I won't take the bait and comment on the President's speech. Everyone to their own opinion.

I will say this, however, since the value of our healthcare system has entered into the converstation.

My wife was seriously ill and hospitalized for twelve weeks; eight of them in intensive care. She had three major surgeries during that time, and her hospital bill exceeded 1 million dollars. Medicare and our HMO paid all the costs. It did not cost us a dime. I am not wealthy, and the care she got had nothing to do with our income level. You won't find me bad-mouthing the Medicare program, or the arrangement Medicare has with HMOs in this country.

Those who have had no experience with the system, and spout venom and inaccuracies based only on opinion at the system should (in my humble opinion) keep their fucking mouths shut.

DougR