From the Office of Senator Evan Bayh

    Well, I can't say that it's a personalized reply.  But it is a reply.  Sadly, Mr. Bayh shows that the question "is this constitutional" does not appear on his radar.  According to the Constitution, the federal government has no jurisdiction in health care.  So America's system is the costliest in the world?  The federal government has no say in this.  If Mr. Bayh is concerned about the cost of services in the U.S., let him put forward bills to reform or cut the programs the federal government already operates.  I would advise him, as a first step, to cut the unconstitutional programs.  This would decrease the federal budget by astronomical degrees.
     His voting record shows where he's at ideologically, and he provides no new information on this topic.  Instead, he pulls out several chestnuts about the uninsured (without explaining the diverse reasons that people go without health care or explaining the overactive litigation that drives up insurance prices for physicians and thus their patients), and Obama's bankrupt idea that computerizing health records will save money.  Personally, I think he deserves a reward for including the most buzzwords per unit area in his last paragraph.
    Somehow, I'm not reassured, even though he promises "I will keep your concerns in mind as the debate continues."  If he's going to continue down the path of serfdom, I would prefer that he forget what I wrote and carry on, instead of saying that he cares about what I wrote yet act exactly as I warned him not to.
    Particuarly pointed is the statement that "Our priority should be to fix the system as we know it, to ensure that there is access to good, quality health care for Americans." 
    Help us, O Lord, for the cure is worse than the disease.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <noreply@bayh.senate.gov>
Date: Mon, Aug 10, 2009 at 10:31 AM
Subject: From the Office of Senator Evan Bayh
To: ____________

Dear ____________:

 

Thank you for contacting me regarding health care reform.  I appreciate hearing your thoughts and understand your concerns.  

The rising cost of health care and the growing number of uninsured Americans has highlighted the critical need for health care reform.  Many individuals and families are unable to receive vital health services under the structure of the current system.  I receive letters from constituents on a wide range of health care issues, such as prescription drug affordability, tax credits for health care expenses, and coverage of college students.  Please know that I am aware of these challenges and committed to improving access to affordable health care and addressing the needs of those who are uninsured.  

Earlier this year, the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 was enacted to insure 11 million more children.  The legislation included pediatric quality provisions from the Children's Health Care Quality Act (S. 225) that I introduced to address the urgent need to resolve quality care issues widespread in children's health care practices and make publicly available information on the quality of health care provided to children.  I have fought successfully for the return of over $150 million in promised federal funds to Indiana to finance health insurance for lower-income Hoosier children.  Most recently, I voted for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which was enacted on February 17, 2009.  Aimed at creating or saving 3.5 million good-paying jobs nationwide through 2010, the economic recovery package also provides Indiana with an estimated $1.4 billion in additional targeted federal matching funds to prevent Medicaid eligibility cuts and to maintain services.

The economy is an important issue to Americans, and we cannot address the economy without talking about health care.  A growing threat to our economy is the skyrocketing cost of health care.  The U.S. system is the world's costliest; the country spends some $2.4 trillion a year on health care.  An estimated 46 million people are uninsured, and many others lack adequate insurance.  Businesses also find themselves in a challenging position to continue to provide health care insurance for their employees.  Our priority should be to fix the system as we know it, to ensure that there is access to good, quality health care for Americans.   

While we are in the early stages of the debate on health care reform, there are many questions regarding the role of the private and public sector.  Due to increasing co-pays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs, many are calling for insurance regulation.  Advances in health information technology are also being discussed, as electronic medical records could significantly reduce administrative costs.  However, there are serious privacy and security concerns.  Accountability measures such as patient notifications and patient control of personal health information must be explored in order to ensure adequate privacy protections.   

 

As the debate unfolds, I support fiscally sound reform built on our current health care system that aims to provide Americans with affordable health care.  Rest assured that I will keep your concerns in mind as the debate continues.  I will continue to do my best to achieve solvent, bipartisan solutions that provide high-quality, affordable healthcare to as many Americans as possible.

 

 Again, thank you for contacting me.  I hope the information I have provided has been helpful.  My website, http://bayh.senate.gov, can provide additional details about my work in the Senate, including legislation and state projects.  You can also sign up for occasional email updates.  I value your input and hope you will continue to keep me informed of the issues that matter to you.

Office of Senator Evan Bayh
(202) 224-5623
Russell 131
Washington, D.C. 20510

 

 

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So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.