I agree, we need universal health care. Although, I don't want government ran health care.

You've been snowed by the industry misinformation that Wendell Potter and his CIGNA coworkers used to feed politicians.  The plans pending in Congress do not propose government-run healthcare like the UK's NHS, what is proposed is government-run insurance like virtually every other industrialized country has in place.  Single-payer is not currently on the table.  A lot of people are confused about what is going on--it's a confusing issue.  It doesn't help that we have GOP and Blue Dogs promoting the industry's lies that then show up in blog comments and opinion polls.  The fact that you have some uninsured people themselves like L.S. fighting against reform means the industry is doing a good job.

"Confusing issue," is an understatement. From everything I have read, seen, heard; our Government doesn't seem to be able to address this issue with strait-forward answers. Obama is saying,"this year, all Americans will have health care coverage." Really? Because I have yet to receive any information, detailing the coverage that will be provided me. Nor, have I received a coverage package; addressing my individual needs, or what doctor I would prefer. They have thrown around everything from voucher programs, to government employed doctors. From where I stand, it looks like universal health care is up in the air.

  Mr. Bennion, I thought you, of all people would have seen the underlying issues, that our government has yet to address. More so, the bias this will create, in regards to race, religion, and gender.

For example: There is a t.v. program, about a family that has 18 children.(Maybe 19, who knows.) Under a universal health care system, we would all be responsible to pay for this couples choice, to keep having children. Our government has also said, they should give healthy people incentives, for being healthy. What do these incentives consist of: tax breaks, gym memberships? Does this mean a healthy person, with a terminal illness, will be eligible for the incentives? Mr. Bennion, I could go on all day with questions that have been left answered.

   Most people are worried about higher taxes. I'm okay with paying for something that will benefit me, as well as everyone else. I just want to know how much it will cost, so I can prepare financially. Although, I don't think the rich, or the people whom have coverage, will be this easy to convince.

 I just hope, before they impliment this expensive bill, they have all their ducks in a row. If not; their lack of planning will not only cost Americans a mass amount of money, but possible lives.

our Government doesn't seem to be able to address this issue with strait-forward answers.

While there isn't a final bill yet and those that have been proposed will likely be modified, the information is available for taxpayers to review.

Here's the House bill: http://edlabor.house.gov/blog/2009/07/americas-affordable-health-choices-act.shtml

My co-blogger Tim Foley did a good run down of what the bill would actually look like to an uninsured person making $45K: http://healthcare.change.org/blog/view/whats_in_it_for_me_at_45000_a_year

The current system doesn't work very well for a lot of people.  The U.S. pays more for health care than anyone else with lower rates of patient satisfaction and worse health outcomes than most industrialized countries.

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/hea_spe_per_per-health-spending-per-person

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_infant_mortality_rate

(U.S. has an infant mortality rate comparable to that of Croatia, Cyprus, or Poland.)

http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=ten_reasons_why_american_health_care_is_so_bad

But industry groups in conjunction with conservative politicians have managed to block reform for decades now, in part by lying about what proposed reforms would do and sowing confusion about the issues. 

Anyone with access to the internet is better able now to find out what is true and what is false than in the past.  Pleading ignorance about the issues while repeating misinformation from industry groups will not get you very far in a debate about facts and concrete policy proposals.  Equip yourself: study the issues.

Mr. Bennion, pleading ignorance is not what I'm doing. I have read much of my info. on the Internet. I also read, on this site, certain Democrats will refuse to support a universal health care bill, that will cover abortion. You said yourself, this wouldn't be a government ran system. Well, if a political party is deciding what procedures should be covered, what would you call it then?

In some countries, the government owns and manages the hospitals, pays doctors' salaries directly, and operates every step in the process of delivering medical care.  This is a what I mean and what is commonly understood as "government run health care." The UK's NHS would be an example.

On the other hand, you have systems where the government runs a medical insurance plan but private doctors and hospitals provide the medical care.  Medicare in the U.S. is an example of this type of system.

This is a fundamental distinction, and it's hard to discuss a complex issue with someone who doesn't grasp the basics first.  In another thread for example, how can you discuss T visas and immigration reform with someone who doesn't know that you have to get a green card before you can become a citizen?  Sometimes education has to happen before a policy discussion can take place.

L.S., I think it would help to read what Wendell Potter had to say about the Canadian single-payer system, which is more like our Medicare program, as Dave mentioned:

AMY GOODMAN: What do you think of single payer? And first, explain it, as you understand it. I think that’s critical, because most people don’t even understand the idea of government-paid-for healthcare. And compare it to a public plan. And then, where do you see us going now, and where do you think we have to go?

