U.S. CONGRESSMAN PAUL C. BROUN, M.D. 10th Congressional District of Georgia

In Georgia I can not get health insurance no matter what the cost because of my pre-existing conditions. I have always had and paid for insurance untill I got sick and could not get it. Do I just lay down and die?

The AARP town hall meeting today sounded as though part of the proposed health care bill would prevent health insurance providers from dropping people with pre-existing conditions.

Taylor Marchman Btmarchman@Windstream.net The present Health care bills in congress will not do any thing about lowering cost. It will ture Health care over to the Federal Government. Tort reform needs to be at the top of the list so Doctors can pratice medicine wthout looking over their shoulder. There should be concern for people with pre-existing conditions. The problem is that insurance companies cannot insure them on an individual basis. Many of them (not all) will sign up for the insurance, have their opration or whatever, get well and drop their plan, leaving the insurance company with the bill to pay with no premium to cover the cost. Maybe all these people need to be put in a group and all insurance companies would be required to offer coverage. The patient could choose their company, pay a portion of the premium and the government pick up part of the cost through a tax deduction, or direct payment to the insurance company. We do not need a Government run Health program.

The plan is being slowed down not by ideology or common sense, but by the millions of dollars of campaign contributions at stake. I and my family of four have had private insurance for the past three years. I have spent over $21,000 in insurance premiums and have yet to see any return on those payments. I have yet to meet a deductible, so I have paid for every hospital visit, every prescription. What is my $21,000 going towards? Right now, large chunks of it are being spent to fight a lower cost alternative that would put insurance companies out of business-- to the tune of about a million dollars a day. I don't blame them-- corporations should be able to do what is in their best interests-- but I do blame you, Mr. Broun. Lying to the American public and saying this plan is "going to kill Americans" is disingenuous at best. We have people dying at the rate of about one person every half hour due to lack of insurance. Most bankrupcies in the US are a result of medical expenses, the large part of those from individuals who have (or had!) medical insurance. People are dying and going broke under the current system NOW! Not to mention all the individuals who die because their insurance company drops them or fails to enroll them in the first place. Meanwhile, insurance companies have decreased the amount of customers they have, and their profits have increased. In the 1990's health insurance companies spent $95 of every $100 on medical claims. Now it's down to $80 for every $100. Medicare and medicade run at a 2-5% overhead. That means for every $100 spent $95-$98 of it goes toward medical costs. I challenge you to explain how the increase in premiums, the increase in profits and the decrease in actual medical coverage is better for us than a single payer or public option running at AT LEAST 15% efficiency over private companies.

We arw 70 & 71 and very upset over the Health Care Bill. Please advise how you will vote and how you stand on this bill

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Dear Sir, I would like for you to hear my voice on the President's Health Care system. I vote "No". Please realize that "the People" do not want Congress to handle our medical needs. I don't understand what is happening to our leaders. It's almost as if you cannot or do not want to hear what "the People" are saying. I don't understand how you can vote yourselves raises or bonuses when the country is in economic ruin. I don't understand why you have control over your raises when you work for us. Shouldn't We vote whether or not you get a raise? I don't understand how you get a different pension plan and health plan than ordinary citizens and, you get them for life even if you serve only one term. What other career gives this kind of preferential treatment? Don't you work for us"? Shouldn't We vote whether or not you get this kind of treatment? I think the Social Security plan would be better if YOU had to draw from it like we do, instead of getting preferential treatment. I heard on the news that the Air Force is getting 3 plush new jets to be used for congress, military brass , and government dignitaries. What's wrong with coach class for you? We use coach class, you work for us, you can use it too You don't need special jets. We can't afford any more luxuries for you. Remember budget cuts? I do understand the two party system and the fact that there are times when one party has more members than others. But, when Democrats or Republcans get to congress, they should become just "Americans" who represent "all" their constituents. Voting along party lines should be abolished. You should vote what "the people" want and what is best for the country, NOT, what's best for Democrats or Republicans, or for yourselves. Lastly, realize that "We the People" are awake, alert, and watching. Hear us, listen to us! You work for us! Performance reviews occur in November each year and we want "good" people who will represent us and not be swayed by parties, lobbyists, or even a President who doesn't share "Our" best interests. Sincerely, Deborah F. Thomas