[UPDATED] Note to Senator Amy Klobuchar

I composed this note to Senator Amy Klobuchar upon hearing that she had mailed a letter stating she does not intend to sign the letter to Harry Reid in support of Reconciliation and the Public Option. I'm sharing the contents of that letter in the hope it will inspire you to also compose a note to Senator Klobuchar encouraging her to sign the letter and support the Reconciliation and Public Option. Feel free to copy my note if you wish.

I have heard you will not sign the letter in support of the Public Option. I would like to ask you to reconsider. The Public Option is supported by a majority of Americans and its potential for cost savings is important. As you know the cost of health care for Minnesotans, as well as the rest of Americans, is skyrocketing. We need to revamp our health care system and that revamp needs to include a strong public option. Please take time to think about this issue again and reconsider your position. Join your fellow Senator Al Franken and sign the letter in support of the Public Option & Reconciliation.

Thank you for your time.

You can locate Senator Klobuchar's website by clicking on the header to this post or go straight to her email form by clicking here.

UPDATE 2/18/10:
This evening in my email I received a response from Senator Klobuchar, I have pasted it in its entirety below...

February 18, 2010

Thank you for contacting me about health care reform. Knowing your views is important to me as I work to ensure that Americans have affordable, high-quality health care choices. Many of you have written to me in the past and I want to take a moment to update you on the status of the health care reform legislation.

As you know, I am committed to enacting reform that will provide stable coverage and lower costs for Minnesota families, businesses, and individuals. Health spending in our country currently accounts for more than one-sixth of our economy. It is imperative that we act to make the system cost-effective, proactive and stable. As Congress works toward solutions to rising health care costs, I will continue to push for a bill that includes strong cost reforms, protections against insurance company abuses, comprehensive Medicare coverage and debt reduction.

This past fall health care reform legislation passed in the House of Representatives. The Senate passed its version of the health care reform bill, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, at the end of December. The Senate bill includes incentives to increase access to primary care doctors, especially in rural areas; provides extensive tax credits to small businesses to purchase health care plans for employees; bans insurance companies from denying coverage due to pre-existing conditions; fixes the "donut hole" by giving seniors better coverage for their prescription drugs; and includes provisions to combat Medicare fraud. If enacted, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office indicates that the Senate bill would reduce the federal deficit by $132 billion and extend the solvency of Medicare by nine years.

Currently, procedural options for the bill include having the House of Representatives pass the Senate health reform bill with changes and send it back to the Senate for a vote, or begin work on passing a revised bill. Among the changes I would like to see are eliminating the "Nebraska deal," improved protection for middle-class taxpayers, and making sure there is more transparency as the process continues.

While we continue to consider this legislation, I will work to ensure any version ultimately passed by Congress includes measures to benefit our state. I fought hard to ensure that the Senate bill included specific provisions to provide better health care for Minnesotans. Minnesota has consistently provided higher quality care, yet our health care providers are reimbursed for their services at a disproportionately low rate. To address this problem I worked to make sure that my bill to create a "value index" within the Medicare reimbursement system was included in the Senate bill. This provision would reduce costs by rewarding high-quality, cost-effective results, rather than paying procedure-by-procedure.

I was also able to ensure that the Senate bill reduced the original fee on medical devices - an innovative industry critical to our state's economy - by $18 billion and I worked to secure additional Medicaid dollars for the state of Minnesota. The Senate bill also includes the EARLY Act, a bill that I introduced to provide increased support and awareness to young women about the risks of breast cancer.

Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me. One of the most important parts of my job is listening to what the people of Minnesota have to say to me. I am here in our nation's capital to do the public's business and to serve the people of our state. I hope you will contact me again about matters of concern to you.

Sincerely,
Amy Klobuchar
United States Senator

The response doesn't actually address my concerns, in fact it really skirts my whole email and just tells me what Health Care Reform she supports. The question of the letter to Harry Reid isn't even addressed in her response. Perhaps YOU can get a better response from her. Please email Senator Klobuchar and ask her to sign the letter to Harry Reid in support of a Public Option and using Reconciliation to pass it. Hurry, email her today!

There's still time to save Health Care Reform

Reconciliation in a legislative process is defined as follows:

A legislative process in the United States Senate intended to allow consideration of a contentious bill without the threat of filibuster.

Bold Democratic Representatives have authored a letter to Majority Leader Harry Reid encouraging him to use reconciliation in passing Health Care Reform with a Public Option. But we still need your help. Contact your Representative and tell them you support a Strong Public Option. Follow the link, fill in your Name, Address & Zip Code then follow the instructions to call your Representative and voice your support!

You CAN make a difference, call your Representative today!

We MUST Pass Health Care Reform!

