Should Congress Get Health Care on Our Tax Dollars?

7:14 pm PST, Nov 8, Tracy Bell, Arizona
Dear Representatives of both the House and Senate of the U.S, Since you have no desire to make sure I have decent affordable health care. I thought it only fitting that "we the people" do away with your health care,but as an added bonus you will have your salaries capped with no more raises until we say.and your state sponsored limousines are now in the shop,along with your private jet.Also I want your staff cut by 50 percent. I expect that your production shall not change as you will be working harder for less money. If this sounds familiar it should,It is exactly what your policy's have done for me. Sincerely Tracy J Bell P.S ..Frankly none of you people are not worth what is left

8:00 pm PDT, Oct 29, Name not displayed, California
health care should be a human right not a paid for privale

12:53 pm PDT, Oct 21, Rob Magill, Florida
crooks and hypocrites they be

6:04 pm PDT, Oct 15, Charles Marhoefer, Pennsylvania

8:04 am PDT, Oct 14, Name not displayed, Oregon
I think no health insurance is a ruse for POPULATION CONTRL..but then there would be less people to pay for polititions health care!!

10:07 pm PDT, Sep 29, Name not displayed, Connecticut

7:29 pm PDT, Sep 29, Gary Peck, Michigan

3:49 pm PDT, Sep 29, Toni Estrada, Michigan
They are killing us while they fill their pockets and kick us to the ditch.

9:35 am PDT, Sep 22, Geoffrey Allen, Michigan
With the state of the nation's economy - due in large part to the inefficient, ineffective and incompetent "leadership" provided by these exquisitely dressed blowhards - it is an appalling insult to the working people of this country that these "free riders" should receive ANYTHING better than the people whom they serve. Republicans are adamantly and vociferously opposed, philosophically, to the very concept of this sort of program - and, if they have any dignity or self-respect they should remove themselves from it immediately and purchase private insurance for themselves of their own volition - just on pure principle. Every single benefit and perk these people have ever bestowed upon themselves should be instantly reviewed and reevaluated by a citizen's board with an eye to saving every dollar possible to be put towards the nation's colossal debt. Look at the condition of the country and ask yourself if any of these charlatans deserve to be rewarded or particularly well compensated for what they have done? It's time to send messages and I can't think of a better one at this time.

3:57 pm PDT, Sep 15, Kent Swenson, North Carolina

5:30 pm PDT, Sep 14, Leah Lenardic, Illinois
Maybe you’re right, maybe we, outside the walls of Congress, are doing something wrong. Why not take the leadership role you’ve been given and show us how it’s done? Give up your health care benefits for yourselves and your families and brave the individual market. Take your pre-existing conditions and go forth to find affordable individual medical insurance policies. It shouldn’t be particularly difficult from what I hear, especially since most of you are far wealthier than the average citizen. And then live with that coverage for a couple of years, through sickness and in health, just to make sure you fully grasp the details. Publicly document your journey through the free market system so we can learn from your experiences. Naturally, the details will vary according to your state of residence. If you really believe that health care reform right now is a mistake, and that a government plan is just plain wrong, put your own health care on the line. We’ll have no choice but to take you seriously.

6:35 am PDT, Sep 12, Name not displayed, Illinois
Dear Congress, Halt your free "world class" insurance package immediately. I am a middle class citizen and our family cannot afford a decent health plan for our family. Show some integrity and drop your plan until you and the rest of Congress correct this outrageous injustice against tax-paying citizens. We pay for you, welfare, senior citizens, prison inmates, etc who ALL get health insurance. It is outrageous how Congress treats middle class citizens; we cannot find a decent, affordable, and HONEST health plan, Until this problem is solved, give up YOUR health plan! Find out what it is like in thr real world.

11:53 am PDT, Aug 26, Kathy Arnholt, Ohio
I agree..we should all be covered by the same coverage given to our representatives. Model coverage for everyone after their own.

9:20 am PDT, Aug 24, John Wilson-Bugbee, Texas
The hypocrisy and double standard opponents are applying to universal health care options for all, especially a public option, has got to stop. If you are opposed to a public option for me, then I'm sure a smart person like yourself can understand why I am opposed to your getting a free public option on my dime. Smarten up.

