Today I got a detailed (ready made) letter, addressing the questions I had for one of my Senators here in Georgia. I would like to share it with you, it is interesting and more detailed than I expected. So, here it is:
Dear Mr. and Mrs Gregory:
Thank you for contacting me regarding your concerns about health care reform. It is good to hear from you.As Congress and the Administration begin the debate on health care reform, all parties must commit to a full and thorough debate. With health care representing 17% of our nation's economy, both the House and Senate must devote the appropriate time and focus on this matter.In the Senate, the two Committees of jurisdiction continue to review possible legislation and committee amendments. I agree that it is important for Congress to address the issues; however, I will urge my colleagues to take our time and debate all of the issues and proposals so that the American people can follow and understand the development and discussion of the legislation.After committee action, the full Senate is expected to begin debate regarding comprehensive health care reform.
While we have yet to see the final language of a bill, there have been many ideas about the direction of heath care in our country that are currently being discussed.I do not believe that a health care overhaul bill should include a government run option to provide health coverage. Such an alternative would be able to charge much lower rates and would reimburse providers at a much lower level than private insurance plans and limit competition rather than fostering it. Overtime, this could well eliminate private insurance companies and drive all individuals to the government run option that would essentially become a single payer system. A health care system that is run by federal bureaucrats would allow the federal government to determine the coverage it feels is appropriate for you, choose the doctors that you see, and dictate the care that you receive.Along with a government option, I am also opposed to a mandate on small business to cover the costs of their employees under a "pay or play" system. During these difficult economic times, I do not believe we should be penalizing businesses who already cannot afford health care for their employees.Questions such as the expansion of a government run program, competition among providers and payers, and cost containment, among others, must be measured against maintaining the highest quality of care for our citizens.
For example, the number of uninsured Americans continues to rise along with the premiums and out-of-pocket expenses incurred by insured consumers. We in Congress need to address this problem by searching for effective ways to expand access to adequate, affordable medical care for all Americans in a fiscally responsible manner.It is my view that the majority in Congress and the Administration are moving too quickly with radical proposals that may or may not achieve the worthy objectives mentioned previously. A rush to legislative passage may limit access, lower quality, while increasing taxes and the nation's debt. Members of Congress have not been allowed the appropriate time to review aspects of a bill that is estimated to cost over $1.7 trillion and by some estimates could go even higher.
I do agree that our country is in need of health care reform. I am an original cosponsor of S. 1099, the "Patients' Choice Act," which was introduced on May 20, 2009, and was referred to the Committee on Finance. The legislation would make health care coverage accessible and affordable for all Americans through private insurance coverage, while also promoting prevention and wellness which can improve lives and lower long-term medical costs. S. 1099 would put individuals back in charge of their own health care by giving them a tax rebate, worth $2,300 for individuals and $5,700 for families, to be used for the purchase of health insurance. It also would also allow patients to comparison shop for their health care the same way that they do for all other products and services and allow them to maintain their coverage if they move or change jobs.
Individuals who are most vulnerable of being turned down due to preexisting conditions could not be denied coverage due to age or health.During the health care reform debate, I will monitor the initiatives with the view that health care reform should focus on keeping health decisions between doctors and patients, empowering and entrusting individuals with their health care savings and decisions, and promoting competition in all areas of health care. Americans are right to demand access to affordable health care. We will move closer to this goal as we see more promotion of the same innovation and competition in health care that we see in every other American industry.
I appreciate your comments on this important matter. I will keep your views in mind as my colleagues and I weigh the various legislative proposals before the Senate. As we move forward in the Senate, the state of the economy and the support of legislation that will enable the health care sector to improve are and will remain uppermost in my mind.
Senator Saxby Chambliss
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