"First do no harm...." Baucus bill passes committee... this bill will now move behind the public curtain and be merged with the far more controversial healthcare reform legislation that passed out of the Senate HELP-Health, Education, Labor, and Pension- committee. Once this occurs it will make its way to the Senate floor for voting. The Baucus bill contains billions of dollars of new taxation on the average American, strips Medicare of critical funding-endangering CRNA fee schedules-, and penalizes those that become ill and require medical attention. Taxation on medical supplies -diabetic supplies to joint implants- and equipment -wheelchairs, walkers, and canes- as well as diagnostic services -MRIs and CT scans- will force the reduction in the demand for these services, the reduction of the treatment and diagnostic options will more than likely increase the occurance of certain illness not identified until they are far more advanced. Reduction of services equates to a reduction in the demand for CRNA services. ECON 101 ... Reducing demand reduces value. Studies recently released indicate that the costs for traditional insurance will rise significantly, far more than had we done nothing. 'First and foremost, do no harm...' isn't that in the oath of a medical professional? It would benefit America greatly if our congressional bodies would do the same.