Yes, the government system has its issues. But the system is still in place and people like my parents still receive benefits from Medicare. I totally agree that it's a failed system.

In reality, we're not headed over the cliff – we're over it and in quick descent. But to say a government-run plan is a bad idea is short-sighted. Insurance companies make exponential profit from the sale of insurance. They don't hide the fact and they'd never deny it. But the for-profit healthcare system is not working. Taking healthcare from a for-profit business to a non-profit government system is one way to curb the rampant costs.

But it will also require an overhaul of the medical malpractice situation, too.

So if not a universal health system, what? I hear so many detractors of government-sponsored healthcare, but no other solutions. Any ideas?

Universal health care is simply one more nail in the coffin. There is no money to pay for this and there never will be. Our current unfunded liabilities exceed $100 trillion. I'll make you a deal. You tell me where that $100 trillion is going to come from, then I will support universal health care. Until someone can do that, the legislation should be killed.

Particularly when the insurance company IS sending your husband Viagra…

Cathy, I think your next book should be on healthcare – seriously. An insider's view of why healthcare is a full-blown crisis. And how to navigate it (if it's that tough for you, we really need the help!).

becky, worse is the companies won't cover birth control pills. So they won't pay for all the pregnancy and complications, nor will they help you remain, shall we say, without child. Where does that leave you besides abstinence and hey, that's not an option!

Hubby does have coverage, but due to the industry he's in, it's high-risk occupation coverage. Which means a whole lotta money each month for family coverage.

I can cover my son through the state & it's the only way we can afford it. I will probably have to let my coverage lapse after the beginning of the year.

If I could incorporate, I'd probably be able to get better coverage. But that's also an expensive option.

Health coverage is great for people who work for companies, but the rest of us are just told to pound sand.

I strongly believe that insurers should not be able to deny coverage due to previous conditions. If they can't do it for group coverage, they shouldn't be able to do it for individuals.

I was on my former employer's COBRA HMO plan in CA. When I moved to ID I knew there wouldn't be an HMO available but my former employer offered a PPO plan (for over $950/month!) or a Health Savings Account (HSA) for about the same $$ as the HMO. Even though I called long before moving I was given bad information & told that I could have the HSA coverage. After paying 2 months of premium when I asked where my ID card was, I was told for the 1st time that Aetna's HSA wasn't approved in ID so my only choice was the $950+ PPO. Hey, I may be a good writer but I don't make that kind of money to pay that for health insurance.

Long story short I dropped COBRA and went with an individual HSA plan with a $2,500 deductible. One strategy is to supplement those plans with Hospital or Accident plans that are low premium but will help defray some of that high deductible. But Yo is right, thankfully, I did not have a pre-existing condition. Because HIPAA's "creditable coverage" does not apply on an individual plan if you were eligible for COBRA. So, if I had some pre-existing condition, I would have no coverage for treatment of that condition for 12 months.

The whole thing is crazy. I am working on putting out a new business blog-one focused on health care.

Everyone's health insurance needs are unique but it is definitely BUYER BEWARE. DS's health insurance is really not insurance but just a discount on health care, as noted here. For some, who don't have a high need for coverage, it may be better than nothing. But make sure you know what you are getting into and ask for help!

Thanks for letting me ramble. We have to support each other.

England loves their healthcare. They should. It's excellent from most accounts.

When I worked for a temp agency, we were offered healthcare (REAL healthcare, not a discount plan) after a month and a half of service. That was really nice as it gave us the same rates the average American employee might pay for an HMO. I was fortunate – I didn't need it. But it was nice knowing the option existed.

I'm on medicare now and it's great.

The whole so called health insurance debate makes me furious. We need and deserve single payer like Canada, England and Mexico.

Until then we have to muddle through with what, 40,000 people dieing a year because of no insurance.

Sigh