Got this from Herb Kohl. My comments interspersed:
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Dear Mr. Kuecker:
Thank you for taking the time to contact me about health care reform. I always enjoy hearing from constituents and appreciate your interest in this important issue.
Since you last contacted me, I have met with both individuals and groups across Wisconsin on the topic of health care reform, and my work to reduce cost, improve quality and expand coverage. I take this debate very seriously, and I plan to work with my colleagues in Congress to enact real change in our health care system.
The consequences of this debate are enormous and reform still has a long way to go. When it does come time to debate reform proposals, I will be sure to approach it thoughtfully, and not rush to complete this important legislation.
I have heard from thousands of constituents on this issue and I believe the American public deserves an honest discussion. That is why I have attached a document addressing many of the off base rumors being spread about health care reform, which I hope you find helpful.
Your perspectives are invaluable and I thank you for your input. As reform moves forward in the coming months, I will be sure to keep Wisconsin and American families in mind.
Again, thank you for your comments. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I can be of further assistance.
Health Care Reform: FACT vs. FICTION
FACTS ABOUT MEDICARE
Medicare provides older Americans 65 and older with access to quality health care at a cost that is affordable. Health care reform will not dissolve or radically change Medicare. Most seniors are happy with Medicare. In fact, Medicare boasts a higher satisfaction rate than private insurance. The reform proposals to date will work to strengthen Medicare, and will not make any significant changes to the way seniors receive their health care services.
Health care reform will replace Medicare and Medicaid.
This is FICTION. Health reform will not replace Medicare or Medicaid. In fact, the proposals to date work to strengthen both programs and improve their systems.
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Since both Medicare and Medicaid are essentially bankrupt, does it really matterif they continue as is or are absorbed into a bigger system that begins already bankrupt?
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Health care reform will cut Medicare and take away choices for seniors.
This is FICTION. Under health care reform, Medicare will continue to offer seniors the choices they need. Health care reform will also include provisions to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare. But this will not keep you from getting procedures that you need, when you need them.
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Medicare and Medicaid already use triage and rationing. Fact. So, actually, nothing will change here. When certain lifesaving treatments are considered "optional" or "voluntary", the pencil-necks still have the power of life and death over people in these programs.
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The government is creating a "Czar" who will decide what treatments are best for certain conditions and force physicians to treat patients in a certain way.
This is FICTION. The House proposal includes provisions to fund research that will compare treatments for certain conditions. This type of unbiased, fact-based research will be available to both patients and doctors to help them to make the best individual treatment decisions for each person. In addition, the proposal also explicitly prohibits "denying or rationing" medical care based on this research.
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See above comment. Such people already exist, they just don't get the title "Czar".
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The House health care reform bill would require doctors to give seniors "suicide counseling."
This is FICTION. The House proposal does not tell seniors how to die, nor urge doctors to do so. The proposal empowers seniors to voluntarily make their own decisions on end-of-life care in advance, in consultation with a trusted physician. Part of planning for the future could be creating a living will that includes your wishes for the end of life, so that your instructions are followed to the letter. No matter what your wishes are, the health reform proposal will not take any of those choices away from you. In fact, it helps to make sure that your choices are respected.
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They just pulled that section out of the bill - but VA hospitals are already doing this, I have heard.
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Health care reform will lead to rationing.
This is FICTION. There's no bill or proposal in Congress that would ration health care. We do need to reexamine the way that we pay for health care in this country. Thus far, the proposals are focused on paying for value and quality of care over volume of services. Under our current system, some providers are incentivized to run duplicative tests and over-order expensive treatment, though these procedures might not be what the patient needs to get better. An improved health care system will lead to smarter health care choices, but that does not mean it will limit your options.
If you have private insurance now, your care is already limited when your insurance company decides what procedures to pay for and which doctors to cover. Insurance companies can deny you coverage if you have a pre-existing condition. And they can make payments and premiums prohibitively high for American families. Congress is working to minimize these denials and barriers to quality health care.
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Funny how often fiction becomes fact! Rationing is an inevitable result of any government program, sooner or later. When the program starts losing funding due to the complete failure of our economy, in huge part due to programs like this, they will have to start telling somebody they can't get what they need. Any guesses as to WHO will get told this first? Hint - not CONgresscritters.
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The House health care reform bill would make private health insurance illegal or would eliminate it in five years.
This is FICTION. None of the proposals being considered by Congress would make private health insurance illegal. In fact, the House proposal specifically allows people to keep their current private health insurance. Those who are uninsured would be allowed to choose from a range of private insurance plans as well as a new public insurance option.
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Why does The One keep telling us he wants a single payer system, which by definition has to eliminate private insurance either by law or by bankruptcy?
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Health care reform will require people to sign up for government health care, especially if they don't have any insurance right now.
This is FICTION. The health reform proposals being considered thus far would allow people to choose between a menu of private health insurances and, under some proposals, a government-run "public option." It is important to remember that the "public option" would be just that: an option. Seniors who already have health coverage would not need to worry about switching insurance at all, and Medicare will stay intact. Congress will reserve your ability to choose your health insurance plan, your doctor, and your hospital.
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Just like Taxachusetts - fail to sign up "voluntarily" and get fined. Yep.
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Illegal immigrants would receive government funded health coverage if health reform passes.
This is FICTION. The House proposal explicitly forbids spending federal dollars on illegal immigrants. On Page 143, Line 3, Section 146, it says: "No Federal Payment for Undocumented Aliens. Nothing in this subtitle shall allow federal payments for affordability credits on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States."
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With the track record of Demonrats and Osama in particular, we should believe this?
Perhaps if CONgress started a program similar to "Operation Wetback" from the 1950's, we MIGHT believe this.
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Members of Congress refuse to give up their health plans to take the public option.
This is FICTION. Reforming our nation's health care system is meant to give every American access to quality, affordable health care - just like Members of Congress have. In fact, one of the Senate proposals would require members of Congress to join the public option, giving them the opportunity to show Americans the trust they place in government-run health care.
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Yep. A proposal - which might never make it into the final bill - and at any point CONgress can decide to exempt themselves. Again, given the record, why should anyone believe these turkeys?
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Health care reform won't go into effect until 2013-in five years.
This is PARTIALLY FACT. Congress recognizes that it takes time to change the health care system. The final legislation will be phased in over time. Though some of the changes would occur shortly after the bill is passed, others may take several years.
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It's only even partially a fact - IF the cursed thing passes. Keep up the pressure - they are showing signs of weakness.
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Sincerely,
Herb Kohl
United States Senator
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Here's my reply:
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Hi, Herb,
You are sure a busy guy! Second email today.
And another place the federal government has no business meddling. Health care is not mentioned once in the Constitution, and was never envisioned as something that our government should have anything to do with.
The examples of Medicare, Medicaid, the Native American health care system, the VA, federal aid to schools, and the recent failed bailouts, both the money stolen from the American people to pay off failed bankers' bad debts and the "Cash for Clunkers fiasco should make it eminently clear to even the dullest member of Congress that any bill at all proposed by that body will be nothing less than the worst disaster ever to befall our country.
I believe you are an intelligent person, and capable of critical thought. If I am correct, and you don't have some ulterior motive, such as bribes or graft, you will see this truth and vote NO on any attempt to have the federal government fool around with Mr. Obama's hobbyhorse.
Again - vote NO on any health care bill. The people of Wisconsin are watching you.
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Chuck
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