Posted on 08/06/2009 7:37:57 AM PDT by wingsof liberty
August 1, 2009
Dear Congresswoman Tsongas-
Thank you for your letter regarding my healthcare concerns. You indicated that our healthcare system is flawed, and I agree with you. Costs are high and going higher. However, I must disagree with your assertion that a public option is necessary for the following reasons:
· As this article illustrates, our own government run healthcare program here in MA is flawed and its costs are skyrocketing: MASSACHUSETTS has been lauded for its healthcare reform, but the program is a failure. Created solely to achieve universal insurance coverage, the plan does not even begin to address the other essential components of a successful healthcare system - Boston Globe, March 2nd, 2009. This situation also holds true in other government run healthcare programs, such as the VA and Medicare, which is rapidly going broke.
· Every other country which has a government run healthcare program has failed. Why do you think citizens from Canada and the UK come to the U.S. for healthcare? Its because they cant get the care they need in their own country! If you or the President could show the American people ONE example of a successful governement run healthcare system, I would like to hear about it.
· In your letter you indicated that a public option will “level the playing field” against private insurance companies. Every expert who has commented on this agrees that a public option will not allow other insurance providers to compete and that in just a few years, Americans will have no choice but the public option. In fact, even your colleague Barney Frank acknowledged recently “Yes, a public option will lead to a Government takeover of healthcare.”
Congresswoman, I think you will admit this is one of the most important issues we face today. Yet if its so important, why are your fellow lawmakers, such as Congressman John Conyers, declaring we don’t have time to read the bill? Even the President himself is attempting to rush this bill through, declaring “The time for talk has ended.” Yet when asked by a blogger (see below) about one of its most important provisions, the ability to keep your insurance if you wish, the President responded “I am not familiar with that provision.” How can the president promise in speeches to the American people that they can keep their insurance, and then claim not to know those details in the bill??
Obama hosted a conference call with leftist bloggers urging them to pressure Congress to pass his health plan as soon as possible. During the call, a blogger from Maine said he kept running into an Investors Business Daily article that claimed Section 102 of the House health legislation would outlaw private insurance. He asked: “Is this true? Will people be able to keep their insurance and will insurers be able to write new policies even though H.R. 3200 is passed?” President Obama replied: “You know, I have to say that I am not familiar with the provision you are talking about.”
Fortunately you and your fellow lawmakers will have the opportunity during the August recess to listen to what your constituents would like healthcare reform to look like in townhall forums. One of the most important issues which I don’t believe the bill even addresses is Tort Reform. Do you know that around $400 Billion a year is lost due to frivolous lawsuits and excessive liability concerns?
Congresswoman I would also remind you with all due respect that you were elected to represent the people, not act as a mouthpiece for the Presidents agenda. Your response letter reminded me of speeches by President Obama trying to sell healthcare reform. I strongly encourage you to:
· Work with your fellow lawmakers on bipartisan healthcare reform. This means including Republicans in crafting legislation, not locking them out of the process as Speaker Pelosi has continually done. · Craft reform that does what the President himself has requested - lower costs. The CBO clearly illustrated that H.R. 3200 will cost up to $1.5 trillion, and possibly more. With the stimulus failing and the country mired in recession, this is a price tag none of us can afford. As I indicated above, Tort Reform would be a big step in the right direction. · Be certain the final bill does not provide federal dollars for abortion. This is unacceptable and the American people will not tolerate this. · Create reform that lawmakers such as yourself will participate in. If H.R. 3200 is such a great solution, why are lawmakers on Capitol Hill exempt from it??
In conclusion I will say that the key to proper reform is slow, methodical and bipartisan debate. Please don’t be one of those politicians who ignores their constituents, refuses to read the bill and rubberstamps whatever legislation comes out of Washington.
Congresswoman Niki Tsongas will have congressional staff with her and will be available to discuss any issue or concern on the minds of Fifth District residents.
She will be available to discuss OBAMACARE too.
August 8th: 10AM to 12PM, Chelmsford Town Hall, 50 Billerica Road,Chelmsford, MA
August 11th: 5PM to 7PM, Super Stop & Shop Grocery Store 10 Technology Drive (at Route 85), Hudson, MA
August 18th: 5PM to 7PM, Market Basket Grocery Store 700 Essex Street, Lawrence, MA
WORK FOR CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN
Nikki Tsongas ran for congress while living in a townhouse in Charlestown MA which is about 20 miles from the district she wanted to represent. Plus people voted at a polling place across from a building named for her husband with his name in fourteen foot high letters.
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