I am writing this on a day where a significant event in our country's history has occurred...the passing of the Health Care Overhaul Plan. In concept, I have always had a strong belief that health care and keeping our citizens healthy should be a main priority of our government. The insurance companies have been abusing the system ... and us.... for so many years we have gotten used to it. Many of us just feel lucky for what our employers provide, even though today most employers require at least some employee contribution to the premium. I recall when I first started working as a young lawyer just out of law school, not only could you expect to receive rock solid medical insurance coverage from your law firm, but you would never be asked to contribute toward its cost. In the 1990s, as insurance premiums soared for employers, everything changed. More and more employers required employees to contribute to the premium and not only that, the plans provided less and less coverage. We would complain, be upset at our employers, but our frustration was misplaced. It is the insurance companies and their continued efforts to put more zeros in their bottom lines, combined with the ever increasing cost of medical care that was killing the system. When I hear "opponents" to this health care plan, they spout that health care is not a right, it is a privilege and if you want it, go out and get a job that provides it. Not only is this a ludicrous statement given the state of the economy and unemployment, but don't forget, we are all only one step away from being on the unemployment line...or worse, homeless. All it takes is some catastrophic event in our lives, to set the wheels spinning. What passed on Sunday is far from perfect. Although I have been strongly in favor of a significant overhaul to the health care system, I was not convinced, with all the political favors latched on to the bill, that this is the right way to go. But as I thought more and more about it, I realized we have to start somewhere. Sure, there will be fixes and changes along the way, but something significant needed to happen to get us moving in the right direction....and yesterday it did. Wiping out the "donut hole" in medicare prescription plans, no more denial of insurance because you are "too risky", your kids can stay on your plan till they are 26 and are strongly on their way to creating their own life and no more lifetime maximum limits. Republicans refused to negotiate, to deal, to talk, even though much of this plan came from Mitt Romney's Massachusetts plan, and plans talked about in the early 90's by conservative think tanks. It was more about the politics, than what was good for Americans. Not to say that all Democrats are without blame.....but there were doors opened for negotiation, and the Republican leadership continually slammed them shut. Not to belabor the politics of it all, but take a gander at this "day after" David Frum commentary, conservative political writer and former Bush speech writer. He concludes his commentary by saying "For the cause they purport to represent, however, the "Waterloo" threatened by GOP Sen. Jim DeMint last year regarding Obama and health care has finally arrived. Only it turns out to be our own." ....Interesting comment. Let us know your thoughts and comments on this historic day. Sometimes it is better to do what is right, than what is politically expedient. Craig Niedenthal