Obama must do what it takes to fix system
We're all concerned with increasing health costs, but you don't realize it until something happens to you personally. In December I broke my leg. Surgery had to be done and I spent four days in the hospital. I had what I considered "good" insurance through my wife's work.
Even after insurance, I will probably be left with close to $5,000 in bills. Both my wife and I are working professionals, but even for us this will be a major expense altering all plans for this year and putting on hold college savings for our two kids.
What would having a bill like that do to a family where only one person works at a more modest salary? And this was just a broken leg, not really a serious illness.
Health reform must be passed immediately, or our nation's ability to compete on a global market will continue to be seriously jeopardized. As families are pushed into bankruptcy and companies drop coverage, the work force becomes demoralized, stifling innovation and initiative.
Republicans should stop being hypocritical. They voice concerns about the rising deficit, but it is clear their plan of doing nothing and saying "no" to everything already brought us to where we are. And Democrats should stop being so "democratic" as to allow a few senators to stall the reform, or they will risk losing support of moderate people like myself. It is inexcusable to not achieve this reform when you had such an overwhelming mandate from the majority of voters. President Obama must lead this effort with much more force. We elected him to be a leader, not a peace maker on the hill. And if this means twisting some arms or not involving the opposite side, then so be it!
Vadim Kontorovich
Buffalo Grove