how about stop raising the pay of all federal employees.... they are getting raises in the middle of a recession while the rest of us are getting no raise, layoff notices and furloughs...

Grandstanding and a waste of time. Pelosi and Ried will bribe who ever they need to to beat it. It isnt going to save you in November.

good one Dean! keep the pressure on these self-serving, yellow-dawgs dems.

Big surprise, anyone pushing back at good old Harry gets the dreaded troll label. Much easier to run from the battle of ideas I guess. "You vil believe in ze manmade global warming religion or be labeled as ze troll!!!"

Yes, I know sport. I'm just weary of politicians of all stripes pleading poverty when I know the assertion is nonsense. I suppose you are a supporter of the "temporary" sales tax that our beloved state politicians tell us is necessary since government has already cut as far as it can? Do you believe that? I'm an Arizona native and I know I've ... See Morelived through at least a few "temporary" taxes that of course became permanent. This will be no different, and it's nonsense to suggest that Arizona state government can't cut more.

Hey Andy, have you ever taken an Economics 101 course? If not, I highly recommend you do. There, you will learn that individuals pay ALL taxes. Yep, that's right, even though the "tax the corporations" rhetoric is smoother than Nancy Pelosi's taut skin after a Botox treatment, the stark reality is that individuals are the actual payers of those ... See Moretaxes. If you don't have the time or desire to deal with Econ 101 concepts, look up "nominal" payers of taxes vs. "actual" payers of taxes. Good luck!

Andy, the correct question is... why does harry and the federal government steal money from our state, then want us to bow down and be grateful when he lets us have some of it back on thier terms.

Constitution Article I, Section 8.

the States can take care of ourselves, we don't need a middleman taking a cut and dictating where to apply our resources.... See More

i don't care if Harry moves to the right, or his downward spiral to the left and fascism, his fate is sealed. he has advocated enslaving and imprisoning his fellow citizens who do not live thier lives and protect thier finances and health as he commands.

I standwith you in saluting our soldiers.

And especially the Marines on their 234th anniversary today.

I had an Uncle die in WW2 defending our liberty. God bless all our service men and women. Thank you for your service.
E pluribus unum.

Continue to do good works for Veterans past, present and future. All of us should be flying the United States flag in recognition.

A real public option is one where it is available to 100% of Americans.

Lame Harry, lame. Did you just ignore the thousands of people that protested yesterday?

Robert, you're asking Harry why he won't vote the way that the people who would not vote for him anyway in 2010?

I'm very proud of you, Harry. Thank you for listening to your constituents, and not following the advice of those who choose to do nothing.

Nick, what? That didn't even make sense.

John, this isn't about doing nothing, it is about ruining the best health care in the world. We conservatives don't advocate doing nothing, we advocate giving more power to the American people, and not to more beaurocracies in the federal government.

Totally agree Robert. This bill is about to be passed without anyone reading it and without the open discussions and debate that was promised to us by President Obama. Rep. Mitchell, you owe it to us, your constituents, to do your job and demand a bill that is fully vetted and understood by the American people.

Robert, even if Mitchell voted against the current bill, you and other screaming teabaggers would still vote against him in 2010. Admit it.

Thank you Rep. Mitchell! My donation is on the way.

Yes, I will be voting against him, because of him voting for the stimulus. Be that as it may, he is still my rep, and I expect to be listened to.

Now, in regards to the term "teabaggers", grow up son. You leftists call us the homophobic hatemongers, then use idiot phrases like that to describe those who don't wish to submit to government take over of every aspect of our lives. Besides, if we are the teabaggers, that makes you fools the tea bagged. Think on that one.

My dissapointment in you Harry, and in the process, is overwhelming. As you have so elequently put it, "...doing nothing is not an option..." Count on me doing something. I will now actively campaign against you and what I believe you stand for. You pretend to stand for change, as unthoughtful as it may be, but what I believe you are saying is any change is good change. So changes will be made, the status quo is no longer acceptable.

Thank you, Congressman Mitchell. This bill will help turn our U.S. healthcare system around from being one of the worst in the world to one of the best for all Americans! We will finally have freedom to choose our own healthcare, rather than being forced into the current corrupt, bureaucratic, profit mongering system. No private company should be allowed to profit from the health, or lack thereof, of the American public. It's about time!

Thanks Congressman Mitchell for taking a strong stand the supports your constituents.

Michael, we have the best in the world. We lead the world in medical research and care, that is why people come here for healthcare, not the other way around. In regards to insurance company profit, Taco bell has a higher profit margine than insurance companies.

Thomas Fischer, right on! Check out Jim Ward, looks very good compaired to this clown.

Are you out of your mind? Vote for the Bennet Wyeth Bill but don't vote for this bill...

Robert...yes, we have the best medical care in the world....who can afford it. This bill will begin to change that.

You are for the status quo, which is survival of the richest. How Christian is that?

