Congressman Mark Schauer: Representing Michigan's 7th District

Dear Rep. Schauer; I am very concerned about the "political" rush to pass this massive overhaul of our health system. Let's take the time to do it right, and that can't be crammed into a few weeks. While I agree that we need to make some improvements in health care delivery, and those who truly need help with medical issues, should be helped, I do not believe creating a massive govt bureaucracy, to be in our best interest. How satisfied are we with the way Medicare is currently run, how about Amtrak, Freddy Mac and Fannie May, is the Post office a well oiled machine, operating economically? The answer of course is NO! The only thing the govt does half way right is run the military! I also believe it is wrong to force people into a federal program when they want to change policies. This new bill would make it illegal to issue a new private policy after it goes into effect. This is WRONG. Providing coverage to ILLEGAL aliens is also WRONG! What part of ILLEGAL do the folks in Washington not understand. In summary, provide for those who have a real need for medical assistance, but we do not need a massive program to do that. Do not force anyone to have insurance who does not want it! And lastly, do not rush this great effort thru and do a lousy job in the rush. Do not repeat the mistakes made in the stimulus bill, where it went thru so fast NO ONE WHO VOTED FOR IT HAD EVEN READ IT. Thanks for listening Dave Shattler

We are among those who might be called "wealthy," by some standards, and we would seem to have more health insurance than any reasonable family might need. But every month there are more signs that the system is coming apart. Thank God my wife was a social worker for several decades. She spends hours on the phone with BC/BS representative, arguing about arbitrary or just plain unexplained denials of payment. The bad news is that she almost always wins People without the sophistication, experience or guts to fight these people must surely be steamrollered, with great harm to their families. In contrast, every encounter we have had with Medicare has been polite, professional and entirely satisfactory. We need public options, and we need them now. If the Democrats cannot deliver on health care, what was the use of all the work in 2008?

Mr. Schaur: Please take the necessary time to review the bill. I do not understand and cannot support any candidate that signs off on such an inportant bill without understanding its long term effects on America. Why is the President in such a rush? Why not take the necessary time to inact a bill that fixes the real issues with healthcare without impacting my pocket book? Fix the fraudulant practices surrounding medicare and medicade, fix the price gauging with the pharmaceutical companies, throw out the Dr's whom have and are getting rich on tax payer dollars. The answer isn't the expansion of the US Government, its roles and responsibilities, and its financial committments, its about fixing what is wrong with the current system. We cannot absorb another Trillion dollar bailout of any kind - time to stand up and fight for what is right, this is why you were elected in service to us here at home in Michigan. Thank you in advance for your consideration and review of this message.

I'm lucky: I have a good job (Postal Service), so I have decent health coverage with low cost. My partner of 17 years is not so lucky. She is unable to have any health insurance. She was a small business owner whose business failed. She is now on Federal disability because her knees are shot; she needs a total knee replacement for both legs. She has to wait two years before receiving Medicare, and we don't know if by then the procedure would be covered. It is economically imposible for us to purchase private insurance, and it would be economically devastating if she were to have a catastrophic medical emergency. It's ironic in that if she had "new " knees she would be able to get a job, pay taxes and our purchasing power would obviously be greater.

I just want to say that we need health care reform bad it can lift big burdens off the people's backs tell the Republicans to stop crying they look like the biggest fools, and they have no ideal what the public wants, we need health care reform

Dear Congressman Schauer, The Health Care bills being considered are not the complete overhaul we need and we need better solutions. The main problem is the ill-conceived 2/3 costs recovery from medicare and other savings that has not been pre-pared for satisfactorily. I saw on C-Span last night congressman John Conyers and Congressman King from Iowa. The discourse they had compels me to write you that if only 13 of costs are paid for with higher taxes then the squeeze down in costs will be too enormous and underestimated. The way the uncovered insured people are figured out is another factor. When you subtract the illegal immigrants from uninsured and then subtract legal immigrants that have not obtained citizenship yet (these people are supported with health care from employers or spouses) and finally the people who are making over $75,000 per year (they can afford to buy thier own) how many people are left to insure that the government will? That many people to add to the pool of insured is the cost of a new program and 2/3 of that cost has not been accounted for or is unrealistic. The preventative and overhead administrative savings will not be realized and will result in higher taxes and a failed system. The waiting time because of approval for procedures cannot be worse than we have, it is also unrealistic. We cannot have the government healthcare system pay for abortions either because that is unrealistic, as a country we cannot divide ourselves about this issue any more. The CBO must account for realistic cost savings to make it work and the president is not explaining the cost savings coherently, he is depending on squeezing down on his televised news conference or with the people at his public gatherings, he is much too optimistic and it will cost much more than the 1/3 expected. Honorably, Craig Prine

I would like us to stay away from sociallized medical care. We don't need another industry wiped out. Cover those who absolutely can't afford coverage and require those who can purchase coverage to do so. Please make sure there is wording to prohibit tax money from funding abortion. Thank you for your time, Annette

Dear Mr. Schauer, The health care issue is very complex. Please do not be rushed or bullied into a Bill by the President or House Speaker. Take your time to make a good, informed decision. A couple points I would consider important are protecting our small businesses (because they create most of the jobs) and making sure the government is not paying for the health care of illegal immigrants. My wife and I will hear about the effect of your work - good or bad - from our employers. Could you please let me know if the Bill you vote for will have us paying for the care of illegals? Thank you, Tim Skidmore

Please read any legislation on health care before you vote on it!!!!!! I do not want a panel, a czar or anyone else deciding what elderly health care I need, am "allowed" to get. I want a bill that includes tort reform!! We need a bill that keeps politicians out of the health care business. We need a health care plan that politicians MUST join. Will you, Mr. Schumer, FIGHT for all of the above???

