An open letter to Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI)

In one of my classes this semester, Comparative Systems for Translation, we are currently discussing the health care system in the United States and how it compares to systems in other countries. It has been very helpful to me in clarifying my thinking about the issues, and the letter below is a product of that thinking.

Disclaimer: As a rule, I do not participate in partisanship. I seek to approach politics from a moral standpoint, and to discuss issues themselves rather than contribute to divisiveness by arguing for the sake of arguing. Please feel free to comment, but please also keep it civil :)

Dear Mr. Sensenbrenner,

I am a 24-year-old graduate student and I was recently diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, which led to my being hospitalized for three weeks. This was completely unexpected, and I considered myself to be very healthy before suddenly getting sick in early January.

My out-of-pocket medical costs for this year have already reached several thousands of dollars, and more bills continue to arrive in the mail each week. Considering that I already have over $50,000 in student loan debt, to say that my unexpected illness has caused a financial burden is an understatement.

However, I consider myself lucky—I have a family to support me, I have a job and I am financially stable, and I have private health insurance. I am confident that I will be able to continue to receive quality health care, and that I will eventually pay off my debts.

The problem, Mr. Sensenbrenner, is that many of my fellow Americans are not as lucky as I am. Many do not benefit from a support network like mine. Many have lost their homes and their jobs due to economic forces beyond their control, and many—far too many—do not have health insurance coverage.

In a country with as much wealth and resources as United States, it is morally unacceptable for quality health care to be available only to those who can afford it.

I understand that your plan is to establish a tax credit for the purchase of private health insurance. While this may make insurance slightly more affordable, it is wholly inadequate and can hardly be called reform. Even if someone who is currently uninsured is able to purchase insurance as a result of the tax credit, this does not guarantee that they will be able to pay for their health care. As my example clearly illustrates, holding private coverage does reduce the impact of health care costs on individuals—were I uninsured my medical bills would surely be in the tens of thousands rather than the thousands of dollars—however, it does nothing to guarantee that health care will be affordable for all Americans.

The current health care system in the United States is lamentably defective, and requires fundamental changes. It ought to be focused on health rather than money, include a robust public option, give individuals true freedom to make decisions that affect their health, extend health care to everyone within our borders, and produce happy, healthy, and engaged citizens.

I understand that President Obama’s plan will not achieve all of these goals. It, too, is far from adequate, but it is a step in the right direction. Clearly, protecting people from being denied coverage due to pre-existing conditions, or dropped from their plans when they get sick, and especially making preventive care completely free—all elements of President Obama’s plan—will do far more to reduce costs and improve the health of our great nation than will a lousy tax credit.

It is for this reason that I urge you to rise above partisan politics and respond to the crying needs of the American people by supporting the health reform bill.

Thank you.

Daniel Greuel, independent voter