7:04 am PDT, Aug 21, Debi Johnson, Indiana

6:25 am PDT, Aug 11, Carolyn Denney, Georgia
If the house and congress agree to accept the same care as the rest of us, they too will be standing in line at doctor's offices waiting for hours for medical attention. This makes no sence. Everyone's time is as important as anothers. If we have to take this type or care so should the ones who work for US the people of the United States.... Nothing would ge accomplished in the house or the senate if they have the same care as the want us to accept. Also, illegal aliens should not be covered under any plan until they become American citizens. There is a procedure they must go through to become a citizen and then and only then should they be a part of the health care plan... I feel the United States is being taken advantage of because of these polices and it has to stop somewhere. We can't take care of these illegal aliens if they don't help pay for health care by paying taxes like the rest of us... There will probably be a lot younger house and senate members because when they become 50 or so in years the right to life plan would come into play...... Older people in the United States will be a thing of the past.. S

8:06 pm PDT, Aug 7, Cathi McCutchan, Wisconsin
I have children with both chronic and life-threatening medical conditions. If Congress members had to spend as much time as I do fighting insurance, they would have to replace themselves on the House floor. If Congress members had to fight every time to get medically necessary tests covered for their child or fight every time to get a life-saving medication covered for their child, they would not be available to vote or to respond to constituents or to review bills, etc. because they would be spending their waking hours on excessively long phone calls (most of it on hold) and spending their night hours awake, worrying about their child's future. They would also get burned out almost immediately since none of that hard work ever produces beneficial results - the insurance company always wins. Most insurance companies say they have "an appeal process" but then rubber-stamp denials regardless of the merits of the request or the extensive documentation the doctor provides. (And then their execs pocket millions in bonuses for denying care, thus providing more money for stockholders.) I also worry about the high out of pocket costs and have to avoid answering the phone at times when the medical debt collectors get aggressive - choosing to pay for food usually trumps paying for excessive medical bills. Especially when the premiums (just for the privilege of *having* insurance) are not affordable to begin with. If all the money Americans paid for premiums for private insurance could be redirected to actually pay for direct healthcare, we could cover the costs of providing healthcare to all Americans. At the very least we need to convert to a purely non-profit healthcare industry (think Mayo Clinic - both high quality and lower cost than private hospitals). Ideally, we go single payer. Single payer will simplify, cut admin cost and expand health CARE coverage. Single payer offers the best option to provide the highest quality of care we Americans deserve.

3:43 pm PDT, Aug 7, Rocky Graves, Tennessee

1:09 pm PDT, Aug 6, Name not displayed, Rhode Island
Our Congress members, especially those who keep claiming that the current health insurance system just needs little tweaks here and there, are completely out of touch with what ordinary Americans face. If they can't see the problem from where they sit, then they need to stand up and walk in our shoes for a while. Let them try to find fairly priced "private" insurance for their own families; let them see first-hand just how much they'd have to pay for a flimsy, high-deductible plan; let them wonder whether their insurance co. finds an excuse to drop their coverage, as soon as they come down with a serious illness or injury.

8:12 pm PDT, Aug 2, PAUL S HUGHES, Ohio
My wife and I have medical insurance through her employer (a small private college). Because of the small # of employees at this college, every year the cost of the employee's contribution has risen by an average of 20%. This year, in order to maintain health care coverage, my wife and I had to change to a higher OOP expense plan with NO coverage until the OOP expenses have been met and documented to the insurer's satisfaction. And because last year I was diagnosed with a malignant tumor in my bladder and had to have surgery to remove it, we have no options to look elsewhere for health care coverage because of my 'pre-existing condition' unless we hit the winning #'s in the lottery. My wife is dissatisfied with her current job and would like to find employment elsewhere. She has a Master's Degree and is well qualified for the position she has as Director of Financial Aid at the college where she works and would be just as qualified for many other positions in related fields. I own a small farm and manage it as my primary source of income. I also have a couple of e-business sites that supplement my income. I have checked into purchasing private insurance coverage, insurance coverage through membership in an organization such as the Ohio Farm Bureau, and none of these options are available at a cost that is within our household income. I have previously worked in the insurance industry as a sales rep for individual and group medical coverage. I left that industry because I could no longer reconcile my ideals, goals, and beliefs that I was helping the people to whom I was selling health care plans and the reality of what these people where actually purchasing when they signed the application for the insurance coverage. The policies were always written to the advantage of the insurance company much to the disadvantage of the purchaser.

6:56 pm PDT, Aug 2, Name not displayed, Kansas
Something is very wrong when American senior's health care is to be rationed while illegal aliens get free health care. This is in the plan. Also members of congress should have the same health plan that they vote in for the rest of us.

5:46 am PDT, Aug 2, Mary Blackburn, Virginia
Barrack Obama is trying to push this Health Care Reform Bill on the Public when he does not know or understand many parts of it. Why should he care since he is exempt from the Bill as all members of the House and Senate are? RIDICULOUS!

4:02 pm PDT, Jul 29, Peter Richmond, Georgia
Congressman, As long as our Congress enjoys the special status of their own publically subsidized health care, it will be very difficult for the othe 99.99% of Americans to see the FAIRNESS in any new Health Care Plan.

