Thanks, BBQ. The objective of this exercise was to try to get real examples of "government option" healthcare rather than relying on the emotional demonstrations by some attending the town meetings.

Your own experience is valuable input. All I can say is that many who have posted wouldn't give up "their" Medicare; some were totally happy with their VA care. I wouldn't give up Medicare either, although with the constant decline in payments to doctors and hospitals enacted by Congress, I wouldn't want to rely on it as my only insurance, without secondary coverage. I know little about the VA hospitals or the care they provide other than what those of you that do post here. So far the VA reports are mixed.

The more input we can get, the more informed we will be regarding what our representatives are planning for us as they negotiate the various reforms that will become a part of the soon-to-be-considered legislation.