Health Care Reform: Letter to Congress

Dear Representative;  

As a citizen of North Idaho I have seen first hand the devastating impact of rising unemployment and sky-rocketing insurance costs on the health and stability of families in my community. 

The time has come for Congress to pass comprehensive health reform that provides the same quality of care to every American citizen despite their social status.

Fixing the health care system is essential to stabilizing families and communities.  We can no longer stand by as 20,000 people die unnecessarily each year for lack of health coverage.  A nation that values family cannot watch as millions are forced into bankruptcy by health care bills they cannot afford.

Every day people are losing their jobs and health coverage. Food programs, health ministries and safety net clinics are overwhelmed.  More and more people who were once secure in their health care have lost their ability to keep their families healthy and stable.  Even those who still have health insurance are starting to have concerns about being able to afford the care they need, a problem that is getting worse as health care costs rise three times faster than wages.

I encourage both political parties to actively pursue comprehensive health care reform resulting in health care solutions that work for American families and our nation.

I believe health care reform must:

1. 1. Provide employers, employees and their families with quality health insurance choices that are truly affordable regardless of income or employment status.
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2. 2. Be structured to function as a true system with standards and guidelines created by recognized experts and accountably managed by providers at the local level.
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3. 3. Provide patient centered care with the Medical Home model as its foundation, providing incentives for focusing on evidence-based care including health promotion.
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4. 4. Create fair provider reimbursement that is adequate to ensure growth in necessary fields as well as encourage and fund innovation.
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5. 5. Structure benefits and individual financial obligations to create incentives for healthy lifestyle choices and the utilization of cost-effective, evidence based health care services.

I hope you will keep these five very important things in mind as you continue to debate healthcare reform.

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration,