Advice to Congress: Be clear, fair on health care

What would you tell lawmakers about overhauling health care? People participating in discussion groups related to an Associated Press poll of Americans shared the messages they would deliver.

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"Just be clear and very straightforward with us. Don't like try to beat around the bush. We've already been demolished with everything that has gone on with our country." — Anthony Adorno, 25, of Dumont, N.J.

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"I would say please give Americans the health insurance that we deserve as citizens. It should be for everybody and it should be the good coverage, the best coverage that we know we can provide." — Karen Harris, 50, Fair Lawn, N.J.

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"I would say to make the health care program even across the board for everybody. Make it affordable for everybody." — Antoinette Gates, 57, of Atlanta.

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"I think first off they just need to face reality that the American public has no confidence in their ability to run anything efficiently. Period. So give it up." — Kenneth Collier, of Atlanta.

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"I would tell them they have no business sticking their nose in the health care industry, whatsoever. However, I do believe they should be able to offer some sort of incentive to the insurance companies to get their stuff together and to offer more reasonable plans to the public." — Kate Kuhn, 20, of Acworth, Ga.

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"Just to be fair. I mean, everybody deserves a chance for good coverage regardless of your financial situation." — Jeff Anderson, 43, of Burlingame, Calif.

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"It's kind of a national disgrace that not everyone has coverage." — Thomas Dillon, 55, of San Bruno, Calif.

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"I would like to see everyone have at least basic medical coverage free of charge. And after that, maybe it should be up to you what you can afford." — Geraldine Poshkus, 59, of Los Gatos, Calif.

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