Letters to My Congressman (2)

HEALTHCARE FOR ALL AMERICANS

I saw that touching picture of you hugging your brother Mike after your election victory on November 6, 2018. (Although, the thought of a continuing Fitzpatrick dynasty/regime seems a bit un-American to me. Didn’t we revolt from a family dynasty in 1776? ) I truly hope Mike is doing well with his illness. And I am glad he has great health insurance, since my guess is he has a top-notch benefit from being a retired Congressman. My only wish is that every American receive quality medical care when they need it. I want to live in an America where healthcare is a universal right for all its citizens. And I want to elect leaders who will fight for that every day.

I know your brother Mike voted against Obamacare over 50 times when he was in office. I was very disappointed in his desire to fight against a program that, however imperfect, provided healthcare to millions of Americans. But to be charitable, I thought perhaps he had another plan. Did he ever tell you what that plan was?

When your Republican Party took control of the House, the Senate and the White House in 2016, I was hopeful the top priority would be to implement a plan that would provide quality healthcare to even more Americans at lower cost. But instead, you and your Republican Party focused on shoveling trillions of dollars to the rich. As our fact-challenged president often tweets: Sad!

So will you fight for universal healthcare for all Americans? Will you as “an independent and moderate” Republican work with the new Democratic leadership in Congress to vote for legislation that improves our healthcare system instead of doing what your Party has done over the last two years; namely, weaken the financial and regulatory systems that support Obamacare? Many Americans have brothers who are sick and they need healthcare. Please help them.

And I do not want to hear the canard about about “buying health care insurance across state lines.” That will merely promote the selling of worthless junk plans that provide no real coverage. Develop real proposals, not just empty talking points, that will make a profound impact on the health and welfare of millions of Americans. Use your leadership role wisely for the good of fellow Americans in need and not simply to perpetuate your political dynasty.