A government-sponsored public plan option continues to be the most contentious issue in the current health reform debate. Proponents of the option believe it provides an alternative. It lets Americans choose between a government-run option and private insurers, while at the same time applying competitive pressure to the rest of the insurance industry. Opponents say the introduction of a public plan would lead to the federal takeover of the country’s healthcare system, thereby restricting patient choice, reducing quality and increasing the power of the federal government. As health legislation continues to be debated, one has to ask whether members of Congress writing such legislation would actually enroll themselves in a new government-run healthcare option. Current draft healthcare legislation exempts members of Congress from the public plan option, allowing them to keep their existing plans. http://www.healthtransformation.net/cs/public_pla...

yeah I feel the same way about Schumer... he sucks as a senator but his time just may be drawing to a close... I HOPE!

Staten island is a mostly Republican county by the way... and I expect our elected reps (tho I didnt vote for the one that is in currently) to act on our behalf and defend our constitutions not wipe their butts with it which is apprently what they are doing

That was my first question Scott... Tell me when you were able to read the bill because as I understood it, the bill was not available to the house which is odd considering they all voted on it... you would think they know we are on to them about this and they would at least put some effort into pretending that they read the damn thing!!! My other question was if his whole district was for cap and trade why did I have such a hard time gettint thru to his office and the switchboard and his website because Im just so sure that only the people in Staten Island were calling to say just how over joyed we are that he was going to vote yes... NOT!!! I also asked in my reply email if he was willing to release the number of calls he got both for and against cap and trade... well... we see how well that went!!

sorry I didnt proof read it good... it should say that hospitals cant turn away anyone needing treatments they have grants given to them for that reason. I worked in a hospital so I know this as fact... My family comes from a country that has healthcare for all (aka Nationalized Health Care) They wait weeks to be seen for a simple cold which goes away faster then they can be seen... and god forbid they need tests... A National Healthcare system works awesome if your not sick... its when you become sick that you'll wish it wasnt changed... Read about England and how they ration health care... is this really what we want for our citizens? They will decide who lives and who dies? Thanks... but not thanks... thats my opinion as I said I worked in a health care field... they need to correct the problems that exist now not create a whole new set of even bigger problems :( (hate when you cant get all your thoughts into one post... )

Weezo I respect your opinions why we would want health care as its proposed. A hosp cant turn anyone away needing treatment they have granted for that. I feel like we are giving all our rights away. Countries with a "health care for all" come to the USA for treatment where will Americans go? I agree that something needs to be done but I dont agree with the ideas out there now which will end up not covering all Americans anyway and in the end cost us trillions more maybe they need to focus on current costs. The Govt cant run the things they run now efficiently so how on earth will they be able to manage health better then me and my dr? wonder do you think the Govt will keep the same health care they currently have which is the best plan our there or will they be forced to take what Im sure they will vote for?? Somehow I think they'll keep theirs...

Oh Im so mad!! I called my congressman and emailed him a few days before the idiot voted for Cap N Trade!!! I got an email thanking me for getting in touch with his office blah blah blah and how his constituents are for it ACROSS the board!! Well not exactly the case... the facts he cited in his email really made me upset so I took a few hours to find all my facts from various governmental websites regarding it and went back to his website cut and paste his response along with my NEW response to his "form letter" Well.... I just got back the SAME form letter as I got the first TWO times!!! And so not only do I waste my time calling and emailing him because he just votes his own way but now I wasted time actually responding only to get the same BS... Well Congressman Michael E. McMahon Representative for the 13th District of New York... I hope your proud of yourself... cuz the same way you voted without regards for me is the same way I will vote for you when your time comes... You wont even be an option!!!

My congressman had the nerve to say that his constituents (of which I am one) are across the board for cap and trade... and I'm like your kidding me right??? I'm thinking across the board means everyone in his district... and I can bring about 200 people if not more to his office that are NOT ON BOARD with him or his fantasy that we favor this vote and we are pissed about his Yes vote!! The do live in a fantasy world because they sure don't live in OUR world... We pay taxes out the... well you know the saying... and here they are taking luxury vacations and spending our money on turtle tunnels and useless studies when people are losing their jobs??? I seriously hope people are taking notes so when it comes time to vote they get ALL the bad guys dems or reps out of Washington!!

Who is this guy???? I LOVE HIM!!! lol

Same here lou... I doubt they even read the emails or letters or listen to the calls... those baffoons just do whatever they want!!!