Bad Healthcare act

Dear Rep. Hultgren;

Let me tell you a little about myself. I studied the bible for 15 years. I even got into transliteration of texts to see what the original meaning of words was in the oldest texts. I thought I needed to know as much as I could to raise my four beautiful (now grown) children. I fell away from organized religion when “Prosperity Christianity” became the norm.

I am writing to you about Healthcare reform. From the onset of the ACA, republicans began to defund it so that insurers wouldn’t get what they negotiated for. It was “Obamacare” that got slandered and hated even thought people liked their insurance on the ACA. The CBO warned the ACA that a group of insured low middle class participants would experience heavy increases in premiums…the old congress thought that they would be able to fix these things, but then you and your cohort arrived on the scene. The “spiraling down” that you talk about, simply isn’t the case. If the money were put back into the ACA it would be doing just fine.

You know that when Illinois expanded Medicaid, a contingency was built into the law: if Federal funding fell below 90% it would no longer be viable and would close. Attached is what Medicaid does for our Illinois citizens. Consequence: if the new Republican healthcare act is passed, the funding will immediately drop to 70%, the expansion will close, and your citizens will suffer. Many of these citizens are disabled, elderly, and disadvantaged kids. It will close rural Hospitals, bankrupt others, and create a large loss of jobs in Illinois. It will also harm those entrepreneurs who because of the ACA and expanded Medicaid were able to finally open that business, but have not yet made enough profit to pay for their own insurance. Small business owners do NOT hate the ACA, many love it.

I hear the republican talking heads on TV saying we have to pass SOMETHING, no Randy, you don’t! What is the hurry? Why the secrets, why the rush….just to get a win for the President? What are your criteria, what are you thinking? Who will it benefit? Who will it harm? You KNOW that there has been much deceptive behavior around this bill; do you really want to be part of it? (No, the ACA was NOT written like that, it took over a year with many players)

I see two paths that would be reasonable for you to travel, knowing your deep faith in Christianity. One is to repair the injured ACA and restore the original intent of the act. The other is to signal to your leadership that you will not support something “merely to do something” but that you are better than that. You would like open discussions, bipartisanship, looking at what worked well in the ACA, using it, and adding things that will make Healthcare in the United States worthy of your signature.

I trust I have said more than enough. You are aware of my views because my husband and I have communicated with you and your staff on a regular basis. I hope that you do listen to us. Bill and I won’t be hurt by your decision; we are working for those that don’t have a voice, the elderly, disabled and our collective children. “Prosperity Christianity” of the few, is not what your leader died for, Randy, do what you know is right.

Please do NOT support the new healthcare bill that the Senate has put forth. It is against every moral fiber in your body, and you know it.

Save the vulnerable,

Jeanne C. Scown

Geneva, Illinois 60134