Citizen,

I think this healthcare plan is playing right into Obama’s plan, a single payer plan just like what he wanted. He will put insurance companies out of business, that just what he has advocated all a long.

AT&T just announced it could cost them upwards of a billion. Dang this is so dangerous.

Remember the part in the ObamaCare pitch when they said if you like your current healthcare, it won't change?

Turns out it might.

Companies are already announcing that their healthcare premium costs are going through the roof. Some are responding by firing people. Some are cutting benefits. And some are presumably eating it.

But costs they are a-rising.

A few examples from the WSJ:
-- Caterpillar said it would cost the company at least $100 million more in the first year alone.
-- Medical device maker Medtronic warned that new taxes on its products could force it to lay off a thousand workers.
-- Verizon announced to employees that it will likely have to cut healthcare benefits to offset the new costs.

So, people who like your employer-provided health insurance, get ready to pay more or get less.

I bet we got more doctors from other Countries, more than we have now. I'm not saying that anything is wrong with foreign doctors, it's just hard to understand them sometimes.

Born....at least we agree on something. I was disappointed that the Reps didn't try to abolish EIC to try to offset costs.

We'll see how many doctors are left after all the decrease in payments, having insurance may become a moot point.

victorianbybirth,

We agree on something. No more than 2 kids and then offer free sterilization. If it is not done, they are on their own from that point on.

I read the 23 million were mostly illegals.

As to the number of people being subsidized, I have no idea. Until, or unless, the jobs and economy pick up, it is going to be a lot.

You may not believe this, but I have the same concerns as everyone else when it comes to the cost of this thing, but I also know that whether people are insured or not, they will continue to get sick. They will continue to go to hospitals on the taxpayers dime.
My question is whether it will be cheaper to make the insurance companies pitch in a little more and quit letting them get away with breaking their contracts with the people who have paid years into a policy and then drop them for no other reason that getting sick.

Born, you don't believe many will have subsidized policies? LOL...they are planning on adding 16+ MILLION to Medicaid alone, to include childless couples! We will be subsidizing, in one way or another, the 32 million people that this bill is targeting!

I would like to see social programs cut to help defray costs, do away with EIC altogether. I would also like to see some form of max or tax on people who continue to have children they cannot afford. If your source of income is derived from the government you can only have 2 kids & then you are cut off. Also offer them free birth control, any form they want, be it tubaligation/vasectomy to pills to shots.

It does say 23 million will be left without insurance....who are these 23 million unfortunates? Why are they being denied their "right"? Who decides who the haves & have nots are going to be? Somebody will be playing God.

For what it's worth...

Fidel Castro applauds US health-care reform:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Cuban-l...

I didn't mean this year, but before the mandate or the cadillac plan policy provisions come into effect. Those two things seem to be what most people object to.

Not this year,Born,John McCain & Lindsey Graham will sit in a corner & pout until November but republican Senator Bob Cocker(Tn) shunned his party by saying he will work on finance reform because it will be easy for the Dems to paint them(GOP) as being for the insurance companies and now Wall Street. Not a winning ticket.

"We will still have the naysayers complaining about some perceived lost freedoms and complaining about a government takeover as they hand the nurse their Medicare card for processing."

This is assuming there will be a nurse and then a doctor to see us or at least one that will see us before we die - aw, I know I'm just a naysayer, this is all going to work fine, sure it is :(

Mike: "It’s over"

Indeed.

I'm glad it is finally over and I do expect revisions in the future.
This is just the start of something that will be made better in the future. That is, if the Republicans ever get over the loss and decide to actually do something positive for a change.

It’s over, the Senate just passed the reconciliation bill and the House will pass two minor discrepancies and the debate will finally be over.

The polls are changing in favor of the bill as more actual facts are revealed. President Obama is currently addressing 13,000 enthusiastic people in Iowa City, Iowa, assuring them that the sun is still shining, birds are still chirping and there is no sign of Armageddon.He also told them in six months you will still be seeing your family doctor, reading the same old people magazines, and you will find out, nothing drastic or radical has really happened.

Like the two Japanese soldiers that were found in the Philippines, years after WWII… that didn’t know the war had ended; we will still have the naysayers complaining about some perceived lost freedoms and complaining about a government takeover as they hand the nurse their Medicare card for processing.

