HR 3200 Helps North San Luis Obispo

Our final look at how our government can help us in north San Luis Obispo county via the House Resolution (HR 3200) also titled "America’s Affordable Health Choices Act."

Affordable is the keyword. It would provide significant benefits in the 22nd Congressional District represented by Congressman Kevin McCarthy. The district spans north San Luis Obispo county across to most of Kern county.

Up to 12,200 small businesses could receive tax credits to provide coverage to their employees;

10,200 seniors would avoid the donut hole in Medicare Part D;

1,300 families could escape bankruptcy each year due to unaffordable health care costs; health care providers would receive payment for $48 million in uncompensated care each year and

107,000 uninsured individuals would gain access to high-quality, affordable health insurance.

A note about financial security. There have been 1,300 health care-related bankruptcies in the district in 2008, caused primarily by the health care costs not covered by insurance. The bill provides health insurance for almost every American and caps annual out-of-pocket costs at $10,000 per year, ensuring that no citizen will have to face financial ruin because of high health care costs.

Coverage of the uninsured? There are 130,000 uninsured individuals in the district, 17% of the district. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that nationwide, 97% of all Americans will have insurance coverage when the bill takes effect. If this benchmark is reached in the district, 107,000 people who currently do not have health insurance will receive coverage.

Best of all, there's no deficit spending. The cost of health care reform under the legislation is fully paid for: half through making the Medicare and Medicaid program more efficient and half through a surtax on the income of the wealthiest individuals.

This surtax would affect only 2,710 households in the district. So less than one percent of all people living in this district would pay a little more to share the benefits this country has shared with them. 99.1% of all taxpayers in the district would not be affected by the surtax.

Surely these 2700 people (.9%) could have it in their heart to follow in the steps of the Great Healer and help those less fortunate than themselves. They might even smile more for having done a good deed for their fellow man--a deed which will last a long, long time.

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HR 3200 Health Care Reform Benefits For You

Some staffers on the US House Committee on Energy and Commerce have been burning the midnight oil to get the facts straight for the Central Coast on HR 3200, also known as "America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009."

They have crunched the numbers and for 639,088 people living in Lois Capps' 23rd Congressional District, the coastal areas of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, it breaks down like this:

Up to 15,700 small businesses could receive tax credits to provide coverage to their employees;

4,100 seniors would avoid the donut hole in Medicare Part D;

350 families could escape bankruptcy each year due to unaffordable health care costs;

Health care providers would get payment for $50 million in uncompensated care each year and

148,000 uninsured individuals would gain access to high-quality, affordable health insurance.

I'll post what the picture looks like for our other two districts in the next two days. You're welcome!

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Private Insurers Are The Death Panels

Those people protesting the "Obamacare" health insurance reform probably understand one thing. The private insurers such as UnitedHealth make money by denying treatment. Simple as that.

Here's a story from a syndicated, professional writer, Froma Harrop.

Hers is a heartbreaking story. I'm sure there are other wrenching tales from our neighbors here on the central coast, in San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria and Santa Barbara. Big towns, little towns.

The public option must be part of the legislation. Give people the choice to keep their own private insurance--or choose the option. Just ask yourself--can I really afford my health insurance now? Could I afford a 20% rise in cost next year?

You know the answer, the only one, must come from what we pass into legislation this year.

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How To Support The Troops

One week ago today, before Christmas, the Santa Barbara city council unanimously passed a resolution calling for an end to combat operations in Iraq and withdrawal of American troops. The room was celebrating the accomplishment.

Perhaps there can be "Peace On Earth, Goodwill to Men." Consider this event part of a growing national groundswell. Our county seat has joined more than 300 other cities that have passed similar resolutions!

In fact, in June, The annual U.S. Conference of Mayors was held in Los Angeles and passed a "Bring Home the Troops resolution." (See page 200.)

According to the Santa Barbara Independent, "the (Santa Barbara city's) resolution was crafted by Councilmember Das Williams and Mayor Marty Blum, who are hoping it will persuade the State Legislature to enact a similar proclamation, which, in turn, will increase the pressure on any presidential aspirants seeking to win the hearts and minds of California voters in the state primary this February."

California cities and counties that have passed a resolution to end the Iraq War or a similar Peace Resolution:

Alameda County, Arcata, Berkeley, Coachella, Davis, Los Angeles, Marin County, Oakland, Richmond, Sacramento, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and Sebastopol.

Will this energy soon spread to Lompoc, Santa Maria and cities in SLO county in 2008? (San Luis Obispo's city council passed an anti-war resolution in January of 2003.)
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