Artful Dodger: Yes, the money has to come from somewhere, and lots of people are unwilling to pay for anything. Even the true cost of the wars started under the Bush administration was simply omitted from the budget, while taxes were cut for the richest Americans. Craziness.

Insurance rates have been rising well above the rate of inflation well before Obama took office. I work in HR and it's a pain in the ass to try to bring decent plans to our employees while trying not to raise their premiums too much, and not bankrupt the company with the extra burden. It's near impossible. What's good now is that people are able to get (and keep) coverage who in the past could not.

lizrising: It really isn't a good answer though when it is said "Insurance rates have been rising well above the rate of inflation well before Obama took office" . Well this is certainly true, all renewals since this horrible plan have come to be, have jumped higher than they EVER have. My policy at work was going up steadily each year, yes. 20% maybe? THIS year, it went up 89%!!! My employer could not justify this extra cost, and now I'm stuck with an absolutely HORRIBLE policy, and even THAT one is close to 50% higher than my old half way decent policy. Our insurance agent told us quite clearly that this was the insurance companies' efforts to be "prepared" for the changes.

SHe said we were lucky to be renewing Sept 1. She said the ones that were renewing in October were going to be even WORSE.

Artful Dodger: At least some progress can be made in 10 days or so. I can't wait to be a part of voting as many libs out as possible. At least we can get a little "checks n balances" in place.

Artful Dodger: I thought the problem in the USA was that 'adequate' coverage was either too much for certain people.. or that the schemes had through past increases been made out of reach by price hikes above inflation!!

... "AND he bought his huge yacht overseas depriving Americans of that job. And all to save himself money."

That's a free market option, part of capitalism. You might as well ban Chinese imports and cheap migrant labour. But would Americans be happy with the prices increases resulting from such?