There are the free market fundamentalists who will still call it a welfare program, cry to anyone who will listen to them about how,” The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants”. Then finally, there is Glenn Beck will taking his listeners/viewers/ through the 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon blackboard analogy, of a progressive evolution not revolution, but the ink is dry; the bill has met its challenges; it’s the law.

Health insurance is a moral obligation - really? Why stop there, how about everything else particularly Twinkies and Kool Aid?

No seriously, you'll get no argument from me, I've always thought everything should be free. The only problem is finding someone to work and provide all our goods and services - for free. Not me of course because I think work is a bummer, I'll only do it if I'm starving.

You know when my son was born many years ago we were dirt poor, I had to borrow the money to pay the hospital. It wasn't much back then even in real terms, less than a couple hundred bucks.

Today it is a huge expense - what happen? The short answer is the government got involved and distorted the healthcare market. Now hardly anyone can afford healthcare. So probably the stupidest thing we could do about healthcare we just did :(

codes comment was sarcasm.

jhnsn283,

In a perfect world everyone that wanted a good paying job could get one. Unfortunately, there are not enough good paying jobs to go around. I'm not arguing with you, but just stating the facts.

Americans have some extreme views of President Obama, with a new survey revealing 40 percent of adults believe he is a socialist, and about a quarter of survey participants thinking the president is a racist, anti-American and even doing things Hitler did.

The whammy: 14 percent of Americans say President Barack Obama may be the anti-Christ. When split by political party, 24 percent of Republicans and 6 percent of Democrats viewed the nation's leader in this way.

The results come from a Harris Poll involving 2,320 adults who were surveyed online between March 1 and March 8 by Harris Interactive, a market research firm.

Here's the percentage breakdown of respondents' views of President Obama:

38 percent say he wants to take away Americans' right to own guns.
32 percent say he is a Muslim.
29 percent think he wants to turn over the sovereignty of the United States to a one world government.
29 percent think he has done many things that are unconstitutional.
27 percent say he resents America's heritage.
27 percent say he does what Wall Street and the bankers tell him to do.
25 percent say he was not born in the United States and so is not eligible to be president.
25 percent say he is a domestic enemy that the U.S. Constitutions speaks of.
23 percent say he is a racist.
23 percent say he is anti-American.
23 percent say he wants to use an economic collapse or terrorist attack as an excuse to take dictatorial powers.
20 percent say he is doing many of the things that Hitler did.

When broken out by political party, results showed some stark differences. For instance, the majority of Republicans believed the president is a Muslim and a socialist, while around 40 percent believe he is a racist, someone who resents American heritage and "wants terrorists to win."

That is an artical out today....

Victorian- I must agree with your last few posts... like I stated in a previous post...I will repeat it (I will say this though, if I was for anything in this bill it would be for the elders and the children, they are the ones that deserve this if anything. MOST of the young people that are going to be jumping all over this can just as easily struggle and do what it takes to get a good job that would provide well for them. It's all in how you perceive things. You can sit around and blame insurance companies, etc, or you can stand up, dust yourself off and work HARD to get what you want and need. Not depend on our GOVERNMENT to provide it for you. BOTTOM LINE!)

The government is ALL about (HANDOUTS) these days because that's what most Americans have come to expect...is a handout. If anything you should get help UP not a help DOWN. Don't people see, this is what our government wants...us to DEPEND on them for EVERYTHING. It makes it all that much easier for them to rule all aspects of our lives. And for those of you that are for this bill are literally allowing them to RULE your lives! And forcing us to have our lives ruled and taxed to oblivion! Come on people WAKE UP!

And to (codearchitect)- REALLY?! COME ON! REALLY? That was absolutely an unnecessary comment.

victorianbybirth,

What percentage do you think will actually have to be subsidized? Partly? Fully?

Yes, the spouse can keep the house and one car, but then they can get your house after you and your spouse die. If you are the only one living, once you become a permanent long-term care patient, then they take the house right then and sell it for money owed. Whatever is left, if anything is left, whatever is on your will, stands. The only way your kids, or other family members can keep it if they stayed in that house with you for 2 years before you have to go into long-term care. I know there are a few other rules and I'm not sure about the one spouse in a facility thing, but I'm not going to look it up right now.

"People taking responsibilty for themselves & their future expenses"...lol...with subsidized policies? That's real responsible!

Wow Born...good thing you're not an economist for a living....the easy to get credit was what brought everything down...banks ran out of places to bury the bodies.

