|
Letter to the Editor:
Bobby Rush Understands Benefits of Health Care Reform for Illinois’ 1st Congressional District
Easy Next Steps to Take:
1. Copy one item from each of the sections below, then paste into the box at the bottom of the page
2. Use the links in the right column to find your local newspaper's online Letter to the Editor contact
3. Paste your completed message into the paper's letter-to-the-editor form or contact email
General theme: Health care reform will provide significant benefits in Illinois. I am happy that Congressman Rush understands that reform will mean lower costs, more choices, and coverage that everyone in the 1st District can count on.
Part 1 - The Problem
Small businesses are struggling with rising health care costs. That’s a serious problem for all of us, because small businesses are the engine of job creation in America.
Every year, too many of our seniors face the unbearable pressure put on them by the Medicare Part D “donut hole”, where they need to pay the full cost of the drugs they take. In retirement, on a limited income, who can afford to pay costs like that?
Every year, thousands of hardworking families in the 4th District are forced into bankruptcy due to medical expenses. Our members of Congress need to make health care more affordable so that people don’t risk losing everything they have worked for all their lives on top of dealing with a major illness.
Whether it’s making a better future for our children, owning a house or starting our own businesses, the rising costs and lack of access to quality health care are getting in the way of building a better life.
Part 2 - The Solution
We need tax breaks for small business to help them with health care costs. Tax breaks will lighten their load so they can get back to what they do best…create jobs that will stay here at home.
Our providers will be compensated fairly for the care they provide for all Americans.
We need to make real improvements in the economy by making health care more affordable to small businesses and preventing hardworking families from going into bankruptcy when they have the misfortune to get sick.
Real reform means putting Americans back in control of their health care. We need better oversight and sensible rules to make sure insurance companies provide fair and affordable coverage and can no longer turn people away for having a pre-existing condition like cancer.
With so many people worried about losing their jobs and their health coverage, a plan that guarantees every American the opportunity to buy into an affordable and high quality health plan is exactly what we need right now.
Part 3 - Figures (pick one or two)
Benefits of health care reform in the 1st District (according to a recent Congressional analysis*):
Up to 13,600 small businesses could receive tax credits to provide coverage to their employees
2,900 seniors would avoid the donut hole in Medicare Part D
11,000 families could escape bankruptcy each year due to unaffordable health care costs
Health care providers would receive payment for $201 million in uncompensated care each year
102,000 uninsured individuals would gain access to high-quality, affordable health insurance
*Download the full analysis here (pdf)
Part 4: Conclusion
Congressman Rush, health care reform is the key to economic security and opportunity for American families and small businesses.
Congressman Rush, it’s time we got America back on track. One of the best ways to help our economy is to fix our broken health care system and put money back in the pockets of hardworking Americans so that they can send their kids to college or start a family business.
Congressman Rush, the staggering amount of uncompensated care to the uninsured just increases the cost of health care and premiums for all of us. The current path is unsustainable and we’re all paying the price — we have to fix this problem now.
Thank you, Congressman Rush, for understanding that the people of the 1st District need lower costs, more choices, and coverage that we can all count on, and for supporting quality, affordable health care for all.
Restate your position: Use data or numbers that support your position, or briefly summarize any personal experience you have that causes you to take this position on the argument. Paste the parts of your letter into the box below.
Reminder: most papers limit Letters to the Editor to 150 words, so please keep your comments within that limit.
Help us track your letters! Send a copy of your letter to Kathleen Duffy at kduffy@cbhconline.org. Please include the name of the paper and the date you sent it.
| 
