I live in Arizona, and my Representative is Gabrielle Giffords. She is a moderate Democrat who got voted into the Blue Dogs last year. I could not figure out why, since she is very good on women's issues and science and the environment. She is to my right, but so are most people. This is a moderate district that was represented for 20 years by Jim Kolbe, who I think was the only openly gay Republican congressman. He was a moderate, but voted pretty reliably with his party. The district contains two military bases, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson and Fort Huachuca in Sierra Vista.
Giffords' stand on healthcare reform has been something of a mystery. I got many e-mails over the past month asking me to clarify whether she was in favor of a public option. When I called her local office to see if she was part of the Blue Dog group who were flirting with the Republicans, the staffer I spoke to said she knew nothing about that, but that Giffords supports reform and is for a public option.
Today Giffords sent out a newsletter containing an editorial she wrote in the Arizona Daily star on Sunday July 26, setting forth her position on healthcare reform. I pass on to you the introduction she wrote for the piece, and then a little of the editorial itself. I wish I could copy the whole thing, but it is copywrighted material.
First, the introduction:
It is that time in Arizona where we tell our relatives that we are glad we don’t live in the East Coast, because at least our weather is a "dry heat." To those who flee, we all understand – but you do miss the incredible monsoons and the sound of the Colorado river toads at night. I took an afternoon this month to hike on the Telegraph Trail of Sabino Canyon and once again, was inspired by the rough beauty of our home.
Both at home and in Washington, health care reform is on everyone’s mind and so, in this Cactus Roots Connection, I wanted to share with you my perspective on the current debate. Please continue to let me know what your thoughts are as the bill evolves-- this is a complicated process and I want to hear your opinion.
(snip)
Many of you have asked about my position on the current health care reform efforts. To share my perspective, I submitted editorials to both the Arizona Daily Star and also to the Sierra Vista Herald. I would like to share with you the text of my editorial in the Star, as it provides you a clear summary of where I stand:
She begins with a story about a man whose family includes a wife with cancer and a daughter with a chronic illness, who lost his job and insurance, and who cannot get insurance at one of his new jobs because of his family's medical needs. This follows:
There can be no doubt that our health care system is failing us. Premiums have doubled in the last nine years, increasing three times faster than real wages. We are spending too much, receiving too little and are left worrying that the insurance we have won't be enough.
Unless we do something, 14,000 Americans will lose their health insurance today — just as 14,000 Americans lost their health insurance yesterday and 14,000 more Americans will lose their health insurance tomorrow.
We are great nation. We deserve the best health care in the world.
We need reform that puts patients first. It is not right and not fair that insurance companies can deny coverage because of pre- existing conditions or impose lifetime limits on service.
I support reform that allows Americans to keep their current health-care program, keep their doctors and keep their hospitals.
I support reform that creates competition through a strong public option that lowers everyone's costs and competes with private insurers.
I support reform that allows Arizonans who lose their jobs to afford insurance so they can get back on their feet without fear of getting sick.
The title of the editorial is Health Care Is Our Moon Shot She ends with a reminder of the moon landing anniversary, and says that if we could do that, we can fix health care in this country. Did I mention she is married to an astronaut?
Like many of you, I was inspired by Keith Olbermann's most recent Special Comment. I sent it on to several friends. One of them replied simply that she is represented by Raul Grijalva.
I told her that Giffords is no Grijalva, but she is no Kolbe, either.