Carson: Time in District Has Strengthened Resolve to Push for Health-Care Reform
September 9, 2009
September 9, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As work resumes on health-care reform and President Obama prepares to address a joint session of Congress tonight, Congressman André Carson today sent an email to constituents of the 7th District reflecting on what he learned during a "productive and civil dialogue" with residents over the month-long district work period.
After numerous health-care-related events, including a radio town hall, several constituent meetings and discussions with business leaders and seniors, Carson said he is returning to Washington with a "strengthened resolve" to deliver health reform for the people of Indianapolis.
"Spending time talking to the people of my district has me convinced now, more than ever before, that we cannot delay health-care reform for another time," Congressman Carson wrote in his e-mail to more than 25,000 Indianapolis residents. "…We must act now. And we must do so with strength and resolve to enact true reform that addresses the real needs of 7th District residents and the American people."
Carson said he's heard from individuals "from all walks of life who currently have great insurance and access to quality health care, but they live in fear of what tomorrow will bring." Many people are concerned that they may lose health insurance coverage if they get laid off from work, or they're afraid of being denied insurance because of a pre-existing condition.
Carson also noted how small businesses are being hurt by exploding costs of health care. "Owners of small companies want to provide employees with insurance, but cannot afford it because health expenses have more than doubled in the last few years. And unlike large corporations, these smaller firms are not in a position to negotiate lower rates from private insurers," Carson wrote. "These business leaders made clear that they want quality insurance coverage for their employees that they can afford."
In talking to seniors, Carson said he better understands their struggle to pay for prescription drugs after costs exceed the threshold of the infamous "donut hole." He said he saw "the concern on their faces when they talked about rumors that Medicare may be cut because its skyrocketing costs are unsustainable."
Finally, Carson discussed his interactions with opponents of health reform, who expressed to him their opinions that reform would mean a "government takeover" of our health-care system, and would result in the rationing of medical care.
All of these communications and interactions—with both pro-reform constituents and those in opposition—have reinforced the need to overhaul a broken system, Carson asserted.
He ended the e-mail by outlining three key principles he wants to see in a final health-care package:
"As we return to session this week, I will be pushing for a plan that will:
1) Provide stable, consistent and quality health insurance for everyone. People should not have to fear losing their insurance if they get laid off. Nor should they lie awake at night worrying about being denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition. That's why I'll fight for reform that prohibits insurers from denying people due to a current or prior illness, and I'll stand up for a public insurance option that will offer greater choice and bring people stability and peace of mind.
2) Control skyrocketing costs and strengthen Medicare. Medicare is a program our seniors depend on every day, but the costs are breaking our federal budget. To cut the waste and bring down expenses, we must expand our efforts to end fraud and abuse, and we need to stop the practice of overpaying private health plans under the Medicare Advantage program. Through improved efficiency and cost controls, we can actually strengthen Medicare for everyone. We can eliminate co-pays for preventive care, fill in the prescription drug donut hole and extend the Medicare trust fund to ensure long-term stability.
3) Create more choice for everyone, including small businesses. Opponents often cite rationing as a concern for reform, but the fact is that's happening now. Bureaucrats in the insurance industry today are deciding who gets covered and what medical procedures people can have based on costs. We need to increase competition and hold the health insurers accountable by establishing a public option. And we need to level the playing field for small businesses and individuals shopping for coverage by establishing a Health Insurance Exchange. This Exchange would create an open marketplace of insurance options—both public and private—for employees and individual to choose from, and would make insurance more affordable for small businesses by creating a larger pool of purchasers."
To read the full e-mail to 7th District residents, go to Carson's online health-care forum at carson.house.gov.
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