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Census: More Nebraskans without health insurance

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By JEAN ORTIZ / The Associated Press

Tuesday, Aug 26, 2008 - 06:43:56 pm CDT

OMAHA — Nearly 13 percent of Nebraskans have no health insurance coverage, according to a new report from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The state’s two-year average uninsured rate for 2006-2007 is up 2.3 percentage points, to 12.8 percent, from the average rate of 2004-2005, 10.5 percent.

But why Nebraska is falling behind is unclear, said Dr. Richard O’Brien, co-chairman of the Nebraska Medical Association’s Health Care Reform Task Force.

“We’ve got to do something about health care in this country and in this state,’’ he said.

The state’s rate of uninsured still falls below the nationwide 2006-2007 average of 15.5 percent.

Nebraska is among 10 states that saw an increase in their two-year average rate of uninsured.

Two years of data, and in some cases three, are combined because of the smaller survey size, said David Drozd, a research associate with the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Center for Public Affairs Research.

The data was part of a new census report on income, poverty and health insurance coverage in the U.S. that was released Tuesday.

Nebraska’s poverty rate held close to 11 percent, which isn’t much of a departure from 2006 data, but is up nearly a percentage point since 2001.

The major concern about health care for Nebraskans is cost, said O’Brien, referring to results of a survey commissioned by the association and conducted in April by KRC Research. The survey included more than 500 Nebraskans using a demographically representative cross-section.

The number of children without health insurance remains concerning, said officials with Voices for Children in Nebraska who issued a statement in response to the census report.

About 45,000 children — or 10 percent of the child population in the state — don’t have access to health care, despite efforts to provide greater access through the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, according to the release.

State lawmakers attempted a similar effort in January, when legislation was introduced that would have increased the state eligibility rate for Kids Connection, an insurance program for low-income children. The bill failed to advance out of committee.

Sarah Ann Lewis, policy coordinator for Voices for Children, said, “Nebraska’s legislators need to expand this program to ensure that Nebraska’s children have access to the care that they need to grow up healthy and strong."


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easy wrote on August 26, 2008 10:21 am:
" My opinion is: It's too easy to get on Medicaid in Nebraska so there are people that think they don't have to get insurance "

 bd wrote on August 26, 2008 10:25 am:
" To Easy,

You do realize medicaid counts as insurance as far as the census forms? So these are 12% of people who have neither medicaid or regular insurance. But thanks to those 12%, and people's refusal to insure them or provide so sort of coverage, all our hospital bills are way up since the only way for them to get care is to go the emergency room. Hooray America's broken insurance system. "

 In the Healthcare field wrote on August 26, 2008 10:33 am:
" Seriously, What is up with people who have houses that cost over $200,000, new cars, all their kids have cell phones, video games, etc and they come in with Medicaid? "

 stignob wrote on August 26, 2008 10:45 am:
" Say no too universal health care for the costs burden obesity problem we have. For we only have our selves to blame not society to pick up the tab. "

 Hopeful wrote on August 26, 2008 10:49 am:
" Just so you know that is not necessarely true. There are other options for those of us without health insurance. LLCHD and Peoples Health Center. Peoples works on a sliding fee scale and is there for those with insurance and without insurance. They help you get medication at a reduced rate and you can have Dr. visits as little as $15 dollars. They also help to keep people out of the emergency room by offering these services. However, the fact remains that there are health care disparities everywhere it doesnt necessarly mean people just think it is to easy to get on medicade because its not for some of us. I make to much to qualify. I am an educated single mom who does not have have health insurance at the time. I dont think it is right to stereo type those of us who have no health insurance by saying we all just go to the emergency room or "its to easy to get medicade" I have worked in communtiy health and there is way more to this than you may understand. "

 Jerry wrote on August 26, 2008 10:50 am:
" Isn't it funny how people learn to play the system. If you know where to go and how to do it, you can get all the freebies you want. This practice is passsed down through generations. Once someone starts receiving Medicad, Food Stamps and other Government Sub's, the next generation learns how to get these also. "

 No one wrote on August 26, 2008 11:36 am:
" Not a single person should be without some type of medical insurance. You can get a policy for high deductible insurance for less than you pay for cable. Too many people are taking a chance because they don't realize how cheap it is to be covered for the catastrophic illness. You can go to Super Saver to get medical care for those non-emergency illnesses, and that too costs about the same as a month of cable.

