It’s your turn to express yourself on health reform

Like it or not, Congress passed health care reform Sunday.

Now the question is, do you like it or not?

How will the overhaul affect you? Your workplace? Will it make things better or worse? Why?

What do you think about the tortuous political process to get us to this point?

Will what happened affect your vote come November? How?

For instant updates, follow me on Twitter.

1,329 comments Add your comment

bmdpd

March 22nd, 2010
11:31 am

Dog, it is strange that the greatest country on earth has so many people buying more house than they can afford.

Jeff

March 22nd, 2010
11:32 am

Another domino falls – Socialism here we come! Watch your pocketbooks!

Hellbent

March 22nd, 2010
11:32 am

For all the people afraid of THE “SOCIALISM” (Gasp!): You may hereby divorce yourselves from the following: The Interstate System, E911, Fire Department, Police Department, Medicare/Medicaid, Social Security, Ambulance Service, Water/Sewage treatment, Electricity, Phone Service & the Internet. Since these things are SO bad and evil I’m sure you won’t miss them in your daily life. Have fun out there!

Chris Matthews MSNBC

March 22nd, 2010
11:33 am

Can’t help but laugh at the other idiot Libs that degrade FOX news. Have you checked the ratings? FOX news kicks my ass!! And all the other stations. I only have a few viewers (just Mom and a few others). It’s the same with my buddies K. Olberman, Rachel Madcow, and Anderson. Of course they must realize, that only around 20% approve of these idiots Pelosi, Reid and those clowns too. If they ever find out that WE are indeed the Minority in America, and the “pissed off” majority of Americans show up at the polls this November, we are in deep do-do! Oh the humanity!! That tinglin feeling running up and down my leg is going away!!

SES31

March 22nd, 2010
11:34 am

You people who are for this bill have no idea what’s even in it. You are in for a rude awakening……

Guy Incognito

March 22nd, 2010
11:34 am

Will someone from the left please refute, “Disgustedwithignorance” @ 10:49?

ketaboon

March 22nd, 2010
11:35 am

alot of you on this vent cant think outside the box. you talk about debt when clinton left office the us had a surplus of money when bush left we was in big trouble, damn if you at the top and not watching the money leave hands you are as sgtupid as you can get. i am a veteran and have great healthcare, but its not about me its about the elderly people who i see that cant afford their medicine and have to figure out do i get my medicine or get my groceries to eat. the problem with some of you people are you are not true americans, where was all this talk when bush was failing the country and it was not even talked about by his cabinet about health insurance. you people sat back on your a… and said nothing. well now you can talk all the scare tactics you want the time has come and another thing the polls will show in a few weeks or months how his approval rating rise again. its time now for you republicans to pay your fair share of taxes, and stop counting on me to pay them for you. hell if dont want to be true and worry about your fellow countryman get out of the us we dont need you anymore yall selfrightous moroons. i went to war for your freedom and now you get made because my mother needs health insurance how dare you. all is left is not lost but gained.

Reality

March 22nd, 2010
11:36 am

The republicans continue to disregard any opportunity to have any input into this bill. While the bill has passed and only waiting on the President’s signature, there is the reconcilliation bill.

And, the republicans, rather than trying to put stuff in it that they like, are simply trying to derail that.

Again – and listen up you republican voters – all your politicans are doing is saying ‘no.’ They are not offering up any valid options nor are they working with the democrats towards anything positive for the American people.

Thankful Taxpayer

March 22nd, 2010
11:36 am

Crybaby right wingers……
You lied on the President and you LOST!
Your teabaggers are racists (ask John Lewis)
You are LEMMINGS who can’t think for yourselves!
You parrott mis-information from the ilks of Hannity, Limbaigh and Faux news. The polls said just as many people were for it as were against it, but you want us to believe 90% of Americans were against it. To quote on of your rude “heros” … YOU LIE!
If we would have waited on Republicans for reform, WE STILL WOULD BE WAITING because all your Repub presidents didn’t tackle it and you fought Clinton on his attempt. Well, Obama stuffed it down your throats!
You right wingers care nothing for working families. You only care about big business and lobbyests stuffing money in your pockets!

