More criticism of McCarthy's vote on reform
Health care is a lifeline
Rep. Kevin McCarthy voted against H.R. 3962. It may not be clear to those who have good health insurance and no pre-existing condition why this is a big problem.
Check with the handicapped like me -- I can walk because I give myself a shot once a week and the shot would cost $600 each if I lost my military health insurance. That would be $31,200 a year or a wheelchair and a bed (maybe a hospital one).
McCarthy, please resist the campaign contributions of for-profit health insurance companies that drop good Americans who've paid their premiums for 20 years, then get cancer or another serious illness. Those good Americans then are too expensive to insure so "their" insurance companies drop the dying patients. Patients go bankrupt (two-thirds of U.S. bankruptcies are because of uninsured medical bills!) and lose their houses along with their lives. Help pass a plan to stop the for-profit insurance companies from their worst behavior. McCarthy, we need help now.
I thank all the House members who voted for H.R. 3962, who resisted the tremendous pressure of the insurance industry lobbyists and stood up for their constituents.
I want to thank McCarthy, too. It's critical for so many Americans. It's what Jesus would do. Please vote for affordable health care.
JENNY LEE MASON
Bakersfield
Time to stop bickering
I noticed that Congressman Kevin McCarthy voted against the health care reform bill. I am a veteran currently being seen at the VA clinic here in Bakersfield.
I know that McCarthy is a Republican. I am an independent. I believe both sides are imperfect. I also think that regardless of which side proposes this bill, something needs to be done about the health care system here in America, especially the VA.
I hope that McCarthy is not voting against this bill because he is a Republican and a Democrat is proposing it. It is time that both sides stop the bickering and put the American people first. If a Republican were trying to fix the health care system with the type of enthusiasm that the president is, than I would vote with that person, too.
As public officials who are voted into office, one of the many jobs of a congressman involves protecting and putting the interest of all his constituents first, Republicans, Democrats, and independents alike.
I hope McCarthy takes into consideration all of his constituents' points of view, since his district is not only influenced by Republicans.
SHUNTE BANKS
Bakersfield
Make this work
For years, this nation has rallied around certain events that brought us together as one people -- in times of peace and war.
Now we have another opportunity to come together as a nation and do something about our failed health care system. Recently, my significant other, the widow of a fallen Marine, had to have an MRI-PET-and CT scan performed -- total cost, $14,000. That's more than my pick-up truck cost me. Who out there, with no health care insurance, can cut a check for 14 grand? Fortunately, she does have insurance, thanks to her widow's pension. But what about the tens of millions who don't?
When we watch as to the progress of this health care debate, we sit silently and shake our heads, thinking only one thing. It's time to help our people as a nation. Legislators, respond to the people's well being.
It's time to stop this bickering between parties and get behind the healing of this nation for generations to come.
I like to think that the 21st century will bring new and exciting advances in all fields for all nations globally, yet there are still those stuck in their old way of thinking. Few of us have honorary board of directors jobs waiting for us when leaving elected office -- or health care for life, on the taxpayer's dime. It's time to do the right thing for the American people.
JOHN ANAYA
Bakersfield
Expose hypocrisy
If health care for all U.S. citizens does not become a reality, then all federal employees should have to pay the same premiums as do the general public, have coverage limitations and exclusions for pre-existing conditions.
The hypocrisy of our elected representatives should be exposed and they should be voted out of office.
WILLIAM CROWELL
Lake Isabella
Reconsider vote
As a retired veteran and a person involved in local help organizations, I see the need for health care for all citizens as a human right. Kevin McCarthy hdid not favor H.R.3962, but I pray that he votes yes the next time a simiular bill comes to the House.
MATTHEW CRUISE
Bakersfield
Remember who you serve
As the long awaited health care reform bill passed the House, bringing closer to reality the promise of a more efficient, more affordable and more inclusive health care insurance for the American people, I watched in great disappointment the news about our congressman, Kevin McCarthy, voted against the bill.
As a resident of Kern County, where the per capita income considerably lags behind that of the state of California, with about 21 percent of the population living below poverty line, I found it necessary to get answers to why McCarthy took such position seemingly aiming to deny a great number of his constituents the great benefits of reform.
