Courage and Common Sense

The story of the U.S. Congress passing sweeping health reform legislation this week and the President signing it into law is about the triumph of courage and common sense. It was a hard fought battle over the last fourteen months and it took political courage for many of the lawmakers to persist in getting it done.

 

I’ve already applauded their courage and tenacity as well as the leadership of the President. But let us not loose sight of the fact that at the core of this bill are found commonsense solutions to decades old injustice and abuse in our health care system. And let us look at what Congressman Elton Gallegly voted against.

 

Elton Gallegly voted against helping small businesses to provide coverage with new tax credits.

 

Elton Gallegly voted against reducing premiums for many who buy their own coverage by an average of nearly 60 percent –while getting better coverage than what they have today.

Elton Gallegly voted against helping those on Medicare by substantially reducing prescription drug prices?

 

Elton Gallegly voted against no longer determining eligibility by health status or pre-existing conditions – requiring insurance companies to offer coverage and preventing them from boosting rates or dropping you from your coverage when you get sick.

 

As parents of college age children, my husband and I can keep our children on our insurance plan until the age of 26, if necessary. Economically, that is very helpful for average, middle class families.

 

Cost estimates by the Congressional Budget Office show that the bill would reduce federal budget deficits by $143 billion in the next 10 years.  This represents significant savings over our current system and is especially appealing to me.   

 

But for Elton Gallegly, the fact that Americans will clearly benefit from the legislation is not on his agenda. Block progress. Block change. That is what he will continue to do. Unless we act and work together to change that this year.  Starting now.

 

My candidacy and our campaign are about creating opportunity. Both are informed by the values of courage and common sense. It is what inspired Congress this week and what motivates us to reach out to voters who are frustrated by Gallegly’s obstinate rejection of the common good. Join us.