Senator Mark Warner Doesn't Read Our Emails

In a previous blog entry I published Sen. Mark Warner's response to an email to his office requesting a "NO" vote on health care that was sent on November 20.

This morning I sent him another email, referencing his first email and commenting on it, and received the following:

"Thank you for contacting me about reforming our nation's health care system. I appreciate hearing from you on such an important issue. Over the past few months, I have traveled around Virginia to hear from people all over the Commonwealth on the issue of health care. Since June, my office has been contacted over 200,000 times by constituents on both sides of the debate. Hearing from constituents is a vital part of my job as a United States Senator and I hope you will continue to share your opinions with me as the health care debate takes shape.

"A fundamental principle that must guide us through this debate is the fact that our current health care system is financially unsustainable. While many are concerned about our Federal deficit, most do not realize that the primary cause of our deficit is the increasing per-person costs of Medicare and Medicaid; by 2017, Medicare will be insolvent. Additionally, American business is weakened by the current costs of health care. Per capita health care costs in the United States are double that of virtually every other developed nation in the world, leaving American business at a disadvantage and unable to compete in a global economy. American families also suffer from the rising costs of health care: within the next decade, premiums will consume 40 percent of an average American family's income. To do nothing about the current state of our health care system would mean exploding our national debt, hobbling American business and crippling family budgets.

"Although I do not support a government-run single-payer health care system, I believe we need comprehensive reform to achieve a competitive, cost-effective, and efficient system. This effort should be primarily focused on ensuring that all Americans can get adequate health coverage, and the coverage must be cost-effective and based upon data-driven medical standards. We must ensure that competition remains among health care providers because it is precisely that competition that drives innovation and cost reduction in the industry.


"The health care reform debate in the Senate has intensified over the last few weeks, with the House of Representatives passing its version of the bill. The Senate also recently unveiled its version and is expected to consider the bill on the floor in the coming weeks. I continue to review the bill and am actively engaged in discussions with my fellow Senators to make improvements once it comes to the floor. These improvements will focus on reforming our payment system, increasing transparency in the system, improving prevention and wellness, and strengthening health information technology.

"I encourage you to visit my website, www.warner.senate.gov/healthcare, for additional information. I have posted the complete text of the bill, as well as the CBO cost estimate. Unfortunately the health care debate has resulted in a lot of myths and misinformation about the various bills being considered. Nonpartisan websites such as www.factcheck.org or www.politifact.org can be helpful in explaining specific provisions and clearing up confusion about this complex issue.

"Thanks again for contacting me. As we move forward, I will continue to seek out the advice and opinions of all Virginians in order to help shape an improved health care system that will be in all of our best interests.


"Sincerely,
MARK R. WARNER
United States Senator"

I'm sure that you quickly noted that it is word-for-word the exact same reply as yesterday which means he doesn't even care what our opinions are. And he's there to work for us?

If it weren't so sad, it would be funny. Clearly Warner is so convinced of his "elite ruling class" status that he no longer reads emails from his constituents and no longer cares what they think.

Pass this on to all the Virginians you know so that the word will be spread. Warner just doesn't give a damn about Virginians.