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Thank you Wendell for standing up. I've been preaching single-payer system on my blog for quite some time. I'd race you for first place in line to sign up.

My wife contracted ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome) following an "inadvertent cut" during routine surgery. Within 48 hours her lungs and kidneys stopped funcitoning and she was found lifeless in her hospital bed. The lack of oxygen caused an anoxic brain injury, but we were never told by hospital staff or attending doctors that had happened.

Months of trying to find out why she was having debilitating migraines, problems thinking, memory problems and vision problems were fruitless until an opthalmalogist said she had 20/20 vision. Her question to him, "Then why can't I see?" He ordered an MRI that revealed the brain injury.

A few more months of visiting a whole new team of specialists ensued that resulted in a recommendation that she be admitted to a neuro-medical facility.

The insurance company refused to pay...at first. Brain injury is best treated within the first few crucial hours following the event. My wife was admitted for treatment 15 months after her event. And only then after her nation-wide corporation threatened to change insurance companies.

Again, thank you.