A lesson in politics. The Kucinich Prediction: Here's what's going to happen ... The House will make a big deal about keeping/putting a public option in HR3200 because it competes with insurance companies and will keep insurance rates low. The bill will pass, not with a "public option" but with a private mandate requiring 30 million uninsured to buy private health insurance. This legislative sausage will be celebrated as a new breakthrough and will be packaged as health insurance reform. However, the bill may require a Surgeon General's warning label: Your Money or Your Life!

How can we be so concerned about our own health care while we choose to deny others of having an option? These “others” amount to nearly 46 million Americans who do not have health insurance. Of these, 45,000 die each year because of their lack of health insurance.

According to the Commonwealth Fund survey on Medicare, beneficiaries indicated they were overall more satisfied with their health coverage. They felt they had better access to care and fewer problems getting their bills paid. This was compared to findings from people in employer-sponsored plans.