Nick, the vast majority of Americans can afford care. There are 300mil people in this country, and onle 10-12 mil who don't have access to insurance. That 47mil that Obama and Mitchell keep touting includes illegals, people who already qualify for existing state and federal programs but just haven't bothered to sign up for it, and people who can afford insurance but have simply chosen not to purchase it. This bill will force people into a red tape nightmare, just like every other massive health care program around the world.

Mandating companies to cover employees will drive up unemployment, which this worthless congress and administration has all ready driven up into the double digits. It will also force many business to drop the private coverage they offer and go on the public plan.

The existing puplic options, Medicare and Medicaid, are running out of money. They underpay doctors for their services, forcing them to raise rates on the insured.... See More

Don't you get it? It is the already heavy handed government involvement in insurance that has put us in this position, throwing more government into it is not going to make it better.

How Christian is it, Nick, to force people into plans they don't want? How Christian is it to force people to purchase something? How Christian is it to take from others to give to others? How Christian is it to force others to pay for what you want? It isn't Christian at all. It is Christian to take care of the needy on your own accord, with our own money, not with other people's money. That is why conservatives tend to be more generous with their own money, while liberals tend to be much more stingy. Just look at the president. He is a millionare, but hasn't spared a dime for his brother living in a hut in Kenya. Yeah, real Christian.

Congress truely is the weakest link.

Thank you for your vote Rep. Mitchell. It's nice to be represented by a reasonable man, unlike Trent Franks and John Shadegg. Shadegg using a baby as a prop today was embarrassing to his district.

So Robert, will you be voting out McCain too? Quit hiding behind your Christian opinion. If insurance companies existed at the time of Jesus, they ... See Morewould have made Jesus ask the blind or the lepers for an insurance card, and then deny them care saying they had a pre-existing condition. Conservatives claim to be pro-life but really, Conservatives are just pro-birth. They don't give a crap once you are born. They have no problem sending military for no reason and spending trillions, but fixing something at home is taboo. That makes no sense.

My insurance premium just went up 15% to $640 per month. Just for me! Not one penny of that actually is used to advance medicine research. It's just a cover charge like some stuck-up club. This is unacceptable.

For people who continue to assert that we "have the best healthcare system in the world," here are some facts.

1. We are ranked 33rd in the world for infant mortality. That ranking is from 2006 numbers from the CIA World Factbook. The 2009 numbers are worse, projecting us around 46th. Canada, France, England and others are doing a better job than we are.

2. In terms of life expectancy, we're 50th. Once again, those horrible nations that the right-wing love to demonize, e.g. Canada, France, U.K., are ahead of us in helping their citizenry live longer. ... See More

These are CIA FACTS, but don't take my word for it. Look it up.

We also have the highest per-capita healthcare costs in the world. We have approximately 47 million uninsured citizens. Medical expenses is one of the leading causes of bankruptcy, even among insured, hard-working, middle-class Americans.

This system is broken, and the insurance companies aren't going to fix themselves. Why should they, when they've been able to increase their premiums by 78% since 2001, and routinely deny coverage to their customers? Worried about healthcare rationing and death-panels? Insurance companies are already doing it, and raking in record profits.

So, thanks Congressman Mitchell, for helping this move forward. Since you saw fit to echo Olympia Snow's words about, "My vote today, is my vote today, and it in no way forecasts... the future." I'll return the sentiment. You have my support today, but it in no way forecasts my future support...

Jason, I didn't bring up the Christian argument, Nick did. And no, I will not be supporting McCain in the republican primary.

Erik

1st. The WHO rates those who are covered, not who recieve decent care. Our people receive the best care, that is why people from those countries come here.

2nd. Take away deaths that can't be prevented by good health care, ie, violence or misadventure, we rank at the top. Best health care system in the world isn't going to save you if you just had your brains blow out or were flattened in a head on collision.... See More

Your little line about record profits for insurance companies is nonsense. For ever doller you give them, they keep 2-6 cents of that doller in profit.

Again Erik, the 47 millions is a bogus statistic. It includes illegals, people who already qualify for existing state or federal programs but haven't bothered to sign up for them, and it includes those who could afford insurance but simply have chosen, as free citizens, to spend their money elsewhere. The more accurate stat is closer to 12 million.

Jason, we conservatives want to open the market up for competition between insurers, and give the American citizen the chance to really shop around. In essence, we want to make it work like car insurance. Remove the dependancy on employment for insurance, remove the state mandates on insurance companies, and let Americans buy what they want.

I ... See Moream happy to just buy catastrophic insurance, and pay out of pocket for everything else. If you want a plan that covers more, then you should pay more.

Your comment about insurance companies and Jesus is more nonsense. Jesus healed people of his own free will. If a doctor wants to help others pro bono, go for it, there is nothing an insurance company can do to stop them. In fact, I believe they should get more tax deductions for doing just that.

"...researchers said American adults age 64 and younger who lack health insurance have a 40 percent higher risk of death than those who have coverage."
http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE58G6W520090917

Survival of the Richest, right, Robert?

Why should a business profit from people who get sick for whatever reason? Why should I contribute to a company's profit margin just because of my auto-immune diseases?

Conservatives care more about companies than people.

