Here is a message I sent to Rep. Frank Kratovil today through his Web site, http://kratovil.house.gov/index.html.
Rep. Kratovil
Thank you for releasing a statement explaining your position on the health care bill. The reasons you give for opposing the bill ring hollow to me: i.e. the bill doesn’t reduce health costs enough, and the bill might not do enough for small business.
It seems to me that the costs and the effect on small business are details that can be worked out. I think the central issue is: Every American, rich or poor, black or white, employed or unemployed, should have access to health care. Americans should have better than the 39th-best health care in the world.
Costs and small business! Rep. Kratovil, are you primarily representing accountants, bookkeepers, and small-business owners? Who is representing ordinary Marylanders who need health care?
I’m a Democrat, and I’ll vote for you in 2010 regardless of how you vote this weekend. But I would be happier if my representative were voting for better health care for people.
–Bernard John Hayden
http://marylandonmymind.wordpress.com
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8 Comments
November 7, 2009 at 1:05 pm
I think you got the issue right, namely:
Should every person have a right to health care, no matter the cost?
In other words, if it turns out to be impossible to reduce costs AND increase coverage, which would you prefer? I understand that you (and many other Democrats) believe this choice isn’t necessary, but many of us disagree.
I agree with Rep. Kratovil that I find cost reduction more important. The biggest problem facing the future of our country is not our lack of health care, it is our inability to pay down our debt and rein in spending (including health care spending). Increasing availability is a noble goal, but first and foremost should be getting our books balanced.
November 7, 2009 at 11:11 pm
I’m beginning to understand. The important thing is to balance the books. Nothing wrong with that.
Hypothetically, suppose it turns out to be impossible to reduce costs AND continue the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? Which would you prefer? Of course, cost reduction is more important than war.
If “the biggest problem facing the future of our country is our inability to pay down our debt and rein in spending” . . . Well, war is a noble goal, “but first and foremost should be getting our books balanced.”
Why didn’t somebody think about balancing the books before we invaded Iraq? Why does somebody decide to balance the books by reducing health care? Why not reduce war? Or reduce subsidies to agribusiness? Or reduce bailouts to Wall Street? The list could be endless. But the buck stops at health care.
November 8, 2009 at 12:21 am
I agree with you 100%. I wish we would rein in military spending too. And it’s unfortunate that we’ve been propping up corrupt and unstable companies.
November 8, 2009 at 12:45 am
It’s true we have the 39th best healthcare system in the world, but let’s be honest about some of the reasons for that outcome, exclusive of the current healthcare debate:
1) We’re fat, lazy, don’t exercise, we eat too much sugar and fat, and that leads to diabetes and other health problems. Europeans (for instance) don’t live this lifestyle, and have better health outcomes.
2) We’re overly medicated, and go to the doctor too much for medicines we arguably don’t need. Europeans aren’t on NEARLY the amount of pills we are. Our pill popping culture drives up costs, with no better long term outcomes.
3) Doctors are lawsuit-shy, and they order every manner and sort of procedure that we don’t need which drives up costs, lowers quality, and gives no better outcome. This negatively impacts outcomes.
So it’s fine to state the “39th best” statistic, but don’t be an idealogue about it…be honest about some of the reasons why, which have no connection to the current healthcare debate. And the current Healthcare bill isn’t going to fix any of the above.
November 8, 2009 at 1:08 am
On a lighter note, France is first in health care, Italy is second in health care, and the U.S. is 39th. I wonder if wine consumption in France and Italy contributes to their good health. Maybe we in the U.S. could benefit from less beer and more wine. The health care bill has passed the House, 220-215. A toast to good health for one and all!
November 11, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Bernie,
Do you think it’s possible that Steny Hoyer gave Kratovil a pass on this because they had enough votes?
November 11, 2009 at 11:45 pm
That’s entirely possible Mike. Mr. Hoyer is aware of the difficult election Kratovil faces, and Mr. Hoyer would like to be the majority leader, rather than the minority leader, after the election.
The NAACP on the Eastern Shore is not giving Kratovil a pass. NAACP leaders have met with Kratovil and pointed out, according to the Salisbury Times, the historic disparity in access to health care on the Shore, and other health indicators to show how important access to health care is for many poor people in District 1.
November 12, 2009 at 8:49 am
I hadn’t heard the news about Kratovil and the NAACP. Interesting. Like you, I’m hoping that he does get re-elected despite this vote because his voting record is certainly better than that of a Republican
This certainly wasn’t the easiest term to break in as a freshman congressman. He immediately got thrown into the deep end. I heard that Kratovil’s father was a pretty astute politician back in the day.