The Senate Finance Committee will be voting on this plan 10/13/09. PDF of the Congressional Budget Office info I mention is HERE. The members of the Committee and easy contact info is (including e-mail) HERE.

FYI for anyone that cares, here's my (way to long, but I'm mad) message to Senator Schumer:  
Dear Sir, As a registered and active voter in your district, I want to strongly tell you to NOT vote for the 'America's Health Future Act 2009'.  

FIrst, I believe the Federal government has no Constitutional authority to undertake such sweeping changes to such a critical area of my life.  

Second, the only way this bill is even remotely 'revenue neutral' (as per my reading of the CBO information on your web site), is through TAXATION and FINES of our citizens.  

Third, the idea that fines and taxes on high-rate plans will fund the expensive program is fatally flawed. Once fined, a person will then switch to your system... causing a double negative effect to the budget: The costs increase with their addition, the revenue decreases by losing their fines. Finally Sir, I am outraged that you are even considering such fines and taxes.  

What gives the Federal government of the United States the right to charge an individual money FOR NOT DOING WHAT THE GOVERNMENT WISHES. 

Sir, this is a tyrannical act that will not stand with citizens.  

If a person is wealthy and choses to self-insure, how can you tax them for that? If a person chooses to belong to a private co-op that is faith based, how can you fine them, and essentially drive these sort of ideas out of business?? Forcing less health insurance options will not serve anyone. Please think beyond the details of this or that program and look at the big picture.  

Americans can figure this issue out themselves. It is NOT a crisis. If Medicare is in crisis, fix that, but DO NOT meddle in my health care in this way.  

Or at least consider that in such a crisis time in our country, there is no reason to experiment with such a key area and one that even the most positive polls show 40% support. We may have trouble voting you out of office for acts like this Sir, but you may wish to consider how many of your associates are not so well seated and will be affected by the nationally strong feeling against these plans.  

This is a new era in American politics, as evidenced by the millions of attendees at Tea Parties and Town Hall Meetings. You are acting in a way that will create a wave of votes against anyone that supports you.  

Please err on the side of caution and vote against ANY additonal Federal Government involvement in the health care system.  


And to the Republicans (with variations for Sir/Madam Senator, etc):

Dear Senator Ensign,

As a registered Republican and active voter, I want to strongly tell you to NOT vote for the 'America's Health Future Act 2009'.  

FIrst, I believe the Federal government has no Constitutional authority to undertake such sweeping changes to such a critical area of my life.  

Second, the only way this bill is even remotely 'revenue neutral' (as per my reading of the CBO information on a Senate web site), is through TAXATION and FINES of our citizens. Third, the idea that fines and taxes on high-rate plans will fund the expensive program is fatally flawed.  

Once fined, a person will then switch to your system... causing a double negative effect to the budget: The costs increase with their addition, the revenue decreases by losing their fines. Finally Sir, I am outraged that they are even considering such fines and taxes. What gives the Federal government of the United States the right to charge an individual money FOR NOT DOING WHAT THE GOVERNMENT WISHES. This is a tyrannical act that will not stand with citizens.  

If a person is wealthy and choses to self-insure, how can you tax them for that? If a person chooses to belong to a private co-op that is faith based, how can you fine them, and essentially drive these sort of ideas out of business?? Forcing less health insurance options will not serve anyone.  

Please think beyond the details of this or that program and look at the big picture. Americans can figure this issue out themselves. It is NOT a crisis. If Medicare is in crisis, fix that, but DO NOT meddle in my health care in this way.  

Or at least consider that in such a crisis time in our country, there is no reason to experiment with such a key area and one that even the most positive polls show 40% support.  

This is a new era in American politics, as evidenced by the millions of attendees at Tea Parties and Town Hall Meetings.  

IF the Republican party has any interest in my considering their candidates in the future, this is a key issue I will be watching to see if they are strongly AGAINST.  

I am in no way loyal to the Republican party. Their liberal, big-government actions over the last 20 years have made that so. Does your party want my vote again? I am watching to see who will stand up against these plans on principle, not just for Party.  

Please err on the side of caution and vote against ANY additonal Federal Government involvement in the health care system.