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June 30, Guest Column...Letter Shows Stabenow believes health care a "right"
Harper Woods resident Carl Boscarino was good enough to share with us a letter he wrote to Congress and Senator DebbieStabenow's response to him.
From: "Carl Boscarino"
To: <SCSVoice@att.net>
Subject: HEALTH CARE
Date: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 10:06:15 PM
Our Officials at work. Please read carefully the words of Debbie Stabenow that I highlighted. It gives you a real good look into the thought processes of many in congress.
Dear Senator Stabenow,
Thank you for the courtesy of a reply you were the only one who did so. As you were addressing my concerns you stated that you believed it was a right and not a privilege. With that statement we were at odds and I want to tell you I have been on both sides of this issue. I still have over $5,000.00 in outstanding hospital bills that need to be paid as I was unemployed and without insurance for a time. The gaps do need to be filled but the government “SHOULD NOT” be in the business of health care it simply will not reduce the costs to our companies or the individuals who pay most of the burden of society. It is disingenuous to say that health care is the cause of big businesses downturn in America I can point to a number of reasons that we are one of the most productive countries and yet have a problem being competitive. Below is an inset of corporate tax rates by country along with personal rates as well. If you note we are among the highest for corporate taxes and in fact while 2005 was the latest info I could find I read somewhere we are now 1st in the world for corporate tax rates. That might be right or wrong I cannot corroborate that at this time.
.
In fact what Congress and the President might want to consider is a reduction of the corporate tax rates so more companies quit incorporating in other nations for tax advantages. Make laws about corporations that incorporate elsewhere and then do most of their business in the US. Bring more manufacturing jobs back home and more people will be employed and covered by health care. Another way we can strengthen our economy is to reduce the amount of government waste and unnecessary expenditures that are of no real significant economic benefit to its citizenry. The Constitution does not give government the authority to become ever burdensome on its citizens. We need to find solutions that work within the framework of what our forefathers set out. Not remake the nation in our image. While there are some differences between yesteryear and today our basic values still hold true and as an elected official I would ask you to do your job and uphold the constitution and find solutions that the government oversees not runs. There is room for government but most of the time government has not been doing its intended job. Below is a list of reforms that will lower the costs of coverage for all.
1. Change the laws so all insurance companies have to cover all patients without respect to pre existing conditions.
2. Institute a board that gives guidelines for safe and healthy treatment of all its citizens.
3. Work with private industry to come up with plans that both cover our citizens but help reduce costs.
4. Medicare and Medicaid are already broken and need to be structured differently than they are.
5. Private health care accounts.
6. Published rates.
7. Tort reform.
8. Tax breaks for companies and individuals to ensure we can all get coverage.
9. Special incentives for doctors who go into general medicine as a shortage will be here shortly.
10. Hire private firms to carry out preventative health care for low income families, traveling trailers have proven effective in this especially in Urban settings.
11. More not enough time or space to write it all down.
I have a lot of no nonsense ideas that could be incorporated into the system without bankrupting our country or the businesses that call this county their home. Please join with me in taking on this monumental task in a method that will not necessarily help you get re-elected but rather help our nation to once again get back to what the founders intended. “FREEDOM TO FAIL AND FREEDOM TO SUCCEED” I hope you remember this is being written by someone who has been on both sides of this issue and just wants common sense to prevail. I am but a common man with values common to most Americans and I can see what needs to be done so please help us to do it right this time for your country. Thank you once again for your response.
Sincerely,
Carl Boscarino
From: Senator Debbie Stabenow [mailto:senator@stabenow.senate.gov]
Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2009 11:55 AM
To: Carl Boscarino
Subject: Re: Health Care
June 25, 2009
Carl Boscarino
Thank you . . .
. . for contacting me regarding your opposition to universal health care coverage. I understand your concerns.
When it comes to health care, our families and businesses are in a serious crisis. High health care costs are causing cuts in benefits and increases in premiums, adding to the ranks of the uninsured at alarming rates. But the impact of this problem goes beyond individual families. Skyrocketing health care costs make our businesses less competitive in the global marketplace and cost us good-paying jobs. We are already paying for the uninsured through overuse of the emergency room-the most inefficient and expensive way of providing care.
I believe that health care is a right, not a privilege. There is no doubt that the problems we face are complex, but there are real solutions. We can create a system that is uniquely American and shares the cost between the government, businesses, and individuals in a way that is fair and equitable. Now is the time to show the political will to tackle these issues because there is so much at stake. I am committed to working with both my Democratic and Republican colleagues on the Senate Finance Committee to find solutions to America's health care crisis.
Thank you again for contacting me. Please don't hesitate to do so again if my office can be of assistance to you or your family.
Sincerely,
Debbie Stabenow
United States Senator
DS:SM
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow
The United States Senate • Washington, DC 20510
stabenow.senate.gov
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