Listen to the people on health reform
I read with disbelief Ms. Estrich's article wherein she stated that "we send our representatives to Washington not to do what we want them to do". To be a Congressional Representative means just that - to "represent" the people they are elected "to serve".
The majority of the people of this country want health care reform, just not the plan being pushed by Mr. Obama. Mr. Obama was elected to serve the people too, not his agenda.
The promotion of his health care plan is not "courageous", it promotes socialism and could very well bankrupt this country.
Our representatives have not listened to the peoples' request to start out with the obvious, less expensive solutions to reform health care. Without tort reform, the cost of health care will continue to rise.
My gynecologist quit offering obstetric care because of the high cost of malpractice insurance. Even so she still pays $78,000 a year for this insurance, the cost of which is passed on to her patients.
My registered nurse daughter has worked with many doctors who order unnecessary, expensive tests, especially for elderly patients on Medicare, just to avoid the possibility of a lawsuit. Again, we all pay.
Health care reform should also include giving the people the option to buy health insurance across state lines. This would promote healthy competition among our insurers.
Why hasn't Washington included tort reform in its health care plan and pushed for nationwide insurance competition? Because they don't represent us, the people. They are protecting the lawyers and the insurers.
It is time for Washington to wake up and truly represent the people who elected them.
Carol Nalepa
Hoffman Estates