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I truly don't know what to think about this. Today I caught PART of a statement from our Senator McCain. He appeared upset, saying "vote has been past eliminating Medicare Advantage" I don't understand the Medicare Medicade system, yet.

Have been intending to read up on what is what there since I will be 65 in march and have received some information in mail concerning these items.

What seems sure is that someone is going to lose, and it appears Senator McCain thinks the Senior citizens will.

I agree with former president Clinton, when he says pass this bill that has been languishing b/c of bipartisan disagreements. That tweaking it later can be done, but to do nothing is an expression of failure to their constituents who are suffering for lack of basic health care.

The latest report shows fraud and waste in Medicare, which will have stricter oversight and save the government billions in overpayments to insurers, non-existent people for whom claims have been filed, surgeries, labs and doctors' visits, hospital charges that don't coincide with the injuries/illnesses submitted for payment. The government has caught on to the fraudulent schemes, and the savings from this program will help fund the overhaul of health care that is long overdue. Those who are against passage of this bill are in bed with the lobbyists and insurance companies, and you know why!

I'm not against health care per se....but how the heck are we supposed to pay for this? Our government is 12 trillion dollars in debt. I consider myself to be a moderate, but I'm a fiscal conservative. When are we going to learn that there is no free lunch? If someone gets something for nothing, then someone else is paying for it.

Me personally....I don't have health insurance....but I'm covered by the VA health care plan. Because I have service connected disabilities, I receive all of my medical care and prescriptions free of charge. I see this as an earned benefit, and not a handout. Veterans put their butts on the line and served their country, while most people didn't. I honestly believe we are "special" in this regard, and we are entitled to this benefit. I don't trust politicians, and I'm fearful that they will screw this up. Well, I'll be covered by medicare in two years, so the pending legislation probably won't affect me personally.

where was the oversight during all these years of fraud and mismangement of Medicare??? How can they all of a sudden stop the abuses when they have not done a thing in the past? If we shut down all of the insurance companies, then cost containment will begin. Doctors, hospitals, and medical procedures will have to fall in line with what people can pay. Why do we let the insurance companies boss us around? Instead of a "public option" why not make health care free and available to everyone - using the resources that we have now - Get ourselves out of fighting wars for foreigh countries, (more than $1 million a day), there will be no problem taking care of our people here at home. Just venting.

I honestly believe we are "special" - doowoplover

I got mine, those uninsured kids should just have to fend for themselfs?

Those that opposed vietnam out of concsience should just die off anyway?

Worked in a factory 'only' makeing the ammunition, you are just not as special as those that actually killed people!

queenm....the people in Congress are beholden to the special interests....this includes the insurance companies. It takes millions of dollars for the politicians to be reelected. The primary motivation of the people on Capitol Hill is to keep themselves in power.

I agree that we shouldn't be involved in fighting wars overseas. Or giving foreign aid away to other countries. We can no longer afford this option. It's time to take care of things here at home. But will the people in power listen and heed our advice?....I doubt it.

Good question about oversight. When government is facing a trillion dollar deficit to finance the health care proposal, their next task would be to rein in and enforce procedures or write new ones. That involves cracking down on those individuals who would continue to defraud. This includes not only Medicare, but the food stamp program, Section 8 housing, disaster assistance and other welfare programs that have individuals in charge guilty of corruption. Policing activities in these programs can free up monies for health care. Maybe I'm naive in believing that the bureaucracy can be cleaned up, but government has to start somewhere to eliminate the deficit.

It won't take effect for five (5) years. Estimates are that 40,000 Americans die every year for lack of access to health care. That means 200,000 people will die before any bill goes into effect, nearly 1/4 of a million people.

We are expected to put up trillions to bail out the greedy banks and Wall Street so they don't lose a dime from their reckless and often crooked dealings that bilked the American public enough to throw the entire nation into a deep recession, $4.3 TRILLION to the banks alone -- the bailout and guarantees for their bad paper.

And resent the hell out our fellow Americans having access to health care so they don't sicken and die. Grayson was right about the GOP health care plan. "Don't get sick. And if you do, die quickly."

The money can be found to finance health care by changing priorities in Washington -- demanding change from our representatives. Fiscal responsibility, cut waste and pork,keep their claws out of the Social Security fund, demand accountability from every agency and that includes the military.

Allow preventive and alternate heath care which is usually far cheaper and equally as effective. To hell with Big Pharma and the AMA. Let people choose alternative care if they wish -- at a fraction of paying huge bills for prescription drugs and exotic procedures.

Everyone in this country can have access to health care and should. Unless one is comfortable with 40,000 Americans -- men, women, children dying every year for lack. If so, I don't want to hear one bleating heart over our soldiers dying, only 1/10th the number to day after 7 years of war -- 1/10th of the number who die in this country every year for lack of health care.

And make every financial institution that received bailout funds pay every dime back -- with interest -- before the legislation goes into effect.

Kedro....I didn't say that

But while we are on the subject....yeah, I killed dinks in Vietnam....but I did this to survive, and keep myself and my buddies alive. It's not about some patriotic crap....it's about surviving.

I chose to serve my country....while many others decided to take the "easy" way out....now I'm reaping the benefits that I'm entitled to.

If you really want to know, after I came back from Vietnam, I became opposed to the Vietnam War too....some many people were dying in a war that made no sense to me.