1,688,780 diagnosis, 600,920 deaths, X2.5 bankruptcy, even if insured.

[Amimnoch]

I'd like to start by wishing Senator McCain a successful battle ahead.

I'd like to follow that well wish with a congratulations to Senator McCain on being lucky enough to have wealth, and incredible government provided health care.

He is far more lucky than the vast majority of the 1,688,780 people expected to be diagnosed with Cancer this year, or the 600,920 that are expected to die this year from their cancer treatments (many due to lack of affordable or complete health care coverage). With the cost of healthcare Cancer patients are 2.5 times as likely to have to file for bankruptcy as a result of their treatment costs, and for many even if they are insured the time away from work/income potential plus the deductibles, and other associated costs end up being too much of a burden.

I do wish him well, but I also wish for him, his colleagues in the Senate, House, and the buffoon in the white house to realize these statistics so that more than one well known Senator may get the best treatments, and best wishes that fame and money can buy.

Citations:
https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/all.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/cancer-patients-more-than-twice-as-likely-to-go-bankrupt-study-shows/
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/51893912/ns/health-cancer/t/cancer-increases-bankruptcy-risk-even-insured/

[BigmanPigman]

1. They have a chance to craft a real health care bill

which covers everyone (the sick, poor, not covered by employer, unemployed, etc). If they were smart they would take this opportunity and act as if they have hearts by writing a single payer plan, pass it and name it after McCain.

Now I said they would do this if they were smart........we know how this ends realistically.

[Amimnoch]

2. They'd even have full bipartisan participation.

It would be a HUGE victory for them.. but, you're right, I seriously doubt they're smart enough to take an opportunity to do good and run with it. There'd have to be some measure included to screw over the masses and make money for the rich for it to be viable for them.

[Sluggeaux]

3. That's a good idea.

Get's them out of the jam they've put themselves into, and helps the American public... but as you said, we know how this ends. Would be too close to supporting what President Obama wanted, and they'll have none of that.

[HughBeaumont]

5. "Mercantile CullCare works for me, make it work for YOU! NYAAAAAH!"

"Get one of them there bake sales! Get a second job! Personal Responsibility!"

- America's Profit Junkies high on Trapitalism.

[Marthe48]

4. My husband was treated 10 months for esophageal cancer

He died anyway, in Jan.

Bills topped $220,000.00 Medicare/Insurance paid almost 100% (so far-the paperwork is still coming in) I don't think we paid more than $2000.00 out of pocket.

I understand that even $2000.00 is out of reach for many Americans. Insurance premiums make a big dent in family budgets.

Every time we went to the cancer center, the chairs were full, waiting rooms were full, parking lots were full. 6 days a week, 52 weeks a year. In the months my husband was being treated, his cousin and a young man we know were both diagnosed with cancer. Both are in remission at this time. And now a little 2 year girl whose big brother goes to school with my grandchild has been diagnosed with cancer.

I wish Senator McCain well.

[Skittles]

9. I am so sorry, Marthe48

we should have beaten cancer by now

it took my mum a few years back

[Marthe48]

10. Thanks Skittles

I'm sorry for your loss. Just try to keep your good memories. I do ok if I don't think of the time John was ill. We had better times before.

[Left-over]

6. Other benefits of single payer healthcare

When you have single payer healthcare there are two other benefits. One is that people over 45 years of age will get job interveiws that were not considered before because of the health insurane costs. This gives us a more competant, experienced, and dependable choices in hiring employees. Another is that our businesses can employ more full time employees instead of limiting many employees to 29 hours per week. It also makes our businesses competitive with the same in other countries. We lag behind the developed international community because of the cost of our healthcare.

[FakeNoose]

7. Yes both of these are very good points

It seems our European allies are wa-a-ay ahead of us on this!

[Amimnoch]

8. Great points.

They (Rumpublicans) just don't stop to realize that with or without universal health care, the bills ARE being charged, and paid for anyway.

The big difference is it's more expensive bills because preventative health care (MUCH cheaper) is lacking and being held off until it's critical corrective care (MUCH more expensive), and if the person is uninsured, and just doesn't have the money, the bill gets passed on to those who go to the hospital with coverage.

They don't stop to realize there IS a reason why their bill shows a $25 piece of gauze listed that only costs $0.05 out of a pack.

[Marthe48]

11. I think Rohrabacher s/b evaluated for esophageal cancer

With that hoarse voice, something is going on. I don't like him, but he should get checked.