Bottom line is that if there is a remote chance HCR can be made to work, I will

[Skidmore]

fight for it. We personally have everything to lose at this point if the insurance industry is given free rein. Yesterday I e-mailed the WH and told them that I agreed with Dr. Dean. Always had. Was disappointed when they did not tap him to coordinate this effort or give him a meaningful appointment to begin with. That we had stuck with the President up until yesterday when it became clear that any true measure to get a fair shake for the people had at last been abandoned. I told them that we were also very concerned that the whole reform measure had been begun from a position of weakness.

My husband and I will be looking for some heavy lifting in the future. As I said, what little we have left we stand to lose.

[clear eye]

1. I am truly sorry you're one of the millions close to medical bankruptcy.

If we're not so wealthy that we can pay $Ms our of pocket, all of us are in danger w/ the insurance industry shenanigans.

We need more than a "possibility" that the reform will work. MA residents had a "possibility" when they passed Romney-care and 1000's of them are facing medical bankruptcy or are already bankrupt today b/c of mandated inadequate insurance. If you can't afford real coverage, in MA you are forced to buy seriously inadequate coverage or face penalties. This has allowed insurance cos. to raise premiums on good policies and offer policies that wouldn't have sold prior to the mandate.

Notice, the one thing that hasn't been challenged from the right in the Senate in the insurance bill is the mandate.

[Justitia]

2. I think Dean is out there taking such heat because he believes we still have a chance to fix it.

Howard is tough, and I think he is providing cover for a lot in congress who hate this bill in it's current form.

He wouldn't be taking shit left & right if he thought it was a lost cause.

I trust him and I don't think it's too late - yet.