[Boomer]

Why does it have to be either government healthcare or business as usual?

The problem I see with friends who are still trying to retire or who have their own businesses is that individuals have no real access to good health insurance at a decent price. - or at any price.

Why can't the plan that our privileged Congress has be made available for hardworking Americans to buy into at a reasonable cost?

I know people who have tried to buy individual plans and have found that either the cost is prohibitive to start with or you are in real trouble if you actually have to use the plan.

People who are retiring now from jobs that are under our state retirement system still have their own healthcare in place, but to carry a spouse on the retiree health plan costs thousands and thousand of dollars in annual premiums.

And those who have retired early from major corporations are finding that although they may have coverage under the former employer, the retiree contribution goes up and up each year. And some retirees are always waiting for the other shoe to drop because many corporations reserve the right to cancel those plans.

There are a lot of boomers who have to work until 65. Just imagine the stress-related illnesses that might be headed off if said boomers could retire early because they could have access to BUY healthcare at a reasonable cost. -- not to mention the jobs that could open to younger people. It all sounds good to me, but what do I know?

It's a big, big picture that affects all of us, whether we are covered or not. I do not like the idea of government healthcare, nor do I like it when CEO's reap bonuses of more millions than anyone could ever spend while their companies deny patients.

And then there is big pharma. When drug cards came on the scene as part of our coverage at work, it was like letting in the Trojan Horse. We went to the drugstore, slapped that card down, maybe paid a few bucks, and went on our merry way while prices went up, up, up, and we did not notice. I am all for research and pipelines. But the tail is wagging the dog that is big pharma.

Pushing the political button for the chant, "No government healthcare" gives politicians the knee-jerk voter response they need to continue to not address the problem. It's quite a diversionary tactic.

The solution is not either/or.

The people I know who are facing a problem with their healthcare are not looking for a free ride. They just want to be able to buy a ticket to ride. The US needs a plan to provide affordable access to good coverage. ...But, alas, such a plan would sure tick off a bunch of lobbyists.