BTW — don’t cry “back door deals” or “a fair vote’ …. I remember both the Contract with America AND the Bush tax cuts; things you worship; were passed by RECONCILIATION!
Game over —- take your ball and go home!

whatever

March 22nd, 2010
11:37 am

Just another great government takeover – we are becoming more and more socialist and people don’t seem to care. Many people are willing to give up personal freedom in the name of government handouts.

History Revealed...Again, and Again

March 22nd, 2010
11:37 am

I strongly encourage EVERY American (who is able to read) to Yahoo search the following:

Ron Paul Twila Brase Blame the HMOs

You find a speech from the 2001 Congressional Record that provides a short but detailed history DOCUMENTING how the health-care industry in this country was PURPOSELY & DELIBERATELY DESTROYED by Congress.

After reading that 2001 speech made by Congressman Ron Paul, M.D. of Texas, you will ONCE AND FOR ALL clearly see EXACTLY HOW the American heathcare was destroyed, and WHY the current version of “healthcare reform” will COMPLETELY DESTROY the last remaining vestiges of free-market health care.

GDAWG65

March 22nd, 2010
11:37 am

For anyone who doubts Obamacare like other Dumb Dem ojectives isn’t socialism READ the dictionary definition: “Main Entry: so·cial·ism

1 : any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods
2 a : a system of society or group living in which there is no private property b : a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state
3 : a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done

With this fruitcake leader and selfserving Dems in the majority at Congress, America is well on its way to the The United Socialistic States of America.

Come on November elections!!!!!!!!!

First Sergeant

March 22nd, 2010
11:37 am

Linda

March 22nd, 2010
8:27 am

“The working middle class is going to pay for this bill. We are going to lose more money in taxes. We, the middle class, will soon be the poor. Then who is going to support this fine country we live in?”

Sorry to break the news Linda, but the middle class are already “now poor”, thanks to the last administration and it’s policies. And to think, you sat around and let this happen. Now, suddenly, you feel the need to speak out against our federal government? Where were you the during the last administration? In a comma?

Jason T

March 22nd, 2010
11:38 am

@Hellbent
We were FORCED by the Government to pay for those services. Do we get all our money back?
As for the phone service, electricity and the Internet, we have “choices” about those..but… the Imperial Government gets to tax us for them.

Operman1

March 22nd, 2010
11:39 am

Americans will vote the Yes We Can people out in November. I just cannot believe the gall of our “representatives”. The lot we have in Congress was the lot who got us into this economics mess with their stimulus. I hope we do not lose too many jobs. There will be hope though. The next Congress will repeal the bill.

PETE

March 22nd, 2010
11:40 am

Some people just like to let corporate America like ins comp, take their money for years to only get declined for pre-ex conditions or something they can get out of.Would have like to have seen more regulation on insurance comp.They have really profited of the working class people.For without the least of these working class people their would be no profits for the rich.They would rather you stay dumb and blind so they can keep u enslaved low wages high health care and no rts in the workplace, so they profit.

GAmom

March 22nd, 2010
11:40 am

@ Guy – I tried but it’s stuck in moderation! Politifact and Factcheck.com have reviewed and debunked it.

GAmom

March 22nd, 2010
11:41 am

bmdpd

March 22nd, 2010
11:42 am

First Sergeant, how many “poor” middle class have brand new large screen TV’s and new cars. You are full of it. We choose to spend our money on luxury items vice necessary items. We choose buy now pay later. It is all about choice. Choose to buy medical insurance or choose to save for a rainy day instead of relying on Uncle Sam!!!!

GAmom

March 22nd, 2010
11:42 am

Darrell

March 22nd, 2010
11:43 am

So, some idiot earlier on in these comments made the statement that “We’re so far behind in healthcare…”. That’s the ignorance that defines this legislature. We have some of the best healthcare in the world, so much so, other people with money from socialist countries come here for healthcare.

Those of you out of work, well, this won’t fix that.

