A letter from Rep. Jim Gerlach on Health Care

[Red Knight]

I live in Reading, and, unfortunately, Republican Jim Gerlach is my congressman. I recently called him about healthcare, expressing support for single-payer or at the very least, a public option.

I thought I'd share part of the response I received in the mail today:

"I certainly share your concerns about the need for health care reform in our country. There is no doubt that health care costs are rising and many Americans of all ages are struggling with these increased costs. During these tough economic times, the need to address health care reform is vital."

"However, I don't share your support for a single payer health care delivery system or for the government to be the single payer. I do not believe that bureaucrats should be making health care decisions for our citizens. It is not the proper role for the government to be telling our citizens what physicians they can see, how many x-rays they can get a year, or what prescriptions they can take. I believe it's imperative to preserve the doctor patient relationship and prevent the government from interfering in those decisions."

From there he goes on to talking about "market-based solutions".

I wrote him about the letter and explained that I was sort of insulted by his representation of single payer with the usual Republican propaganda. I explained that I was informed on the issue.

Look, clearly the Republicans are never going to support any type of public option. But we need to make noise anyway, and lots of it. They still need to hear our voice and understand that propaganda will not sway us and that we demand real answers.

If anyone else from Reading, who has Gerlach as their congressman is reading this, I would urge them to contact him. Let him know that he does not get out of this debate with tired rhetoric about socialized medicine.

It's too important.

[kooljerk666]

1. do nothing Gerlach................

"Our Congressman"!? Gawd he sucks.

I got the exact same letter & still can't believe he got reelected.


On a lighter note Sen Bacus MT, his office hung up on me when they realized I was not from montana.

I called them back & told'em I will call every person in the state & tell them how he took 1.8 million to sell us down the river.

Today I called about 150 Montana voters with the last name Anderson, informed them of Max selling us out & gave them the tool free number to the capitol.

I plan on doing this till max relents & we get single payer.

[Red Knight]

2. Good idea

I don't believe Baucus is up for re-election for awhile but we can't forget this.

I also plan to call him and inform them that I will donate to anyone who runs against him. He has to be the face of health care failure and should be held responsible at election time. He thinks we'll forget.

We won't.