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Yep...and as was noted, "some" of these people who complain about not having health insurance do have a choice. They can get rid of the cell phone, the walkman, the cable and the $150 dollar sneakers. While times may be tough for some people, many people don't know what tought times, are. We have become such an over-indulgent society, that too many people look at their luxuries as neccessities...and choose not to protect themselves. The "M.E." virus has obviously spread from the '60s to the new century...with no cure in sight.

What you said.

My husband's brother falls into this category. Didn't want to shell out for company health insurance as he and his wife and 2 kids were all reasonably healthy, so they fall into that category of 'one of the millions of uninsured Americans'.

Of course, they DID have the money for plenty of jet skis, pot, beer, many trips to the local lake (admission fees for all), etc.

What the liberals will not ackowledge is that for a huge amount of Americans they CAN afford health insurance (especially if they're getting it at a company rate) but they DON'T WANNA pay for it. Insurance premiums aren't as sexy as buying cars, ski trips, drugs, or whatever. For many Americans it's a (here comes their favorite word) CHOICE to go without insurance.

Yep...and as was noted, "some" of these people who complain about not having health insurance do have a choice. They can get rid of the cell phone, the walkman, the cable and the $150 dollar sneakers. While times may be tough for some people, many people don't know what tought times, are. We have become such an over-indulgent society, that too many people look at their luxuries as neccessities...and choose not to protect themselves. The "M.E." virus has obviously spread from the '60s to the new century...with no cure in sight.

I think most would argue we have the best quality of care available anywhere. But that isn't to say the the costs aren't completely out of whack. They are.

I am a 36 year old pretty healthy person. I never go to the doctor unless there is something ~very~ wrong. And my individual policy costs $225 a month. That's just for me. No kids. Before having this job where I paid it myself, I was completely unaware of the cost, it was invisible, paid by employer. ~AND~ the infuriating thing is, I have a $500 annual deductible with that premium. So I have paid full out of pocket for every visit I have ever made. So $3000 per year, and I am not covered to go to the doctor. So my medical coverage is much less a daily need for me, and far more than my $20/month cell phone. It shouldn't be about failing to live so I can afford health insurance. Lots of money for the long shot possibility that I ~might~ have a really serious illness or accident one of these months. So far it is money down the drain, and pretty hard to justify on my salary. So far I'd have been much better off with a medical savings account.

All this means is... for relatively healthy people who just need contingency emergency coverage, we can go broke being covered and still not be covered. The system is broken and needs fixing. I don't know what the right answer is, but I would start with tort reform until we can breed a generation that isn't so enamoured with lawsuits.

The first time I ever saw a big screen TV was in the home of a welfare receiving student of mine. All her expenses were covered by the US taxpayer - tuition, food, rent, health care - so why not buy a big screen TV.