I am a pre-existing condition!

#preexistingcondition lives matter!

When did healthcare become welfare?

It's not welfare when you're paying for it in monthly premiums and copays. Most industrialized nations have affordable or FREE healthcare for all of their citizens, so why not the biggest industrialized country in the free world?

I am from Canada, and it's not free. My sister in Alberta has been waiting for 2 years for an operation on her foot. In Quebec the wait for a colonoscopy is over a year. It's worse than Medicaid for all. We (Americans) can't afford to subsidize a Cadillac healthcare system for everyone and neither can the Canadians.

You may be paying premiums and co-pays, but it is still subsidized by others. Like food stamps. Sorry.

Whether this healthcare bill passes or not, there's always going to be some form of subsidized healthcare in this country. Before Obamacare, those that had no insurance but still went to the hospital and got care, got it at the expense of the taxpayers. At least with the new system, they will have to pay something in most cases. If you lose your job and get unemployment insurance, even though you pay something into it from your check every payday, some of that money is also subsidized. Many of the things that you may take for granted and enjoy at certain times in your life are subsidized in one way or another. So, be careful about what you complain about, because I'm sure some of the things that you use and count on throughout your daily life is subsidized in one way or another. I prefer the path of compassion for my fellow man that may not have some of the privileges that the rest of us enjoy or take for granted.

That was a well thought out, well written response. However, with regard to the comparison with other countries, I believe that the majority of Americans do not want a "Medicaid for all" system. They are used to and expect a higher quality of service. Thus, it is more expensive.