People need to learn there are options. Sure, you won't be covered 100 percent, but everyone ought to have at least SOME insurance. "

 BC wrote on August 26, 2008 11:38 am:
" Come on people. Let's not be selfish and do what Jesus would do. Our concerns should be focused on our neighbors and not ourselves. "

 Yup wrote on August 26, 2008 11:44 am:
" This ranking could be due to the many farm families self employed in Nebraska. Many don't have access to employer sponsored plans and don't carry individual plans. "

 Change needed wrote on August 26, 2008 11:45 am:
" The reality is that health insurance and health care expenses have skyrocketed for everyone. Employers cannot afford to subsidize coverage to the same extent that they used to. Many individuals cannot afford health insurance it even if they do work. Those that have health insurance typically have a lesser plan with a higher deductible than was the norm 10 or even 5 years ago. Thus many have insufficient coverage and 15% of the nation is without coverage.

I don’t know if universal health care is the answer, but the path we are on now certainly isn’t working! "

 Darwin wrote on August 26, 2008 11:46 am:
" Pffttt.... Ya, it is all about playing the system. Here is a fun game for you: Become self-employed, pay 600$ per person per month for insurance that has a $5000 deductable and only covers "Major Medical Hospitalization", do not pass Go, do not collect 500$.

For those of us who work outside of the major corporations, health insurance is prohibitively expensive. Not only that, it doesnt even cover 99.999% of the claims that "normal" insurance does. I would like to see any of you pay 1200$ a month for the worst coverage in the world, then tell me I am "playing the system". "

 Ed wrote on August 26, 2008 12:00 pm:
" More uninsured...that is not a measure of success, it is a failure. There are critics who would let others suffer, that has been the outcome of having Fortenberry and Heineman supporting cuts in taking care of the poor, those in need, and children. If we are a moral nation, then we need to start applying Christian values, and if churches aren't providing coverage then we have an obligation to assure government is doing its part. We can't build hospitals in Iraq and ignore the neighbors, friends and family members in need. Maybe Bush-Cheney and their kind can, but most people know that is not the way to treat members of our state, our community. "

 Rey wrote on August 26, 2008 12:00 pm:
" I find it a bit odd that a story on those with no health care turned into a string on Medicaid. A lot of people make too much money to be on Medicaid at jobs that do not provide health care and with the cost of having your own health care being so high many of those can not afford it. Also, I would much rather help someone who is working and does not have health care than someone who does not work so I see why people want to talk about it but that's another story. "

 Used to be GOP wrote on August 26, 2008 12:33 pm:
" You people are so lathered up about Medicaid, and I understand that because it is partially funded by the state. But what about Medicare? We spend FAR more tax dollars on this program than we ever will on Medicaid. What about all of the seniors on Medicare who have huge nesteggs and could easily afford to buy their own? And don't forget that Medicaid is also paying for more and more nursing home bills.

If you look at the numbers, you will find that entitlements to the elderly are the programs that are really going to kill us; especially as the Boomers get older. The immigrants and welfare queens that everyone is so shook up about account for only a fraction.

The only way out of this is to standardize and centralize the whole process and then let it out for competitive bidding. Walmart is far more efficient than a bunch of mom-and-pop shops. Right now, our healtcare system is a bunch of mom-and-pop shops. This is why we spend twice as much per capita and have worse outcomes than every other developed nation. "

 Medicaid urban legends wrote on August 26, 2008 12:35 pm:
" What is up with the myth that people on Medicaid have $200,000 houses, brand new cars, and all the latest electronic gadgets? This is simply not true. Maybe it's happened once or twice in the history of Medicaid, and those people are defrauding the system and will eventually get caught and suffer the consequences. How about some comments on the thousands of people who are very poor but earn just above the eligibility limit, so they don't qualify for Medicaid, and how we can help them. "

