I don't want to start any arguments here, but here are my thoughts.

Last month I had a cancer scare. I am uninsured. When this came up I started scrambling to find insurance, regardless of cost, as the cost would be less than what I would have to pay for cancer treatment without it.

I found I was unable to get insurance because my band was a pre-existing condition. Not that it would be excluded from any coverage I might get, but that I wouldn't be able to get coverage at all.

I do not have cancer at this time, but am highly likely to test positive for it in the future. Without health care reform, in the future when it does come up I would not be able to get insurance then either.

This is my personal story. There are many others out there like mine.

Couldn't get insurance at 315 pounds because I was morbidly obese.

Couldn't get insurance at 165 pounds because I had a device installed to finally cure my morbid obesity.

Sure there are parts of the bill I don't agree with. I also believe that every person in the United States deserves the right to be treated humanely. I believe this is a step in the direction of humane treatment for all U.S. residents.

Whillow,

I understand what you're saying. I also have excellent BCBS through my husband's employer and we also pay several hundred dollars a month for that coverage...but I look at it in a different way. I feel blessed that I have the opportunity to have that coverage because many employers have eliminated health coverage completely because they just can't afford it...even when it's subsidized by the employee.

If my premium goes up next year because of this health bill, and I have no doubt it will, the difference will most likely mean we may have to eat one less meat meal each week. Or perhaps we'll drive less or any number of ways to cut our other expenses. Not the same type of hardship that occurs when someone has to choose between taking their child to the doctor and eating that 'week'.

I'm not going to get into any arguments over this because none of us will change our mind. I believe we have a responsibility to society, not just ourselves. It's that same mentality that made me immunize my children despite the risks associated with the immunizations. This is just one more thing I/we do to make our society a better place.

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Thank you for this most amazing stance. I also like to think of it like this... I am SO FORTUNATE to even have it good enough to have health insurance. If my insurance even goes up one dollar, may that ONE DOLLAR SAVE SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE.

Amen.

PS, if anyone is truly scared they won't be able to afford health insurance anymore... well... I guess you'll still be covered... no?

I work full-time and have a master's degree. Insurance for a family of 4 through my employer is $1200/month. With $3000 deductibles per person.

I am thrilled this passed. It will allow families just like mine to get the medical care we so desperately need.

I feel for you, since I am a school teacher and my insurance is fairly high and the coverage stinks. Unfortunately, I am not sure that people that have access to insurance through their employer will be allowed to buy into the government program. The bad part is, it is likely that the insurance premiums we pay already will increase even more. Upside, I believe they will have to cover pre-existing conditions and I believe remove the cap.

This is going to take a while to Iron out the kinks, and only time will tell if this is going to be what people hope for.

Please don't make global statements about those opposing this bill. Just because I didn't like this bill doesn't mean I would stoop to this level. And don't say those supporting it haven't stooped to some low levels. The politics behind getting this bill passed was tough to swallow. Blanket statements serve no purpose.

Emjay... I apologize, I do know (now) this sounded like I was making a global statement, and I did not intend it that way at all. When I was writing it my head was thinking specifically to those on the fringe who think such statements would frighten the masses into their way of thinking. I can't apologize enough for my inadvertent blanket statement.

Also how is it fair that they will REQUIRE everyone to have health insurance or face a fine. There are some things that are good, but is requiring everyone to have it unconstitutional?

So is it unconstitutional that we are required to have car insurance? We have to have car insurance or we will have to pay a ticket.

I think the difference here is state law vs federal law (I am by no means a constitutional law expert). Our federal constitution does not allow for the federal government to mandate that the people buy anything. Each state's constitution is set up differently. Plus, you don't have to buy car insurance if you don't own a car.