I just e-mailed John Boehner.

[TicketyBoo]

I am writing in response to an AP report which hit the internet today, October 31, 2009. It states that “Republicans have the answers to lower health costs and expanded coverage.” If this is so, then why didn’t the Republicans enact such legislation when they controlled Congress? The problem is far from new.

As a Medicare enrollee (as is my husband) and the mother of a recent college graduate whose private insurance premiums we continue to pay due to his inability to find a job with benefits in this economy, I believe that I am in a somewhat unique position to evaluate what would help us.

My husband and I still pay over $700 a month in health insurance premiums, even with Medicare coverage. This does not include our son's premium (which we have been notified will go up by over 17% next year). Private insurers aren't going to go broke if Medicare is extended to everyone because people will still buy Medicare supplemental policies and prescription drug coverage, if allowed, as we have done and are doing. This flies in the face of the assertion that people expect free health care. Medicare does not equal free.

We are not wealthy people. We drive a ten-year-old car. If we paid less in insurance premiums, we would have more discretionary income to buy things we would like to buy, go to movies, dine out, etc. Multiply our circumstances by the millions of people who are in a similar situation, and it is not hard to see that the cost of health insurance is dragging down the entire economy.

I believe that Medicare For All is the best way out of this morass. Most people understand it (or if they don't, they have a friend or relative who can explain it to them), and the bureaucracy is already in place to cope with it, saving millions (maybe billions) in startup costs for a completely new program. This would not be a "government takeover" of health care any more than Medicare has been. Most people who are on it will tell you they like Medicare.

Please don't be afraid to help resolve this problem. People out here are hurting. I know two families here in our town who have lost their homes due to medical expenses, and both had employer-sponsored health insurance. Medicare For All would not be a panacea, but it would be a huge help to families, especially those who are uninsured or under-insured right now. Please be a part of the solution to this problem instead of obstructing a significant health care reform plan.

Although you are not my Congressman, I have already contacted both of my Senators and my Congressman. I believe that it may be helpful to voice my opinion to more Congressmen who voice dissenting opinions about a “public option.” Other countries provide health care for their people. There are some things government needs to do. At this point in time, national health insurance is one of those things.

Please come together with the Democrats in order to help those of us out here who need health insurance reform the most.

Thanks for your time and attention.

[rurallib]

1. Excellent!

[yellerpup]

2. You've made a very well laid out argument.

I hope he listens. K&R! :kick:

[cdeca2008]

3. I agree with everything you said.......but.......

....sending it to Boner is a waste of time, talent, and effort. Perhaps you can send a letter to the editor of your local fish wrap.

[indiekid420]

5. Johnnie Boner

I live in SW Ohio, but Boner is not my congressman either (I am stuck with Jean "only cowards cut and run" Schmidt) But I can tell you that Boner represents the interests of rich suburbanites who live in $600,000 homes in gated golf course communities with a Hummer, Escalade, Mercedes and a Lexus in the driveway. His disconnect with the struggles of working people is so great that it would be impossible for him to understand your situation from his perch in the pockets of the priveliged.

[TicketyBoo]

6. Oh, I know

who Boehner is. But somebody needs to talk back to the crap he's spewing.

I did it politely. I know the chances of it having an effect on him are nil. However, he needs to hear from somebody besides the fat cats he represents, don't you think?

You don't get any more grass roots than li'l ol' me. And there are lots more of people like me than there are fat cats.

He needs to figure that out.

If more people would e-mail him, maybe it would do some good. At least, it won't hurt!

[OffWithTheirHeads]

4. You lost Boner as soon as you said "We are not wealthy people"

Nice try though.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

7. our son's premium (which we have been notified will go up by over 17% next year)

Incredible, just incredible.

[Swamp Rat]

8. John Boner is a corporate whore, but good for you for sending him this letter.

:thumbsup:

Top 20 Contributors (so far):
Congressman John Boehner 2009 - 2010

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Lockheed Martin $10,000
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FirstEnergy Corp $9,800
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Boich Companies $7,000
Time Warner $7,000
Aircraft Owners & Pilots Assn $6,500
BAE Systems $6,500
Duke Energy $6,500
Metlife Inc $6,500
US Bancorp $6,500

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