 BicycleMike wrote on August 26, 2008 12:47 pm:
" I'm reading a few comments here, so it's all the fault of the individual themselves? The darn people don't have health insurance and they just get on Medicaid anyway, they deserve nothing? reading these comments and just how callous they are, would it be better if everyone who is not on a health insurance program or falls off of one would just fade away, fall of the face of the earth because they are not worthy? There is no doubt that Medicaid can be abused at times, does that automatically mean that all who seek Medicaid are worthless souls? BD is correct, Medicaid does indeed count as insurance for the survey's purposes. A long time ago I was out mountain biking with someone I knew, they had a very bad crash and no health insurance. Because they could not afford an emergency room visit I watched this person take a needle and thread and sew themselves up with 40 runs of the needle through their arm, that after I offered to pay for the visit to the hospital. I'll never be so callous as to speak poorly of those without insurance. Every time I retrieve my health insurance card from my wallet I am thankful and humbled at the same time. I realize I have something that amounts to the holy grail so some. By the way these are or fellow Nebraskans, our neighbors that we're talking about. We're better than this, we don't need to look down on the uninsured. Let's continue to set the bar high with treatment of our neighbors, I would expect this callous attitude someplace else in the country. "

 no coverage wrote on August 26, 2008 1:16 pm:
" My husband is self-employed and I work for a small company that does not provide health insurance coverage. We are middle aged and the last time I checked into health insurance, even with a $5,000 deductible per person, it cost in the neighborhood of $700 per month. My cable bill is approximately $55.00 per month. By my math, even if we give up cable, I can't afford the additional $645 per month. Also, with a $5,000 deductible, by the time I get done making payments to the health care providers up to the amount of the deductible, on top of the health insurance premium, there's no way to do it financially. If "no one" has the names of some insurance companies that will provide coverage for the same cost as cable per month, I'd appreciate it, so that I can contact them. "

 BicycleMike wrote on August 26, 2008 1:16 pm:
" Actually it is your choice that your self-employeed. I choose to work for the "man" (and proud of it might I say) so that I have access to such things as super good health insurance. Darwin, I understand your position and feel for you but I'm a high school grad, no college and and soon as I got out in the real world I went to find a job with great bennies. Again, I feel for your situation I truly do things are not right as they are now but don't critize me for your lack of health care coverage. "

 New York Baby wrote on August 26, 2008 1:25 pm:
" Boomies aren't going to get much from Medicare because the Greatest (Greedy) Generation is eating up all the money. I pay high health insurance and I'm also paying a good amount of money from my paycheck for those seniors so they can get their knees replaced for little or nothing. "

 Goverment Haters wrote on August 26, 2008 1:33 pm:
" There is a pernicious line of thinking out there that WANTS you -Mr and Mrs Citzen- to distrust if not HATE your government. Why? Because if you view your goverment as "too big" or incompetent then your government will turn over its responsibilities to the private sector. Doing this doesn't mean you will pay less -though the mantra re: the wonders of the free market will be used to convince you that you will pay less- the fact is you will pay more. I can think of several examples that come to mind.

Back in the 1970s my wife took out student loans at 3% from the Goverment Student Loan Program. She was a poor girl from right here in the Heartland. Her father suffered a stroke early in the life of their family and her mother sewed for a living. They made pennies, folks. But all three of those kids went on to college via grants and loans. One worked for NASA, one works with a PhD at Los Alamos National Labratory and my wife became a dedicated school teacher.

Now we are trying to put our kids through school and you can imagine whats happened. To "slim down goverment", the National Student Loan Prgram was privatized back in the 80s sometime. Now our interest rates are 8 and 9 percent, while broadbased interest rates are still what they were in the 70s (if not lower). Yes, thanks to SLIMMING DOWN EVIL GOVERMENT the private sector has doubled what it costs me in interest to send my kids to college.

The same argument can be made for the NATIONALIZATION of medical insurance. The secret to savings has ALWAYS been to cut out the middle man. We don't need the insurance industry to double and quadrupple our health care bills. We need to get rid of them. "

 clarification wrote on August 26, 2008 1:39 pm:
" 1) 60% of emergency room misuse is by people WITH insurance who either (a) don't have a regular doctor and therefore don't know where to go, or (b) don't want to take time off work to go to the doctor during business hours. An interesting trend popping up in Kansas City: you can go see a physician's assistant outside of business hours without an appointment for $75 for routine medical issues (infections, cold, flu, earache, etc.).

