health insurance reform

I have privately purchased insurance, costing me about $170 a month. I got a check-up in December. It will cost me $785 out of pocket. Worse, because the check up was in December, the $785 won't even count towards my deductible, because the deductible resets on Jan 1. I am healthy and single, make about 40k a year, and affording medical care is a challenge for me.

Monies Will Be Used to Bolster Consumer Outreach, Rate Reviews, Better Government

I feel a chill running down my spine as I open yet another envelope. I know that folded within is another medical bill I won’t be able to pay. The healthcare reform bill that was signed into law this week and praised by Cal Cunningham has the potential to change my life. My story isn’t really all that different from the stories of millions of other Americans who have played battle royale with health insurance companies. But I feel like my story needs telling, if only to provide a comforting nod of solidarity to others in similar circumstances.

US Senate candidate Cal Cunningham today jumped on Burr's announcement with both feet, and I expect other candidates will do the same.

Richard Burr: “This is a health care bill no one wants and the people have been more vocal than about any bill I have seen in my political career,” he said.

Really, Senator Burr. You honestly think that "no one" wants this insurance reform? I know you're a frat-boy slacker from way back, but jeez, do you really have to project your delusions onto Obama? The only reason you're grabbing this issue is because of YOUR career. You've done nothing of note over in 16 long years in Congress, and the chickens are coming home to roost.

Game on. The November election will indeed be a referendum on health insurance reform. And you're going to get your ass kicked.

For those of you that like charts, graphs and data, the Corporate Research Group has a Healthcare Blog which speaks to the business of healthcare.

I do not know enough to endorse this site, but the discussions and arguments seem rational, and that's all I can say.

-b

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Pass health reform now.

In the various battles on Capitol Hill and elsewhere, working out the details of health care reform, many compromises have already been made. During this time, the most critical part of health care reform, the public option, has been teetering on the chopping block. I believe that many Democrats view the public option as a "nice to have" thing, but are prepared to toss it away like some kind of trump card if it will seal the deal. But if we throw this card down, we lose the game, period.