Imperfect health bill at least a start

On Nov. 7, a step was finally taken toward health care insurance reform. Is the House bill perfect? Absolutely not; in fact it is so imperfect I question my sanity for admitting support of its passage.

However, I live in the real world - this past week my 2010 heath care cost estimates were shared, and I was told that the "average" increase is running "about 12 percent." Modifying my plan, we'd "only" see an increase in the high single digits, which I somehow felt happy about. So, for all of you who are drew lines in the sand and continue fighting ideological battles with raised voice and chants and endless useless punditry - I simply say - inaction was not an option.

Here, on the front line trying to run a business and actually do what so many people are shouting about, it's just not that easy. To provide a solid health care plan that offers my employees a measure of security while being one that we (both the business and the employees) can afford has never been tougher. This is first time in my lifetime that a chamber of Congress ever passed anything resembling comprehensive health insurance reform - and for that, however flawed, I am thankful.

Call me crazy, or misinformed if you like, although I am neither. I am, however, a businessman whose "health care plan" costs well over $400,000 a year and in this economy when many business have seen revenues drop by 20 or 30 percent or even more, the time had long since come for action. So, to the 220 members of the House who voted 'Yes,' this American thanks you for actually doing something instead of just arguing about it. It's a start.

Larry Burns

Wheaton