Here's a House bill (for now). There will be more than 15 million left uninsured and paying high penalties they can't afford. The individual mandate penalties and business fines could be built into the budget - that's how it was done in Massachusetts - a money-saving device because it helps pay for the plan and costs less for the government at the same time. Wonder if they bothered to do a region-by-region study of doctors who are willing to take public-plan members? And if this House bill has expanded Medicaid and subsidized insurance for a certain population based on income, are there doctors willing to settle for the low-reimbursement rates paid by Medicaid? Some docs in Massachusetts have signs in their offices saying that they don't take Commonwealth Care patients, and we know in Berkshire and Franklin Counties there is a problem as well as in other areas of the state. Also of note: UMass Worcester is laying people off quietly and reducing hours for others which also cancels out their health insurance. That news is from a friend. No articles about it. However, I did send Sandy Eaton two pieces re western Massachusetts and Berkshire Medical Center - both blaming the Massachusetts plan. I think these are posted on Seachange. If you haven't seen the drafts of Baucus and Kennedy-Dodd bills, try to find them online - they are pretty much the Massachusetts plan on steroids - the Baucus bill gives tax credits for the subsidized insurance. Have you ever tried to feed your family with a tax credit or offered one to the bank in lieu of the mortgage and property tax payment? Maybe Baucus will be giving how-to lessons. - Dianne