I have now passed the cobra sign-up phase (I couldn't afford the $1,450 a month anyways), and so we are walking without a net. One serious accident or illness, and I have lost everything I have worked for for the past 30 years. My kids are covered, thanks to our progressive governor who put a kids health insurance program together a few years ago. I'm certainly grateful for that. I tried to buy a policy for my wife and myself, just catastrophic, $5,000 deductible, no doctor visits, no prescriptions, no dental. Even that costs $200 a month, but I thought I could swing that. It turns out Wendy is uninsurable. She's never had cancer or aids, hasn't even been hospitalized in the past 10 years, so what gives? Turns out she went to a chiropractor several times in the past year, and she has fibroids. These are two of the most pickiune excuses I've ever heard for denying coverage. Many women live 40 years or more with fibroids. It's something to keep an eye on, but no big deal. Wendy has had them for 20 years. and her chiropractor visits are routine adjustments, perhaps one a month. It probably qualifies as preventative care, keeping the spine in line and avoiding bigger problems in the future. Should we deny dental coverage because someone got their teeth cleaned? I guess you have to run a marathon to get health insurance around here. These people are insane! This country is insane! If you didn't vote for Obama, you should have. And if you did, you need to keep the pressure on. The mis-apportionment of healthcare among our citizens is the single most important domestic issue facing our country today. And it drives everything else. Like frivolous law suits - because the patient knows he has no ability to pay for his medical bills. Maybe the doctor didn't really do anything wrong, but with a preexisting condition in hand, this is the only way out. So we pay for all that litigation, instead of just paying his medical bills from the get-go. And then there's all the preventative care that doesn't take place among the 48 million uninsured, only to lead to bigger and more expensive problems down the line. If it all came out of one pocket, from birth to death, we'd do the right thing. I hope we come to our senses, and soon!