31 July 2009 Honorable Senator Warner: Honorable Senator Webb: Honorable Representative Wittman: I am appalled that America’s elected representatives of either party have pushed the current health care legislation of H. R. 3200 closer towards passage. As outlined in a recent Fox News article (House Democrats Push Health Reform Bill Closer to Passage as Deadline Set in Senate, 31 July 2009), President Obama’s twin goals to health care reform are to 1) extend health insurance to millions who now lack it and 2) slow the growth of medical costs nationwide. These goals are both unachievable by the current initiative and will completely undermine the essence of American Capitalism - the mainstay of our democracy. Every elected representative such as you needs to recognize that health insurance is already readily available to anyone that currently lacks it. All one needs to do within our current Capitalist system is to get a job, start a business or marry someone that has in order to purchase whatever health insurance coverage they desire. Those that do not abide by this most basic work ethic are not entitled to any benefit at taxpayer expense. Nothing such as the provision of heath care insurance is included within the U. S. Constitution and therefore Congressional legislation should address other matters than this. If the government - in ANY WAY - makes such a provision it signifies the destruction of our Capitalist system and ushers in Socialism for America. Is a fundamental shift towards a Socialist government what President Obama really trying to foist upon America? The growth of medical costs is only the symptom of many events that have occurred within the health care industry. After careful research I assert that the fundamental reasons for such cost increases would be 1) growing exposure to frivolous law suits, 2) complying with increasingly overbearing government regulation and 3) increasing expectations of Americans that have already become used to “nanny state” practices. Taking the current step of nationalizing the health care industry will not solve any of these fundamental causes and thus will NOT reduce health care costs. All would agree that improvements to the health care industry can be made. The real solution for improving the health care service for the American citizen, however, is to improve its competitive environment. The beauty of our current Capitalist system is that lower cost and better service is always provided when multiple alternatives are presented to the customer. At the opposite end of the spectrum is any form of monopolistic or Socialistic system and that is exactly what President Obama has presented and is the essence of H. R. 3200. Your task, therefore, is to VOTE AGAINST H. R. 3200 and all of its potential versions once you return from your 5-week summer recess. Very sincerely, James Hull |