to face the tough issues........

Let this be a lesson for you after last night......

Not as much help on covering the uninsured as I would like, but keeping costs down has to be a part of any health care reform.

Its called poor people .They have enough competition to get health care cut them a break you greedy godless uncharitable puckers.

Now McCain is trying to go Democrat sock to Joe public, they'll try anything to keep Big Business on their side.

The only problem is that we are not operating on the free-market system now.  Competition would decrease doctor's bills and insurance premiums.  As a result, more people could afford health insurance, and the market would offer a better means that a liberal health plan.  Remember, the Mayo Clinic offered a plan in which a part was people pay for part themselves.  I also think it is a far better approach to socialized medicine.  Not everybody wants or needs health insurance.  I don't want to pay for everybody else and I certainly don't want everybody else to pay for me.

I agree that we have to cover children, but once people become adults, they have to make wise decisions.  Tax credits and subsides can also help make it more affordable for those without.  That is freedom, that is America.

The whole debate is about what is fair.  We are dissatisfied with our current system, but don't wish socialized medicine.  It's not fair that some people don't have access to health insurance, but it's also not fair for all to have premium insurance--we'd go broke.  All-in-all, McCain's plan is not bad.  It is conservatism with compassion, how it's supposed to work.

Mccain's plan would do nothing to help the middle class.

"Nobody ever washed a rental car."

I have. This sort of suggests (to me) that President Jesuit killer didn't know everything.

the problem with the free market approach is free market, the insurance and pharmaceutical companies write their own rules, until they are forced to change costs will never be 'under control' and people with pre-existing conditions won't have insurance.

the free market may be acceptable if you are selling golf balls or mercedes, but it ain't worth a damn for what some people consider necessities.

Comparing health care to taking care of a rental car is just plain silly.  It's comparable to the president using shopping for the cheapest Lasik surgery as comparable to find a doctor who would perform the cheapest examination and provide the best quality.  There is no free market for health care.  Why?  Becasuse it's a scarce resource -- you get an appointment often on an emergency basis based on a referral from a treating physician.  Second, you have no way of ascertain who's the best and who's the cheapest.  When is the last time you went to a doctor's office and saw rates posted, or could find out how many patients were mistreated.  Third, is a low income person in this country really going to be able to make an informed decisions based on a high school or less education with the little bit of information at his fingertips.  Yes, all we need is a little more informed choice and individual responsibility.  When is the last time you shopped around for a cheaper MRI or x-ray when you were in pain and your doctor sent you the nearest office to diagnose what was wrong.  

Tell us again how that taxpayer funded healthcare you receive is such a waste of money? I have an idea, no subsidized insurance for anyone including military retirees and postal workers...if it is socialized medicine for the rest of us it is for them too...throw them off the dole

"We are a Judeo-Christian valued nation that says we have to take care of those who cannot take care of themselves," McCain said.

-- are atheists off the hook? Fine, I would probably mess up doing amateur surgery on my neighbors anyway.

Here is the money quote from this:

"McCain said the majority of people without health care are not necessarily without the lack of funds. "The majority of Americans who have no health insurance today are healthy Americans who choose not to," he said."

Kind of explains why he's stuck at 10% or so in the polls - how out of touch do you have to be to say this.

So how exactly does he know that they are healthy Americans - because they dont see a doctor or go to the hospital ER with symptoms? Maybe they don't go to the doctor because they don't want to pay a $500 bill, maybe they don't want to have surgery on their knees and pay $70,000 out of pocket !!!
What an idiot.

Paw Paw: Yet the ''side''they are on,is that of the Democrats,who now get to explain why Americas biggest private-sector businesses including those in healthcare,are throwing their weight in behind these.

ABC NEWS July 27,2007:''Wall Street Starts To Lean Democrat''.

The Center for Responsive Politics www.opensecrets.org ''The Money Trail'',donations by-business to-candidate.[healthcare lobbyists].

How will it work out in the real world to shift the market from insurance onto individuals?  Currently the majority of private insurance is purchased by companies, especially large companies.  They employ specialists in this area and hold their substantial employer bases out to insurers as a carrot to get the best price possible.  This puts them on a somewhat even footing with the large insurance companies, though not enough so to keep insurance from being a more profitable business than almost any of their clients.  An individual is highly unlikely to be as qualified as a professional benefits coordinator to be able to tell a good plan from a poor one.  In terms of economies of scale he has only his own family.  As a negotiator he's one person on his own time staring down a multibillion dollar corporation.  The insurance companies have a database with his information to make sure their prices "accurately reflect" the market.  He has nothing, not even much ability to let potential customers know he's been ripped off.  If he tries to alert others he's likely to be sued.  Somehow this is going to reduce the cost of health care?  This is nothing but a smokescreen, designed to get employers out of their assumed responsibility to provide insurance benefits while leaving the insurers even more free to prey on individual consumers.  Don't be fooled.

McCain said the majority of people without health care are not necessarily without the lack of funds. "The majority of Americans who have no health insurance today are healthy Americans who choose not to," he said

John is very confused but he isn't lying. When you have to choose between eating and paying the insurance bill, you actually are chosing "not to" have health insurance. I don't know about you, but sustanance is a little more important than having an HMO collect my money and telling me when I can  or can't have an important medical procedure.

