I have not reviewed Edwards healthcare reform plan but when it comes down to the presidential nominations I will. However lets put one point intoperspective...the cost of Edwards plan is pocket change compared to Bush assult on Americans sliiped through costing us billions. in medicare further bankrupting us.This $80 billion price-tag is based on two specific provisions where Republicans sold out seniors for their industry contributors. First, they created a confusing web of competing and inefficient private plans run by private insurers—who receive huge subsidies from the federal government—that beneficiaries must choose from, rather than a simple stand-alone benefit run by Medicare. The low overhead costs of a single administrating agency could save $4.8 billion annually.

Second, they made it illegal for the federal government to negotiate the price of drugs with manufacturers, despite the fact every other industrialized nation negotiates these prices. When the government does negotiate lower prices for bulk drug purchases, as does the Veterans Administration, it saves more than 40 percent compared to the market cost. Applied to Medicare, this would save about $560 billion over the first eight years of the program. The cost of the disastrous Medicare plan is even greater when the subsidies given to insurance companies are factored in.

Healthcare reform is the topic "du jour" at my workplace. We have all the government changes, hidden costs, various healthcare reforms analyzed so you have to consider all of this the scheme of things...not just a download from a right wing rag. It is mind boggling really and not a clear cut answer but I will tellyou this. Bush selling out taxpayers and seniors for big pharma costs us more than any healthcare reform on the table by any of the candidates right or left!!!!!

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Fear leads to Anger...Anger leads to Hate...Hate leads to Suffering.

Yes Deadshot..read my above post.. where is the outrage on this...we spent billions and to no benefit but multimillion dollar salaries to republican campaign donors (ie big pharma!)

When the election is closer I want to read and consider all healthcare plans of candidates. Maybe Steve does not mind paying for over 500 billion that could have been easily negotiated (Canada did it) for big pharma to make billions!

Sam, you have a good point. I think we could look at a lot of waste and misspent dollars and find savings. Outrage is where you find it. The Conspiracy theorists could come up with a plausible scenario where the war in Iraq is just a cover to fleece America. I think that's bullshit, but the scenario would make a good book or season of 24.

But I would remind everyone that, as was pointed out ken. e and gix, at least Edwards is up front about it. He WANTS to help the poor. He WANTS Health Care. To pay for the things he wants, taxes will be raised.

McCain, Clinton, Obama are still jockeying for position. Afraid to make any one stance stick, because people like steve k would call them out. Say what you will, like it or not, I have a lot of respect for Edwards. And for me, seeing the aging Baby boomers and those without adequate or ANY insurance I realize Health Care needs to be fixed sooner then later.

John E. won't bankrupt or destroy the country, as steve k predicts. But to solve the problem we will have to face adversary...that may mean higher taxes.

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Fear leads to Anger...Anger leads to Hate...Hate leads to Suffering.

One big problem is the people who work in health care gouge the patients/consumers. Just looking at what an ambulance ride cost or overnight for one night in a hospital is outrageous. Drug companies are gouging us, insurance companies are gouging us, but remember that those who work in the health care industry aren't by any means starving. They could do more to keep costs down but they understandably don't want to.

The point i was making was the 500 billion Bush promised to overpayment to pharmaceautical companies would have funded National healthcare. i am not advocating socilized medicine but a combination of efforts taking the best from both parties for healthcare reform.

I am always amazed when someone does jump on a candidate for a program that costs maybe 23% of what was given away by this administration for paybacks on campaign donations from big pharma!

Well i am off now for a meeting but will check in on thsi late tonight.

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Fear leads to Anger...Anger leads to Hate...Hate leads to Suffering.

Can anyone name me just one government program that has yielded positive results? Just one. Can anyone tell me that despite all of the issues you all have with the cost of percriptions and such (and some are legit, so don't think I'm defending or accusing anyone) why this system is still they system that people from all over the world are flocking to? Why the technology here is still the very best on the planet? It is because of individuals-not government interference and corruption. While, these issues you speak of have been around long before 2000 and the current administration the idea of putting the pharmaceutical industry in the hands of government beauracracy-which is what you are all advocating-is literally crush reearch and advancement. Guaranteed.

"The healthcare premiums will not go down because you are assuming the government will know what to do with this "Universal healthcare". You are assuming that Edwards-if elected-will have the plan and the people inplace."

>>>I'm not satisfied with Edwards' plan. I want a Euro/Canadian plan where people live longer and pay 1/2 as much for healthcare.

Steve, every time the goverment meddels with something, it ends up costing more money and the giverment is very inefficient in manging any program.

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