This is a good thread.

BCIpam -- Exactly.

tsl -- Exactly.

cod -- I'm not downplaying your situation at all. I'm 55. At one time I had thought about retiring at 57 or 58. I realized I couldn't because I couldn't afford the health care coverage. Now I'm in a pickle. I want to work until at least 65, but I'm not sure who I fear more, the Evil Private Sector or the Evil Public Sector as to how bad they will trash our healthcare 'system'.

But I digress. It's a mess. If I rack up huge debts because of some health care crisis, I hope I'm man enough not to traumatize my family by checking out on my own.