Lamar Washington

March 22nd, 2010
11:43 am

The most important aspect of this health care issue to me is whether or not the prospective sins of a few would hold back doing something that will potentially help so many? The health care reform plan would allow people to have elective abortions, but even if it did, would Jesus oppose a plan that helps millions for a small pocket of people who choose to do wrong? If that were the case he wouldn’t have offered salvation to the world, because of the many individuals who will never follow him.

It is hard to live in a society where the prevailing religion is absent when we wage wars when our interests are served, but balk at opportunities to make positive change where it is really needed and even in our own backyard. But now reform is, and it’s time to show some of the compassion, love and grace we have been taught.

Pamela

March 22nd, 2010
11:43 am

Yes indeed it is a sad day in America. When the fortunate are so selfish that its showing so clearly that you care nothing about the fellow men, women and children that don’t have your advantage in life.

Yes, it is indeed sad that a whole party of Republicans voted 100% no which tells me they operate as a “Gang” and individual representatives who cannot speak for their districts. I cannot not believe that just one, just one Republican does not have people in their district that needs this plan the same as the Democrats. They would rather vote the party line than to apply something that could help people. Yes, it is historical and will go down in history as a very big deal in the future.
Don’t be too certain that the people in trouble in the elections will not be the republicans that left their people out in the cold. I think that no matter what President Obama does the Republicans will fight him the same way they did Clinton and Carter. They are evil, just evil.

Jay

March 22nd, 2010
11:43 am

Linda where did you get 70%? I don’t remember my opinion being asked? Again, most of the people who are against healthcare are Republicans and there are far less Republicans in this country. Your numbers are incorrect and you or someone in your family will be glad that we got this bill pass, because you will certainly need it one day. You’re angry now, but you will get over it because you have no choice.

What have we become

March 22nd, 2010
11:44 am

Many of you have said “This president is providing health care for more Americans”: Yea – the president will be extorting money from me (who has EARNED it) to GIVE to those that WON’T do a darn thing to EARN it, but will have more (or is that moe) babies, drop out of school and become thugs and hoes – YEA – now that sounds more like the American Dream – live like you want to, take NO personal responsibility and allow OTHERS (Like me) pay for your sorry a** and your kids. WAY TO GO MR. President – you continue to increase the poverty cycle and (like a good drug lord) keep people beholden to the GovMent. What a freak’n VICTORY for the American People.

Lamar Washington

March 22nd, 2010
11:45 am

WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?>>>The most important aspect of this issue to me is whether or not the prospective sins of a few would hold back doing something that will potentially help so many? The plan would allow people to have elective abortions, but even if it did, would Jesus oppose a plan that helps millions for a small pocket of people who choose to do wrong? If that were the case he wouldn’t have offered salvation to the world, because of the many individuals who will never follow him.

It is hard to live in a society where the prevailing religion is absent when we wage wars when our interests are served, but balk at opportunities to make positive change where it is really needed and even in our own backyard. But now reform is, and it’s time to show some of the compassion, love and grace we have been taught.

SML

March 22nd, 2010
11:45 am

All I can say is thank god. Today is a great day for America. THIS is why I voted for Barack Obama and why I support the current Democratic leadership. It’s taken 50 years to find a president with not only enough enough moral fiber to recognize that health care is a fundamental right but enough political will to actually implement it. I thank Jesus every day for Mr. Obama.

RHR

March 22nd, 2010
11:45 am

So much ignorance out there…its really sad how uninformed people are.

I am a nurse, my ex-husband is a doctor, we have a daughter in nursing school. We are FOR this reform, something had to be done and while this isn’t the plan of anyone’s dreams, it certainly beats doing nothing. You are kidding yourself if you think they could have started over and came to a bipartisan agreement, this isn’t even about health care for the GOP, it’s about politics and riding on the coat tails of whatever they think will get them elected and back in control again. I admire the Dems who put their jobs on the line (I doubt they all lose their jobs anyway, we’ll see) to support this plan.

bmdpd

March 22nd, 2010
11:46 am

Pamela, heck they had trouble getting enough Dems to pass the bill.

