Facts point to need for health care fix

There are several key facts that are being overlooked in the debate about health care reform.

Fact: Your medical care is already rationed. Nearly all health care policies have a maximum lifetime benefit. Plus, there are restrictions on how much dental, optical and wellness care you can receive.

Fact: There is no free-market health care system. The only viable option for most Americans is the plan chosen by their employer. The cost of non-employer plans is prohibitive, even when someone can qualify.

Fact: Your choice of doctors is restricted. The only affordable care is through doctors and hospitals your insurance company contracts with.

Fact: Bureaucrats decide your health care options. Your choice of treatment options is dictated by insurance company bureaucrats, not you and your doctor.

Fact: Health care is a massive bureaucracy. Health insurance companies have created an overly complicated bureaucratic system that wastes billions.

Fact: Our health care system hurts private industry. Small businesses often cannot afford health care and many workers can't change jobs because they need health care coverage. This has caused massive economic inefficiencies.

Fact: This is not the Obama health care plan, this is the system we currently have and the one Republicans want to keep.

Charles Rotblut

Vernon Hills