This line of thinking is precisely why middle class working families go bankrupt in this country. And why county hospitals are inundated with people who can't afford to pay thier medical bills.

News for you buddy - Employee health care aint't free.  Is yours???

Give me a break!  Health care is in the private sector! That's the problem now!  How is a $5000 tax break going to help when health insurance for a family costs $12,000 a year at best--provided you don't use it and, if you do, you pay out of pocket deductibles and co-payments. Sadly, although there are numerous plans in the private healthcare system, there is little variation in their rates.   I wish these guys would step into the real world!

More proof that gasbag mccain knows absolutely nothing about AMERICANS living in AMERICA!

Are there not work houses are there no prisons ,may you all need help and know what it is to be without help or hope,shame on a country so rich it can have a billion dollars stolen in iraq and then make a stink about some kids whose parents barely scape by on 60 grande that is before taxes and mortgae and food for the kids and clothes good luck getting someone in this country whos republican to help you ,unless you are one of them.

yea this coming from a man with FREE health care just like bush/chaney and the rest of our"representative" government.
Easy to tell the peasants to eat cake when your every need is meant. and one time i supported him over bush in 2000. I've got no respect left for him and he needs to go away. he has become a tired old man.

For the first time in the history of America. The life expectancy of today's children is less than that of their parents. This is catastrophic. And our infant mortality is equal to that of a third world country. Current U.S. adult life expectancy is down from #1 to #42. And dropping fast. These facts are what is known as EXTINCTION! indicators. These are the early signs of the final phase of the EXTINCTION of the American people.

You have to take the profit motive out of health care delivery. The profit motive does not work with health care. Or any other essential public service like police, and fire. The sooner everyone faces this truth. The sooner you will be able to adopt a real solution to the problem. The days of paying for health care out of pocket are at an end. Just like the mob days of paying for protection out of pocket came to an end.

HR 676 is the way to go. Single payer Universal National Health Care For All. Medicare for all. Accept no substitutes. The sooner you face this. The sooner you begin to heal the Cancer of private for profit medicine that is destroying this entire society. Other developed countries realized this years ago. It's a no-brainer now. See sickocure.org

Money, greed, and the profit motive has just decimated health care in America. And killed, and injured millions needlessly. Just for profit. But that is what large amounts of money, greed, and a lust for power always does. No one is immune from this corrupting power. The smart ones know this. And avoid letting them-self be put in compromising positions. But that is easier said. Than done. And very few succeed.

Most in the US go into medicine primarily to become wealthy. That is who the medical schools mostly choose. Most of the medical schools faculty are in bed with the drug companies, and others. And like the story of Dr. Faustus. They end up selling their soles. One compromise at a time. Until Lucifer owns them.

In medicine. Compromised care means. Injury, disability, and death. It's sad really. But HR 676 can fix this disgrace. Like it has in other developed countries. The only question is. How many more millions will be hurt, injured, and killed. And how many more of your children will die before their time. Before we fix this disgrace of private for profit health care in America.

I realize there will be a few people that have what they believe is good health care coverage. Who will want to opt out of a single payer system like HR 676. But let me remind you we rank # 37 in quality of health care for all. Down from #1. Never the less. A few opting out is not a problem. As long as all other Americans are automatically covered at birth through life. Unless they choose to opt out of HR 676. The government takes out 1.4% from your paycheck now for Medicare. All they have to do is substitute for HR 676 what they now take out of your paychecks for private health insurance. Remember, we already spend more on health care than any other country in the world. Right Now. We are being ripped off. And raped.

The SCHIP program is a desperately needed program for Americas children. But with the impending EXTINCTION of Americas children. And their current catastrophic health care condition. SCHIP needs to be extended to cover all of Americas children, immediately. Parents should have no hesitations, or financial worries about seeking medical care for their children. Whenever they have any concerns about their children's health. Especially in the richest country in the world. I would submit that any President, or politician that fails to do this for the children. Betrays their most solemn oath to protect the American people. Especially when you consider that all other developed countries have done this. And that we are the richest country in the world.

So get on it America. Get it done. You have been doing great over the past several months. Keep it up. And step it up. You have to force it, and take it. It's the right fight, and the right thing to do. Now is the time... Take no prisoners.

Capitalism has no place in determining who gets the health care that they need and ultimately who lives and who dies.  I'd like to see McCain and Bush and the other republicans who preach keep government out of medicine give up their government funded health care for the average hsa plan.

MCCAIN wants to tax you on your healh insurance!

McCain high TAXES!!

No one gets it.

First off All providers must offer the best rate to cash payers that means whatever the best insurance contract rate. Then people will be able to choose higher out of pockets because they are 1 not subsidizing the insurance firm and 2 they can choose services knowing the costs. Once that is established insurers will be selected by how fast they reimburse not by locking in contracts with local providers that limits your choices (of insurer).

The government caused the problem with health care in America by over socializing medicine to the extent it is not completive, and we want to exacerbate the problem? U.S. Capitalism refers to an economic system in which the means of production are all owned and operated for profit, and in which investments, distribution, income, production and pricing of goods and services are determined through the operation of a market economy. It is the right of individuals and groups of individuals acting as "legal persons" or corporations to trade capital goods, labor, land and money (see finance and credit).

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