Reconciliation in a legislative process is defined as follows:

A legislative process in the United States Senate intended to allow consideration of a contentious bill without the threat of filibuster.

Health Care Reform is in jeopardy. Although the Democrats have the largest majority in decades, they no longer have the magic filibuster proof 60 votes. But all is not lost. Representatives Jared Polis and Chellie Pingree have authored a letter to Majority Leader Harry Reid encouraging him to use reconciliation in passing Health Care Reform with a Public Option. But we still need your help. Contact your Representative and tell them you support a Strong Public Option. Follow the link, fill in your Name, Address & Zip Code then follow the instructions to call your Representative and voice your support!

You CAN make a difference, call your Representative today!

Massachusetts & the Future of America [Updated]

Health Care Reform in America is a top priority yet all the progress we've made could be lost in an instant if tomorrow's Massachusetts election is won by the Republican Party.

Massachusetts is holding a Special Election Tuesday January 19th to fill the seat vacated by the late Democratic Senator Ted Kennedy. In the running for the seat are (D)Attorney General, Martha Coakley; (R)State Senator, Scott Brown; (Ind)Libertarian Activist, Joe Kennedy; and (Write-in)Anti-Biotech Engineering Activist, John Howard. Leading the race are (D) Martha Coakley and (R) Scott Brown who are literally neck and neck in the polls. The outcome of this race is important because it could mean the end of Health Care Reform. The White House sees this race as so important, President Barack Obama made a campaign stop in Massachusetts in support of Martha Coakley. We need to win this seat, Health Care Reform is too important.

What can any of us do? If you have extra to give, you can visit Martha's campaign site and donate to her campaign. More importantly, you can contact any of your friends or family members living in Massachusetts and express your support for Martha Coakley. Explain to them why it's important for Ms. Coakley to win this race and what it means for the whole country. Encourage residents of Massachusetts to get out and vote, we can't win this race if people stay home.

Want some background information on the Republican candidate Scott Brown? Think Progress has information on Mr. Brown's position on Obama's legitimacy, his attempts to kill aide to Haiti and his justification for denying aid to 9/11 workers. Need more reasons to support Martha Coakley over Scott Brown? His relationship with Wall Street Fat Cats should give anyone an extra push.

Support Health Care Reform, Support Martha Coakley!

Update:
Received this tweet from Martha Coakley
Take action! Text CALL to 62262. You'll then get a call back w/talking points + connect to a Massachusetts voter #MASen

Nebraska's Ben Nelson pimps his vote, feels backlash

I posted a few days ago and openly asked Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska if he could separate himself from his history with the Insurance industry, he answered by pimping his Health Care vote to his fellow Democrats in return for the federal government paying 100 percent of Nebraska's Medicaid tab indefinitely. He might call it a brilliant move of compromise getting the most possible for his state but others call it bribery. “Is it appropriate for the federal government to do a special deal for one state to get that senator’s vote and every other state will incur financial liability?” Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina asked. Still others might call Senator Graham and other Senator's negative reactions "Sour Grapes". Perhaps they are regretting blindly opposing the bill instead of playing it "smart" as Senator Nelson seems to have done. History will be the ultimate judge in this ongoing saga but for now we'll have to wait and see. Never before do I remember so much wrangling and cajoling to get a bill passed that will ultimately do the country's citizenry good. Perhaps that's because the last time historic legislation such as this passed, I was not yet born.

References: NYT Prescriptions and CNN Politics

Update: NYT Prescriptions Blog is now reporting "10 Red states Now Questioning Nelson Deal.

Will Lieberman listen to constituents?

Sentor Joe Lieberman has made it perfectly clear he does not support Health Care Reform. He was recently quoted as saying, "If a government plan is part of the deal, "as a matter of conscience, I will not allow this bill to come to a final vote." Connecticut residents have heard and responded in numbers greater than 400.

An evening prayer vigil that began at Senator Joe Lieberman's Alma Mater, Stamford High School, transformed into a candlelight march to the senator's condo building. While marching participants sang "This Little Light of Mine." Upon arriving at Sen. Lieberman's buildng, demonstrators were met by police who blocked access to the building. Building resident Shirley Binin, who had walked with the crowd, stepped up and received a communal letter calling for Lieberman to support health care reform and walked into the building while vigil participants chanted, "We will be back."

Sen. Lieberman has not made himself available to Health Care Reform proponents. Huffington Post reports, "For a man who loves the spotlight, he manages to hide from the glare of his constituents. While he preens, people die, and will continue to die because of senators like Lieberman, who have determined that their convictions are more important than their constituents lives."

Read the letter that was delivered to Sen. Lieberman at Huffington Post

The question remains, if he won't entertain his constituents, will he read their letter? Does he even care about what the people who he represents want? Well Sen. Lieberman, do you?