Bushwacker

March 22nd, 2010
11:48 am

Congrats Prez Obama! “Yes We Can” and “Yes We Did”

Bill

March 22nd, 2010
11:49 am

When is Rush leaving the country??? Can’t wait!

Cindy

March 22nd, 2010
11:49 am

I’d be for the current program IF there were limits set for premiums. Instead the insurance companies can still basically charge whatever they want to – and if you have a preexisting condition they can send you a premium notice for thousands of dollars. Think for a nannosecond that the insurance companies are going to offer everyone cheap premiums? Then you’re pretty naive!!!

Lee

March 22nd, 2010
11:50 am

This was never “for the people”. This was an agenda, pure and simple. Thank you to all of you Obama voters. Let’s see how you like the change that you’ve spurred.

Chess

March 22nd, 2010
11:50 am

Funny that no one is complainig about billions of dollars we send to I$RAEL. That could pay for health care.

EP

March 22nd, 2010
11:50 am

DON’T TREAD ON ME

Jason T

March 22nd, 2010
11:50 am

The only thing bi-partisan about this Bill was the “Opposition”.

Pamela

March 22nd, 2010
11:52 am

Oh they had the votes. On C-SPAN I watched the voting machines and all of the Democrats that voted NAY did so after the 216 was accomplished. That shows me that there was no way they would have let it fail.

Anti-Lemming

March 22nd, 2010
11:52 am

“When is Rush leaving the country??? Can’t wait!”
He will make up some lie that he was kidding, like Hannity afraid to be waterboarded!

Coolguy05

March 22nd, 2010
11:52 am

@Anne J, you have a great point there. Lets take it one step further. Do you know that all Senators, Congressmen(and women), state reps and pretty much anyone on capital hill has their own little medical center, where they pay $500.00 per year and get all the ammenities of a top of the line HMO than a single person who will pay up to $3000 per year and $4-6000.00 per year in rationalized healthcare. In other words, whats good for capital hill is not what they want you to have.

tunedin

March 22nd, 2010
11:53 am

Thankfully the American people were heard, contrary to the voices of many who don’t believe it. It’s Congress not the president who passed this bill and many of us are truly grateful!

joan

March 22nd, 2010
11:54 am

I will work hard to get rid of those that voted for this horrific bill. Reform was needed, but not this massive takeover and this Frankenstein monster of a bill. Obama is all for re-distribution of wealth–pretty soon there won’t be any wealth in this country to re-distribute. Are we all going to live in third world conditions in future? Most likely.

Gman

March 22nd, 2010
11:55 am

This chant of “the majority of Americans don’t want the healthcare bill” is an unproven piece of repeated garbage. Like the old saying goes, “You tell a lie enough times people will start to believe it.” In Georgia, this is not about healthcare but about opposing everything this President of The United States does. For eight years, you rednecks in Georgia couldn’t spell deficit or debt. For eight years, you didn’t want to pay taxes and now your schools are closing, your commute to work is a total of 2 hours or more a day, and your roads look like mine fields. For eight years, you preached morality and family values and now you find that your former house speaker is a “garden tool”, your insurance commissioner has been bought and paid for by the industry he was elected to regulate, your governor participates in shady land deals while in office, and the remainder in state government can’t wait to get their little hands on some of that “special interest money”. HAVE A NICE DAY!

RHR

March 22nd, 2010
11:55 am

Many of you have said “This president is providing health care for more Americans”: Yea – the president will be extorting money from me (who has EARNED it) to GIVE to those that WON’T do a darn thing to EARN it, but will have more (or is that moe) babies, drop out of school and become thugs and hoes – YEA – now that sounds more like the American Dream – live like you want to, take NO personal responsibility and allow OTHERS (Like me) pay for your sorry a** and your kids. WAY TO GO MR. President – you continue to increase the poverty cycle and (like a good drug lord) keep people beholden to the GovMent. What a freak’n VICTORY for the American People.

You are a fool. You better pray that neither you or your wife wake up one morning to a cancer diagnosis and an insurance policy that doesn’t fully cover the extensive treatment you will have to receive. I have seen it happen too many times to middle class Americans who had NO coverage or were under-covered or were dropped by their insurance company after they got sick.

