Newsletter - September 2009

Statement

Dear Iowan:

As your United States Senator, I work to keep the lines of communication open. This year, I've held constituent meetings in every one of Iowa's 99 counties. I've done so every year since I was first elected in 1980. Iowans are participating in those meetings at record levels, and health care is a major topic.

Many Iowans agree improvements are needed in the health care system. At the same time, many are worried about Washington making things worse, not better. The health care system makes up one-sixth of the economy. It impacts the quality of life of every household.

This summer, committees in the House of Representatives and Senate have passed reform legislation. The pending bills would create a government plan that, according to experts, would ultimately lead to a government takeover of the health care system, which I strongly oppose. In addition, the Congressional Budget Office said the bills would not reduce the growth in health care costs and would add hundreds of billions more to the federal deficit. This year's budget deficit is expected to grow to $1.6 trillion, nearly quadruple last year's figure. Deficits are projected to climb to more than $9 trillion over the next decade, even without legislation like the House-passed health care bill.

I've been participating in discussions in the Senate (as Ranking Member of the Committee on Finance) to see if it's possible to develop alternative legislation that would fix problems without undoing what so many Americans are satisfied with in the current system. To be successful, an alternative bill would have to get health care costs under control, make coverage accessible and affordable, and not add to the deficit. Putting the federal government in charge of health care would not curb medical inflation or improve the health care delivery system in America. From rationing of care to infringing on the doctor-patient relationship, a government-run system also would guarantee U.S. taxpayers a staggering tax burden for generations to come.

Bringing down health care costs is a common goal. Medical spending is projected to swell to one-quarter of the U.S. economy by 2025. Health care inflation strains family budgets. It's increasingly difficult for employers, big and small, to offer coverage to workers. There also is anxiety about staying insured after a job loss, hitting lifetime and annual limits on coverage, and being denied coverage entirely or paying high rates because of pre-existing conditions. Millions of Americans go without health insurance, whether by choice or inability to pay. I support regulation of the insurance market to stop discriminatory coverage of pre-existing conditions and ensuring there are affordable coverage choices to bring more people among the ranks of the insured.

Based on what I've heard from Iowans at my meetings and through phone calls, letters and emails, I've put together this list of questions and concerns. I'd like to hear from you if I haven't already. My contact information is below. It's important that you weigh in because our system of government needs to work from the ground up and not the top down. Congress shouldn't pass legislation as far reaching as health care reform if it can't withstand scrutiny and get broad-based support at the grass roots.

Thank you for your input, and please keep in touch.

Sincerely,

Source