cool!

Whoa lets just leave out that he is not elected just yet..... That was kinda of funny but it just goes to show how melga your ego gets when you run for president, you think everyone believes you and believes you can fix it all. The only way we can fix healthcare is to go after the insurance companys which will not happen because they are holding the leashes of those in power and those seeking power, so sorry to sound like a pessimist but, yeah its all talk and rehtoric . The only man I trusted to take on the power structure is not running this time around ( or IS HE? - hello Ralph we still need you....) hahahahahahhah.

he had me at hello

I believe Barack Hussein Obama is exactly what American needs right now. He's the only next generation leader running.

Will,
If you really look into what Obama stands for and his history in politics, you'd see that he's far from being on the end of a health insurance company leash. You'd see that he feels exactly as you do. Check it out.

Kudos to this blog for understanding that health care is two words, not one.

(now also in Seattle)

I like to hear Obama talk. I am not convinced he can do all this, expecially if a change in health care takes his whole first term.

Also, I like to hear what Hillary says. She is smart enough to be a president, so, lets please, at least listen to her.

I like to hear Obama talk. I am not convinced he can do all this, expecially if a change in health care takes his whole first term.

Also, I like to hear what Hillary says. She is smart enough to be a president, so, lets please, at least listen to her.

UHC in four years? That's bull, I doubt it will ever happen here, just more promises that will never be kept.

Ok, here we go again. All because you say we are going to have Universal Health Care does that mean it is actually possible in this country? I know it seems to work in other countries but how many of these have over 300 million people to cover? None. I can see it working in say, Germany, whose population is around 87 million. How are we going to change a whole system that has been in place for ages? I want an outline NOW, enough of this pie in the sky, vote pandering fluff, I want proof that it is doable.

I would like to see Obama support a universal health care system that removes the for-profit industries, such a private insurance, from the system.

Michael Moore's movie, SiCKO, did a great job of showing why this is essential for creating a system that could effectively meet our health care needs.

The World Health Organization ranked the U.S. 37th in the world for health system performance. Same-day access to primary-care physicians in the U.S. (33%) is far less available than in the United Kingdom (41%), Australia (54%) and New Zealand (60%). Per capita spending for health care averaged $2,696 in countries without waiting lists and $5,267 in the U.S.

The Conyers-Kucinich bill, HR 676 (http://kucinich.us/issues/universalhealth.php), is one comprehensive solution. It may/may not be the best solution, but at the very least it's a great start.

Er... if the current mascot of the Democrats is elected and can, indeed, get it done, I make that five and a half years not four so don't give up your day job.

I doubt that any of the current candidates will take a strong stand on radically changing our healthcare system. For years the policy that Health Insurers and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services have adopted to put the crunch on doctors and other providers in an effort to control cost. So what happenened? Doctors and other providers increased volume by performing more procedures, more diagnostic tests, and by marketing more services, some of which may or may not have been necessary, Look at Home Health Services for example - a runaway train! Millions spent for services that often could be provided by non clinical personnel. To change the system, providers and beneficiaries have to assume accountability for dollars spent and restrict this smorgasbord of utilization.

I doubt that any of the current candidates will take a strong stand on radically changing our healthcare system. For years the policy that Health Insurers and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services have adopted has been to put the crunch on doctors and other providers in an effort to control cost. So what happenened? Doctors and other providers increased volume by performing more procedures, more diagnostic tests, and by marketing more services, some of which may or may not have been necessary, Look at Home Health Services for example - a runaway train! Millions spent for services that often could be provided by non clinical personnel. To change the system, providers and beneficiaries have to assume accountability for dollars spent and restrict this smorgasbord of utilization.

I aplaud any Democratic candidate who is bold enough, daring enough, and willing enough, to provide universal health care for ALL American denizens.

Recently the Florida State government sent the letter below to its emplyees of the Department of Health (DOH), putting a freeze on their budget for the provision of care for the working and poor people of FL. It reads:

From: State Surgeon General
Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2007 11:35 AM
To: DL All DOH Employees
Subject: Revenue Projection Shortfall for FY 2007-08 & 2008-09

Dear Colleagues:

All agencies have been advised that the revenue projections for the state of Florida for 2007-08 and 2008-09 fiscal years do not appear sufficient to support the current budget. As a result, we have been instructed to take responsible actions now to plan for a reduction in both General Revenue and state trust funds. Target amounts will be provided by the Governor's office on July 16 and we are to submit our proposed reductions by August 8. The deputies and I will be working with management to identify the appropriate reductions to meet this targeted amount. Until the deputies can identify and finalize the specific reduction plans for the department, the following actions are effective immediately:

1. Fill only essential vacant positions at this time.

2. Scrutinize all travel - required attendance, required site reviews, non refundable tickets, etc., are considerations for travel.

3. Review all statewide meetings, conferences or trainings to determine if a more economical method, such as teleconference, live meeting or other cost effective electronic medium, should be explored and considered.

4. Monitor all purchases other than necessary items.

5. Suspend all prospective special pay increases. (This does not include bonuses approved during last Legislative Session.)

6. Review all contracts for possible reductions.

It is critical that the effort to reduce spending starts immediately and that all of us participate equally. Our targeted amount may be as high as 10% General Revenue and 10% state trust funds. If you have any questions or suggestions for immediate or long range spending reductions, please provide them to your supervisor.

Sincerely,

Ana M. Viamonte Ros, M.D., M.P.H.

State Surgeon General

*********************************************************************
Mission: To promote and protect the health and safety of all people in Florida through the delivery of quality public health services and promotion of health care standards.

Please note: Florida has a very broad public records law. Most written communications to or from state officials regarding state business are public records available to the public and media upon request. Your e-mail communications may therefore be subject to public disclosure.

Please note, the DOH of FL claims to be interested in protecting and promoting the health of Floridians. How hypocritical.
Not only the working poor who are deprived of reliable health care in FL, and the rest of the country. The scenario repeats itself in many other states. Many middle income people became bankrupt because of their need to pay for health care. Many more are afraid to seek preventive medical attention for fear of insurance companies' limitations on what medical care they can receive.
Yes, Insurance! Why should we have to "insure" our health care? Why does not the Federal Government remove the middle man and provide universal health care? Is it not charitable to be concerned about your neighbour's health just as you care if they are hungry, or in grief? Or may be the Federal and State Governments just DO NOT CARE if we are sick. Yes, I look forward to the day when we will be "freed from the fear of falling sick", to being able to practice preventive health care.
Good luck to and support for Obama and Edwards.

Best Regards,

Frank Sharpe

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