DEAR MR. PRESIDENT

Written by: Helen Halpin on Jul 27, 2009 10:18 AM EDT

Dear Mr. President,

Having dedicated ourselves for the last two years to getting you elected and working to help you enact comprehensive health care reform, I am writing to you today to share what I believe your most ardent supporters would like to see in the health care legislation we all hope you will sign this year.

First and foremost, it is time to cut the Republicans loose. The only thing that will be gained from continuing to try to work with them and adopt their amendments and so called "compromises" is an increasingly watered-down bill. In fact, I would urge you not to sign a watered-down bill.

The Republican strategy seems to be two-fold:

-First, they will try to kill reform. Stall it as long as possible. Over the recess, without a bill we can all take pride in, the Republicans and health insurance industry will launch their media onslaught and scare the heck out of the American People. Their hope is that with more time, reform will go down to defeat.

-Second, they want to weaken the bill to such a degree that, even if it passes, it provides no real protections, doesn't reduce costs or save any money, and leaves millions with no insurance or lousy insurance, and serves only to strengthen the for-profit insurance market.

Both of these scenarios spell disaster for the American people, for your Presidency, and for the strength of the Democratic Party.

Americans wants real health care reform and they want it now!

What they mean by that, is a single payer plan is not feasible, but:

-A STRONG PUBLIC PLAN option into which every single American can enroll if they CHOOSE with comprehensive benefits that are the same for EVERYONE (none of this bronze, silver and gold level benefits). We were created equally and we should be treated equally;

-LIMITS ON OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS so that NO ONE in America ever goes bankrupt from medical care again (no one should have to spend more than 10% of their family's income on medical care);

-SERIOUS REGULATION of the health insurance industry (no more pre-existing condition exclusions or limitations, no pricing premiums based on health status or age, gender or any other individual characteristic, no canceling policies, guaranteed issue and renewal, requiring that they spend 90% of premium on medical care, and finally requiring that all individual/family private insurance be sold through the Exchange);

-REAL SUBSIDIES for those who cannot afford coverage up to at least 350% of FPL; and

-PAYMENT reform for physicians and hospitals that fairly compensates them for the care they deliver REGARDLESS of the patient they are treating.

Here is what we don't want:

-We DO NOT WANT any more coddling of Republicans. Cut them out. They don't play fair. They weaken the bills with their amendments and still don't vote for the bills.

-We DO NOT WANT the bill to make the for-profit insurance industry stronger and more powerful. We want for-profit insurers to have to COMPETE with the public plan option, which we know, through the experience of Medicare, will be more efficient and equitable.

We want the PURPOSE of the bill to ensure that ALL Americans have comprehensive coverage that is affordable, provides them with access to the effective care they need when they need it, controls costs, and promotes their health. Period.

We are in the fourth quarter of this game, Mr President. We are so grateful that you have put yourself into the game, even though it is the last quarter and the minutes are ticking down. What will you do, Mr. President? So many people are counting on you. So many of us have put our faith and trust in you. So many of us having been waiting a lifetime for a President who will take back the soul of this country and be concerned for the welfare of its people. We believe you are the one.

Will you weave down the court and dunk it? Will you go for the three pointer and assure a win? We have seen you do it before. Will you pass the ball to another member of your team who is in the right position to make a basket before the buzzer rings? Or will you lose control and lose the game?

We know that you need our support now more than ever. And I have never seen so many people working so hard for the good of the country. But we need you to be strong, clear, and tough. We need you to lead us to victory and finally grant the American people the same rights that people all over the world enjoy - access to high quality, comprehensive affordable health care that can never be taken away.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Finally, I ask all DFA members and all Americans to call your two Senators and your one Congressional representative, every single day if necessary this week, and tell them what we don't want (a watered-down bill) and tell them what we do want: the choice of a robust public plan that protects the American people, regulates the insurance industry, controls costs, and fairly compensates providers.

These two articles in the Sunday NY Times and Washington Post are worth a read:

New York Times

Washington Post

Get busy progressives. The clock is ticking down. The game is almost over. As our President reminds us, again and again, the time is NOW.

Tags: