"….don’t you check your finances first to see if you can afford it before purchasing said item? Isn’t that the responsible thing to do? "

Oh, really!   The Republicans passed Medicare Part D with no idea whatsoever how they would pay for it.  Not a clue, but they passed it anyway.   There seems to be a little problem now.  Ever hear of the "Donut Hole?"

I’m aware of that.  Recently, many here were scornful when President Obama, acting on the advice of the CDC, announced the swine flu was epidemic.  What that did was allow hospitals, including ERs, to isolate patients and use other areas for incoming patients.  The government laws are strict when it comes to our hospitals, as they should be.  When ERs are overwlemed, they have a choice.  Tend to the guy with heart attack or the guy with the ingown toe nail( and yes, that is painful)   In LA, many they see there are indigent drug addicts looking for another fix.   A Brownsville , Texas, ER  doctor said they see the same patients ( druggies) 30-40 times a year.  Each visit averages around $1000.  They also disrupt the entire ER and make it very difficult for triage.  In my city, we have police at the ERs just for that reason. 

It’s amazing we have doctors and nurses  willing to work in many of our ERs.

Been reading the tea leaves again?  Look back.  How many times did you use " will be" or " will decide" or " will get" or " will then."  I am always amazed that the far right has this power to predict the future.  I am still waiting for that run- a- way inflation that was supposed to have happened back in September.  Maybe a tea leaf refresher course is in order.

You mention long term smokers.  I agree. They made a poor choice.  But, what about the millions who are subject to second hand smoke?  Should they also be denied medical assistance when stricken with lung cancer?  What about coal miners?  According to your logic, they shouldn’t have been going down into those mines.  What about those who are now having severe respiratory ailments just because of their  new homes.  Silly people. They shouldn’t have bought a home with Chinese drywall.  Let’s deny their care, too.  Clearly, you are responsible yet they are not.

As for illegal Joe Shome, his last name more than likely isn’t Shmoe.  You have been paying for him and his children.  They all show up in the ER.  The kids all get free lunch even during the summer in many schools.   This will only continue, but you will pay even more.   But one provision that was on the table was the establishment of  more neighborhood clinicas that would help eleviate ER visits. These have been successful in border states.  We also see mini clinics in some pharmacies. 

Progress can be and will be made in spite of the doomsday talkers.  Denial is a warm, cozy place, isn’t it?

I’ve been running errands and humming Lesley’s songs.  Thinking about her remarkable beehive.  Mine was never so cool, even with several good rat tail combs.  Anyway, another song popped into my head with a vivid memory attached, although not by the multi talented Ms. Gore.  Back in the day, when a much younger Maggie was feeling her oats and girl power, she also thought " These Boots Are Made For Walking" was written expressly for her sassy self.

What an era for girl music, Mr. Wow!!! 

LOL! Been looking and looking, haven’t you?  Please try not to lose sleep over this.  Back when Failin’  Palin first came on the political scene, there was much informatiion about her own sketchy academic record and her husband’s dismal record.  I truly don’t remember but I believe there were Alaskan political blogs out of Fairbanks that were not refuted.  At that time, I was reading the Alaskan papers almost every day.  Quite interesting.  Oh, yes!

But hey, if it will make you feel much better, let’s say Toddie graduated at the top of his class and now holds a PhD in Fishery.  Feel better now?  It wouldn’t matter.  He’s a dimwit of the highest order.  This is a guy who, after the election, bragged that " the SS guys liked hanging out with me."  LOL!  Sure thing, Toddie.  That’s what they do… " hang out" on the job. 

I stand by what I wrote .   We have some of the best health care in the world, but thousands like this gentleman, do not have access.  That is where the "reform" comes in.  Unless you live under a rock, you would realize that more and more will suffer if we do not welcome reform.   We support people all over the world with our military presence, charity and goodwill.   We should show that same goodwill to every American. Every American should have access to  medical care that would give them hope as well as possible recovery….. and  dignity within their lifestyle, whatever their means may be.

You disagree.  So be it.   If the barbaric system you support continues, I sincerely hope no one you love ever needs critical short or long term care.

Oh, calm down and get off your high horse.  Where didi I blame the current health care system?  Sheesh!  That was not the problem. If you read the same report I did, it was short and did not give much history.  And yes, I know the ER cannot turn you away.  But the report also says he was embarrassed.  I do not know his back story and what he may have experienced previously because of obesity.  I also do not know his financial or mental state or whether he had family support. Do you?  

The point is , he was a young man and died a needless death.  If he had insurance, perhaps neither you nor I would have read about him in the paper.

What I find sad, Helen, ( other than the  weekly Friday column), is the study seems to believe that all women are not high risk and ,therefore, should not be tested so early and so frequently in life.  That just doesn’t make sense.  Who is to say someone may not be high risk just because of family history?   Just because my mom and aunts never had breast cancer doesn’t mean I could not have been diagnosed at age 20.  I still could be.   I also saw two friends suffer and eventually die from breast cancer, leaving behind young sons and daughters. 

One of the reasons I fully support health care reform is because it will emphasize preventive medicine and wellness programs.  We badly need that!  Then, along comes a controversial study like this.  One good thing, however, is it does highlight the need for better and more accurate technology for diagnostic purposes.

"Just curious, what does the Obama administration have against women? "

Does the name Sonia Sotomayor ring a bell?  How about Lily Ledbetter?  How about Hillary Clinton? 

"Mammograms and pap smears are now being questioned?"

Where is your source that proves  President Obama and his administration are questioning mammograms and pap smears.

Okie dokie… I’m a racist because Toddie dropped out.  Fine and dandy.

Now, where again is that army in Alaska that Obama sent to derail Sarah Palin?  How odd.  She’s a private citizen.  Why would an army be necessary?   Your sources?

I read a story this morning about an obese man who was released from the hospital.  Although those who brought him home warned against it, he insisted on sitting in his recliner… where he got stuck.  For 8 months he sat there, dying slowly.  Why didn’t he call for help?  He was too embarrassed and had no insurance.   He is one of the many thousands of needless deaths in this country each year.

There are so many against the kind of reform that would prevent such deaths and restore dignity in people’s lives again.   Yet, as you say, the barbaric system is just fine as it is for those who cannot stand to see anything positive attached to this President’s name…. until they or someone they love needs critical care.  Then they will yowl the loudest that the government isn’t doing anything.

Karleen, Liz Peek knows this report is the conclusion of a task force analysis.  Of course, this has nothing to with the President.   Says Eric Winer, Harvard oncologist and chief advisor for the Komen group,"  It would be a mistake to over react" .  The timing of this report amidst the current health care reform debate proves to be the perfect arena for Ms. Peek to once again excite her devoted followers.  

Makes no difference whether Toddie is Inuit or an Aborigine or a Swahili warrior.  He chose to take the easy way out and drop out of high school.   Daughter Bristol missed huge hunks of days, too. Oh, that’s right.  Mono.  Uh-huh.  Sarah bounced around 5 or 6 colleges before finally eeking out a sports journalism degree.   Rather lackluster in academics as far as the entire family goes.  If you believe all that is racist, then have at it.

Now, name your sources on that army Obama has in Alaska.  That should be interesting, since you are armed " with plenty" of facts.