Old news for many of us, but a pretty good source of figures to cite in any healthcare argument

[OmahaBlueDog]

http://www.nchc.org/facts/cost.shtml

My personal favorites

<<In 2008, the United States will spend 17 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on health care. It is projected that the percentage will reach 20 percent by 2017.>>

<<Although nearly 46 million Americans are uninsured, the United States spends more on health care than other industrialized nations, and those countries provide health insurance to all their citizens.>>

<<A recent study by Harvard University researchers found that the average out-of-pocket medical debt for those who filed for bankruptcy was $12,000. The study noted that 68 percent of those who filed for bankruptcy had health insurance. In addition, the study found that 50 percent of all bankruptcy filings were partly the result of medical expenses. Every 30 seconds in the United States someone files for bankruptcy in the aftermath of a serious health problem.>>

[Indydem]

1. Great statistics.

The problem is that the President, congress, and the Democratic politicians are pushing a half-assed system that is going to leave 37 million uninsured and make a mockery of reforming health care. What going to be left is a huge pool of uninsured who feel betrayed by the Democrats in power, and millions of Americans pissed off cause their private insurance got more expensive.

Single payer or nothing. The people's representatives need to quit fucking around.