Born...as far as long term care & seizing your house etc...NOT TRUE. Yes, you can't have more than $2000 but you can keep your house & 1 car. You have to spend down to get to the point where you can qualify for Medicaid. I would be careful about purchasing long term care insurance as many facilities do not take it.

I have no issues paying into MCR to care for the elderly. I have no issues with the elderly & infirm benefitting from Medicaid, IMO, that should be who it is for...elderly, infirm & children...those that CAN NOT care for themselves, not those that WILL NOT care for themselves.

I approve of this bill.

I would suggest a nice vacation for some of my fellow Victorians on here, how about a trip to:

China
Iran
Syria
Zimbabwe
Saudi Arabia
North Korea
Russia
Libya

Did you have a good time? Refreshed? Great! Now tell me that bit again about how this bill takes away your freedom and liberty..uh oh,wait a minute, I need to go grab a chair as it suddenly appears you don't have any legs to stand on...

Victore - Were you aware that the Acorn "pimp video" was actually a hoax? And that James O'Keefe's boss, Andrew Breitbart admitted that he was duped?

Yeah, some of those Acorn workers might be out of work....but it is because they were the victims of a heavily edited and untrue report.

I know FOX News was all over the Acorn scandal...but they somehow decided not to report on it when the allegations against Acorn were proven untrue.

The tax cuts, coupled with a war that is lasting how long? and Medicare Advantage that wasn't paid for.
Yeah, and the propped up economy that fooled people for so long, came crashing down.
The economy would have crashed a lot sooner without all of the too-easy-to-get credit.

What about someone who has a stroke and needs long-term care? Do you realize that if you don't have insurance, they can claim most of your assets, including your home,cars, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, etc.
You can't file for Medicaid, which pays for long-term care, until your assets are down to $2000. That means that you, or your family must pay for your long-term care themselves, and that can run upwards of $3000/month.
How many people know they are going to have a stroke, or have a paralyzing accident beforehand?
Maybe for those who have nothing to start with, the idea of what I just said, doesn't matter to you, but your medical bills can run into the millions of dollars over a lifetime. I guess you are comfortable with the taxpayers paying for your care because you won't know it, right?
These kinds of things are what the mandate is all about. People taking responsibility for themselves and their future expenses.

Born...it wasn't tax cuts & the Iraq war that got us in the mess we're in...try out for size the housing industry going tits up because of all the bad loans & all the free credit that was being thrown about...it was about people extending themselves too far out & the bubble pops. Never heard tax cuts being blamed for the mess we're in.

I'm not so sure any expert has figured out how this is going to be paid for. I did hear Obama say that it is all of our obligation to pay for it...so I guess it will be us, it sure won't be them.

Hey roger, since ACORN went under who will pay those out of work employees insurance? Ding who could that possible be?

For the posters complaining about your right to "choose" your own health care, I'm interested in how many of you actually called up a private insurance company and bought a policy. Or do you get your policy through your employer? Because if you get it through your employer, you're pretty much stuck with who they have...and it's usually the lowest bidder.

And that health insurance company "chooses" what coverage you have...based on what their financial bottom line looks like.

And for those of you who don't want to be insured because it's "your right", what happens when you break your neck in a car accident....you generate a $400,000 medical bill...and you can't work? Who gets to pay that bill? Me and everyone else.

Health insurance is a moral obligation.

OK, my typing has gone south, many errors in the last post...I'm going to bed now....night everyone...will resume this tomorrow :)

WELL, you may have a good point, however, UPS has been offering this coverage for MANY, MANY years, that's why they have such good turn out rate with there employees...as far as people staying once hired and don't quite until retirement! Becoming a truck driver take a looonnnggg time because so many don't want to let go of there benefits, as well as the $$...so, IDK...but, that is one thing they stand strong on... providing 100% for there employees.

They've been a God send to us...I pray EVERYDAY we continue to be so lucky...and I pray for those who are less fortunate...not too long ago I was in their shoes and I feel for them...I hope they get the coverage I feel everyone deserves, it just has to be done fairly, without forcing things upon others who should have a choice, but aren't being given one. I mean, ya, you can choose not to have insurance, but gezzz look at how much they "FINE' you for not having it...ABSURD!!!! ..how childish, to "fine" someone for CHOOSING to not have health care...it's their CHOICE for God sakes.

and, with the way insurance rates have been going up, I doubt UPS would be able to keep paying for those kinds of policies anyway. I'm betting that things were going to change soon anyway. It has for most other companies that offered 100% coverage to its employees.

