[skytrekker]

For starters, red state residents are the unhealthiest in the nation, as a November study funded by UnitedHealth Group confirmed. As Forbes noted, "the annual ranking looks at 22 indicators of health, including everything from how many children receive recommended vaccinations, to obesity and smoking rates, to cancer deaths." The diagnosis wasn't pretty for Republicans committed to denying the health care their constituents need most of all. The 2009 rankings reveal that nine of the top 10 healthiest states voted for Barack Obama in 2008. Conversely, 9 of the 10 cellar dwellers backed John McCain in 2008; four years earlier, the 15 unhealthiest states voted for George W. Bush for President.

States in New England top a new set of rankings, while the South still lags.
The annual ranking looks at 22 indicators of health, including everything from how many children receive recommended vaccinations, to obesity and smoking rates, to cancer deaths. (The foundation is funded by the insurer UnitedHealth Group


Vermont ranked first this year thanks in part to its low rate of obesity, high number of doctors and a low rate of child poverty. New England in general sets a benchmark for the country, the report found. All six New England states are in the top 10. These states have favorable demographics and an excellent public health infrastructure, including a large number of doctors per capita.

The civil war over health care reform is rapidly becoming a war between the states. To great fanfare, seven state attorneys general - all of them Republicans - have promised legal action to block the Senate health care bill's Medicaid exception for Ben Nelson's Nebraska. But while the media have focused on the right-wing furor over the imbroglio derisively known as the "Nebraska Compromise," "Cash for Cloture" or the "Cornhusker Kickback," a second wave of protest is going largely unnoticed. As it turns out, blue states which have already expanded their own Medicaid programs face the double whammy of underwriting red state health care while receiving less federal support due to their own past generosity.



SEE The Healthiest And Unhealthiest States - Forbes.com

[Wyody]

If the Red States ... AND the Blue States ... would've gotten off their collective backsides and done something about the rip-off that is currently called "American Health Care" back in the 60's or 70's or, at least the "leave it alone, we're fine" 80's (not to be confused with the current "leave it alone, we're fine" movement) ... then we wouldn't be having this entire debate!
Instead, our government and populace combined to ignore the increasing costs, malpractice lawsuits (or malpractice ... not sure which went bad first), insurance breakdowns and the many other factors that contributed to a system gone haywire ... including the pharmaceutical industry.
Now ... we're forced to fix something we didn't personally break - and as I've said before, I doubt it can be fixed.
The argument that "it's socialism" doesn't wash. There's plenty about our social systems that work in socialistic ways - without causing a socialistic government.
See, one thing America has proven to the world as well is "Capitalism Doesn't Work Either". Kinda hard to figure just which turn to take from here, isn't it? Faith seems to be equally divided between God, Mob-Mentality and the Lottery.
Me? Grabbit! I just wish that lady in the next aisle of the grocery store would keep track of her kids! And I really wish that waitress would've got my order right the first time ! Oh, and I could use a trip to the doc too - but my current employer doesn't provide health-care and I can't afford it myself. Lucky I'm healthy after all I've been through!

[skytrekker]

Well I agree WY

but there are certain 'elements' in this country that still subscribe to America as it was in 1850.

[RVer]

Oh wow.....where do I start. Health care is a subject close to me. I am a cancer surviver. I have to agree with Wyody when he says he believes the system can not be fixed. All this trying is a waste of energy.

These people you all call "our government", they ain't mine. If I had a govt it would be because they represent me and these clowns do not represent me. I also do not understand all this red and blue and green parties. I also do not understand which wing they have. What I do know is if you have 2 teams...oops I mean parties that never agree, then tell me who is on YOUR side? Why on earth would anyone NOT want a health care available to every single man woman and child in the USA????

The only issue here would be is a govt run health care good or bad. And there most of us agree, the govt can not mind it's own affairs so how the hell is it going to run medicine?

Ya know what? I dont give a flying fart if my taxes go up to pay for health care. Bring it on MFrs. In a new America where big companies no longer have to contribute to employees health care, now will have trillions of spare dollars to reinvest in the growth of our country. Just imagine the impact!!!

I personally know people who get married as a business arrangement just so one can get the others employee sponsered health care. What the hell is that? It is so wrong that my doctor can not treat me without first getting permission from some minimum wage clerk sitting in the insurance companies office some 3000 miles away. And that clerk makes her decision based on how much it is going to cost her boss, not if the treatment will improve my health. Could that senario be any worse then what your govt is proposing now?

And I have not heard any out cries about this new plan regarding this $10,000 fine or go to jail if you refuse to sign up with this new govt health plan. People!!!!!! This is no different then Adolf Hitler demanding you buy his brand of automobile or face jail time. This is govt interference at its communist worst!!!

I thank the universe for my good health. Without that blessing I would be dead because this health care system did not save my life. I did.

[skytrekker]

mandates would not be in a health care reform package if the Insurance & drug companies did not have so much power.

even the more 'liberal' democratic party is still held captive to these special interests.

[summerville]

skytrekker said:

Well I agree WY

but there are certain 'elements' in this country that still subscribe to America as it was in 1850.

You agree? Wow!

[Wyody]

I'm thinking a little Brandy ... touch o' Kahlua ... some nice, cold hempmilk, floater of Galliano ... many ice cubes ... big ol' effin glass .... and ... what were we talking about???

[summerville]

Wyody said:

I'm thinking a little Brandy ... touch o' Kahlua ... some nice, cold hempmilk, floater of Galliano ... many ice cubes ... big ol' effin glass .... and ... what were we talking about???

I think we were talking about some kind of endless stew, with a groundhog, mushrat, and possum, added at different intervals.