WENDELL POTTER: It works in Canada. There are people in Canada—I think the satisfaction ratings in Canada, people are much happier with their system there than Americans are here. In fact, more people in this country are uninsured than the entire population of Canada. And if you take into consideration the people who—the number of people who are underinsured now—and that is a number that is growing because of the new health plans that are being sold, these so-called consumer-directed plans that are really high-deductible plans—when you add those people in, there are more people who are either uninsured or underinsured than the entire population of the United Kingdom. So, you know, we are at a point where some fundamental reform is absolutely necessary. We can’t let another opportunity go. We can’t go another fifteen years before we have some meaningful reform.

http://www.democracynow.org/2009/7/16/former_insurance_exec_wendell_porter

Your hostility toward me is obvious, Mr. Bennion. I wasn't talking about T-visas, and green cards. Nor, am I aware of the reference that you make to the prior post.

 When I was 16 years old, I got pregnant. My Father, the harsh Catholic that he was, kicked me out of our house. He also, forbid my Mother from removing me from their insurance. The obvious problem, in the 90's, was finding a way to get health care. My parent-provided insurance, made it impossible for me to use any government aid- medical programs, and their insurance wouldn't cover a teenage pregnancy.

  Mr. Benion, I did not intend to bait you with a loaded question. The reason I wanted to bring the,"abortion issue," to your attention, was because I realize how many immigrants are Catholic. I also realize, that some find themselves pregnant at a young age, like myself. I would much rather see, anyone, immigrant or non, not have to struggle the way I have. So, when you let a political party,(out of their own personal beliefs,) determine coverage on a universal health care bill, you might be able to understand, why I am such a sceptic on this matter.

 I did graduate high-school, early, at that. I worked a low paying job, paid rent, obtained a certificate-degree, all before I was 20. Although I am still going to school, my major is entomology; I would like to point out, I have never once, applied for state-aid, or any low-income assistance. I have faith in humanity enough to say,"if I can do it, anyone can."

 I just really find it hard to believe, that you've labeled me ignorant, and suggested that I cannot grasp this concept. You , who at one time, earned a living, exploiting peoples ignorance of our laws. I may not hail from a family of privilege, Mr. Bennion, but I do have substance. My son is now 10 years old, and is an awesome athlete, and strait "A" student. We may be poor, by American standards, in regards to tangible/materialistic things; moral standards, we have plenty. 

Thank you for sharing your story.  I wish you had had access to health care in the 1990s, I wish you and my siblings and their families had better access to it now.  My family lived in a trailer park for a time when I was growing up, and we qualified for free or reduced-cost lunch in elementary school in Houston.  In some ways I've been privileged, in others not.

I'm not sure what you mean by "You , who at one time, earned a living, exploiting peoples ignorance of our laws."  I work at a nonprofit in Philly--my clients are mostly low-income immigrants and their U.S. citizen family members.  I'm familiar with immigrants and the Catholic Church--I worked as an immigration attorney for the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens for two years.

My reference to T visas and immigration reform was to Ms. Nunes's comments on another thread.

I tend to get prickly when commenters come to the blog with a restrictionist perspective and make factual misstatements.  I think on any blog where someone brings a conflicting perspective, they can expect factual claims to be scrutinized for accuracy and arguments challenged more robustly than if they weren't challenging the blogger and that blog's particular community.  I don't comment at ALIPAC or VDare or what have you, but if I did, I would make certain that any assertions I made could stand up to scrutiny.  When claims are well-sourced and arguments vigorously contested, it can lead to a better understanding of the issue on both sides.  This approximates the adversarial system in court.  For example, I think Liquid's critiques of my "Illegal Immigrant is the Real Euphemism" post made it a stronger post (tho I'm sure he'd disagree).  And I wrote it knowing he or others would be going over it with a fine-tooth comb, which is why it took me a long time to write.

In short: if you come to this blog challenging pro-migrant positions (or in this case, a pro-reform health care argument), expect to be challenged.  That is the way the blogosphere works.

 I agree, Mr. Bennion. Although, when I come to this, "blogosphere," I strive to treat your commentary with respect. I have more than once disagreed, and agreed with their views. Although, I have never resorted to name calling, or disregarded their comments, in a rude manor. I always address them with a proper title, if I'm able to, and, take into account their perspectives.

 I live in an area of the U.S. that has a large number of immigrants/undocumented immigrants. This has afforded me, the ability to see the validity, and contributions, as well as the down-falls, of immigration. In your post, you are quick to point out the unfairness, injustice, and struggles, you/they face on a daily basis. You also bring awareness, to the successes many immigrants have achieved, and highly regarded roles, they will play in America's future. That's great.

  Realistically, there are many, not so good immigrants, crossing our borders on a daily basis. So, without looking bias, how do you pick out the good from the bad? (You can't.)

 I know I have never trivialized the role you play, in our immigration system. I have suggested, probably more than once, that your heart seems to guide you through this cause. For me, all heart is lost, when dealing with our Government. (The, "exploitation comment," was presumptuous on my part. Sorry for that.)

Ms. Annalisa, I did read you post earlier. I will definitely take a closer look.

Here's a video for you Gary...on the intersection between the immigration and health care issue (that is, if you care to get serious by actually addressing the topic at hand):

http://video.nytimes.com/video/2008/08/03/us/1194817111333/the-deportation-of-luis-jimenez.html