But I also think this is a big step forward that can be built upon. In the next election, work for candidates who want to increase the subsidies not to drop them altogether. And keep working for broader reforms. This is not the end point, but it’s a big, big step in American politics and policy.

278: Yes, I live in Maine. But I wasn’t born here and I’ve lived in a number of states. Part of the reason why I’m here is that you can have a great lifestyle without the high costs. So I guess others haven’t made my choices. But they can make choices that will give them good lifestyles without being too squeezed. I am lifelong progressive/leftie but I also believe in people being empowered/responsible when it comes to life choices.

274: What happened to your neighbor and her family will not happen under the hcr bill, as there are lifetime and annual caps. That is one of the best things about it, indeed maybe the best, although I am also thrilled with the provision about keeping kids’ on parents insurance into their 20s and, for others, the new federal requirements about covering people under Medicaid. The latter replaces some extremely low state income thresholds for Medicaid. As Waldman writes in the American Prospect, “the biggest winners from the expansion will be poor people represented by Republicans.” From: http://prospect.org/cs/articles?article=ten_things_to_watch_in_the_health_care_reform_conference

All the traits and frugality you describe are honorable, worthy and very commendable. It would be a good thing if more people adopted some or all of them. An average family doing everything you describe still, in many cases, as the post above demonstrates, may not be able to afford to use the insurance that Barack Obama, Ben Nelson and Harry Reid are cramming down their throats. That is a the point and, quite frankly, your comment pretty much reinforces that.

One last word about luekemia. My beloved neighbor died two years ago from luekemia. She was the mother of 3 boys and married to a blue collar contractor. She had health insurance from “selling steaks at Omaha Steaks”. When she died the family was left hundreds of thousands in debt trying to save her life. She had 2 bone marrow transplants. They lost her, her income, her insurance…and today are still paying on the debt. WE have to change the health insurance industry..and this bill does nothing to solve this problem. You can take all your money and buy insurance, but that insurance does not “insure” you from financial ruin. It’s a catch 22, the way it stands today. If I know that I have less than 3% of my income left over…I can save it all up in a savings account but it won’t cover my costs if one of my kids breaks a bone and needs surgery to repair it. (while they participate in sports so they don’t become obese or end up drug addicts). I won’t have enough left over to pay off the 20% or more in hospital bills. And…If I have to pay co pays to get routine testing done..I am not going, at all, because I know I can’t afford it.

People choose where to live.
They choose what place to live in.
And they choose whether to develop certain skills, whether to further their income or improve their homes.

When we bought our house, our family income was $40,000 a year with one kid in childcare. We research vehicles and buy ones that are highly reliable with relatively good mileage. At times, big expenses like car repairs have given us credit card balances, but we are frugal on clothes, have an old tv and few electronics (no wii or other game systems), and almost always prepare food at home.