January 19, 2011
Dear Editor:
The GOP is gearing up for this week's House vote on repealing the health care bill -- and the time for us to take a stand is right now. We need to be clear about what Republicans are trying to do: take away health care from 32 million uninsured Americans who have no other lifeline. These folks -- our family, friends, neighbors, loved ones -- need us to advocate for them, to speak out strongly and compassionately.
Speaker Boehner and the Republicans have grievously misled the public about health care reform from day one, and it's time to get real about the consequences of a repeal: families going into debt from medical costs they can't afford. Women losing coverage for life-saving mammograms and critical maternity care. Seniors having to choose between their medication and buying food. And $230 billion added to the deficit (over 10 years).
This is why I'm saying: we simply can't turn our backs on our fellow Americans and the future of this country by allowing a repeal of health care.
What would this repeal mean? It would be a gigantic step backwards -- a disastrous move for our fellow citizens and for the direction of our nation. We must talk about the devastating results of losing health care reform:
- Women would be unable to get preventative services that save lives, because their gender is a pre-existing condition
- With over 9% unemployment, young people who can't afford skyrocketing premiums would be kicked off their parents' plans
- And seniors, some of our most vulnerable citizens, could lose essential prescription coverage that their lives depend on
We cannot sit idly by while Boehner and the GOP try to roll back reforms that dramatically improve the lives and well-being of millions of Americans. This touches all of us. Adequate, affordable health care can't be the luxury for a precious few in this country -- every single one of us needs and deserves it.
I would urge everyone reading this to call their Congressional representative and demand that they vote against this bill, this is not the time to backslide on healthcare for our family, friends, loved ones and neighbors.
Sincerely,
David M. Quintana
