HR 3200 -- where to begin?

I've decided to read the Health Care Reform Act, HR 3200. You might wonder why a person would want to do such a thing, so I'll tell you. Like a lot of people I know, I have truly passionate feelings about health care reform, and I for one am excited that it's on the table. I've listened to the screamers (mostly because they're yelling so loudly) and I've read what the experts have to say. I've tried to be rational with those I love who are terrified of being euthanized, having their bank accounts controlled by the Feds, or losing their health care altogether, but those among us who believe that our government would (or could) pass bills with "death committees" aren't going to be convinced by the explanations and opinions of more people they don't know: they don't trust those people.

I think EVERYONE should read this bill if they feel strongly one way or the other about this issue, if they are afraid or if they are hopeful. The only way to know what it really says is to read it yourself and THINK FOR YOURSELF. When I have suggested this, I've been given so many reasons for why that can't be done, from "the bill doesn't actually exist yet" to "it's 1100 pages long" to "you need to be a lawyer to understand it", so I decided to see what I could find out and if it was true that reading a congressional bill is impossible. I found HR 3200 (thanks to my wonderful cousin Scott) at opencongress.org where anyone can open it up and take a read, and I'm going to read it. I invite you to read along with me. If you just can't manage that, and you trust my intelligence and intentions more than that of the people on tv, then be my guest and follow along on this blog. 

I'm going to read the bill section by section and tell you what I think it means. If I find anything horrifying, I'll let you know. If I see a passage that has been distorted into something frightening in the media, I'll tell you what it says. If something sounds good, I'll shout about it. If I can't tell you what the heck it means, I'll say that too. But I promise to be as honest and fair as I can and to only say what it says without embellishment or exaggeration. Then, in a final paragraph after each synopsis, I'll tell you what I think about it. You can skip that part if you don't care.

I hope you'll join me. We have an extraordinary opportunity to make a significant positive change in the lives of so many. Let's make sure we do it, and do it right!