Hilary for president

I guess that's my concern too. I'm afraid that Obama will refuse to back out of a campaign promise and will attempt a universal plan without mandating coverage for all, and it will fail. I don't want to see another 4 years go by, with no plan enacted.

My sister has her master's degree, but chooses to coach college basketball for a career. While climbing to division 1 ranks, she chose to take assistant positions, with no benefits. She purchased an HMO plan for $60 per month. There are dozens of plans from which to choose. Sure, she chose a $500 deductible, but it's better then a bill for thousands. I get my health insurance through my company. We pay $160 per month for a family plan for a PPO.

The point is that with broader participation, the risk pool changes and that reduces the costs for everyone. Instead of belonging to a health "group" of company employees only, people will have the option of joining a "group" of the entire country. Heck, some people might even choose to opt out of their "expensive" company plan and join the national one. There is no doubt that a national plan is affordable and doable from a premium point of view. The premiums will be pre tax and most people will wind up with more money from their paychecks when all is said and done. Most people simply don't take the time to calculate the actual cash on hand when the expenses are taken from their checks pre tax. All they see is that they have to pay that $100 per month (or whatever the premiums wind up to be). They will make out BETTER by contributing to a health plan, pre tax, than trying to pay for doctor's or urgent care visits in cash.

The real issues will be how will the plan 1) control costs and 2) pay for the intial start up. Neither candidate has commented on cost controls. Both candidates have mentioned rescinding the tax break that Bush enacted for those making OVER $250,000 per year. That alone, will provide the billions needed for the plan. However, congressional spending rules prohibit enacting an entittlement program without the cash in hand. So, the initial program set up costs will have to come from elsewhere. That will be the task of either candidate - to find those initial funds.

The concern about Hillary's "enemies" is hype. She's well connected too, to accomplish things. And, damn, she's a woman, so we all know that she can think more proactively and resourcfully than a man! LOL.

Either candidate would be okay in my book. It'll never happen, but I'd love to see them BOTH on the ticket!