Yeh, That report on the pap smear did make me look up from what I was doing at the moment while listening to the propram. I keep wondering if anyone in government ever watch any of these programs.

I do believe that people from the current administration and congresspeople have been in favor of the Mayo and Cleveland system.

I do remember that President Obama visited the Cleveland Clinic when he started this health care reform. They like the salary system instead of the fee for service system we have now. The fee for service system, currently in place, encourages doctors and hospitals to do far too many tests just to make money.  If you noticed on that 60 Minutes feature yesterday they had some older lady in the ICU. They had given her a pap test. That was a joke and a costly joke. Another reason why we, as a coutry, spend so much more on health care for some.

Thanks for your comments!

Pleaselistensome, Talking about the Mayo and Cleveland Cinics, several weeks ago some doctor from the Mayo Clinic was on PBS's Charlie Rose program explaining their Clinic's programs pointing out ways to both improve health care as well saving wasted money. Charlie Rose asked the doctor if anyone from government ever asked the clinic to help with this issue. The doctor answered that no one from government has ever approached them for any kind of help or data. I wonder if government has asked any of the other good clinics for any assistance with this health care issue. I am beginning to wonder who is working on this health care issue if some of our better know how people aren't even asked for help.

I did see the 60 minute program and it just makes me wonder how so called educated people can leave other humans suffer just for dollars. And what angers me even more is from readings and other tv programs there are many more out there suffering  for dollars. Maybe we should have a game show on television entitled Suffering for Dollars with government and medical people as contestants. Yes I know there are a lot of good ones out there who are fighting this corrupted system, but for some reason, they are not winning the war. Maybe some praying would help.

Sorry to hear about your daughter!  Many people can go to the ER but a treatment plan is not always available because that would require follow up care. Some people ,without insurance, are not given proper care in the ER. I know that for a fact. AAlso, mental illness can enter the picture.

haven't you heard of young women getting a breast cancer diagnosis and being told the treatment they need will cost $4,000.00 per month. ?They need it right away with no way to pay. They had been active employees but don't have insurance. I just heard about another case like this in our area and I know the facts are correct and true.

Of course I wouldn't want a program that will cost trillions of dollars and I know there can be real savings in the Medicare program.

Did you happen to watch the medical story on 60 Minutes tonight? They did explain who 50 billion dollars is spent in the last two months of elderly peoples' lives mostly in ICU. Now isn't that a sad way to die? And , for the most part, a waste of money.

I believe if we could change the way we pay doctors , from a fee for service, to a salary money can be saved. Both the Mayo Cliinic and The Cleveland Hear Clinic use this system and they are two of the best around.

It is the bones/structure of medicare that really need to be changed to produce savings.

I don't understand why someone dies because they don't have insurance! Anyone that has a serious ailment can go to any ER and get treatment. If they have chronic ailments they can get help for their treatment through social security. I know this is factual because I lost a daughter in January that was receiving those benefits and was in a care home, which she received free of charge. She hadn't worked in 10 years prior to receiving that benefit. Many people with minor problems often just call the Paramedics. They are mandated to give whatever help they can while on the scene, no matter what it is. If you are speaking of people who have never worked, I would suspect they are on welfare of some kind.

I believe we should all continue to work for reform, no one is saying to stop trying, but to be held up by someone telling you that it's all or nothing, if you want better healthcare you have to give me a trillion dollars!!! To me thats incomprehendable...........................

My concern is that if we don';t get the regorm now(and change it with a future bill) we won't talk about health reform for many years to come. You do remember the last time health reform came up it was under Bill Clinton. Not even a peep under George Bush!!! So if this is defeated just how many more years do you think it will take to bring up health care reform? I don't think I will live that long, do you?

That is my main reason for working for reform at this time. Some people do need change now because they don't have insurance, can't afford insurance or have such a hudge donut hole they can't purchase the medicine they need. We have waited far too long!! Do you actually know how many people die each day because they don't have insurance. That is why I continue to fight for reform. do I like many of the features? I am not sure but I know for sure that far too many hard working people are going bankrupt, not living anymore or are in a constant state of worry about health care.

I am personally thinking I really like the single payer idea. I have investigated some of it and am currently reading a book byKip Sullivan, "The Health Care Mess." I would recommend this to people who really want to understand our health care situation.

At this ooint in the donut hole I must select either the medication I need to live or eyeglasses. While there are a few programs out there for help, if one has worked and earn money in retirement they are out of luck.

Now we're back where we started when I stated we have higher taxes because of those that do not pay. You stated that hospitals don't receive any kind of government subsidy, just higher insurance premiums.  I commend you for all your work for better medicine and working against fraud and abuse. I agree we should have a better system, but this legislation is flawed and way too costly. It is not financially neutral and will cost us more every year, not just us, but our children and our childrens children. Nothing about this bill is "right". To accept such an expense to receive a few morsels for some while denying for others is and should be, unacceptable to everyone in America. It truly is a scary concept, giving way too much power to the executive branch without means for recourse. This does not mean that those of us against this bill are against health reform, nothing could be more incorrect! It simply means we won't accept this bill!! Do I have the answers, no, but if they formed a citizens commitee, i'm sure I could give better input than many of these politicians who are only looking to "sell" their vote for personal gain.......

Are you talking about a current situation? If so, I believe the indivisual states are suppose to help the hospital pay for those coats. I know in Minnesota, which will have large state cuts to hospitals, some hospitals such as HCMC have said they will have to close down cwertain units because Go. P. has made hudge cuts. So I assume that the individual states are to pay the hospitals for mandated care.

I hope you don't think that I am saying hospitals shouldn't be paid to care to for people who don't pay.  I am the person who went door to door in my former village to get the village to build a new hospital. I am the one who fought for better pay for employees and to have TPS on hand after it first came out, while I was on the hospital board I am also one of the people who worked to help sstop Mediacre fraud and abuse at this hospital.

I am just saying that we need to reform the system. I have the highest respect for emergency workers and all medical staff. I have a sister who is a nurse, have been in an ambulance four times in my life and owe my life to a doctor and a great medical staff. And I believe everybody should have health care! I have just been working on how that could possibly happen. Any ideas?