My letter to my Congressman about health care reform....

[Lifelong Protester]

I am posting this so some folks that might want ideas on what to write to their Congressperson can maybe get some ideas here. I like when folks post about calling Senators and Congresspeople, and I like when they give some 'sample scripts'.
For the record, this is about the fourth letter I have sent my Congressman. I have sent ones to Kohl, Feingold, called Reid and Baucus.
We all need to pitch in this way. It DOES make a difference, I am convinced.

Begin letter:

Congressman Kind,
So far what I am reading on your page concerning health care sounds good, although I am one of the MANY who support a universal single-payer plan.
Can you tell me why you voted 'no' on some preliminary (I am guessing committee) votes on health care reform? I keep getting emails from local Dems who say I need to contact you about voting "no". I would like to know if that is true, and if so, what part of the health care reform bill are you against?


I would certainly like medicare for all, I think that is better than this piecemeal business. Health insurance companies should be in the market to sell 'enhanced' coverage, like medicare supplements now, but NOT for our major coverage. These companies that operate for profit have done so much harm to our country. So many people have died because of denial of coverage or no coverage or the whole "pre-existing condition -denied!" problem.

I like the idea that NO ONE in this country should have to make a job or life decision based on insurance coverage.
I do believe we need to be as personally responsible as we can on our health, but even that only goes so far. I am probably the most health conscious person I know (non-smoking, vegetarian, exercise, no junk food, etc.) but still live in fear that if my job were cut, I would not get coverage because it would either be unaffordable or one 'iffy' mammogram would be considered 'pre-existing condition'.

Please, the American people cannot continue to live with this sword of Damocles over their heads any more. I can only imagine the amount of creative energy that has been squandered in this country because we have to worry about what most citizens in wealthy countries like ours do not have to worry about, namely health care.

I also believe you to be fiscally conservative, and I do not think that a bad thing. But I hope you are not falling prey to the "fear as projected costs" scenario. From history I know that if that is all congress will look at, they will not pass the reform we need. Medicare could have been killed off before it ever started if that was all we worried about. Please, a healthy citizenry that can work and add to the common good is an investment we NEED.

Thank you for you time, and keep on fighting for us. We need you!