The new health care bill serves the greater good of the American people. This is a fact that should be just as clear to our congressmen as it is to us. No longer will it be acceptable for the public interest to be pushed aside for the sake of special interest. McCarthy and others in the House who opposed this bill need to reexamine their positions and rearrange their priorities and to remember the people whom they pledged to serve.
AHMED ELSHENNAWY
Bakersfield
Do the right thing
The tragedy is that millions of Americans are not covered by health care. Insurance companies control what care is given and withheld by a practice of citing technicalities -- i. e., preexisting conditions or cancellation of coverage if a beneficiary contracts a medical condition requiring treatment.
The insurance companies make millions of dollars and the citizens suffer illness, loss of livelihood and bankruptcy.
Shame on Rep. Kevin McCarthy for not doing what he took an oath to do, namely work for the citizens of Kern County to better their lives. As a nurse, I refer individuals daily to the medically indigent adult program at Kern Medical Center.
McCarthy will have another chance to vote for health care reform. I hope he does what is morally and ethically right for the persons who put him in his position to work for them.
REGINA KANE
Bakersfield
Tort reform won't matter
I have been pondering the idea of tort reform as a means of reducing the cost of medical care and I have come to this conclusion: limiting the amount of damages that can be awarded in medical malpractice cases will not reduce the overall cost of medical services.
Does anyone believe that his doctor requests unnecessary or needless tests in order to avoid such litigation? Of course not. If your doctor is a good doctor he (she) will do what ever is necessary to identify and correct whatever your medical problem is. Malpractice cases would be based on either applicable tests not performed or more importantly on missed diagnoses.
If we limit the amount of damages that could be awarded, do we believe this could mean that there are some tests that are now performed that would not be done? Will not some of these tests, though their likelihood of success is small, prove successful? if the doctor fails to properly diagnose your illness or problem and a jury finds that a reasonable doctor would have reached the correct diagnosis, should you not be compensated for your pain, discomfort, shortened life or disability?
The total cost of malpractice suits is roughly 3 percent of the total health care costs. Eliminating punitive damages or limiting the amount that can be recovered for pain and suffering does little to stem the rise in medical costs but does impact the lives of the families involved. "Tort reform" is a red herring.
ALBERT ABRAMS
Bakersfield
It'll only get worse
The status quo in health care is failing American families. Too many insurance company denials. Skyrocketing costs. Too many without adequate coverage or any coverage at all. But if we don't get reform, things won't just stay the same -- they'll get worse.
A recent Urban Institute report indicates that unless we enact changes now, those who manage to keep their coverage will pay an even heftier price over the next 10 years, with individual and family spending on health care increasing in California by 46 percent by 2019. Nationally, up to 57 million Americans could find themselves uninsured, including nearly 9 million in California by 2019. And this, according to the report, is the best-case scenario.
In our congressional district, represented by Jim Costa, delaying real health care reform would devastate communities. Currently 288,000 people in this district -- 41 percent of the district -- have no insurance, and countless more are severely underinsured. Thousands in our community are being forced into bankruptcy due to health care costs.
If we fail to act, even the so-called best-case scenario laid out in the report would do little to help already struggling working families. But we can't settle for just any reform. We have to enact genuine reform that includes a public health care option to hold down costs and keep insurance companies honest.
As it stands, insurance companies have a stranglehold on our health care system, driving up costs and coming between middle class Americans and the care they need.
DONNY WILLIAMS
Kern, Inyo, Mono Counties
Central Labor Council
Bakersfield
Nothing more costly than free
Old age is a hoot. Let's say a guy is 80 years old. First of all, he is five years past life expectancy, so he is living on borrowed time. Next, all of his body parts have a lot of wear and tear on them and probably need some repair. He is probably on a fixed income. "Boy are you in a fix."
So, he does not hear too well. To stop people from cursing him because he says, "Huh?" a lot, he needs hearing aids to the tone of four to five grand. The teeth will cost about three grand. So, for seven or eight grand, he can be brought up to date. He can eat and communicate for as long as he lasts.
Free medical care looks pretty good to him. He doesn't care who pays for it as long as it isn't him. Besides, he has contributed one heck of a lot to this country and now they can pay him back, one part at a time. He also has learned that there is nothing more expensive than "free."
KENNETH M. CANNON
Bakersfield
