Hello all,
My first diary is in response to this mcjoan report on Maria Cantwell's support of the public option. Apparently she hasn't ignored all of the cajoling she had been receiving from her constituents, so I thought it was appropriate to show my appreciation.
***** Update *****
For the people who are as phone-phobic as I am (damn enabling internets) here is the email form on her senate page. Her phone # is listed below by atheistben.
Respected Senator,
I would like to express my support for your recent comments in which you state you will insist on real healthcare reform in the upcoming Finance Committee negotiations. This is the kind of leadership I will vote for in 2012. Fighting for what is best for the people of Washington and not for industry seems to be rare in the senate. Your defense of the citizens who voted for you is especially noteworthy in that context.
I'm a 23 year old student and self-employed software developer. While cheap options for healthcare are available to me, most of them are high deductible plans that don't offer coverage for the types of care that are most relevant to me. These plans have been called junk insurance because of their tendency to deny claims in the event that catastrophic care is needed. To say that better insurance options are necessary for me to buy insurance is an understatement.
I know that people my age have a tendency to believe they are indestructible. Many don't feel like they need insurance and will resent an individual mandate requiring enrollment in private insurance plans. A public option is what I want as a consumer to ensure I won't be FORCED to contribute my healthcare dollars to an executive's private plane and some shareholder's dividends. If there isn't a public plan on the insurance exchange I predict that many people my age will feel betrayed by the Democrats in congress and the White House. Democrats in 2012 can't afford to have young people stay home.
Again, if it is in the best interest of the public that young — mostly healthy — individuals are mandated to contribute to a common pool to insure against others peoples risk of illness, how is it fair to ask them to contribute to the private profits of shareholders and insurance executives. We should be asked to contribute to the health of our friends, grandparents, neighbors, communities, and fellow citizens. I just don't see how that means my money should be taken out of my pocket and put into the pockets of those that work and invest in United Health.
Thank you for looking out for the best interests of those whose voices are only heard every election cycle. Above all, thank you for sticking up for common sense ideas that are equitable and just.
Sincerely,
Stuart Strader