I will try to keep a positive outlook....I do try and apply that with most of my everyday life ;) this bill just rubs me the wrong way and there's just NO hiding it...good evening to you.

Don't worry about it. If UPS wants to keep their good employees, they will do whatever it takes to make them happy.

born2Bme - yes, you are right and technically I know how it would work, but it still doesn't make it right. And if it does happen, you never know just how much UPS would have to cut into our health care plan just to cover taxing, once again it will take away from us...it's a lose lose situation if and when it comes to that.

jhnsn283,

Just thought I'd point something out to you. UPS is the one going to get taxed, not you.
But, that will probably make UPS adjust something. It may be something as simple as making you pay a little each week like most other companies do, or adding a small co-pay.

(lkelly405) obviously you didn't read any of my comments...I too was unrecoverable for years due to a preexisting condition. I had to pay out of pocket for EVERYTHING! I couldn't get private coverage because I was a high risk. It sucked, but I didn't blame anyone for it I just did the best with what i had until things got better. Just RECENTLY my family and I have been blessed with outstanding coverage. My husband worked hard for this coverage...and if you read any of my most recent posts....this wonderful bill plans on TAXING those who have worked SO HARD to have wonderful insurance. Why is it our fault that others need insurance. It's not. Sadly, that's just the honest truth. You should have to figure it out the best way you can, just like we had to do...and that is just simply honest truth. Not cruelty, just truth!

I will say this though, if I was for anything in this bill it would be for the elders and the children, they are the ones that deserve this if anything. MOST of the young people that are going to be jumping all over this can just as easily struggle and do what it takes to get a good job that would provide well for them. It's all in how you perceive things. You can sit around and blame insurance companies, etc, or you can stand up, dust yourself off and work HARD to get what you want and need. Not depend on our GOVERNMENT to provide it for you. BOTTOM LINE!

victorainbybirth,

It seems we mix about as well as oil and water, don't we?

I realize that what I posted are just the highlights. I can't very well post the whole bill, now can I?

I'm not an economist, so I just have to believe that the experts know what they are doing.

I know that when President Bush signed into law the 2 tax cuts and got us into the Iraq war, I was feeling just as you are now. I said to myself, this Country is going to fall. We are going to go bankrupt. But people were thrilled with the tax cuts and thought it would be good for the economy.

Well dang, I guess I see your point. I was right about the tax cuts and the war. It is what brought us to this point, so someone has to try to get us out. I don't know if it will work either, but I don't think it will be as bad as doing nothing.

This is a bill based on the free market concept, whether anyone wants to believe that or not. People who want insurance, and can pay for it, will pay for it. Those who can pay some, but not all, will pay what they can. Some people will get help paying for it.

Do I think the mandate is right? No, not really, but I think before it comes to pass, it will be amended. Most people will opt to get their own insurance. There are so many people now that could pay, but they are not allowed to because of pre-existing conditions.

to jhnsn283---hmmm sort of like the government did with social security, medicare, free public education--those are all socialism. Do you have health care? Do you have any idea how much it costs? And that insurance companies can cancel your coverage if you have to have something really costly done--even if you have had the policy for 10 years and have never been late with a payment?

YES @ born2Bme...it is one of the best insurances in the country....MOST of everything is paid 100% there are no co-payments, no monthly payments to have it. Dependents are covered 100% even working as part time! It's been a true blessing. I tell everyone they should look into UPS, they have outstanding 401K's.. school benefits are awesome...we pay $5 dollars a month for $500,000 of life insurance.

I know the bill 'states' it wont go into affect until 8 years from now, but to be honest I wouldn't put a single thing past them to have it pushed to be sooner than later. They all have to get even richer some how so TAX , TAX away! RIHGT?!?!

Born...how is all this ice cream & cake going to be paid for? That's a whole lot of billions to cover, how is the Government going to keep up it's part of the tax crediting bargain? The few things I read about, revenue wise, didn't seem like it would generate enough money to cover all that is being promised.

So will smokers premiums go down to what others are paying? There are many plans that implement higher premiums for smokers...under this bill, that would go away.

So basically people like the concept of this bill...as we all know, concept & reality are 2 different animals. Wait until the sweeping changes hit, that will be the time to get honest opinions of whether people actually want this or not...by then, it will be too late.

Also, the points you cut & pasted are not the be all, end all of this bill....just the highlights the government needs people to see so they will calm down.

jhnsn283,

That is 8 years away. A lot can happen in 8 years.

With that said. You mean UPS personel get an insurance that costs $27,500 - $30,950 a year? Man, I'm in the wrong business.

Taxing 'Cadillac" plans is one thing that is JUST PLAIN WRONG!

My husband has a 'Cadillac" plan with UPS and he worked HARD for that plan...I went over 1 1/2 just to get on that plan. As well as our children. Not to mention the years (I) went without insurance prior to our present insurance plan we are SO BLESSED to have and to find out we had to wait longer once he started working was shocking, but we stuck it out and it all paid off! My husband had to work there a year before he even started getting anything! This is just one of the MANY things wrong with it all! Fool me once shame on me, fool me twice shame on YOU (Mr. Obama and all your pigs in office) OINK OINK goes the pig!

Why should we be punished so others can have more...FREE handouts!!!! Don't we already get punished enough having to pay for crack addicts and welfare junkies to live off our dollar. What is this world coming to, really?!

archiebonkers2 said: "In my opinion Obama gained 32 million votes with healthcare reform!"

And whose money did they use to BUY those votes? Your observation is nothing new. Central economic planners have been buying votes for eons. How many old folks do you know who would otherwise have fiscally-restrained tendencies and probably vote Republican if they didn't know the Democrats were willing to bankrupt America (by borrowing in perpetuity) to keep the insolvent Social Security system fed with cash long enough to keep cutting checks. Yes, they buy there constituency.

I see the Democratic Party talk a good game about personal liberties when Republicans are cranking down on them, but they're complete hypocrites (like Republicans) for yanking the legs out from under our economic liberties. Personal & economic liberties are mutually necessary.

Citizen,

about the poll. Actually it was CBS, but that doesn't matter. Everyone has been saying that "all" Americans did not want this bill to pass. Apparently, that isn't so.

Once people learn what is actually in the bill, that trend is going to increase and that is exactly what anti-Obamans were afraid of.

Citizen,

What does this mean?

• Insurers will be barred from imposing exclusions on children with pre-existing conditions. Pools will cover those with pre-existing health conditions until health care coverage exchanges are operational.

• Insurers will not be able to rescind policies to avoid paying medical bills when a person becomes ill.

companies cannot discriminate about pre-existing conditions. Kids sick already.
There will be a pool to help with kids with pre-existing conditions,
Kids cannot be thrown off of insurance just because they are sick.

Where does that leave any child uninsured? Am I reading it wrong?

Oops, my bad...until their 27th birthday is 26...just sounds longer when you say 27.

(cont.)

2014

• Citizens will be required to have acceptable coverage or pay a penalty of $95 in 2014, $325 in 2015, $695 (or up to 2.5 percent of income) in 2016. Families will pay half the amount for children, up to a cap of $2,250 per family. After 2016, penalties are indexed to Consumer Price Index.

• Workers who are exempt from individual responsibility for coverage but don't qualify for tax credits can take their employer contribution and join an exchange plan.

• Companies with 50 or more employees must offer coverage to employees or pay a $2,000 penalty per employee after their first 30 if at least one of their employees receives a tax credit. Waiting periods before insurance takes effect is limited to 90 days. Employers who offer coverage but whose employees receive tax credits will pay $3,000 for each worker receiving a tax credit.

• Insurers can no longer refuse to sell or renew policies because of an individual's health status. Health plans can no longer exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions. Insurers can't charge higher rates because of heath status, gender or other factors.

• Health plans will be prohibited from imposing annual limits on coverage.

• Health insurance exchanges will open in each state to individuals and small employers to comparison shop for standardized health packages.

• Credits will be available through exchanges for those whose income is above Medicaid eligibility and below 400 percent of poverty level who are not eligible for or offered other acceptable coverage.

• Medicaid eligibility will increase to 133 percent of poverty for all nonelderly individuals to ensure that people obtain affordable health care in the most efficient and appropriate manner. States will receive increased federal funding to cover these new populations.

• An annual health insurance provider fee will be Imposed across the health insurance sector according to insurers' market share to companies whose total premiums exceed $25 million.

