[pickledpepperRN]

http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/wo/...12290213c.html
...'National disgrace'

It is long past time to end this national disgrace. We can start here at home by demanding and working to achieve a universal system that brings health coverage to the 6.6 million uninsured Californians, a single standard of quality care for all and reins in the rising health-care costs that are bankrupting too many of our families and businesses.
As nurses, all too often we see patients who have been prescribed medication, but are unable to afford it. Nationally, 40% of especially sick Americans fall into this category, according to a survey in the journal Health Affairs...

...The biggest barrier to action is not public opinion, but the enormous political influence of the HMOs and other health care corporate giants through their campaign spending and lobbying...