proposal, except that it lacks mandatory participation.  Without mandatory participation I would be concerned about getting a wide enough pool of people to keep the costs down.  In order for it to really work for those for whom it's intended it should be mandatory.  Moreover, the whole concept of pre-existing conditions should be banned, and there should be coverage for chronic conditions such as asthma and diabetes.  In addition, there should be some reforms on how we approach issues like home health care.  Right now, my mother has Medicare coverage for limited home nursing care, but only if it is ordered by a doctor, and if she never leaves her home during the period that she's receiving the services, and for a set number of days or weeks (can't remember exactly how many).  Most services seem to be tied to whether there has been a recent hospitalization.  Mom really does need a regular visiting health care worker to check her blood sugar and to take her vitals.  If she had this on a daily basis I'd have fewer instances of having to drop everything to run over to her house to keep her from going into a diabetic coma.

I'd say they help prove the health care crisis is very real and while Americans in general do not support "mandatory participation" they do support the highest quality health care at the lowest possible price.

After the 2008 election we need Democrats at every level to address health care and a host of other issues.  We also need a real leader as President and Barack Obama has a vision for the future.