2018

• 2018 Taxing "Cadillac" plans: An excise tax will be imposed on high-cost, employer-provided health plans beyond $27,500 for family coverage and $10,200 for single coverage; it will increase to $30,950 for families and $11,850 for individuals, retirees and employees in high-risk professions.

(cont.)

2013

• Health plans must implement uniform standards for electronic exchange of health information to reduce paperwork and administrative costs.

• Contributions to flexible savings accounts will be limited to $2,500 per year, indexed by the Consumer Price Index in subsequent years.

• The Employer Medicare Part D subsidy deduction will be eliminated. Employers will lose the tax deduction for subsidizing prescription drug plans for Medicare Part D-eligible retirees.

• There will be increases to the income threshold from 7.5 percent to 10 percent of adjusted gross income. Those older than 65 can claim the 7.5 percent deduction through 2016.

• The hospital insurance tax will increase 0.9 percentage points for those earning more than $200,000 ($250,000 for married filing jointly), and it includes net investment income.

• A 2.9 percent excise tax on the first sale of medical devices will be established. Excepted are eyeglasses, contact lenses, hearing aids or other items for individual use.

2020? Thats in 10 years...what do they do until then? The MCR cuts happen now?

Kids stay on parents insurance until 26 from what I have heard & read.

Let me guess, the polls were done by:
CNN
CNBC
MSNBC

lIBERALS!!!

Also, why don’t you read the bill a little more as for the children and the pre existing conditions, if the child is already too sick, they WILL NOT BE COVERED.

Heres what I found:

Within the first year

• Young adults will be able stay on their parents' insurance until their 27th birthday.

• Seniors will get a $250 rebate to help fill the "doughnut hole" in Medicare prescription drug coverage, which falls between the $2,700 initial limit and when catastrophic coverage kicks in at $6,154.

• Insurers will be barred from imposing exclusions on children with pre-existing conditions. Pools will cover those with pre-existing health conditions until health care coverage exchanges are operational.

• Insurers will not be able to rescind policies to avoid paying medical bills when a person becomes ill.

• Lifetime limits on benefits and restrictive annual limits will be prohibited.

• New plans must provide coverage for preventive services without co-pays. All plans must comply by 2018.

• A temporary reinsurance program will help offset costs of coverage for companies that provide early retiree health benefits for those ages 55 to 64.

• New plans will be required to implement an appeals process for coverage determinations and claims.

• Adoption tax credit and assistance exclusion will increase by $1,000. The bill makes the credit refundable and extends it through 2011.

• A 10 percent tax will be imposed on amounts paid for indoor tanning services on or after July 1.

• Businesses with fewer than 50 employees will get tax credits covering 35 percent of their health care premiums, increasing to 50 percent by 2014.

2011

• Medicare will provide free annual wellness visits and personalized prevention plans. New plans will be required to cover preventive services with no co-pay.

• States can offer home- and community-based services to the disabled through Medicaid rather than institutional care beginning October 1.

• A 50 percent discount will be provided on brand-name drugs for Prescription Drug Plan or Medicare Advantage enrollees. Additional discounts on brand-name and generic drugs will be phased in to completely close the "doughnut hole" by 2020.

• Additional tax for health savings account withdrawals before age 65 for nonqualified medical expenses will increase from 10 percent to 20 percent. Additional tax for Archer medical savings account withdrawals not used for qualified medical expenses will increase from 15 percent to 20 percent.

• A plan to provide a vehicle for small businesses to offer tax-free benefits will be created. This would ease the small employer's administrative burden of sponsoring a cafeteria plan.

• The Medicare payroll tax will increase from 1.45 percent to 2.35 percent for individuals earning more than $200,000 and married filing jointly above $250,000.

This poll is 69% vs 16%....depends on what polls you read I suppose. 49% is still NOT a majority.

The polls started moving today, in favor of the passed healthcare bill. 49% for and 40% against.

Not one of you can say that this is a bill that America didn't want. Maybe your side didn't want it, but that is not "all" of America.

Sandwhich, in the article I read, kids started immediately, adults were pushed back to some later date (maybe never).

Preexisting conditions being covered for children starts according to this bill in....
2014. In the bill.

Taxes start now.
Tell me how cheap this is in 6 years when we have to cut so much other stuff to pay for this. And your prices rise because businesses have to raise prices to make up for the increase taxes they have to pay.
And sodas, cookies, fatty food you buy go through the roof just like tobacco has because it is a "sin".

