" There is a state sponsored health insurance plan in Massachusetts that is in it's second year and it's working. Believe it or not, AJ it was set up by former gov Mitt Romney a republican. It had some cost overuns but a new $1 tax on cigs is covering that. A fitting use for a cig tax, health care. Check out the details by a google search of "MA commonwealth healthcare" The only controversy is that you are required to have health insurance or you will suffer tax penalties. But that is the key to make it work. Otherwise people would not join the health plan and when they get sick join and save premiums. That is not fair and so all must join. I pay $39 a month for no deductibles on most all care and small co-pays. $10 for a doctors visit or prescriptions. The state checks your eligibility as part of the medicare system already set up and your income determines your premium. If you have healthcare you need not participate. You can even get partial re-imbursement for your premiums if you prefer an employer plan that is expensive. So it can be done you naysayers. "

" Wonnie--there you go again spewing idiotic rhetoric. PEOPLE present threats to our elderly, not nursing homes. Nursing homes are some of the MOST regulated in health care. I am in and out of nursing homes in the area often, and have NEVER witnessed intentional abuse of the elderly. Lawyers are the ones who convince everyone of abuse. Lazy people who are not doing their jobs pose the threat. The case of the woman who was seizing and died--it was a couple of PEOPLE who didn't care. So get it straight.As for you AJ--why is it there is an influx of Canadians into the US to get health care if Canada's healthcare is so great? "

" Tell me AJ if this women had the "Right to Health Care", how would it have changed this out come? Since she was in a Hospital what does the "Right to Health Care" have to do with it? Simply put the Hospital staff did not do their job and she died from neglect. Not because she didn't have health coverage. "

" Then move to Canada AJ and become a Canadian citizen. Last time I looked the Constitution and the Bill of Rights do not guaranteed medical insurance or health care. And there is no mention that the rich or working poor like me have to pay for insurance for those less fortunate. I already pay taxes for kids to go to college, which is also wrong (Cayuga College Charge Back-which had a 53% increase in 2007) check your county taxes. That's why New "Tax" York is becoming less and less attractive to the younger generations. As for the Corporations I say take their tax breaks from them too. But you better be ready to pay more for their services or be willing to go without them. "

" Things won't change much until people realize that health care shoud be a right for all and not a privelege for the few.

I would gladly take Canada's or Britain's health care system over what we have in the states today. In fact, I would probably take any of the industrialized world's health care systems over what we have now. It is a travesty. "

" Government health care. I can see it now, you will be able to buy supplemental insurance to cover what the government insurance doesn't cover now. Oh wait, that already exists. You can buy supplemental insurance for the "gaps" in medicare and medicaid. And I'm sure the supplemental insurance already has the saying down, I'm sorry but, this insurance doesn't cover that. Insurance the greatest thing you will ever pay for that doesn't do anything. "

" affordable coverage? that will never come wtih insurance or the government. go back to the old system, get rid of insurance and health care prices would fall DRAMATICALLY. "

" The problem will be resolved when the states take action and arrange for affordable healthcare for all citizens. If they wait for the feds it will never come. We don't need socialised health care, just affordable coverage REQUIRED for everyone. "

" Ronnie, take this up with your Senator now that she is back fighting for the people of upstate New York. "