Letter from Lake Oconee resident to Congressman Paul Broun

One of the Oconee County Democratic Committee members Pat Adams sent me this letter today. I do not know the person who wrote it. But it is a well written letter, I do not know what Congressman Paul Broun's reaction would be

February 4, 2011

An Open Letter to  Paul C. Broun

Dear Paul,

Repeal the new healthcare law?  Deny funding for the new healthcare law?  Are you kidding?  You need to try as hard as possible to imagine you and your family without health insurance facing a medical crisis, just like many of the people in your district do.  Is this what you want for your constituents – uncertainty and possibility of financial ruin because of no health insurance?  (What about the 700,000 Americans who declare bankruptcy each year because they can’t afford to pay their medical bills?)

Instead of trying to repeal the limited gains the American people have achieved in the newly passed healthcare law, why don’t you try to expand the government’s role in the interest of the people. Maybe the plan to set up a public option would in fact have helped to limit what the insurance companies charge for health care. I’ll bet there are many other things the federal government could do to help control medical costs.

Yes, Paul there should also be universal long-term care insurance.  (By the way, there should also be universal dental insurance.)  I bet if you really try you can find a very large number of wealthy Americans – and corporations - who might be able to help pay for it.  If you’re worried about senior citizens having to pay more for medications, maybe the federal government could help limit the outrageous amounts of money drug companies charge for these medications.  If you’re worried about the cost of procedures, maybe it’s time for the government to regulate the amount of money paid to physicians and dentists for the services and procedures they provide.

There certainly have been many articles and television programs suggesting a more cost efficient medical system is possible. There are certainly any number of ways business is done in the medical community that would help achieve:  computerized medical records would, set charges for medical procedures, a single charge for a complete medical procedure instead of piecemeal medical billing from several sources.  What have you done to support these kinds of changes?

YES PAUL we do need universal healthcare for all the people in the country.

YES PAUL the healthcare industry needs to be run for the welfare of all the people and not for the profit of a few.

YES PAUL with the help of government regulation, a change in the laws and how the medical community operates we can afford to provide health insurance for all people.

Sincerely,

Gregg Wagner