--Source Huffington Post

Contact Sen. Joe Lieberman and tell him to vote for Health Care Reform.
Washington, D.C. Website:
http://lieberman.senate.gov/index.cfm

Washington, D.C. Address
706 Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-4041
Fax: 202-224-9750

District Address
One Constitution Plaza
7th Floor
Hartford, CT 06103
Phone: 860-549-8463
Phone: 800-225-5605

Key Staff Addresses
Clarine Riddle
Chief of Staff
706 Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-4041

Rayanne Bostick
Scheduler
706 Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-4041

Rob Sawicki
Media Director
706 Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-4041

MN Senator Amy Klobuchar wants to see improved preparedness

As we all know there is a shortage of both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 (swine) flu vaccines. We've all heard the reason for this has been blamed on the way the vaccines are made, in chicken's eggs. Apparently the virus' did not grow well this year and therefore caused fewer vaccines to be developed in a timely manner. This has caused many to ask the question, why do we still grow these viruses in chicken's eggs? The obvious answer is "that's how we've always done it" but why do we still do it? Surely in this day and age of advanced medicine we have better ways to grow these viruses and develop them into vaccines. These are the questions our Minnesota Senator, Amy Klobuchar, hopes to get answered. Ms Klobuchar is holding discussions with public health experts to try to find answers to these questions. She's also believes there must be better ways for the state of Minnesota to distribute the vaccines and prepare for health emergencies in the future. I say bravo, Ms Klobuchar! Please contact Ms Klobuchar's office to voice your support for her efforts.

Thank you!

Just signed the Eric's Law Petition

Please join me and thousands of others in supporting the Eric's Law petition. In honor of Veronica De La Cruz's brother, Eric, the Eric's Law petition supports Health Care Reform with a public option and prohibits discrimination based on pre-existing conditions. Veronica's brother Eric passed away in July 2009 while waiting for a heart transplant delayed for years because he had been denied insurance. Don't let this happen to someone you love! Sign the petition today!!!

Just have to comment on this...

I don't usually post comments more than once a day but when I read about the reactions the GOP lawmaker, Cao, is having to deal with I had to post another comment.

MSNBC is reporting Cao, the only Repulican to vote in favor of the Health Care Reform bill, "has had two fundraisers canceled since Saturday's vote and some campaign contributors have asked for their money back."

I find it disgraceful that this lawmaker who clearly stated he voted the way his constituents wanted him to vote has to be treated so badly by his party and their followers. To me this is just more proof that the Republicans who voted against the Health Care bill voted their pride instead of their conscience. I'm just glad he has the self-confidence to stand up for what he believes in and stand behind his vote. If there were more like him, Health Care Reform would be a non-issue.

Historic Vote by House of Reps

With a vote of 220 to 215 the House of Representatives approved Health Care Reform. The vote included one courageous Republican, Joseph Cao (R-La). When asked by CNN why, Cao replied "he cast his vote in favor of reform only after an amendment greatly restricting the coverage of abortions was allowed to come to a vote. Once that hurdle was clear, Cao said, "I called the White House and said I could possibly support the bill." "I had to make a decision of conscience based on the needs of the people in my district."

--Source Huffington Post

Unfortunately there are still obstacles to overcome in the Senate. Speaking from the Rose Garden about 14 hours after the late Saturday vote, Obama urged senators to be like runners on a relay team and "take the baton and bring this effort to the finish line on behalf of the American people." However, a key Democrat had this to say... If a government plan is part of the deal, "as a matter of conscience, I will not allow this bill to come to a final vote," said Sen. Joe Lieberman, the Connecticut independent whose vote Democrats need to overcome GOP filibusters.

Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine, who voted for a version of the Senate bill in committee, has proposed to allow a government plan as a last resort, if after a few years premiums keep escalating and local health insurance markets remain in the grip of a few big companies. This is the "trigger" option.

That approach appeals to moderates such as Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La. "If the private market fails to reform, there would be a fallback position," Landrieu said last week. "It should be triggered by choice and affordability, not by political whim."

-- Source Yahoo News

How much more do premiums have to escalate before Health Care Reform is no longer a "whim"? How many more American people have to be without health care? How many Americans have to be denied health care? How many American people who faithfully paid their premiums have to be dropped by their Insurance companies before this is seen as important? The fact is it would only take one if that American was a friend or relative of a US Senator, only then would this cease being referred to as a "whim" and begin to be seen as the National crises that it is for most Americans.

Please continue to contact your Senators and tell them this is important to you, your family and your friends. Health Care Reform can not wait until it effects the elite and rich in our society, it must be passed NOW.