Wednesday, November 4, 2009

A to-do list for senators

What I want from my senators: I want my U.S. senators to vote against any bill that would increase private health insurance premiums. People will swap their policies for cheaper "government" insurance. Employers will either pay higher insurance costs or lay off employees. Obviously, the feds intend to be the sole health insurance provider.

Numerous jobs will be lost if insurance premiums (and payroll taxes) increase. Businesses will be forced to reduce employees and output while increasing product cost. Small businesses will suffocate. Providing guaranteed coverage for anyone with a pre-existing condition won't work. Individuals will drop their current insurance and go without until they're sick. Besides bankrupting private insurance companies, causing substantially increased joblessness and forcing citizens to be government-dependent for health care decisions, what will the unintended consequences be?

Savings created by cutting Medicare services will cost consumers. The federal deficit may increase at a lesser rate, but patients' costs will skyrocket. Doctors and hospitals provide care to Medicare patients at a loss now.

Lastly, no federal funds should be used for abortions anywhere; nor for providing health care to those entering this country illegally. Does Congress believe higher costs, increased taxes and more government dependency helps us?

Janice Stoeser
Newman Lake