2) I had independent single coverage for $90/mo. Get a cheap policy and save the difference in the premiums to pay for routine expenses. "Insurance" for routine health care is merely prepaid medical care, which jacks up the cost for everyone and leads people to believe they can consume as much as they want for "free." "

 Donna wrote on August 26, 2008 1:41 pm:
" My husband is disabled with a mental illness and I am almost 60 and work 40 hours a wk, 7.00 hr, no ins. or any benefits and we dont qualify for any help with anything because we make to much money. His disability check is 700. a mo.There is no money for health ins or anything. We scrape by. We eat baked potatoes with cheese and on good days we have hamburger helper. "

 HPG wrote on August 26, 2008 2:17 pm:
" The freedoms guaranteed in the Constitution; life liberty, the pursuit of happiness and health insurance. "

 Covered wrote on August 26, 2008 2:49 pm:
" I believe it is the responsibity of employers to provide the health insurance. Yes, I agree, too many people are taking advantage of the system, we all know this is a well known problem in Nebraska, however, our lawmakers are more concerned with getting a bigger budget for our road construction, than the health of our citizens.

I think if someone has a full time job, they should qualify for health care. and yes, they should have to help pay the premiums. I know people who are taking advantage of the system, working full time, and using the employer for the insurance, and still milking the state for things such as daycare for their children?! The rules need to be more strict on eligibility for medicaid, as well as every other form of state assistance. "

 Susan wrote on August 26, 2008 2:51 pm:
" The point that Medicaid is a part of the survey still doesn't change the data that Nebraska is falling behind 44 other states with the increase in uninsured. That is a metric of governance and substantive job creation. It is a measure that the governor can't be bragging about, it is a signal of a less attractive state of our state. It is an indicator that Republican success really isn't helping our citizens. "

 Its not Medicaids Fault wrote on August 26, 2008 2:57 pm:
" I have to friends that work for different pharmaceutical companies. Do you know what their commission is? Well, one as a "prize" received an all expense paid trip for 4 to Hawaii. The other...Monoaco, not to mention cars ect. So that is where our medical insurance is going up. It's the bonus they pay to employees. Get real people the insurance company is making millions just like the gas/oil companies. We bulked and look--prices went down. Our insurance at work...if you live in certain zip codes it is higher-talk about discrimination State of Nebraska. "

 MJohns wrote on August 26, 2008 3:02 pm:
" So the governor writes a letter requesting USDA support for the pork industry and gets $50 million. That is quite a bailout. Yet he would cut
$ millions for health care or avoid insuring citizens? Go figure! "

 Concerned wrote on August 26, 2008 4:01 pm:
" Well let's see in the past 5 months my husband and I have both become unemployed....not to our fault, one company closed its doors and the other was the product of work force reduction -- no both looking for employment and go figure our unemployemnt checks put us OVER income to receive any help none not even for our children---- so the unemployment covers the bills but none left over for the health insurance -- I have put in over 150 applications in and my husband some where around the same -- but because we have had the same jobs and limited expirence or in some cases are over qualified jobs are hard to come by so yeah I am one of the those 12% and it is not all what is cracked up to be. But I was told that if we had one more child then we would qualify for help --- there is a go figure. "

 CS wrote on August 26, 2008 4:54 pm:
" When I received unemployment it was capped at around 200 a week. 1600 for two adults is too much money for Kids Connection? They take a lot more that 1600 a month for income to qualify.

Family # Monthly Yearly
1 $1,604 $19,248
2 $2,159 $25,908
3 $2,714 $32,568
4 $3,269 $39,228
5 $3,824 $45,888
6 $4,379 $52,548 "

 Well wrote on August 26, 2008 4:58 pm:
" Who cares if the poor can't afford insurance? They probably didn't make enough campaign donations anyway. At least Exxon is still getting all those tax cuts. Don't they deserve it? "

 Jason wrote on August 26, 2008 5:59 pm:
" So we go full circle: corn for ethanol leads to other problems including lack of funds to take care of the health of people. Competition for the finite supply of corn, with the added consumer of ethanol production, leads to higher priced feeds. Higher priced feeds threatens pork prices and profit. Not only does government subsidize the ethanol producers, it also has to subsidize the pork industry. “Lincoln, Neb. - May 2, 2008) Gov. Dave Heineman sent a letter today U.S. Agriculture Sec. Ed Schafer for purchasing commodities for food assistance programs.
Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced plans to purchase up to $50 million in pork products that will be donated to child nutrition and other domestic food assistance programs. The purchase also is expected to help stabilize the marketplace for pork”

This results in higher taxes and less ability for citizens to\pay for health care insurance while also facing inflated food prices. The pork case is just one area of business affected, also are the cattle, poultry, and even corn syrups, flour and yes...even soybean products when biodiesel is produced.

