Include Congress in health reform

To the Editor:

Last week, President Obama asked Congress to pass a health care reform bill before they recess in less than two weeks.

I believe there is a need for health care reform in this country. However, we must hold all of our elected officials accountable for developing a plan that will make affordable health care available to everyone without the government intervention contained in the current proposal which will result in an increase in debt, an increase in taxes and a decrease in choice due to rationing.

Government officials have a clear track record of failing to efficiently run government programs. Medicare is scheduled to be bankrupt in 2017, with Social Security paying out more in benefits than it will take out in taxes in 2016.

In January, Obama pressed for urgent action on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan, urging Congress to pass an economic stimulus package without delay. To date, approximately 7.7 percent of the $787 billion stimulus has been spent.

We cannot afford for Congress and our president to hastily pass into a law a bill that will so drastically change our lives.

Last Thursday, the Congressional Budget Office contradicted the president’s claims that this bill will actually cut costs. The bill, that Congress has conveniently exempted themselves from participating in, contradicts the president’s claim that “if you like your insurance, you can keep your insurance. Period, end of story.

Only 49 of the 435 representatives in the House are currently supporting Resolution 615, an amendment to the bill that would enroll those responsible for voting on the bill in the same public health plan they are advocating that you and I participate in.

Contact your legislators. Tell them to slow down. Tell them to read the plan and to allow the public the time to do the same. Tell them that you only want a health care plan that puts patients in control of deciding, with their doctors, which choices make the most sense for them.

Tell them you want a health plan that they would commit to participating in as well.

Shannon Hanson

Red Wing

Tags: health care, opinion, letters