Mrs. Mikulski Responds to Health Care Reform Question

I asked Barbara Mikulski, one of my US Senators, as simple question:

If the proposed bills are good enough for the country, will you and your colleagues in the Senate, House, The Federal Goveremnet employees, and the Executive Branch use the "Public Option" as your dedicated health insurance?

Here is her non-Response:

Dear Dr. Vail:
Thank you for getting in touch with me about health care reform. It's great to hear from you.

Health care is one of the most important issues facing families and our economy. We need to pass comprehensive health reform that:

-reduces costs for families, business and government
-protects people's choice of doctors, hospitals and health plans
-assures affordable, quality health care for all Americans

As a member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, I helped write the Affordable Health Choices Act, which was passed by our committee on July 15, 2009. This bill takes a giant step forward in providing health care that is available, undeniable and affordable for all Americans. It allows you to keep what you have if you like your current coverage. It prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage to those with preexisting conditions. It enables people to keep their health insurance if they lose their jobs.

Families and business are facing staggering health care costs. Premiums have doubled over the last 10 years. Without reform, these costs will continue to rise. The HELP bill reduces costs by:

-reducing administrative costs
-reducing medical and medication errors
-preventing hospital readmissions
-better managing chronic diseases
-reducing fraud and abuse in the health care system
-eliminating waste through promoting effective, evidence based medicine

I understand your concerns regarding the creation of public health care option. You should know that the HELP legislation is very clear: if you like the insurance you have today, you can keep it. The creation of the public option simply offers additional choice and competition to the current system. The public option is voluntary for patients and providers, it will be self-supporting, and will compete on a level playing field because it must abide by the same rules as private health insurance plans.

This is a historic moment. Forty years ago, the United States of America landed a man on the moon. I think that's a wonderful achievement. But if we can send people into space and be able to afford to do it, we can also help people get to a doctor and be able to afford to do it.


Thanks once again for writing. Please let me know if I can be of assistance in the future.

Sincerely,
Barbara A. Mikulski
United States Senator

Just once, I'd love for one of my elected officials to actually answer, directly, in simple terms a member of the "mob" such as myself cold understand. Is that asking too much?