COFFEE BREAK 41

+ updated at 12:30pm ESDT

+ Just found this at TalkingPointsMemo: "My father was chronically ill with kidney problems with a very grim prognosis. This was in the 1970's around the time dialysis became a possibility. The National Health Service paid for the installation of a dialysis machine plus all the necessary plumbing and renovation of a room in his home so that he could use the machine three times a week rather than travel to the hospital in London. The cost was enormous and there is no way my parents could have afforded it. His quality of life for his last years was improved beyond recognition. I don't recall any bureaucracy or fuss: the entire decision was the doctor's. After he passed away the NHS paid for the disassembly and removal of everything too." -- PR, a TPM reader from the UK

+ http://www.pollingreport.com/health.htm reveals amazing contradictions in the way Americans are viewing health care reform. An overwhelming majority believes that insurance companies should not deny health coverage due to pre-existing conditions. Let's hope Congress enacts legislation which supports this belief. On the question of who should have a say, government or insurance, Americans are equally divided.