The private insurance companies and some doctors are the real death panels.

Here's a personal true story. Years ago, I wasn't married yet, my dad came down with some kind of stomach problem, that subsequently caused an infection. I was taking care of my dad because he had already suffered a stroke, but was on the mend from that. I asked his doc about medication. He gives me a prescription and as I'm taking the piece of paper, I commented, "OK, so this is the best." He said to me (I swear to God) "Oh this is good, but not the best. The best would cost you about $450 for one week and I know you can't afford that and his insurance won't cover it." I was shaken to the core. Naive! He wasn't even going to tell me about it!!! I was amazed. Of course, I lit into him and told him to write out the prescription for that and let ME worry about how to pay for it. It was NOT his call. That was the first time I was aware of a different healthcare system for the rich as opposed to middle class or lower.

Another incident, with my dad, after his stroke... first, they sent him home on a stretcher because his insurance would only allow X amount of days, second, they only allowed a home nurse to help me ONCE a week. She was an angel. He was not yet on Medicare. She's the one that told me that if he was on Medicare (government run) and an AARP or supplement, she could have helped me three times a week.

I am completely disgusted with private insurance. You can all have them. Yes, they are the true Death Panels!!!!

BTW, my hubby turns 65 in a week and he's excited about being on Medicare. I still have quite a few years to go. But just to put our cost in perspective, after moving to The Villages two years ago, Unicare had told us we were covered. We moved here and found out that now Unicare did NOT cover Florida. After searching down many avenues, we went back through the AVMA and got Etnea. OK, that has cost us $1,700 A MONTH for the last two years with a $5,000 deductible. That is outrageous! I'll take the Public Option in a heartbeat! No pun intended!

Don't even let me get started on pre-existing conditions!