Include Congress

Congress already has coverage and has worked out all of the operation bugs. Why not just expand it to cover all Americans? If it's good enough for congress, I'm sure it will be good enough for the rest of us.

Medicare will be bankrupt within ten years. To extend the medical coverage of Federal employees to everyone - including illegal aliens and the homeless - will bankrupt the medical care program that much sooner. Politicians should only be covered while in office and after 30 years of service.

You guys can't have it both ways everyone that has coverage get to keep theirs. Also, if the Congress creates a plan for themselves first everyone would be claiming they are creating a plan that is too expensive to benefit themselves. It is a catch 22.

concernednative, congress already have plan and has had plan for long time. Very expensive plan with very good coverage, all at taxpayer expense...just like Obamacare...except for death counseling and rationing and quality of available care.

This is the key "....set up a new plan that will cover not only Congress but all Americans." The presently proposed plan is not limited to "all Americans." The wording is so general that it will include anyone who lives in the U.S. that signs up for it. The Plan is not specifically limited to U.S. citizens, because no proof of citizenship is required by the Plan. You know that those wily illegal aliens with support from their key organization like the NCLR will be more than happy to have their health care assured, subsidized by U.S. taxpayers. If it is not written specifically, then the courts will be deciding factor.

Asking congress to live the same as the rest of us? Ha-ha...what a joke! Congress has been an expert at CYA for a long time, and they're not about to give up their royal status and special treatment now. Give it a rest guys...this "compassionate" congress isn't going to live like the rest of us. Never have, never will. My best advice is to E-mail every member to join this great healthcare program they're trying to force us to fund and vote out the arrogant slimeballs who won't join but still vote for it. 2010 is just a year away, and more "change" will come.

Mr Wiilloughby: THe plan IS for those with no or inadequate insurance. Since that's what you're suggesting in the LTE, I guess you support it. The healthcare plans Concress has to choose from are the same as other federal employees. While an RN at the VA, I chose the Mail Handlers Benefit Plan, and Cong,ressmen can choose it as well. Get a job with the federal government and you can have the same choices. Of course you won't earn as much as in the private sector (which is why I left the VA), but that's the tradeoff. Otherwise, stay where you are, keep your current coverage, and don't worry about a plan that will have no effect on you.

I say vote the all out in 2010 and 12!!! Time to start over!

southern: I don't quite understand you and your cohorts reasoning. First, you gripe that the plan is forced on everyone (it's not), and then you want to force people into the plan.

Concernednative..........how many more times do we need to show you the excerpts from the bill that show how Private insurance will eventually be illegal for people to get? The bill specifically states that private insurances CAN NOT enroll any new customers after the first day of the year that the bill is passed. That means if you change jobs, or if you didn't have insurance after the bill is passed you will be REQUIRED to have the government plan. By simple attrition, private insurance will be driven out of business. Why can't you wrap your head around that?

TechLover...you say just keep your current plan and it has no affect on you? Who do you suppose pays for the insurance of those who don't pay. It most certainly DOES affect me. Plus, as I mentioned before....if I decide to take on a new job, I will be required to have the Government plan........good bye to my choice.

Tech, read the bill, it is HR3200. If tyou want also read title1 subtitle a sec 102. Until you educate yourself, stfu!

I've posted parts of the bill for them to see and they STILL act like it doesn't really say what it says. You can't educated someone if they refuse to acknowledge what their own eyes see.

There is NO FINAL BILL there are 5 bills going through differenct committees.

All 5 bills contain the wording about NO NEW CUSTOMERS. Of course there is no final bill....but we are talking about the one that is being debated and the most likely one to be voted on. Get your head out of the sand. I doubt you have read it anyway. Concerned....give us a link to the versions of the bill that does NOT contain the banning of new customers. We'll be waiting.

Give us the like to the one which says congress will be included and illegaial alliens will be excluded!

Maybe all of you whiners & complainers should start running for Congress? That way you would ensure that you're covered the way you desire. Trouble is nobody would vote for you at all.

Present facts and you get responses like Niko's..... I love the maturity.

silly niko! Sounds like a response from our present congress

The only thing that we have to fear is fear itself! And people who whine & complain incessently.

How about those who can't dispute facts, so they just complain about those who do? Should we fear them as well?

And now we have our typical irrelevant and meaningless input from Niko. The writer's point is valid. Doesn't it make you suspicious that Congress will not agree to be under the same health plan they want to force on all of US. Makes me think that there are at least two differnet levels or healthcare in their UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE. Maybe it ain't so UNIVERSAL. Sounds more like an US and THEM HEALTHCARE.

I just watched "face the nation", and one of OBAMA's guys was trying to tell the host. the economy is really improving, the stimulus is working, it is imperative to pass healthcare, for the hope of our country. They won't rule out another stimulus bill. But this guy stammered and stuttered more than Robert Gibbs. Maybe Mr. Obama should give all his spokesmen a Teleprompter. Hope they can read!!!!!! haha

marandan, I don't think the democrats can read. Of the 535 representatives in congress, less than 100 pledged to read the bill during theri fall vacation. Vote but don'e know what they are votng for. Sounds like a typical democrat!

I wish I had their plan. Work 4 years and retire with pay and insuranc.

FMJ, I agree, just as they blindly voted for O, without regard to the warnings of who he really is. When I was a kid, I was taught to be slow to judge, never rush into any investment, without fully understanding what you are getting into, and if something shows signs of impropriety, stay away from it. Unfrotunately, many people voted for this man, even though he had been associated with too many percieved innapropriate people. The reason I believe, is that almost half of America does not believe in themselves and needs GUBMENT to provide for their existence, and some folks wanted so badly to be a part of history, just for the nostalgia, regardless of what happened. NOW, all those people are starting to see the light, this is not what they dreamed would happen. The first group, will never change. They stand on the front for THEIR MAN

An ammendment to the bill was introduced in the House that would require all federal employees in sign up for this new government healthcare but is was voted down by the Democrats. Change you can beleive in my arse. ----- The majority on the House Energy and Commerce Committee refused to consider an amendment by Health Care Solutions Group Chairman Roy Blunt (R-MO) to require all federal elected officials, including the president, vice-president, and the Congress, to join the government health care plan. If the majority is really so confident that their plan will provide the very best health care for the people we represent, we ought to demonstrate that confidence by enrolling ourselves,' Blunt said. 'I'm surprised, given that other committees in both the House and Senate have considered similar efforts in the last several weeks." 'I, for one, don't believe that a government-run health care plan will be the best for the people we represent,' Blunt continued, 'But clearly the majority has discovered how potent this issue is. After all, if we are going to force this government takeover on the American people, let's put our money where our mouths are and enroll ourselves.

Wow, I just had my comment partially removed, and I didnt use profanity, or attack anyone personally. Can I not put forth an opinion, without being censored? I didnt know they could or would do that.

My god we must have had a revolution in the country. Just 3 months ago people were complaining about being scalped by their Insurance companys and now they speak of them as if they are the salt of the earth. What gives, do you really love and trust your Insurance companys to the point you actually believe every word they say? Last I heard, they were spending enormous sums lobbying Congress to not give you a choice that would undercut their bottom line and I think the CEO's are still making millions off your stupidity and laughing all the way to the bank.

I had rather the CEOs make millions rather than the govn't mandating what type care I can and cannot have!