This healthcare bill is taking from one group & giving to another. Taking from the elderly & giving to the able bodied. There is nothing right about that. We pay 7.5% of our income in to the Medicare system that we will never ever get to use. With the cuts that are proposed for MCR, our parents will spend every penny they have & then some for their healthcare. It will also negatively affect the amount of doctors that accept MCR & hopsitals & nursing homes that care for the elderly. It is hitting the people who cannot go back into the workforce the hardest & there's nothing they can do. My question is, with all the cuts MCR is going to take, will my MCR taxed % decrease? If not, isn't that kinda like illegal, to take money under false pretenses?

Obamas "hope" & "change" boils down to hoping to change money from one persons hand to anothers. Obama is all about income redistribution & he is getting his way. Hopefully some of the ammendments will get added, especially the one about no tax increases on those making less than $250k, it's already happened, I would like it to not happen again. He did promise that during the campaign, but like many other promises, that one has already been broken.

The insurance companies donated heavily to Obama & his campaign, please don't think he is doing us any favors by "taking them on". It's all smoke & mirrors & I'm sure what will be in the fine print of these policies will tell the tale, by then it will be too late.

You people screaming about how the majority voted for Obama...that may be, but the polls concerning this bill were telling another story, even the majority of liberals didn't want this bill. So tell me how American it is for Pelosi, Reid & Obama to shove this down the throats of the public when the MAJORITY of the public DIDN'T want it?!?

"Among the amendments Republicans will offer are a measure from Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) to prevent convicted child molesters and rapists from getting reimbursed by the government for drugs to treat erectile dysfunction; an amendment from Sen. George LeMieux (R-Fla.) to require all members of Congress to enroll in Medicaid; a measure from Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) to certify that no households earning less than $250,000 will see increased taxes as a result of health care reform; and an amendment by Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) to certify that Americans will not have to change their health insurance as a result of the bill if they do not want to."

These are a few of the ammendments Republicans want added to the healthcare bill....Dems are balking calling them "poison pills". I don't know about you, but I don't see anything objectionable here.

To:jessicalynnk

Being forced to buy health care is not the same as having to buy car insurance.

1. You are voluntarily choosing to drive a car and if you do then you must have the insurance.
2. The GOVERNMENT is telling YOU that YOU MUST have it not matter what.

OH, WOW...well excuse ME then...LOL... (shaking head back and forth)

OK, Jessica, so where is the "change".... cause there sure isn't much left in my pockets...and soon there will be slim to NONE!

Is the change in a forced health care bill? Is the change in forced car ins? Is the change in forced TAXING when we were PROMISED NO TAXING to a certain bracket that most of us on here fall under? Is the change in the fact that I will get less rights now? Is the change in the fact that my premiums will go up so others can have practically FREE (government run) health insurance. Where EXACTLY is this change? I sure don't see it that way.

NO... It's None of the above...I will tell you where the change is (abolishing this government of ours) Getting back to our roots! Making things be state issues rather than federal issues....have you read our constitution or are you even aware of what that is?! Just curious!

Change to me is something that benefits ALL Americans EQUALLY! Change is dong something to make it BETTER NOT WORSE. Y'all are the blind ones...plain and simple....to tell someone they HAVE to do something in regards to their health and welfare is JUST WRONG... simple as that! CHANGE is for the GREATER GOOD... not to just benefit the rich! That's all they all are, are rich, money hungery thieves...and BTW....I haven't voted not a one of those PIGS into office...I hadn't voted since Clinton! And NO I didn't vote for him either! I did vote for Ron Paul...that is the man that should be sitting in (OBAMANATIONS) seat right now! Good day to YOU!

Best of luck with your FORCED health care bill...you WILL be dreading it later...sorry for you in advance!

The Republicans only have this healthcare reform to run on in November. Telling everyone they voted against it. But for the last 10 years, when the Republicans had control they didn't do crap in office. Now that things are finally getting done, Republicans get their panties in a twist!

Manoffaith,

I'm not understanding where you are coming from with the sick kids issue. Can you explain further, or does anyone else know about this?

in my opinion Obama gained 32 million votes with healthcare reform! The Republicans are going to run on what in November? They don't have nothing to show for their time in congress that compares to this!