The governor has taken a backdoor approach to avoid a problem that has its root cause in corn for ethanol programs "

 No coverage costs wrote on August 26, 2008 7:01 pm:
" As reported by CNN Money yesterday, Americans without health insurance will spend $30 billion out of pocket on medical care this year, according to a new report by George Mason University and the Urban Institute.

The government will pay about 75% of an additional $56 billion in health costs - or $42 billion - for the uninsured. "

 taxpayer wrote on August 26, 2008 7:27 pm:
" The whole point is freedom of choice. If you do not choose to purchase health insurance that is your individual choice. This is no different than any other choice we as masters of our own fate make. The government does not owe us a living. Why is this even an issue? Less govenment control of our lives is what we need. Make our own choices. "

 whatever wrote on August 26, 2008 7:52 pm:
" My family is one of the few in this state that has very affordable employer provided health insurance, less than 80 bucks per month, including dental, vision and disability. If Obama wins and has his way my family will pay substantially more for health insurance via taxes. If McCain wins and has his way the employer paid portion of the health insurance will be taxed as income and the credit he proposes will not even come close to offsetting that cost. In fact it will likely be the end of employer provided health insurance and we will all be on our own shopping for insurance. I can assure you that will be a hellish nightmare. However I'm still in favor of some sort of national health insurance. "

 to Whatever wrote on August 26, 2008 9:27 pm:
" I too am fortunate with my company insurance. We pay about $80 for a family plan. Our company picks up most of the $700 monthly premium. Fortunate yes, but that benefit payment comes directly out of our paycheck. Our ceo has said that if national healthcare comes into the picture, and they don't pay premiums, the amount going to our insurance, would then be released to our paycheck as salary. We have good coverage, but we are the ones paying the premium. Make sense? "

 Misguided thinking wrote on August 26, 2008 9:34 pm:
" Taxpayer. Pay attention now. Hospitals are providing care now for emergencies. It's part of the oath and of being a decent country. Taxpers are already paying for that because the hospitals, who are doing this out of the kindness of their hearts, have tacked these bills onto the insured peoples bills. In other words, we are paying it anyway.

Look at the exhorbinant costs of hospitals and doctors. If you "Choose" not to be insured and needed a $250,000 cancer treatment, you loose all your assets and leave your family with nothing. (unless you are rich). Is that the responsible thing to do? "

 Typical Republican wrote on August 26, 2008 9:52 pm:
" So what if a pharmacutical CEO makes $300,000,000 per year, that shows that America is prosperous and it's not the job of the government to tell a company what they can pay.

Just because drugs are not a luxury and needed by our fellow Americans, doesn't mean the government should tell them what to charge for their product. Just because they are vital to peoples lives and most people can't afford them, doesn't mean we are guilty of any extortionist, corporate terrorism. It's America.....Pure Capitalism and Supply side economics. God would want us to succeed financially. "

 Grandma wrote on August 26, 2008 10:01 pm:
" Medicare is a gift from God. Actually from the Democrats came this evil Social Program. Republicans, back in 1966, fought against it "tooth and nail" and bragged about doing so. Without this "Social Program", your 80 year old grandma would be paying roughly $2,000 per month premium for crappy high deductible major medical. You have 2 choices. Keep up with the knee-jerk responses you memorized from talk radio, or maybe you could do some research on the things you bash. "

 Tristen wrote on August 26, 2008 10:29 pm:
" "whatever": might only be paying a portion of the real premium. Wouldn't it be nice if all Americans had that low of a monthly premium? The fact is, even company funded insurance programs have been "hit" by excessive medical costs. While the minimum wage is far from $16/hr a growing number of "professionals"...are expecting to be paid over $160 an hour...after all that is what the "plumbers" are getting who support Johanns and Fortenberry. Everywhere you turn the "professional hydra" has a new head and it is a Republican! "

 jon wrote on August 27, 2008 9:02 am:
" Insurance agents live like Kings. "

 Common Sense wrote on August 27, 2008 9:25 am:
" If you're too poor to afford health insurance you should stop paying for the internet access you're using to comment here. "

 CS wrote on August 27, 2008 9:59 am:
" I could get family insurance that cheap too, with a 5000+ deductible. At that price point, why have insurance at all? If an average family prices insurance to lessen the hit every month on premiums they will just flounder later when they still have to come up with 5000+ for whatever they needed it for in the first place. I used to work for a guy that owned planes, but wouldn't carry health insurance for his family-would that my biggest worry was what my next plane will be instead of how to pay the co-pays and the 2000 deductible on my wife's pregnancy this year, along with my sons broken arm at the school playground. "

