An open Letter to Senator Evan Bayh

While I have titled this as an Open Letter (Just trying to be like Michael Moore...yeah right...) I sent this to Senator Bayh this evening through his website.  Whether it gets read or not...kinda like this blog...is questionable.  There is a vote coming up on Christmas Eve on this disastrous bill that will decrease Medicare benefits, require YOU...yes, that's you...to purchase healthcare coverage despite the cost.  Happy reading.....

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Sen. Bayh,


I urge you to vote no on the passage of the currently proposed healthcare bill.

As you said in your healthcare statement,

“The reform will lower deficits only if future Congresses keep their commitment to containing costs. Skeptics are right to wonder if politicians will backslide. We must be vigilant and keep their feet to the fire."

Unfortunately, I don't see this as being the case. Furthermore, the legislation dictating that individuals MUST purchase healthcare is even more troubling to me.

I understand that we are all required to insure our vehicles. At a typical rate of $800 to $1000 per year. However, health insurance for a family of four is much more expensive as I'm sure you are aware.

My most recent research on this topic is for a catastrophic HSA plan that was well over $500 per month - or $6000 per year. For many individuals, this will just be out of reach. Take for example an hourly worker - such as my wife - who is currently making $9.50 per hour for 32 hours. $15,808 per year. This legislation will ask her to spend half of her gross salary on healthcare coverage before any money is put into the HSA savings. I'm certain that there are many single mothers that are in this exact situation having a hard time making ends meet. To ask them to pay this amount of their salary seems a bit out of touch.

I understand that there will be "subsidies" for individuals and families making up to $88,000 per year. I may have missed how these subsidies will be paid out - but my nearest guess is that it will be through a tax credit. While this is certainly noble, it does nothing to fend off the landlord when either the rent is due, or the health insurance payment is due. Even if it is a refundable tax credit.

To compound the situation, there are taxes that will be levied upon drug manufacturers as well as medical device manufacturers. As you are well aware, this is not good for the state of Indiana with one of the states largest employers in Eli Lilly as well as a host of medical device manufacturers will certainly bear the brunt of the tax increases. I would anticipate that this increased burden upon these manufacturers will lead us to employment cuts, reduced manufacturing, and less investment in new technology. All of which are directly related to the GDP as well as the health of the State of Indiana.

You may think from my point of view that I would be an executive of a medical manufacturing company, however this is not the case. I have been unemployed for 6 of the last 12 months and myself and my family of four have only been covered by medical insurance for 3 of the last 12 months. I certainly see the need for healthcare reform and insurance reform, but I also believe that slow and steady wins the race. Instead of this sweeping legislation, a more subtle and phased in approach seems much more appropriate.

I must ask the question as to why we must force through such sweeping legislation when taking steps to improve the overall would allow for more time and thoughtful consideration. I would propose:

PASS IMMEDIATELY

1. Legislation to eliminate insurance companies ability to deny coverage

2. Allow the purchase of insurance across state lines to increase competition

3. Allow the importation of drugs across national borders subject to FDA regulation to increase competition

4. Require insurance companies to provide HSA health accounts for catastrophic coverage at a very low annual premium - Also allow a refundable phase out credit as a 1040 line item rather than on itemized returns only

5. Give an annual refundable tax credit to lower income individuals and families for deposit into HSA savings accounts - and require documentation that the deposits have made or face a penalty up to and including full repayment by September 30th.


While I am a conservative and my voting record is historically Republican, I have also been a supporter of yours due to your fiscal responsibility and dedication to our Armed Forces. I do not believe that this issue alone will change my opinion of the work you have done for this Great State, however I will have to watch closely as we approach the 2010 elections and take this into account when I make my voting decision.

Thank you for your time and attention to this very important matter that is before us. Merry Christmas to you and your family.



Your constituent

Obama on Afghanistan? Kudos from DH?

Well done Mr. President. Well done.


I wasn’t quite sure how President Obama would handle this situation, but by sending in 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan, we have been shown that he believe in our military efforts and see the need in this critical region for nothing but an ultimate victory. It’s high time that we stop playing war – and win the war.

Unfortunately, the bad guys now know when we will start pulling out. While I’m torn on this topic, I certainly hope that this will spur directives as commander-in-chief to get the job done quickly – basically, open up a can of whoop-ass. Heck, let’s open up a 6 pack.

But is this a death to his Presidency? I tend to think not – if and only if he follows through to the completion. He has shown that maybe he can reach across the aisle. Just maybe. If we really look at it, he has pushed his agenda – but the real culprits in Washington that are not willing to compromise on anything at all are the likes of Pelosi, Reed, Grayson, and the other lefties on the Hill. Perhaps, President Obama is learning that even with a huge majority nothing will get accomplished and he’ll be a one term president.

Obviously he has lost support from his biggest supporters. Olberman, Maddow, Matthews, and Michael Moore are now on the opposite side of Obama. And these guys are certainly supporters of the athletic type. For so long, these were the cheerleaders of the Obama Presidency, and now – those cheerleaders are gone. Sorry for the visual image…do you really want to see this crew in a cheerleading outfit? Ugh….

Speaking of Matthews…I feel sorry for this guy. I certainly hope he doesn’t sleep well at night. Calling the cadets “the enemy camp” is just flat out stupid. These are some of the finest military minds in the country – and they are the enemy?

Mr. Matthews, you sir, are a disgrace, sir, and perhaps you should take yourself, sir, to another country, sir and live out your dreams of socialism, sir. (sorry for the Olbermann there – I just can’t help making fun of how many times he says “sir”.) Perhaps Olbermann should join the military and get a real feel for who and why you should call someone sir.

Now the real test comes. Mr. Obama, we have heard what you said. Now we will be watching what you do. We hope that your actions will coincide with your words. We know you can give a great speech. Can you follow through? We will soon find out.

Thanks for reading!

Cheers!

DH