Do we already spend enough to cover everyone?

The Health Care Policy and Marketplace Review's Bob Laszewski asks: "Why do we need to raise taxes to pay for a health care bill in a system that has $10 trillion in waste?"   

Florida's Brian Klepper answers with this observation: Health care interests have already spent $128 million on Congressional lobbying contributions this year, more than from any other sector. 

"Finding Money for Health Reform -- Rooting out Waste, Fraud and Abuse" by journalist John Iglehart provides evidence that the U.S. can cover everyone within existing spending. But he notes there is little appetite in Congress, except for a few members, for a crackdown. 

It will be interesting to see whether the pleas of average Americans can drown out the influence of lobbyists.

--Carol Gentry can be reached at 727-410-3266 or at this e-mail.