Ronni, I found your post very interesting. Just hope many of the American readers make the effort and sign up with their government representatives and support this reform. The bill doesn't have to be perfect; it just has to be a start. I've been the beneficiary of universal health care system for nearly 30 years and, let me assure you, things change. What is excluded today might be included tomorrow, and it is an iterative process. Main thing, affordable care for everyone...

I, too, am pleased as punch that the aides had the sense to reach out to you. Thanks for this explanation of the bill and how this whole thing works. I will follow your directions on contacts to be made. Having lived in France for 25 years, I echo what Zuleme said above. And the health care there was excellent.

Thanks, Ronni, for all you do on TGB, and for including my blog and others on the conference call. I notice that Birds on a Wire has had several visitors from the US Senate in the last 24 hours, thanks to the conference call. I'm sure they're reading blog comments, which means our readers' voices are being heard through the blogs.

Ronni, of your many useful posts over the years, this one is the finest. It's validating to learn that Senator Reid and others in Congress are listening to older, thoughtful voices.

Feeling a little played-out on pushing for single payer for years, I needed this nudge to keep on keeping on. Thanks for your efforts.

I just did it. I emailed my senators, Harkin and Grassley, (both of whom have very significant roles in this issue) my rep., Latham, and Pelosi and Reid. I feel good that I finally did this. Thanks for making it so easy. Your hint about the subject line/first line of the message really helped. And WOW, I'm impressed that your (and our) voices are heard. Thanks so much, Ronni.

Government run health care – the so-called “public option” - presents serious challenges for us. The private sector and competitive market forces are the best means to meeting health care needs. Watch this video from the U.S. Chamber http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/media/

Ronni, thank you again for including me on the call. And for your rational, easy to understand description of the process and the updates.

I have another update. Reuters just released a story that the Republicans are pushing to slow this process down: http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE58J18320090923

This cannot happen. And, I disagree with Audrey's comments above. The private sector has failed its members, the people it covers, and the citizens of the US miserably. Here is a recent story that emphasizes why we need a public option: a 40 year old went to the emergency room with Ventricular Fibrillation (an extra heart beat that is NOT conducive with life). She had emergency surgery and will live (a mother of 3 young children). Her insurer, a national managed care company, denied the claim as medically unnecessary leaving her with over hundred thousand in bills.

Audrey: is this the coverage you want? for yourself? your children?

Public option is a necessity. I of course am pushing for Medicare for all. Contact your congressional representatives, especially Republicans. We can make this happen

Our Congress woman, Carol Shea-Porter supports Medicare For All, the only logical solution.
Great! And we voted for her.

Keep the good fight going.

Push and act as if there is no finish line.

Medicare for all.

Finally, voices are being heard thanks to your continued efforts, Ronni. Thanks, also, to those who participated in that phone conference. Guess I should see if my Skype is operative and maybe get in my two dollars worth sometime.

I'll tell you this, the local HMO groups are knocking themselves out offering all sorts of freebie programs and handing out all sorts of multi-page resource books, especially for "seniors." They're including all this not only for their members, but seem to be really pushing the same for non-subscribers now. Isn't that a coincidence in timing with all that's going on with health care right now. There are increased free classes, too, for all -- various type exercise programs, disease information and anything else you can think of within the health category. I've never known of so many offerings from them in our community.

How many of these offerings will continue if inaction on health care change occurs, or if significant health care changes are not made this year?

I had occasion to make an inquiry of one HMO representative yesterday. I noted to her in passing that should I take the class we were discussing that I wanted her to know in advance I would not be changing my insurance provider (I have Medicare.) She became instantly defensive. I know a sales promotion when I see it, but I didn't say that to her.

You know where some of the money for this probably comes from is that extra money the HMO receives from Medicare (over and above what Medicare normally pays.) That larger payment is given the HMO for those patients who sign over their Medicare and join the HMO. Data has shown the HMO takes in considerably more than what's normally spent on regular Medicare patients Of course the HMO then has an incentive to cut the Medicare patients expenses, and not always in patient beneficial ways.

Many such patients don't realize they're getting short changed from needed service in the name of insurer profit. Some health care service professionals dedicated to their patient's best interests have been known to recommend to the patient they switch back to Medicare in order to receive the service they need and deserve.

I think we really need to hold our Congresspersons feet to the fire on health care reform, especially and including those dedicated to slowing the process in an effort to defeat it, or who obstinately refuse to acknowledge the large number of their constituents who oppose their Congressperson's position. That's part of what I'm doing since the latter is true in my situation.

My Rep. holds phone conferences, speaks with a few of those participants who generally seem only to reflect his position -- isn't that a surprise. I've been invited to participate -- that means listen in -- but have yet to be asked to have a speaking participation allowing me to ask him a question. I consider the experience an attempt to brainwash me, so have quit participating. I just call his office as they suggest if you can't be available for the conference call and leave my message with his Aide.

I'm probably butting my head against a stone wall, but I keep pressing him, my Republican Representative. Naturally, he's toeing his Parties political line and I think that's all the more reason to keep after him not only privately, but especially through much more public forums. I'm trying to do that, too, with local newspapers.

(The Rep., David Drier, was a strong force in the previous Congress and was a power behind the recall of our previous Calif. governor and putting Arnold Schwarzenegger in office.)