I wrote Barack Obama today.
You should write him, too.
The White House is drafting something on health care today.
Mr. President:
When my husband was diagnosed with colorectal cancer, he had good health care. He got treatment at Memorial Sloan Cancer Center in New York City, just as Senator Dodd recently received treatment there for his prostate cancer. My husband was a young man to get cancer. He was 46. As the breadwinner for our family, he had a good job that provided him and me and our three children with health insurance which covered his treatment.
Without this treatment, he'd be dead now. My children would be fatherless and I'd be struggling to support our family financially.
Since his diagnosis, I've met other cancer patients who aren't lucky enough to have insurance. Some of them lost their jobs when they were diagnosed. They couldn't buy insurance to cover their treatment now, even if they could afford it. They and their families are struggling terribly because they are sick. This is so wrong.
I'm glad you are crafting legislation on health care now at the White House. Congressional representatives and senators may not be able to see past their corporate contributors and industry lobbyists to do what is right for their constituents.
I believe real health care reform relies upon a strong public option; an opportunity for us to opt into Medicare before we are 65. This option is the best instrument for change.
The American people are counting on you to see past the fear of change and all the money that's being thrown down to keep things the way they are, and to be a fighter for us.
Fight for us, Mr. President. It's why we hired you.
Regards,
Patricia Taylor