AP - "Lessons of a weekend of free health care"

[TomCADem]

At an August 2009 townhall co-hosted by Mitch McConnell and John McCain, the following exchanged took place:

"Nothing makes me more angry," said Sen. Mitch McConnell at a health care town hall in Kansas City today, "… than the suggestion that America does not already have the finest health care in the world." Sen. John McCain, appearing alongside him, agreed: "The quality of health care in America is the best in the world."

Meanwhile, back in reality, stories like this continue to take place while the Republicans continue to try to delay health care reform:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34633188/ns/health-health_care/

'How do you talk to a doctor?'

"Good morning folks," Brock booms in an accent crisp with authority. "We're going to get started on time."

It is precisely 6 a.m. and Brock has just pushed open the high school's doors, questions ready.

"Who's here to see a dentist?"

More than half raise their hands. Who needs an eye doctor? Almost as many. Who needs a medical doctor? Scattered hands go up, but Brock expects that, too.

"Really, they all need to see a doctor," he says. "They just don't want to lose their place on line."

Ronnie and Debbie Erwin have driven 2½ hours from Johnson City. Insurance from her job covers his care for spinal stenosis. But the prescriptions caused his teeth to disintegrate and infection followed. Insurance doesn't cover that.

"My doctor said you've got to do something or it's going to kill you," Ronnie says.

Melissa Hayes, a home health aide from nearby Luttrell, has waited since 11:30 p.m. with her daughters, aged 5, 7 and 10. Her oldest, Brittney Prince, can't see the board at school, but the family can't afford glasses.

Joe Mason is anxious about a broken molar, but if there's time, he's thinking about seeing a doctor, too. The idea, though, leaves him uncertain.

"How do you go in there and talk to a doctor? I probably haven't been to one in 20 years," says Mason, 31.

"I mean, what are you supposed to say to one?"

[Hekate]

1. KnR

[Delphinus]

2. This is the

*real* state of health care for many of us. I'm tired of people like Limbaugh and congress-critters who are covered by insurance speaking of things they know nothing about. Sure, if you're rich, we've got the best damn health care system in the world.