Can't wait til 2012

March 22nd, 2010
11:56 am

It’s your turn to express yourself on health reform……….

I have as many have expressed myself for several months only to be ignored by the democratic congress that has their nose so far up Obamas’s A$$ they apparently did not hear us, well perhaps they will hear us in November.

Coolguy05

March 22nd, 2010
11:57 am

Sorry the $4-6000 per year is for a married couple or a fam of 4.

Bonnie

March 22nd, 2010
11:57 am

Wonder how it’s gonna feel in the unemployment line in November? What a travesty this is. We need to start impeachment and recall proceedings now and get all these power hungry, money spending, deaf (apparently since they heard nothing the people told them) out of office now. If it is such a great plan, how come they are exempt from it? No, our money goes to pay their healthcare. These people care nothing about the freedom of American and all Obama wants to do is dictate, dictate, dictate. I hope every state in the US files lawsuit after lawsuit and holds this process up until November and then again until the presidential election comes around.

Disgustedwithignorance

March 22nd, 2010
11:57 am

It is always refreshing to see left wing Dems support their ideas but saying we are crying the sky is falling. If Rush said he would leave the country he will, along with every other American that has a substantial amount of money. They are not going to pay for this mess. And they are smart. Anyone who is American and against the bill should just keep fighting for the cause. This is not over by any means and Obama has ticked off a lot of Americans, more than they can begin to comprehend Illegals get the healtcare as well except they don’t have tp pay. Just like they get welfare and WIC.
What a bunch of hypocrits. Again this is cause unemployment to rise, many additional layoffs and the further crippling of our country. We are in a Depression not a recssion as they would like us to belive.There are far more people that are unemployed than they will ever disclose. In reality if they really cared about Americans why are they not doing something about the foreclosures and making people homeless. Some of you need to grip on reality. As you post you all seem smug that you have security, think again because in one day it could all be gone.. There are people facing losing their homes, life savings etc and this idiot wants healtcare. Obama has lied over and over again, his relief for homeowners, has a salary cap on it for refinancing, the new rules just threw in people who filed bankruptcy can not get help. There have been no new jobs created, natural gas and gasoline is through the roof, electrcity has doubled since he signed the new Energy bill. Every step this man has taken has been to destroy this country. You libs and Dems can coddle him all you like but the facts are clear he is not black so no race card here. He definitely is not educated because he refuses to get help from individuals that truly know economics and how to fix this. Wages will never be the same as they were before this mess, never happen.
You can not blame Bush, this mess started during the Clinton Administration and then happened to bust while Bush was in office. How about personal responsibility isn’t that what we were taught when we were growing up. Greed, unadulterated greed has led us to this path, people who had no business buying houses they could not afford, inflation on the rise. How do some of you people sleep at night?

Chaos

March 22nd, 2010
11:58 am

I pay schools taxes, but have no kids. All of you apt dwellers get a break while I pay homeowners taxes to support all services provided. I drive on the roads paid for by taxes. Fire & police are funded by taxes. Is that socialism too?

Health care is a right, not a privilege. All of you Christians should ask WWJD. He did’t just look out for the disciples, He took care of all who needed Him. I don’t want you to go broke because you or a family member becomes ill. Republicans’ amenmdments are included in the bill. Too bad they don’t talk more about their contribution. (Yeah, it’s true! They actually contributed.)

BTW…Learn more about the actual bill as oppose to memorizing negative talking points. Maybe you’ll agree with at least parts of the plan. Wishing you continued wellness.

lovelyliz

March 22nd, 2010
11:59 am

Wow! HCB passes the House on Sunday. I woke up this morning and the wrath of God had not been brought down on this Earth.

Really???

March 22nd, 2010
12:00 pm

Health insurance companies only have a profit margin of 3.3% ranking 86th in business sectors. Why does everyone think they are stealing our money?

Frivolous lawsuits are the crutch of the health care system. Stop these lawsuits and health care costs would decrease dramatically.