Health Care Reform - a first step

Last night, November 7, 2009, the US House of Representatives passed a Bill, HR 3962, that is a first step toward guaranteeing health care for all Americans. Shamefully, my Representative, Pete Sessions of Texas, along with all but one of his Republican colleagues, voted against the Bill. And immediately after the vote Sessions sent out an e-mail bragging about his vote and trying to scare people about the Bill that did pass. I've just sent the following reply:

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I remain very disappointed in the position that you and your colleagues have taken with respect to Health Care Reform. I have read the Democratic Bill and I have tried to read the Republican proposal that you linked to in your note. I must tell you that understanding the Bill that passed the House is a breeze compared to trying to understand the Republican Alternative Bill.

It is my hope and request that when the Final Bill returns to the House for approval that you will find a way to act in good faith in favor of that Bill. That you will actually examine the benefits of Bill that passed the House and conclude that the benefits far outweigh any concerns that you may harbor. And that, most importantly, that you and your colleagues stop treating Heath Care Reform as if it is a football game where your side can only win by defeating the other side. This is too important for that and it is disappointing that you chosen to obstruct rather than to participate and negotiate.

We are fortunate that on November 7 the United States took a significant step toward becoming a 21st Century nation, rather than sliding into mediocrity. I hope that you will become a part of that movement toward a future that lets us remain proud to be Americans.