I went to Senator Feinstein's LA office today as part of the OFA effort to mobilize her support for healthcare reform.
It was the first time I have visited an elected official's office. I was nervous about what I would say, and I wrote a letter, based heavily on ShadowSD's talking points outlined in this diary. (Thank you, to ShadowSD and all the community members who take the time to research and share your information. I'm learning now to be an advocate thanks to all of you.)
We never got into her office, they had a few interns out on the street to talk to us. We didn't have an appointment with the office, so I suppose that was okay. We waited for awhile with other people but eventually had to leave to meet other obligations.
My letter follows after the jump.
First, thank you Senator Feinstein for the work you have done in natural land preservation and restoration. That is a big deal to me personally, and I'm grateful for your leadership in this area.
I'm visiting your office today to talk to you about healthcare reform. There was a wave of democrats elected in the 2008 election. I believe that was because people had finally had enough of trickle down free market experimentation. While the top 10% of Americans have profited over the last 30 years, the bottom 90% have seen their standards decrease.This decline is easy to see in the healthcare situation. Harvard researchers say that in 2007, 62% of all personal bankruptcies were filed over medical expenses, and 78% of those filers had medical insurance.
According to the 2009 Milliman Medical Index, the average American family spends over $16K on medical expenses per year. Despite this number, according to the WHO, Americans are ranked 24 in healthy life expectancy in the world. The average Canadian family spends $2K per year with no waiting for life saving care, and every Canadian citizen is entitled to healthcare. Every independent estimate says that having a robust Medicare like public option will save Americans money.
In July President Obama stated that 14K Americans are losing healthcare coverage a day. I personally know people who are losing coverage. Some have lost their jobs, and one is leaving an abusive marriage. Healthcare should be portable.
I believe access to affordable healthcare is the right of every citizen. I believe this is the only morally acceptable position. The current situation in which Americans are denied affordable healthcare while insurance companies make a profit from administering benefits is wrong. This week in Inglewood at the Forum, American citizens, both working and not working, both insured and not insured are standing in line to receive free health care, from a non-profit organization which was started to provide health services to people living in remote areas in third world countries. This is a shameful situation. This is a situation that has been caused by the greedy American health insurance industry.
According to a mid-June poll conducted by NBC/WSJ, 76% of polled Americans believe people should have a choice for healthcare coverage that is a not for profit public option. I believe it is time for our elected officials to do the will of the people. I'm asking you to support a robust Medicare-like public option available on day one which pays 100% of reasonable and customary fees.
Senator Feinstein, insurance companies are spending $1.4 million a day to fight against the best interests of the American people in order to preserve profits. Please give your constituents a voice.