A statement on health care that makes an impact

[MissMillie]

I heard this on NPR back in July, and I'm amazed that the Kerry Campaign hasn't been saying it every single time they talk to people. I think it is a statement that is so powerful, it would make a huge difference in this campaign.

The number of uninsured Americans is equal to the combined populations of the following states:

Oklahoma
Connecticut
Iowa
Mississippi
Kansas
Arkansas
Utah
Nevada
New Mexico
Oregon
West Virginia
Nebraska
Idaho
Maine
New Hampshire
Hawaii
Rhode Island
Montana
Deleware
North Dakota
South Dakota
Alaska
Vermont
Wyoming

In case any of you are counting that's 24 of our 50 states.

Why this isn't considered a crisis is beyond me.

[Norquist Nemesis]

1. The Bush Flim Flam for today is that

Bush's new and improved healthcare plan--the one he says is better than what we can expect in terms of cost by someone from Massachussettes--is ...wait for it... here it comes! ...

COSTS MORE THAN KERRY'S PLAN!

[lapfog_1]

2. Count me in

I am self employed (currently unemployed) computer scientist.
I used to have insurance until I was diagnosed with WPW (genetic
defect). I had corrective heart surgery which cost my insurance
company (my first claim ever in over 20+ years) about $25,000.
Within 8 weeks of my surgery, they dropped me from their insurance
rolls, stating that they were "realigning" their patient profiles.
After that, the cheapest insurance carrier I could find wanted
$900/month with a $10,000 deductible, and that wouldn't cover
any future operations related to WPW. I check around now and
again to see if things have changed. They haven't. I will likely
never have insurance again. Even if I joined a large corporation,
the coverage is limited for as long as one year, and even after that
will not cover future heart surgeries related to WPW (pre-existing
condition).