Try a few things before overhaul

Very few would argue the fact that everyone wants reduced health care costs. We need a comprehensive bill that would do just that.

Unfortunately, neither HR 3962 nor the Senate versions, as they now stand, will do that. Instead, they have a bill that will not only increase costs significantly, but impose draconian measures around mandatory coverage, penalties for noncompliance and lead to bankruptcy. The nearly 2,000 page bill is so loaded with articles, sections, references to previous articles and sections that it is incomprehensible.

The bottom line is that costs will increase and sooner or later care will be rationed when the public option eventually comes into play because the "evil" insurance companies will no longer exist.

Medicare coverage will also be cut. The nation will be so far in debt that it will never crawl out.

Many people are asking, "Why not do the simple thing first? Let insurance companies compete across state lines, allow people to buy policies that can be tailored to their individual needs, and enact much needed tort reform. These simple measures would be a tremendous first step. If they are good enough in themselves, great! If more "tweaking" needs to be done, then do it. We need a sane approach

Diane Fatouros

Schaumburg