It is time to take the profit motive out of managing ones health! Though we are the richest, and most influential of all nations, we are the only ‘first world’ country with out a National Health Care system! In addition, our present non-system is more costly and less effective then that of any industrialized country, leaving many of our citizens without affordable or worse, any access to medical care! Some say we cannot afford a system that cares for all citizens. How can we afford not to?! The status quo is not working, and morally, as the leader of the Free World, we set a very poor example. A National Health Care system is one of the best examples of what our Federal taxes should provide. Where were those naysayers during the last 8 years? They are partially to blame for the financial mess we presently face. If we cannot afford a national system, what is the alternative to the mess we now face? Some say a national system will ration care. We already do, and probably more aggressively, with the cost of insurance! The Sept 16th S F Chronicle reported on a Kaiser Family Foundation survey, that the employee portion of the cost of employer provided health insurance has risen 5% annually and a staggering 131% in the last 10 years, yet wages only increased by 38% and inflation rose 28%! The article brings out more depressing information about premium costs, coverage and employer contributions, and is well worth reading. Though a single payer system is by far the best solution, due to the well-entrenched insurance industry, it‘s not possible. However, that industry still needs checks and balances, their wrong doings are well documented. The next best solution is a Public Option, offering good basic care to all citizens. Some say this is socialistic, but we certainly have embraced Medicare! Anyone who wants more than the basic coverage can purchase more from independent insurers. With the Public Option, all adult citizens would be required to purchase insurance. Those needing assistance would be covered by those that don‘t. Possibly premiums could differ with age, but nothing more. Though nobody would be denied coverage for pre existing conditions, the insurance industry will have a nation wide pool of mostly younger, healthy individuals to balance the costs caring for less healthy individuals. To keep American business completive in the global market, and reduce costs to consumers at home, no company should be required to provide insurance. The system should not affect Medicare or Medicaid, these programs have too much financial burden already. A Public Option will encourage lower premiums and better coverage for all. With all citizens having coverage, the cost of medical care and pharmaceuticals, as well as fraud, will decrease. Some have suggested co-ops instead of a Public Plan. There are no significant models to examine. The size of such a group would need to be similar to other insurers to be competitive. One of the few examples of a successful not for profit health provider, Kaiser Permanente, offers plans many consider expensive. Though most think well of these plans, it is not a good model for a Public Option. It has been suggested that the wealthy contribute to insuring those unable to afford coverage. This idea deserves consideration, after all, it is on the backs of the poor, that many have made their fortunes. In addition, today’s wealthiest taxpayers contribute far less than before and are much more prevalent in the economic strata. Possibly an insurance pool should be created for those with catastrophic illnesses. With this, no insurer would be disadvantaged. Some have suggested coverage offered to Federal employees. Though deserving consideration, what with the different plans and deductibles, this offering may be too cumbersome to administer. Regarding the plan recently offered by Finance Committee Chairman Bacus, it is easy to understand why there is little support. It defies several significant suggestions, many offered here and popular with the American people. The suggestion that insurance be offered across state lines challenges the domain of States Rights, where insurance is presently regulated. Possibly this should be changed. Take the politics out of this long overdue program, let’s do something that makes Americans proud.

The public is outraged about the excessive spending in general and the lack of any controls. The folks that I know are outraged that there is so little concern for these large expenditures and the fact that a large number in Congress do not see fit to read the legislation and allows the leadership to bully them into voting without proper review. This is not what we had in mind when we elected these folks to represent our interests in Congress. We have the finest healthcare in the world and I do not believe that the majority of Americans are willing to give that up. That said, there are some reforms that could be game changing. I believe that we should do what we can all agree on and depending on results move on from there. 1. Enact tort reform in all states. It works just fine here in Texas and has proved to attract physicians and serve the public. This model test has been completed. Consider it tested and move forward. $$$$ savings 2. We seem to be able to buy auto insurance from a lizard in Maryland. Figure out how to allow consumers to purchase health insurance across state lines. This will promote competition and lower costs as a result. $$$ savings 3. Clean up Medicare and Medicaid. I am sure that there is plenty of abuse and fraud to go around. Apparently it's not at the top of anyone's priority list in the government since there has not been a head of Medicare for several years. $$$$$$$ savings 4. Make it illegal for an insurance company to decline payment for pre-existing conditions or cancel insurance due to claims activity. $$ savings I would like to see more faithful stewards of the dollars sent to Washington. We have now embraced Chicago style politics and characters in our nation's capitol. We have a large cast that do NOT share middle American values. If a novel were written with this bunch, no one would believe it could be true. This is not the change that the American people had in mind.

The reason you politicians can not come up with an affordable health care plan is because you are not willing to do what needs to be done. You have a deal with the drug companies and who knows what other special interest groups! Put Medicare and social security back in their own separate funds and then hands off! Then put back some of those dollars letting them earn interest. If you leave that money alone in time you should have enough without taking away from Medicare. You need tort reform, open up state lines for insurance companies giving more competition and clean up the corruption not only in the insurance industry but also the drug companies. Most important, clean up your own act! Remember who you represent.....we the people!