I'm with Barry 110% EXCEPT that to say -- we have the national health - that is all that needs saying. No, NO - so much more needs to be said. How can American politicians look at themselves in the mirror in the morning knowing that there are people in this country who cannot afford to go to visit a health professional? The fat cats (and I cheerfully admit to being an entry level fat cat at least) can pay the bills - albeit that the insurance premium for my family is $12300 PER ANNUM for a $2500 deductible per person -- but I can pay. I can also afford to keep my oldest daughter on payroll so that she can have health insurance even though her work with mhy company is loosely defined. Not sure what the plan for child # 2, coming up to graduation with a Vet Tech's associate degree, but I will work something out. No child of mine is going to be uninsured for medical. But then I ask myself, what would I DO if the money just wasn't there - how would I handle the guilt. National health is the absolute basic requirement of a civilised society.......