Before the 'Left' or any group supports health reform, they should know what they are supporting!

[debbierlus]

I am not of the mindset that any health care reform bill passed by Congress and supported by Obama should be given unqualified support by ANYONE.

I want single payer. Obviously, that is not going to happen right now. The insurance companies have dictated the debate, and the result will most likely be they dictate the legislation. A 'public option' theoretically could promote more affordable and accessible coverage, however, this does not seem a likely reality, as the public option become diluted to the point of being little more then a gesture towards placating the 'base' who are demanding this option. However, I would support a bill with a strong and real public option. If Congress passes a bill with a public option that is open to all Americans, provides comprehensive and affordable coverage to those who enroll in it, and does not deliberately weaken the public option solely with the intent of allowing insurance companies to maintain high profit margins, the bill will have my support.

I will NOT support a mandatory health insurance bill. We have mandatory health insurance in Massachusetts and it is not working for many people. If you make over 56,000 and want to purchase insurance from the health pool set up by the state, the price tag is 1,100 dollars a month for a family of three. If you make over 85,000, up that to 1,400 a month. Those are the prices that my sister was quoted when she looked into buying into the 'affordable' group private insurance pool set up by the state. She lost her insurance last month. And, there are still high co-pays and deductibles with these plans. Additionally, the Massachusetts plan will be financially insolvent in less then two years. And, my sister can't afford health insurance.

Why on earth would I support a similiar plan on a national level?

I do not buy the argument that if Obama fails to pass some type of reform, the Republicans will proclaim victory and we will never see real change.

I fear that we will pass a bill WRITTEN by the health insurance companies that will effectively cut off the possibility for real change. Perhaps the health insurance wants this rushed legislation passed now because they know the time is approaching when Ameicans of every political stripe will come to the realization the true cure for our health care system is to get rid of THEM? They are acting out of self-preservation, and the legislation they propose is not to increase affordability or accessiblity of care to American citizens, it is to maintain (or even increase) their profits.

Americans need and desire for real healthcare reform will not disappear, if a bad piece of legislation is not passed. It will only increase, and with that increased desire will come increased demand for a REAL solution. And, all politicians who stand in the way of true reform will face their political demise. Republicans and democrats alike.

I will not blindly support any politician for corporately dictated legislation.

Policy over politician. ALWAYS.