I'd like to ask for a bit of understanding if I tread on some of the rules as this is my 1st diary, but I thought that I should get this out there for brighter minds than mine.
In response to an email that I wrote at the urging of a previous diary titled "Guess who makes $8615 a day" I received an email from the Honorable Frank Kratovil, self professed Blue Dog.
1st of all my letter to the Blue Dog from Maryland:
Senator Kratovil,
I would like to take this opportunity to express my firm commitment to support efforts in favor of a robust Public Option. The time is now to stand tall against the forces of greed.
This country already has "death panels" in that the insurance companies bolster their profits by raising rates to outlandish amounts & denying care to those in need. It is time that this is brought to a stop.
Our economic competition with industries of other countries is at a disadvantage caused by having to fund health care of employees unlike those who are covered by national plans. It is time that Americans are protected, covered & made whole by seeing to it that our citizens do not have to fear bankruptcy & death just to line the pockets of the greedy.
As for evidence of such greed I present the case of Alphonso O'Neill-White, the CEO of Health Now (Blue Cross of Western NY is a division of Health Now), took home $2.24 million last year (2007), up from $1.28 million in 2006. That includes $1.95 million in cash, consisting of a $732,000 salary, a $515,625 bonus, and long-term payouts for 2004 through 2006 of $701,195. Buffalo News (June 15, 2008)
Now for the response.
Dear Mr. Ivan:
Thank you for contacting my office to share your thoughts on healthcare reform. As you are aware, Congress is currently considering numerous reform proposals, including H.R. 3200, America's Affordable Health Choices Act. H.R. 3200 was recently amended and passed by the House Committees on Energy and Commerce, Education and Labor, and Ways and Means. However, as a result of my efforts and those of my colleagues in the Blue Dog Coalition, further action on H.R. 3200 has been postponed until September to give all Members of Congress more time to listen to their constituents about this important issue. I felt strongly that it would be a mistake to force a vote on this bill before my colleagues and I had enough time to fully review and consider this complex legislation, and so I appreciate you taking the time to share your opinion with me.
In my view, comprehensive healthcare reform is necessary and long overdue. Healthcare costs have been on the rise for years, and these costs represent one of the biggest threats to our nation's fiscal health. If we fail to act and allow the status quo to continue, then healthcare inflation will continue to burden families, small businesses, and the federal government with unsustainable costs. It is important to remember that this is not just an issue that impacts the uninsured; many middle class families with health insurance are paying more in premiums and out-of-pocket expenses every year as employers struggle to keep up with the rising cost of health care. We therefore must carefully craft legislation to expand health insurance coverage while reforming the healthcare delivery system to reduce costs and improve quality. We must also ensure that any reform proposal corrects regional inequities in the Medicare reimbursement formula that make it difficult for rural areas like Maryland's Eastern Shore to attract and retain enough skilled healthcare providers.
Healthcare reform is one of the most important legislative issues that will be considered by the 111th Congress, which is why I have been urging both the White House and Congressional leaders to take the time to develop a deficit-neutral plan to fully address the priorities of coverage expansion, cost containment, and rural access. While the process of developing this legislation is still ongoing, I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you the enclosed op-ed from the July 26th edition of the Baltimore Sun that lays out a number of my thoughts on this important debate.
I have stated that if H.R. 3200 were to come to a vote in its current form, I would vote against it. It is my opinion that this bill does not currently do enough to reduce long-term health care costs, which I believe must be one of the central goals of this debate. I also have concerns about the impact that some of the bill's provisions might have on small businesses; in these difficult times, we might take extra care not to burden small businesses with new mandates that might have adverse impacts on job creation.
However, while the current legislation is not yet at a point where I can support it, I still recognize the need for significant reforms to get costs under control and to preserve and expand consumer choice. That is why I will not rule out the possibility of voting for a bill if changes are made to better address the goals of reducing cost, preserving consumer choice, and expanding rural access. It is important to remember that H.R. 3200 is still going through the legislative process, and additional changes are likely before it eventually comes to a vote before the full House of Representatives. The U.S. Senate is also considering alternative versions of health care reform legislation, any of which would have to be reconciled with House legislation before a final vote could take place. In other words, it is far too soon to say what exact provisions will or will not be in a final health care bill, which is why it would be premature for me to state unequivocally whether or not I would be able to support that eventual package.
At present, I am taking the time to carefully consider this important proposal and to discuss its impacts with my constituents. I have already had numerous public meetings during this August Congressional recess, and will continue to meet with constituents, health care providers, and other stakeholders to hear their thoughts about this important issue. I am pleased that the Leadership and the White Housed heeded my calls and those of the Blue Dog Coalition to give Members of Congress more time for these critical conversations. It would have been a mistake to rush the process on an issue as important as health care. To that end, I am also pleased to tell you that I have signed on as a co-sponsor to H.Res. 554, a resolution that would require that all Members of Congress be given a minimum of 72 hours to review any piece of legislation before the legislation could be brought to a vote.
It is imperative that we enact a strong bipartisan healthcare reform bill that works for all Americans. We must pass legislation that enjoys broad support and effectively and efficiently expands health insurance coverage, reduces costs, increases access, improves quality, and is deficit neutral. Healthcare reform must be considered with reasonable time allowed for thoughtful consideration to provide confidence in the legislation's real costs and to ensure that rural America is not left behind.
Please be assured that I will keep your views in mind and continue to communicate with you as Congress considers healthcare reform legislation. Please do not hesitate to contact me again in the future regarding issues that concern you. I believe that continuous communication with the residents of the First District is essential to helping me be an effective advocate for you in Congress. To stay informed, please visit my website at www.house.gov/kratovil.
Thank you again for contacting me and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Frank M. Kratovil, Jr.
Member of Congress
It may be that I need to re-read this when I'm not so tired, but it seems that this poses a wishy-washy position from a "democrat" who I voted for who would be hard pressed for me to vote for again the next time around.