3:38 pm PDT, Jul 27, Jean Bainger, Pennsylvania

1:15 pm PDT, Jul 27, Margie Robinson, Georgia
Those of you who are opposing healthcare reform must be some of the most ego-centric, heartless, and cruel individuals to walk the face of the earth. Christian? Not by one half of one percent. These are not meant as insults but come based on long-term observations of American politics for a period of 30+ years. To acknowledge that a problem exists requires more than words and a half-hearted attempt to cripple the final product, thereby setting it up for failure. What is required is recognizing and acknowledging the problem exists, researching the causes of the problem, relating the problem to real life situations, thinking of the American citizens not as constituents but as your fellow-man worthy of just as much in life as you think you are, and last but not least, do what is morally right, making your achievements a lasting legacy for all Americans.

12:13 pm PDT, Jul 27, Susan Donohue, New Jersey

11:43 am PDT, Jul 27, Name not displayed, California

7:46 am PDT, Jul 27, Kathye Buckallew, Texas
Let the government walk in our shoes with us!

4:03 pm PDT, Jul 24, Allen Geoffrion, New Hampshire

3:46 pm PDT, Jul 24, Keith Horn, Wyoming
I'm so fed up with this debate. We mean nothing to our government. We will probably be put on a list for this, why do we even fight anymore? Why do we pay them? When was the last time you saw your rediculous taxes used for your benifit? Most taxes go to pay salery, and national security, I feel super secure after 9/11 and our sothern border conflicts. I would be fired if I did such a bad job. How do we fire them when they lie or make a massive mistake. Like killing civilians? Letting civilians die when it's your job to protect, and your cutt'n brush, or golfing. We might as well tri ourselves for treason and commit suicide so they don't have to do it to us. I pay 29% and I recently heard the richist in america pay less than 10%. I wonder if they can afford insurance, and then pay for the operation when insurance denies their claim?

6:23 pm PDT, Jul 20, Carl Rosenstock, Wisconsin
Why is this issue important to you? Share your personal story with our Congress to put a human face on this needlessly political issue.

8:56 am PDT, Jul 18, Bruce Ihrig, Texas
Our Country can not afford another tax increase. Goverment Heath Care will only lower the quallity of heath care in our country. The only people that would vote for this in the House and Senate would be those that want to distroy America and the American way of life.

11:18 am PDT, Jul 17, Name not displayed, Texas
Leave Healthcare as it is. How does one expect to pay for such an outrageous idea other than more TAXES. The middle class is going to riot is this keeps up

6:52 am PDT, Jul 17, Kevin Smith, Texas

6:47 am PDT, Jul 17, Brian McMillion, Texas

10:05 pm PDT, Jul 16, John Taylor, Texas

7:27 am PDT, Jul 16, Patty Weikart, California

6:36 am PDT, Jul 16, Bryan Lamb, North Carolina
This bill is just another example of how the Congress thinks of themselves as a ruling elite and they do not have to answer to anyone.If this health care plan is so good why is it being rushed through without any debate???What is the rush??If we must go to a nationlized system then Congress should have to be in the same plan as the rest of us.We need to wake up and start taking our country back from all of these frauds and hipocrites. TERM LIMITS NOW.

8:05 pm PDT, Jul 15, Name not displayed, Texas
This idea is a change I can believe in!

11:55 am PDT, Jul 15, Alice Usinger, Pennsylvania

8:26 am PDT, Jul 15, Name not displayed, South Carolina

12:06 pm PDT, Jul 14, Name not displayed, Ohio

3:40 pm PDT, Jul 13, M Brimhall, Arizona
I'm going on 30th year of employment and will have to pay 1100.00 per month for two adults. How can you expect the people to respect you...you get too much for nothing. I get a paycheck and that's it, so should YOU! And that's it!

1:39 am PDT, Jul 13, Karin Lee, Oregon
In this country there are thousands of children without medical care. That should cause someone at the top to bow their head in shame!

4:12 pm PDT, Jul 11, Judith DuPont, Missouri

2:17 pm PDT, Jul 8, Name not displayed, California
I work for the state, so I have insurance, but I still pay a lot out of pocket for my medicine. My son is on Medi-Cal, handicapped since birth,he has great insurance. My husbsand has worked and paied into the system since 1963, he's been laid off. Now he's paid taxes all these years and has no insurance? Not fair! My 20 year old grandson can only find part-time work and has no insurance either, again, not fair!

3:32 pm PDT, Jul 6, Gail Bullock, Georgia
If the healthcare nightmare is passed, Congress, as representatives of We the People, are subject to it, too. No special healthcare for MoC, when tax dollars are paying for it!

8:39 am PDT, Jun 28, Jumaane Makalani, California
Please, healthcare for all.

8:00 am PDT, Jun 26, Name not displayed, Wisconsin
I have good health care because I am a state employee, but, because it is so expensive for the state to pay for it, now, to balance the budget in the state, all state employees must take a cut in pay. Obviously, the state is a very large negotiating group, and yet my benefits cost nearly an additional 50% of my salary. Health care costs need to come down and the "free market" is not helping it get there. Do something about health care, and, members of Congress, pay in a monthly portion of your yearly cost, like the rest of us have to do.

1:14 pm PDT, Jun 25, Catherine Hackenberg, Texas