Jay Rockefeller: “If any one of us tried to sell this health care formula we have, which is to spend more and more money for less and less…”

“If any one of us tried to sell this health care formula we have, which is to spend more and more money for less and less dependable care, we would be laughed right out of every shareholders meeting and business office in our country. It is mind boggling to hear anybody argue with a straight face that our health care system is not in crisis. Doctors do not argue that. Consumers do not argue that. Certain people who do not want health care to pass argue that. There is a lot going on for us in the health care system; no doubt about that. We have great doctors, wondrous technology, and miraculous advances--but all for fewer and fewer Americans. And too many who turn to our health care system come out physically better but financially and emotionally devastated. That is what is taking place in the towns, counties, and States that we are here to represent--the State of Colorado for the Presiding Officer, and this Senator in the State of West Virginia. Take the experience of Keith Stevens, who is a young West Virginian, a 21-year-old car salesman. He makes a reasonable income. Yet, he had to use his Christmas bonus to pay for his daughter's medical care because he cannot afford insurance and the company for which he works does not provide insurance. Yet, he earns too much for his children to qualify for Medicaid. So Keith would be described, I guess, as lucky because he did have a Christmas bonus that helped him--if you call spending Christmas money on doctor bills lucky.…”