Senator Warner had shown himself to be a strong supporter of anything Harry Reid likes. In response to my first missive to him he replied as follows:
"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" In response I sent him the following email this morning:
"Dear Senator Warner:
"I am in receipt of your reply to my email of yesterday in which I instructed you to vote NO on the current health care plan. I have forwarded it to all my friends.
"In addition, I’ve finished my first reading of the bill, something I wonder if you’ve done. Or did you leave that to your staff?
"A couple of points which you brought up are troubling. First you talk about Medicare and Medicaid and mention that by 2017 Medicare will be insolvent. Maybe you should look at the history of the two? The cost of both was underestimated by over 100%. Both were run by the government and, if I may say so, run into the ground by the government. The government failed to catch and correct overpayments and fraud. The government failed in its’ responsibility to ensure the programs were run correctly yet I’ve not heard of anyone being fired or disciplined.
"With this background you ask me to believe that the $850+ billion is revenue neutral and will succeed? Do you really think I’m that stupid? You haven’t even included the separate Medicare/Medicaid adjustment to doctors which should be part of the main bill...ahhhh, but if you did include it the numbers wouldn’t work, would they?
"The only way that the CBO could come up with the $850+ billion figure is because the bill starts collecting taxes immediately but only provides care during the last 5 years of the estimate and the doctor’s payment adjustment is in a separate bill. In other words, it is woefully underestimated. And again, it will be run by the government.
"I dare say “run by the government” is the worst thing that can happen. The government has proven itself unable to properly run any business or quasi-business activity because government employees never have to make a profit. They only care about budget. I know. I was a government employee for 3 decades and the only thing that is important is that you don’t go over budget and that you spend everything in the budget. If you spend everything that is good because then Congress will raise your budget in the next year. If you don’t spend everything that is bad because Congress will cut your budget the next year.
"And Congress is never worried about profit because, indeed, Congress creates no wealth. It cannot for all it manufactures is paper and hot air. When Congress needs more money it just raises taxes or creates a new tax. Producing something, other than reams of paper and hot air, is never considered or even possible. And in health care the government will have to “produce” something that it is totally unprepared to do: Health care for the citizens of this country.
"But this health care will be based on a budget which will inevitably lead to rationing. Rationing will inevitably lead to lines and, again inevitably, the reduction of health care to “certain classes” of people. The reduction of health care will inevitably lead to increased suffering and an increased death rate.
"In closing you referred me to two “nonpartisan” websites (www.factcheck.org and www.politifact.org). Even if you aren’t, I’m bright enough to know that both are highly partisan supporters of the Democratic Party so I am insulted by you, or your staff member, who so stupidly tried to pass them off as “nonpartisan.”
"In the spirit of goodwill, however, I return the favor and refer you to http://www.heritage.org/LeadershipForAmerica/health-care.cfm and I won’t insult you by trying to say that it is nonpartisan. It is very partisan...to the U.S. Constitution, as I am sure you are.
"This bill needs no debate as it is a monstrosity and needs to be thrown in the trash. It hurriedly raises taxes on businesses and people in a time of economic recession and instability. It does nothing for the people but shift a major portion of the American economy to the government and that government has an inescapable history of being incapable of running health care programs. Once it is thrown out, then the Senate can start over and, in a measured and thoughtful manner construct a bill that will truly improve health care and lower costs. The current bill does neither.
In closing, you are instructed to vote NAY in the vote this evening. Your actions will be observed and will be remembered in the next election. That, sir, is a guarantee.
Sincerely"
I will let you know what he says this time.
I urge you to email or call your Senators now and let them know how you feel. You should also call your friends and tell them to do the same. It is important to our future and the future of our children. Please, do it now!
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