LETTER: A Healthcare Hero in Montgomeryville

The following letter to the editor was submitted to Patch by Harleysville's Matt Helfrich.

MONTGOMERYVILLE, PA -- At around 3:35 pm on March 24, the bill to replace Obamacare, written and championed by Speaker Ryan and the Trump administration, was pulled from consideration because it did not have enough votes. To many, including myself, the defeat of the new healthcare bill was a victory for democracy. Most Americans on both ends of the political spectrum argued that the bill was sub-par. Their elected representatives listened to their concerns and refused to support the bill. In the context of living under the most autocratic President in our nation's history, the defeat of the bill revealed that Congress and key policy makers won't let Trump push them around and accept flawed legislation or policies. The checks and balances in our democratic system of government were tested and prevailed.

The defeat of the new healthcare bill and continued checks against Trump's attempts to circumvent democracy are not occurring by accident. There are inspired citizens who are working tirelessly to counter Trump's poor ideas and bizarre proposals. People like Robyn Randa from the suburbs of Philadelphia. Robyn experienced a proverbial "awakening" when a near majority of Americans cheered for Trump's sophomoric behavior, autocratic personality, and promises to limit America - and voted him into the White House. It was an awakening in which she realized that America's proud traditions of democracy and decency towards its citizens were under serious threat, and she decided to do something about it.

Robyn is a successful senior-level professional, wife, mother of two, and marathon runner who is highly respected by her friends and her community. Her accomplishments and standing in the community epitomizes the coveted American ideals of hard work and dedication. Her decision to be engaged in the political process was not, as some Trump defenders would claim, "the actions of someone spoiled rotten looking for a party at a protest", but rather the outgrowth of a highly educated, accomplished, and thoughtful individual brave enough to stand up for what she believes.

Robyn has become an established leader in advocacy and engagement in our Government's policy making process. Since her political awakening, she has raised awareness whenever the new administration proposes changes that threaten to limit America and its democratic values. She has not only contacted her elected officials and other key members in Congress to voice her support or concerns for legislative and policy proposals, but has also helped her friends find the proper way and direction to voice their opinions. She has become a "portal" to democracy and is willing to help anyone on this search, regardless of political party. It's an enormous amount of work for a woman who already has a career, is a mother of two and wife, and runs at least 10 miles a day as she becomes one of the best long distance runners in the suburban Philadelphia area.

I believe it's important to recognize the work that Robyn has done as an advocate. It's relatively thankless work that requires conviction. Standing up for your beliefs and expressing them publicly poses the risk of alienating friends and family, even those who agree with you. Nonetheless, we need people who are willing to accept those risks to advocate for the greater good. A poorly written health care bill, costing more for the middle class in taxes while decreasing benefits for those who need them, would have passed the House if there weren't people like Robyn who were willing to publicly address it. One person can make a difference, and we should all thank Robyn for her selfless work to keep America great.

Matt Helfrich

Harleysville, PA

To submit a letter to the editor at Patch, please email local editor justin.heinze@patch.com.

Image via Matt Helfrich