Health Care Bill

Not sure what got into me this morning. The internet makes it easy to send off communications to just about anybody. Like Senators for instance. I have a feeling that if H.R.3200 - America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 finally makes its way through Congress, it will not inure to my benefit.

I sent the following notes to Montana Senators Tester and Baucus:

Senator...have you carefully examined the effect of the Health Care bill on business owners who might already have health insurance in place for their employees?

Have you proven to yourself that passing the Health Care bill will truly benefit a preponderance of the citizens of Montana?

Have you carefully considered its impact, especially given our income levels, which are decreasing daily due to multiple factors?

How would you respond to this statement: this legislation really has no intention of providing affordable health care choices. Instead it is a convenient cover for the most massive transfer of power to the Executive Branch of government that has ever occurred, or even been contemplated.*

Do you agree with the statement that passing the Health Care bill will mean an increase of $70 billion of new annual revenue to insurance providers? Does this sound like a good thing to you?**

I would like to honestly hear your answers to these questions. A form letter response will not satisfy.

I know you are a Montanan. It sounds like a silly statement, but I see that very often local people elected to public office leave our state and truly forget where they came from -- that they were ever part of the same life the people they represent are still living. I am not saying this applies in your case. I am saying that as an elected officer, you should be asking the same questions we on the ground here in Montana are asking about how what our government intends to legislate might materially affect us.

Thank you.

Anais Starr

* From: http://michaelconnelly.viviti.com/entries/general/the-truth-about-the-health-care-bills
** From: http://www.truthout.org/1108091

I will understand, but not excuse, the Senators' inability to answer my questions.

The good thing—it's a new day affording us all the opportunity for new thoughts and actions and letting go of the past, and things that have not, will not, do not work.

~ Anais