Excuse me jhnsn, but I voted for Change and I'm happy to be getting it. I am just as an American as you, and the majority of the American people voted for change by voting Obama in. This healthcare bill is exactly what the American people wanted. If America didn't want healthcare reform, McCain would be in office. You spoke earlier about the government forcing insurance on us? Isn't it the same as car insurance? Because you'll get fined if you don't have that either! Be an American and Support your Congress! You voted them in, if you didn't, then write to your congressman, apparently he's not doing his job.

now maybe people can stop complaining about the emergency rooms providing healthcare to people with no insurance! Thank God for the Democrats! The Party of No is in serious trouble!

Ya, well ishkabbil....I haven't had the best of luck with insurance either..I had not been covered for over 3 years due to a preexisting condition. It took my husband awhile to get decent health care for us. I agree it isn't always easy. But,as with everything in life...it takes time, patience and hope that things will get better. Life in itself is not fair. But, the things we do within our lives makes all the difference in the world for a better change in our lives. And one of the things that does make life worth while is to have a CHOICE. To stand up and say YES OR NO to something.

If you haven't taken a really close look at this bill then maybe you should think twice before assuming this healthcare bill will be any better than with the way it used to be in regards to your mishaps with prior insurance companies. For the government to decide who gets what treatments or procedures is so SOCIALIST it's not even funny! To tell Americans they HAVE TO HAVE INSURANCE is WRONG, WRONG, WRONG. What is the point of a constitution then?! Why give us a choice in regards to anything in life then? Mine as well just slap a government property sticker on us and send us to the slaughter houses... because that is all we will get out of this bill is misery and no choice whether we want to live or die. And the way this government of ours has been acting lately, I wouldn't be surprised if they deem all us "less fortunate" unnecessary and useless. Honestly, That's the way they are treating us this very minute! Our CHOICE to CHOOSE doesn't matte to them... all that matters to them is how much more fat they can line their wallets with. What kind of kick back they can get from this FORCED bill!

Continued.....

To take from the elder and people who have great insurance just so others can have equal coverage and then on top of that TAX the ones who have decent coverage so others who have in a lot of ways run our prior healthcare system to the ground with not paying doc bills and going to the emergency room for everything that may be wrong with them rather than trying to go to a regular doc is a HUGE issue with why we have come where we have. People would much rather spend money on new cell phones, the newest clothes, the best of everything else rather than spend that money on their health. And now, look what it has come to....FORCED insurance due to negligence of many others. In no way am I saying that last statement applies to you! I'm sure you have been treated not so well, just as I had been. I feel for you.

And, I'm not saying that is the ONLY reason why we have had this healthcare bill forced upon us, but it surely hasn't helped one bit.

There is soooo much more to it sir, and the bottom line is...we should NEVER be FORCED To do something by our government. The day we let this happen is the day we gave up our lives to them. This healthcare bill crosses the line in SO MANY ways... Until our government has been abolished and done away with we will ALWAYS have this issues, and to be quite frank, we will aways have this issue as long as we have Obama as our president. 2012 please come fast!

Insurance companies or a for profit organization and they have done many people wrong. They have also helped many people who have insurance. Your government and Obama has put insurance companies in their cross-hairs and it's all politically motivated. You think insurance companies have screwed people you ought to see what's coming with the current bill. One example is they campaigned that when Obama put the ink on the bill, insurance companies could no longer place pre-existing conditions on children policies. The bill actually says they cannot place pre-existing conditions or riders on children but it allows insurance companies to deny coverage for children who are in poor health. What does this mean? Not a thing has changed it is the same as it was under current insurance regulations. Obama, Pelosi you lied to the people who continue to support you. This is one of the misleading parts of the 2000 plus pages of hogwash that you have been sold. Vote every incumbent out of office no matter what party!

To :jhnsn ; Due to the screwing I've gotten from the insurance companies all these years.

Thank you Gregg Abbott and Governor Perry for filing suit on our federal government that is out of control. Texas and a few others still have the guts to stand for what is right.

For the 33 % I see so far that approve of this bill..you need to go back and learn how to be a true American....proud of your RIGHT TO CHOOSE...Proud of our right to freedom! There is not one ounce of freedom nor liberty in this bill. It's a disgrace to all Americans...Your ALLOWING them to cram this down all of our throats without a choice. Why would you approve of such a horrible thing?!?!?!