I strongly support a single payer system. Any approach should, however, include at a minimum include the following:
Public Option, (a non-private insurance option, perhaps a form of Medicaid),
Community Rating (meaning everybody pays the same insurance rate, even if they have prior conditions)
and Guaranteed Issue (they can't turn you down for coverage if you have a prior condition)

The economic benefits to American companies to have a viable health care national policy is great. The impact to society in America would be invaluable. Even Mexico intends to enter the universal health care list of nations. Why are we so behind much of the rest of the world? Health Care is a right, a right being denied many Americans

I am 61 yrs old and soon to be 62 April 2009. I had a heart attack in Aug. of 2008 and I am losing my current healthcare coverage. Bllue Cross says NO, I am not eligible. I live alone and I'm terrified. My income is $200 weekly. What do I do

I agree in that change is needed here, but don't agree with the proposed solution. Want and death are rightly the natural consequences for idleness, and it is not the proper role of government to provide mercy - this duty lies in the hands of individual citizens.

The proper role of government is to that of Justice: Military, Court systems, Police, regulating currency, etc.

The economy is number 1, but of the big 3 after that (Iraq, Healthcare, Energy Policy) I see health care reform with the biggest potential near-term economic benefit for every American. Address healthcare , and you restore money and remove fear from the engine of our economy: consumers.