I’ve always found #AndyRooney rather entertaining and sometimes informative. I think I like the old curmudgeon because I am becoming an apprentice curmudgeon. I too find the usually odd way Americans view the world as entertaining and worthy of heckling. The following piece makes one wonder what could be done with all these wasted dollars if a real President was employing people to really do something.
MjL 11 Oct 2006, 5:50 a.m.
I consider John McMaim the best that the GQP has to offer. Considering the way he has bowed to politics lately I can’t say that he is offering much better than what we have.
Clintoon has been out of office almost six years now and still the best the GQP can do is blame his administration for the neglect of the current administration.
Next they will be blaming Carter for the high cost of gas again as they erroneously did during the Reagan years. I was disgusted with McMaim’s endorsement of America using other countries to torture political prisoners and now he falls into the same pattern of blaming the Dimocrats for the problems caused by the party in power, the GQP.
I received another email from Senator Durbin. I continue to support both him and Senator Obummer although I am not completely satisfied with their representation. I try to give them the benefit of the doubt considering they are in the minority party. I do wish they had different views on immigration. I appreciate their invitation to visit with them in Washington D.C. but I would rather they provide an opportunity a bit closer to home. Guess I need to write another letter.
October 11, 2006
Mr. Michael Legel 22023 Allentown Rd. Tremont, IL 61568
Dear Mr. Legel:
Since you have contacted me in the past to share your opposition to health savings accounts (HSAs) and consumer-directed health care, I wanted to provide an update.
I share your concerns. Since entering Congress I have worked to keep affordable and high-quality health care within the reach of all Americans.
This is more important now than ever. A record 46.6 million Americans are without health insurance and millions more are underinsured, including millions of Americans in working families. Many people are finding it harder and harder to obtain affordable health coverage and this problem will only become worse as health care costs continue to rise and more employers reduce benefits or drop health coverage altogether.
In 2003, President Bush signed legislation that included the creation of HSAs. These accounts allow consumers in high-deductible health plans to make pre-tax contributions to individual savings accounts, which can then be used to pay current and future medical expenses. They also shift the financial risk of medical care from the employer, who contributes a defined amount, to the employee, whose contribution is open-ended. For this reason HSAs reflect a movement away from the tradition of employer sponsored insurance and towards consumer-directed health care.
Although HSAs allow individuals more flexibility in making health care choices, they also make it harder for Americans in less-than-perfect health to find affordable care. Since individuals are forced to bear the financial risks of their medical care, the ones who are most in need of care are often the least able to afford it. Furthermore, HSAs attract individuals with higher incomes, eliminating the shared risk in traditional insurance and leaving lower income individuals and families to fend for themselves. A recent report released by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) noted that HSA-eligible plan enrollees did not recommend their plans to anyone with regular medication, chronic health problems, or children. HSAs may be an attractive option for healthy and higher income individuals, but they offer no protection to Americans who are ill or have a lower income, and they do nothing to help the millions of American families without health insurance.
The Senate Finance Committee is considering legislation that would give a tax credit for a small employer’s contribution to an employee’s HSA. The concerns outlined above appear to have slowed this legislation and it does not appear likely that the Senate will take it up before the end of the year. I will continue to keep your views in mind as this issue is debated further.
I am hopeful that the Senate will work toward reforms that make health insurance accessible for all Americans, not just those who can afford it.
Thank you again for your message. Please feel free to keep in touch.
Sincerely, Richard J. Durbin United States Senator RJD/cc
P.S. If you are ever visiting Washington, please feel free to join Senator Obama and me at our weekly constituent coffee. When the Senate is in session, we provide coffee and donuts every Thursday at 8:30 a.m. as we hear what is on the minds of Illinoisans and respond to your questions. We would welcome your participation. Please call my D.C. office for more details.
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