Need health care that keeps up

Myths are proliferating regarding health care reform legislation. Opponents have twisted a provision of the bill regarding planning living wills into untrue claims that the government would start making decisions about when to stop providing care for the elderly.

This is completely untrue. Fifty four percent of Americans falsely believe that health care reform would lead to a "government takeover of the health care system" through the "public option." In fact, "public option" is an option that would give Americans more choice and keep private insurance companies honest.

Many Americans falsely believe that President Obama's plan would extend health insurance coverage to illegal immigrants. In fact, the very Republicans who are spreading this idea voted for the same language in President Bush's Medicare Part D bill in 2003.

America needs health care reform. Let's pass a bill that will give all Americans the health care that other advanced countries provide for their citizens.

Jean McCollum

Naperville