In California, where the Democrats hold super majorities in both the Assembly and the Senate, and we have a Democratic Governor, the bill for universal health care just died.

I am beginning to think that the phrase "all enemies foreign and domestic" includes the insurance companies and the AMA.

This from perhaps one of the most technology advanced countries in the world and one of the most morally backward countries of the world.

Thank you for your sharing of yourself like that.

Wow! Sometimes life just deals you a stream of bad hands. You seem to cope amazingly well, given the circumstances. And all with out the benefit of a magic invisible sky Daddy figure. I am truly in awe. And you maintain your sense of humor! Our dear pets can certainly help us get through some shit. Kitties or dogs!

Oh my - such a poignant, heart touching sharing of your life - laying bare your soul.

It shows who you are - your sorrow; your strength; and your steadfastness of commitment.

Healthcare is a human right.

I am so sorry for your devastating losses. I can't imagine the bitterness your grief must carry knowing how preventable it was, except for the backwardness of our country.

There are still too many people who believe insurance is something only deserved by those who "work hard," and they don't realize how broken even our for-profit system is. I used to volunteer with cancer patients and it was heartbreaking how many fully-insured people had to file bankruptcy after treatment because they couldn't begin to pay the $250,000+ bills that were "their share" of the medical costs.

For a good portion of my adult life, I've had a chronic condition and worked hard to maintain my insurance ($8,000-$15,000+ per year premium because they charge you more when you have a pre-existing condition) and pay another $14K to $20K per year for "my share" of the medical costs. For most of those years I was filled with guilt that I was cheating my family out of what that money could otherwise be used for. I still feel guilt for that, but for the past few years, some of that guilt has turned to anger.

Having explored Medicare, I agree with @Sticks48. Although helpful, the costs have increased substantially for a group of people who are often on a small fixed income, and they'll no doubt increase should it be expanded for all. We deserve more than the limitations of Medicare. We deserve to enter the world community with a national healthcare system.

The one thing the reign of the ex odious potus showed was just how corrupt our elected officials and many of their appointees are. We saw during Obama's 2 terms the reach of social media and the influence it has but the degree to which the gop is willing to go shocked some - not me. What shocked me was the number of Americans that have embraced the side that actively is working to kill them.

I agree, but it shouldn't even be Medicare for all. It should be a national health care system. If l was on Medicare instead of the VA, l would still have to be working. With Medicare, all the different parts (B,C,D...), and the supplemental insurance , since Medicare only covers 80%, it ain't cheap. 20% of $100,000 dollar hospital bill is a lot of money, so you have to have supplemental insurance. You can run up that kind of bill with a weekend stay in a hospital if you have surgery.The VA has been great, especially now that you can get local surgeons and hospitals if you are more than 40 miles from a VA hospital. I had hernia surgery in August at a local hospital by a local surgeon.

Even "backward" Kenya had medical care for all, 60 years ago. Everyone paid according to their means. Initially, I paid very little. As I gained promotion and salary, I paid more - but never more than I could afford.