I have no problem with my current insurance provider or the healthcare I receive. What is going to change for me with this new healthcare bill? Will my premiums be cheaper or more expensive? Will medical services be easier to get or harder?

When I have a complaint or a question about healthcare, will I now be adding a government number to my speed dial? Will the government provide customer service and other points of contact.

There is no tort reform in this bill. This means that the medical lawsuits will continue unhindered. Will these huge payouts to people and their lawyers now come from taxes?

After the bill passes, what will happen when someone shows up to a doctor or hospital without insurance? Today they are usually treated. Will they be fined? Will they be denied care until contacting the government? Will it be the responsibility of the healthcare provider to report them to the government or get them signed up?

It appears that abortions will now be covered with tax dollars. This has been against the law until now. What other questionable services (sex change operations, botox injections, etc)will taxpayers by on the hook for?

Republicans are saying they will try to get the bill repealed. This will be their issue in the 2010 elections. I am willing to give it a chance, but what happens if it fails to reduce costs, fails to insure those without insurance, or makes healthcare worse?

The insurance companies have been blasted by Obama and all the liberals. During all this this yapping the stock prices of these terrible companies have risen. How is that possible? How has this become a sweet deal for the insurance companies?

I hear that 30 million people will be insured who currently don’t have access. How quickly will they have coverage and how will pouring this number of people into the system not create a huge demand on medical providers?

The government will mandate that insurance companies insure people with “pre-existing conditions”. They are accused of denying people coverage because of these conditions, since they can’t make a profit. The premiums will have to be huge, so will the government just pay them with tax dollars?

There is very little, if any, competition among the segments of healthcare. Will this bill encourage competition or move the whole system closer to a socialist situation? The total medical costs last year was $2.5 trillion. Why not just go socialist and confiscate all medical facilities, make all healthcare professionals government employees, eliminate the insurance industry, and pay for everything? Would this not help employers and the economy?

There are so many more questions, but I will stop here. I am afraid. I believe in a free, capitalistic society. This country became the greatest, most powerful, and richest due to the free spirit of it’s people. I think there are better ways to meet the needs of the uninsured, but it will now be squarely in the hands of politicians. Are you ready?

I have observed over the years that once a government program has begun it can never be reduced or eliminated. Once people have been hired to manage government deals, they will never be fired. Big buildings will be constructed to house thousands of bureaucrats who will have better pay and benefits than their counterparts in the private sector. Healthcare represents 1/6th of our economy and it is about to be moved into the hands of government. What if it ends up being a bad idea? One thing is for sure, there will be no turning back.

The healthcare plan promises insurance for all, lower medical costs, deficit reduction, jobs, and a stronger economy. If this happens, then additional taxes and fees to pay for the plan will be well worth it. If it doesn’t happen, we will be like the guy falling off the cliff who said about half way down, “it’s okay so far”.

I tune in to progressive talk radio and television. Most of these people are smart and have a huge commitment to the disadvantaged. They want healthcare passed at all costs. They will not consider, however, the possibility that a government program could fail. That it could be a bad idea. That it will make a situation worse. That is, unless it’s a conservative president that is taking us into a war. Only then will an exit strategy be demanded.

If the progressive numbers are correct, there are many more casualties due to Americans inability to get healthcare than the wars with Iraq and Afghanistan combined. What if the healthcare plan costs more lives than it does now? A bill being passed in congress may constitute a miracle these days, but it can’t guarantee a better path to healing for the sick.

I would feel better if Obama would include an exit strategy. Why can’t he propose an honest review in 2020. Ask how many people are still uninsured. What medical services are being denied certain groups (elderly)? Has there been a rationing of services? Are there longer waits to getting urgent care? What is the condition of end of life programs for the terminally ill? How many people are dying because they can’t get adequate care when they need it? You get the idea.

I am burdened for the people who do not have access to quality healthcare. But I am scared to death about the government taking it over. I still believe the free market would provide better healthcare faster, and lower costs if given the chance. State insurance boards should be eliminated and the insurance industry opened up to competition, for starters. Oops, I forgot, you can’t eliminate government agencies.