fawls13 scribbled: Whatever the plan ends up being, one absolute should be included. The legislatures and Executive branch should fall under the same plan as the rest of the people. That might be a good initial requirement to put in place before any tinkering begins. My bet is that they will write themselves out of the plan and create a separate one for themselves.

fawls13 scribbled: It always strikes me how the healthcare companies talk about the savings they bring and how the industry is so competitive. At the same time, we are now all aware (if we weren't before) of the complete lack of automation of medical record tracking and maintenance. What competitive industry has not turned to automation as quickly as possible to cut costs and improve efficiency? How many competitive industries have a limited number of players available in any geographic area? How many companies in a competitive environment survive ('survival' also includes merging with other companies or a profitable takeover)? Look at the software industry. How many companies rose and fell in that industry? Look at the innovations wrought by the trucking industry, an incredibly competitive one which has brought breakthroughs in technology from an urgent need for efficiency and cost savings (ironically, many of their costs derive from government taxes and fees...perhaps more lobbyists would be a better investment...). It is an amazing feat that healthcare companies have simultaneously managed to generate profits and pass themselves off as a battered industry. Amazing too, that it has become such a 'complicated' issue that it is now a national debate. Generally when analyzing an issue it is a good idea to trace the problem back to it's cause. That would be a great approach in this case. When did health care costs begin to explode? What was going on in the industry at that time? Were medical staff costs skyrocketing, or were healthcare companies evolving? The true causes of the 'healthcare crisis', the true causes, would be an interesting argument to bring into the discussion.

fawls13 scribbled: An important point regarding the 'sweeper' is that he must be left to roam free. The outside fulls and 'stopper', at the top of the diamond, cover offensive players as they advance while the 'sweeper' targets breakthroughs on the defense. As the 'sweeper' moves outside the center to close down a breakthrough it is also important that one of the other defenders or a midfielder drops into the center slot to maintain cover there as all balls must ultimately come to the center - i.e., the goal.