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The Firedoglake health care team has been covering the debate in
congress since it began last year. The health care bill will come up
for a vote in the House on Sunday, and as Nancy Pelosi works to wrangle
votes, we’ve been running a detailed whip count on where every member
of Congress stands, updated throughout the day.

We’ve also taken a detailed look at the bill, and have come up with
18 often stated myths about this health care reform bill.

Real health care reform is the thing we’ve fought for from the
start.  It is desperately needed. But this bill falls short on many
levels, and hurts many people more than it helps.

A middle class family of four making $66,370 will be forced to pay
$5,243 per year for insurance. After basic necessities, this leaves them
with $8,307 in discretionary income — out of which they would have to
cover clothing, credit card and other debt, child care and education
costs, in addition to $5,882 in annual out-of-pocket medical expenses
for which families will be responsible.  Many families who are already
struggling to get by would be better off saving the $5,243 in insurance
costs and paying their medical expenses directly, rather than being
forced to by coverage they can’t afford the co-pays on.

In addition, there is already a booming movement across the country
to challenge the mandate.  Thirty... >>>