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Take a modest approach

Dear Editor:

I empathize with Christopher Laursen, whose recent letter (“Take action on health care,” Feb. 8, letters to the editor, The Aspen Times) pleads for health care reform because “if we don’t act, this growing burden will mean more lost jobs, more families pushed into bankruptcy, and more crushing debt for our nation.”

But Mr. Laursen shouldn’t leap to the conclusion that Obamacare would solve these problems. In fact, the 2,000-page House and Senate bills do more to sustain the status quo while pumping trillions into government programs than they do to facilitate the basic restructuring necessary to realize an efficient health care system.



Thankfully, Americans understand and see through politicians’ oldest of confidence rackets – the promise of something for nothing. The bedrock common sense of the American people is summarized by a simple bumper sticker – “You Think Health Care Is Expensive Now? Just Wait Till It’s Free!” Given this disconnect with the voters, it’s no wonder that 75 percent of Americans are angry with the government’s current policies, according to a recent Rasmussen poll.

Politicians should listen to angry voters and move in a different direction. Real reform is still within reach. Congressman Paul Ryan’s “Patients’ Choice Act” (HR2520) is a “small bill” that enacts simple and sensible reforms. It is deficit neutral, promotes cost-containment and ensures health care for all Americans, without interposing more government between patient and doctor.




This more modest approach is what Americans favor by close to a 3-1 margin. A recent poll asked whether Americans prefer Obamacare or a bill that took “more modest steps like allowing the purchase of insurance across state lines to improve competition, creating a risk pool to help people with preexisting conditions afford coverage, and curbing lawsuits against doctors.” By 61 percent to 21 percent, respondents favored the more modest alternative to Obamacare.

Politicians should listen to the people – modesty is the best policy.

Melanie Sturm

Aspen