 Pamela wrote on August 27, 2008 10:03 am:
" Alot of health insurance companies won't provide insurance to you if you have a pre-existing condition. I can't get covered, end of story. I could go on CHIPS, however that is a little more then $500.00 a month for just me. I can't afford that. I can't get medicaid or medicare, so I am one of those 13% that does not have health insurnace. "

 To Common Dense.... wrote on August 27, 2008 1:31 pm:
" Internet Access = $9.95/mo

Health insurance = $200.00/mo plus office visit co-pay plus prescription co-pay plus $500.00 deductible. Any common dunce can see what is affordable and what is not. "

 Alan wrote on August 27, 2008 1:33 pm:
" I pay over $6000 per year for a policy with a $7500 deductible. I may soon be priced out of even that if my property taxes goes up again. The only reason I keep it is so in the event of a major illness I won't lose my house, right away at least. Meanwhile the insurance company I've been with for nearly 20 years has never paid a single claim on me or my wife. Had I not bought insurance and saved and invested the premium I could take a pretty good sized medical bill. Instead I guess I'm a chump for buying insurance. "

 Some people just dont get it... wrote on August 27, 2008 1:34 pm:
" I keep finding that those who think our current insurance/health care situation is fine are those who don't have to deal with the medical system a lot or happen to have really great insurance. Well, lucky you, but unfortunately we aren't all in that situation.
Our daughter has a genetic disease with no known cause (other than an act of God). In her short 3-year life, we have racked up hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills. Fortunately we have great insurance now, but we haven't always. When we had crappy insurance that didn't cover much of anything (and it was the only insurance we could get at the time besides medicaid), we had to put medical bills on credit cards.
A coworker at my old job is a breast cancer survivor...but works in a profession that doesn't provide health care. She would like an independent policy, but no one will give a policy to a breast cancer survivor. Instead she has to work a job she hates where she makes less money rather than the job she went to school for just so she can get health insurance. Where's the choice in that?
There are millions of stories out there like these...I just wish those of you who have the luxury of not worrying about health care in your every day life would wise up and listen to the rest of us who have extensive experience with our health care system. I have yet to hear a good story from those people. "

 this is to common sense wrote on August 27, 2008 1:41 pm:
" Who says I am paying for the internet, ever hear of the library??? See I can't afford insurance or internet. I am in the same percentage of the lady above. See I opted out of insurance because it went from $152 to $300/month. With getting $8.50/hr--something has to go so it was the internet and insurance. "

 Nina wrote on August 27, 2008 1:54 pm:
" Hey, Common Sense, you're missing a portion of common sense. Those without insurance could be using the internet on their break time at work, via their office computer, or they could log in at any library here in Lincoln. "

 mark wrote on August 27, 2008 2:51 pm:
" why is someone else's choices on health care spending our business? I'm shocked that it's only 13%. I thought we were in some sort of a crisis. Don't mess with the best care in the world - by turning it over to the poeple that run the DMV so efficiently. "

 Since When wrote on August 27, 2008 3:46 pm:
" Since when can you get free healthcare in an emergency room? When I didn't have insurance, I paid full price for doctor visits, emergency room visits, medication, etc. If I couldn't pay up front (which I usually couldn't) I went on the payment plan. "

 whatever wrote on August 27, 2008 8:50 pm:
" to "to whatever". I get what you are saying but when speaking "National Healthcare" it depends on the plan. Obama, Edwards, McCain, Clinton etc. all have/had different visions. McCain's and Obama's are as different as night and day. From everything I have read on each campaigns website plus probably another 15 to 20 hours of research on other sites it seems pretty clear that McCain's will really hammer the middle class. Regardless, National Healthcare is coming no matter whom gets elected. The majority of Americans want it and demand it. The current system is not sustainable. "

 RIch and Proud wrote on August 27, 2008 10:22 pm:
" I have a bachelor's and a Master's degree. My wife also has a professional degree. We have a nice house, new cars, and new motorcycles. Oh ya, we have great insurance too. You want what we have? Go to college!!! I worked full time and went to school full time to get where I am.

I am not going to apolgize because my wife and I made good choices. Boo hoo, some of you people made bad choices. Tough! "

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