I called the Scottsdale office on 11/6 to ask for Rep. Mitchell's support of H.R. 3962 and was impressed with his office's response that he was still reviewing the 2,000 pages of the bill and would make his statement after he completed his review. Thank you for your support, the thoroughness with which you are giving the Health Reform Act, and your Yes vote on it.

Mr. Mitchell, thank you for supporting HR 3962. I still support Medicare for All, but any progress toward reform is better than none. Those of us who campaigned for you appreciate your hard work and sincerity even when your positions fall short of what we think America needs.

Congressman Mitchell - thank you for listening!

Hello Robert

1. I was referring to the CIA Factbook, not the WHO. If you care to refer me to where you read the WHO info, I'll gladly take a look.

2. Again, cite your references. If you want to adjust the life-expectancy rankings using some specific criteria, refer me to the study that supports your claim. Until I read otherwise I'll consider healthcare (or lack of it) a factor.... See More

3. Regarding my statement about record profits, I'll say a couple things:

a) The 2009 Employer Health Benefits Survey, published by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research and Educational Trust states that health insurance premiums for individuals increased by 79% from 2001 to 2008. For families, it increased 89%.

b) You don't think there's any profit in that increase? Seriously? Maybe we're quibbling over the term "profit." If you have data to support your "2-6 cents of profit per dollar" claim, I'll read it, but I'm more than a little skeptical. In the meantime, know that the CEO of Aetna made $467,309.85 per week last year. Read that last "little line" again and let it sink in. That's $467,309.85 PER WEEK! No profit indeed, sir...

4. I just did a quick search on the "47 million" number. That statistic varies depending on the source. I'll research it further, but give you the benefit of the doubt for now and say, OK, "ONLY" 12 million uninsured Americans. They are Americans, right? In order to whittle that 47 mil figure down, you've excluded all the undeserving, the lazy, the illegals, and the citizens who simply choose not to spend their money on health insurance. Using your own logic then, who exactly are these remaining, paltry 12 million uninsured people?

Thanks Rep Mitchell 3962 is a good first step in making healthcare affordable for all americans.

Thank you, Harry! We know that the loud screeching outside your office was coming from people who didn't vote for you the first time or the second time and who wouldn't vote for you no matter how you voted on this bill. 80% of Americans understand that our system is broken and in need of reform. You did the responsible thing for your constituents. ... See MoreNo American child should go without care, no American should die of treatable illness because they have no health care, no American family should go bankrupt because one member gets sick, no American should be denied coverage because of "pre-existing" conditions like being the victim of a crime.

Thank you Congressman Mitchell! I read your statement and am glad that you chose to do the right thing. I also agree with others that the easiest thing to do would be to create a "Medicare Part E" ("E" for everyone who wants/needs it). And as to the description of health care in America as the "best" -- that's just ridiculous. On many different ... See Moreimportant measures, we rank extremely low when compared to other developed nations, and it's time we made serious efforts to improve those pitiful statistics.

Thank you for leaving my generation (20 somethings) with a legacy to build on. Like you said doing nothing is not an option and no bill is perfect. I support your opinions on this 100%. - Tempe and Mitchell Park East resident; neighbor to Dick McQueen

In Arizona, Shadegg received $1,025,825 in contributions from the health industry with 20.6% of his district uninsured...and...HE VOTED NO! Mitchell received $123,075 with 15.4% uninsured...and...he voted YES! This is a clear example of how the health industry BOUGHT no votes. Mr. Shadegg - it's not about the people, it's about the money isn't it? Thank you Harry Mitchell...a man of integrity!

Thank you Congressman Mitchel, you did the right thing. This vote will go down in history as one of your most inmportant.

The tort reform issue is a red herring! The CBO did research indicating that even a significant reduction in the cost of malpractice premiums would probably result in lowering overall health care costs by less than 0.5%. (I've got the PDF if you doubt this). It's not at all the major factor that the conservatives claim.

Thank you very much for your support of this historic bill. You can count on my continued support!

The Democrats who "didn't get the memo" are simply "throwing a bone" to the people who have bought into the basic fallacy. They're doing the "political thing" and the final result will likely be some sort of compromise. The "truth" on issues like this is almost never black and white, but lies somewhere along the continuum of shades of gray.

Thank you Rep. Mitchell!

appearantly doing the wrong thing is an option?

And violating the restraints of the federal power as written in 10th Amendment in the Constitution is an option, Mr Representative?

10th Amendment:
"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."

Karen, where the heck did you get your stats from? % of uninsured by district???

thank you Rep. Miitchell... you have made it easy to end your tenure. You can't full those in your district into thinking you are moderate anymore.

I would love to see how the blue dog dems like Harry figure out who gets to vote against these craptacular bills... Harry got the short straw this time around unlike last time with Cap and Trade (which we in Arizona will all love when paying massively higher electrical bills in the summertime)...

Voting for what you voted for is, well, stupid. If you think that 2,000 page monstrosity you voted for will help, you just don't get it Harry.

And stop the piety, will you? The "I had to do something!!" excuse is lame.

You ran as a conservative Democrat. I guess that changed...