Anyone can go to an emergency room and if lacking cash or insurance MUST be treated for illness or injury. That's the initial emergency treatment. Our clinics and hospitals are not allowed to turn anyone away for any reason.

After that....it's another story but since that 46 million figure when reduced to those legal citizens actually without coverage the total drops to 1/4 or a bit less of that figure. The 46 million comes from the latest census bureau report for I 2007/2008. Mix in the rest of the information the number falls...a lot.

To get health coverage for those actual ten million give or take people does not seem an insurmountable obstacle. The issues to solve are 1. create a group coverage situation, run the actuary table for an acceptable level of coverage INCLUDING prescriptions, dental and optical plus preventive checkups 2. run the actuary tables. 3. Figure out how those unemployed, for most up til now a temporary situation will be covered and how that cost is paid. Hey it sounds just like unemployment insurance.

We already have an acceptable minimum standard in the retired military and dependents CHAMPUS basic coverge. If it's good enough for veterans it's certainly good enough for everyone.

Here's the one change I'ld like to see. Since I'm selling my skills and time to an employer why NOT make the cost a tax deduction...a business expense just like steel toe boots and work gloves?

It already IS for many of us in the country who get coverage through union, union negotiated, company provided, or government provided health care as a non-taxed part of our pay and retirement packages.

Why not allow the same through tax exempted income for ALL workers medical premiums?

I fail to see the need for such a draconian program though if the goal is to cover the ten million or so truly in need.

Now as to cost. Do these cost projections take into account the double plus inflation of the money supply over the last year? By the way....buy wheelbarrows. The Weimar Republic Germans found them invaluable for carrying enough million mark banknotes to the corner store and priceless for carrying home the loaf of bread.

Michael D.