So, after working for over 30 years, paying my taxes, raising my family (single parent since 1992), paying for medical insurance which I rarely used for years & years (I don't like doctors but occasionally they are necessary), I suddenly lost my job over office politics and the bad economy last Jan. and have been out of work since though I'm looking every day - there's just nothing happening here. If I get seriously ill or injured do I just lay down and die? Which is worse, accidental euthanasia due to bureaucratic bullshit or suffering and death due to purposely ignorring the need. No one wants to coddle the true freeloaders, though attempting to weed them out adds greatly to the bureauracracy, but the costs need to be brought under control. My only health problem at this point is a bad back which goes back over 20 years. I've worked in spite of the problem btu because I had surgery for it 20 years and I don't know how many insurance plans ago, even if I can get some insurance under the current system if I need any other treatment I'm still SOL because it's a pre-existing condition.

A few years ago a coworker of mine was seriously injurred on the job. Workman's comp took care of his injuries but while he was out of work he was in danger of losing his own medical insurance because he had no money for it. I only learned afterword that he was able to keep his coverage because I had anonimously donated my Christmas bonus to him.

My mom has pretty good coverage thanks to my late father's retirement benefits and medicare but this year the provider is changing and her deductable is doubling. And what if the new provider decides to be a pain about pre-existing conditions which in her case is alzheimers.

I'm not one to be on Barry's bandwagon and I don't like using one of his bullshit slogans, but this is one area that has to change because good people are already suffering and dieing.