McNerney proves he's just like all the rest in DC

Well I didn't vote for him, but the "arm wrestling" pressure that has gone on with this major reform has indeed, something to behold!
Prefer by far, the House proposed bill over the Senate's...that said, both have good and bad points. It's a no-win situation. We have to start somewhere and here we are...it will be fine tuned in time, again and again, just as Medicare has been. Not perfect answers everyone wants to hear, but our system is so broken now, I am hopeful we will start climbing up a bit for the multitudes of poor/those who've lost their job (like me) and those with pre-existing conditions. NOT thrilled all illegals will garner care! (part of the reason system broken in California already!)

Ms. Bunny I would agree with you on all points, but my problem lies with the arrogance and foolish thought on just following the party line. Secondly, I also agree that neither plan is worth a darn, but I doubt that it will be refined to something that will work. Part of the problem in both bills is that they are using the example of coverage provided in the UK and Canada to build the program here. I have family in both countries and they wish their systems would be replaced with something that works. Should our elected officials be interested in really making something that works, and then set your example by countries that have an actual working system, i.e. Sweden and Singapore to name 2.

Unfortunately, Medicare has not been fine tuned at all as it is in far worse shape now than it was 20 years ago and keeps getting worse. Don't even think that Medi-Cal or that joke of Healthy Kids is any better. Son's friend fractured his wrist and elbow last Friday (family is on Medi-Cal) went to the E.R. here in San Ramon. ER put him into a splint and said he had to go to an Orthopedic Surgeon for futher care. But being on Medi-Cal they had to go to their primary Pediatrician first for a referral. Since they didn't get out of the ER until after 5:00 PM they had to wait until Monday to see the Pediatrician. On Monday they get a referral to an Orthopedist at Children's Hospital in Oakland. Drive to Oakland, get to the Dr's office and told they had the wrong form and that it would be at least 10 days before he could be seen!!! I am sorry but that kind of care is unacceptable and I told them (since they called me and asked what they should do) to walk back into the hospital and go straight to the Emergency Room as they can't turn them away and have to deal with the issue now!

Could you imagine the potential long term or lifetime complications that could occur if this elbow and wrist were left untreated for a total of 13 to 15 days from the day of the fracture? Potential surguries, loss of use etc... all because they didn't treat the issue immediately, before the bones tried to mend themselves and not being aligned. What about the possible disfigurement and loss of use, just because you're on a state run healthcare system. Now imagine what is going to happen to the rest of us with a similar ran program from the Federal Government that will probably be put onto the individual states to oversee once enacted. This scares the crap (for lack of a better term) out of me.

I have a real problem with replacing one broken wheel with another. I agree that Mr. McNerney is simply another Democratic Lemming, and that is what made me leave that party last year, in favor of "undeclared" party.

I am all for a "Goodby Jerry" campaign, and would wholeheartedly support same. We need a "www.GoodbyJerry.org" site! Maybe some Tea Partiers out there will start the campaign.

Dear David and Ron...

You gentlemen have provided worthy points to be sure...My sense is that we have to begin somewhere - that the potential exists for the US to be a better leader in this area by LEARNING from the UK and other nations, including Canada - about what works and what doesn't. Right now, the system IS, very broken - change is needed (and no, I do not support how it was achieved and that must be dealt with at some point...) Medicare as been broken for the last decade badly and I wrote both Henry Waxman and Ed Kennedy about a familial situation and the degree of fraud exercised by both hospitals and vendors in dealing with medical care. They KNOW - we are such a big government, things DON'T get done. Insofar as emergency care is concerned? If it's elective, indeed in most countries and our's included, it will take awhile to get appropriate care. -But from what I can tell from my friends who've had med. emergencies in other countries, the emergencies are always handled FIRST. There are many success stories also, of socialized care that I hear about - unfortunately, the "squeaky wheel" always gets the notirety.

WE MUST DO SOMETHING. WE MUST. Those with pre-existing conditions need help after being turned away...Those who have lost jobs (as I have) need basic help...If this hallmark bill does nothing else but achieve that imminently? Then I hope in turn, progress and fine tuning, as I said, will follow...I will not give up either my hope or faith on this one!