Originally Posted by cabo35

Kahuna, I don't believe the American people and many of the posters here have a huge disagreement about the status of our health care or the need for reform. The crux of the issue for most people seems to be the Obama administration's overzealous and in some cases, suspicious rush for the government takeover of the entire system and its implications for citizens and taxpayers.

Why is medical tort reform, a major driver of medical costs, not a part of a comprehensive reform by Congress and the president? Tort reform would reduce insanely outrageous medical malpractice insurance our medical professionals must carry. Further, it may reduce current "defensive medicine" practices such as the superfluous, expensive and often unnecessary testing that now significantly escalate costs for doctors, patients, taxpayers and insurance companies.

The Pew Hispanic Center says there are 11.9 million "unauthorized immigrants" in the United States. The Federation of American Immigration Reform 2004 study says the annual cost for their medical care in California alone is $1.4 billion. Gee, could that be part of their financial problem?

Richard Wolf in USA Today wrote, "One thing is clear: Undocumented immigrants are driving up the number of people without health insurance. The Pew Hispanic Center estimates that 59% of the nation's illegal immigrants are uninsured, compared with 25% of legal immigrants and 14% of U.S. citizens. Illegal immigrants represent about 15% of the nation's 47 million uninsured people — and about 30% of the increase since 1980."

It is obvious that the cost of providing medical care for illegal immigrants is another driving factor influencing out of control costs for medical care. The current Obama plan exacerbates the problem by including all uninsured illegal aliens. The same Obama plan wants seniors to accept death, avoid costly testing and medical procedures and counsels them to "die with dignity". I believe many think "the plan" is mercenary cost cutting and shabby treatment for American senior citizens who have contributed so much to this country in so many ways. I feel empathy with the crying eagle icon I use. I have said before that I do not oppose inclusion of medical treatment on a true emergency basis for anyone. I do not believe illegal entries should be given a free ride at the expense and disadvantage American taxpayers. I suspect I am not alone in that belief.

There are many controversial absurdities in the Obama plan that hurt doctors, seniors and citizens. That is why I suggest to you that while your research is interesting, it is misdirected from the point of contention. That point being that the need for health care reform is not the issue......the plan being fast tracked by Congress and Obama is the issue. For the record, a Republican plan has recently been announced. I understand that one component is Tort Claim reform. That being said, from what I've seen of it, I'm not sure it is significantly different in many regards, than the Obama plan. My confidence level is not elevated by the GOP's late entry. More politics. I hope the interest of the American people rises above the instinct to play for votes, lobbyists, unions and special interests.

There are many other criticisms of the Obama plan that have been expressed by TOTV contributors. It's about the plan not the need for reform.

Thank you for your enlightening research.