Dear Mark Our health care system is in need for reform no doudt but now is not the time. It is to important an issue to just jam something through for a president that wants to strike while the iron is hot. His mandate is not that large ( if he even has one). It is imperative that we get it rught not just get it done. Please urge your feloow congressman to show some restraint as well. Thank You Todd Powers Jackson Mi

I would like to see everyone have the same health care that you and all other government workers enjoy. I figure if it is good enough for you and all of them it must be good enough for me and my family. Does that sound like something you would advocate? If not, why nor?

I am concern that there will not be enough time for congress to read the present health plan being considered; Please take time to read before voting.

I APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR CONSTITUENTS. THE CONFERENCE CALLS, WEB SITE, RECENT MAILING AND THE WEB SITE. I AM CONCERNED WITH THE RUSH BY OBAMA AND SUPPORTING DEMS TO HURRY AND ENACT TAX AND SPEND BILLS BEFORE THERE IS A VALID DISCUSSION. ON THE HEALTH CARE BILL. IS THERE A SECTION AT THIS TIME TO SPELL OUT WHAT THE SPECIFICS ARE GOING TO BE REQUIRED IN THE ACCEPTABLE PLAN.? THE ATTEMPT TO REFORM SOUNDS WORTHWHILE, i DO NOT TRUST WHAT THE ULTERIOR MOTIVES MAY BE. as I SKIMMED THE BILL, IT APPEARS THAT ALL PLANS WILL BE FORCED TO CONFORM TO THE GOVN. REQUIRED PLAN EVEN THOSE GRANDFATHERED IN ARE FORCED TO CONFORM. WILL MEDICARE BE CONSIDERED THE PUBLIC OPTION ?

The public health plan is not in the best interest of the general population of the United States. The cost is too high and if tailored after the Canada health plan our senior citizens could lose out on important medical procedures that could extend their life. Please take your time and read the bill before you vote. I would like to see health insurance offered to every American, not to the illegal alilens.

The thought of a nationalized health care system is in opposition to my way of thinking. A policy that causes the government to organize and monitors another large and complex seems to be more than needs to dealt with at the present, if ever. You've mentioned good points and bad points of the existing system. Why can't those be quanitified and dealt with in specific terms. If there is a good aspect or quality, leave it alone. If there is a concern or shortcoming, exhaust all efforts in solving the issue. Or facilitate surrounding circumstances to solve the issue. Taking on control of this industry will lead to wholesale changes and artificiality. Working within the philosophy that has made this country the leader is the most sustainable way to serve its people. By all means I implore you to stand firm against any manipulative rhetoric to speed up the process revolving around an issue so complex and personal.

I'm in favor of a health care plan that has a Cleveland Clinic type insurance option, where the insurance is a fixed fee, doctors on salary, so it is incentivized to keep people healthy rather than the"fee per office visits and procedures" based current plans that encourage doctors to do the most costly things possible. Here is a link to an article in the Washington Post that helped me see some of the options the Democrats, including the more liberal like you as well as the Blue Dogs, are considering: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/23/AR2009072303608.html?referrer=emailarticle This article is by Steven Pearlstein of the Washington Post, on Friday July 24, 2009, and is entitled: "Time for the Blue Dogs to Show Their True Colors" Thanks for your good work. Yes. Warmly, Marcia Bailey

I am worried that this process is moving far too fast and without proper debate. There can be on artificial deadline imposed on putting together a comprehensive plan that both covers the holes in today's health care without disturbing the good parts of the present plans. Please take the time time discuss and hold hearings, it's not necessary to do this by last Wednesday just because Obama says so. Remember the legislative branch runs this show, not the President. Regards, Jim Dyson

Just had to write to voice my concern over the strong push for national government health care. Like a lot of people I'm also concerned about the skyrocketing deficit, the thousand page bills being run rammed through, and the future consequences of all this debt spending. I'm also concerned about a "central planning" approach of Washington D.C. managing our health care. Along with the state sovereignty resolution movement, I would feel more comfortable with these issues being handled at the local state level. I much prefer a variety of voices and ideas across America tackling this issue then a single voice in Washington. As for how to tackle health coverage for Michigan we all wish we had an easy answer that satisfies everyone. I've wondered there is anything we can do that has a similar model to our Unemployment Insurance program. Or has the discussion of State Single Payer come up? Dan

I am really agrivated at what congress is calling "health care reform". we have the best health care system in the world. please keep the government out of it! If you want to create a system to cover uninsured and outlaw "pre-existing conditions" and do something about limiting junk law suits, I'm for it. Keep it in the private sector, not the government. Any ellected official that votes for the abomination before congress now should be run out of office. Also: are there any town halls scheduled during the break?

Not happy with rush to pass health care reform. If we are to have good health care reform it should be done with much care and thought. As an independent voter it is looking like we need a little more balance in the house.

I think we can all agree that we need reform of health care. But I am very disturbed by the current proposals coming out of some of the house committees. They go way to far in my opinion and will jeopordize what I think are the strengths of our current system and do too little at too great of a cost to the budget and deficit. I am encouraged by the efforts of the so called 'blue dog democrats' to hold out for more fiscally conservitive changes to the bills. I strongly encourage you to join this group (maybe you already have). The more I read about the 'blue dogs' the more they sound like my kind of Democrat and the kind of Democratic representative the 7th district (which is composed of relatively conservitive and moderate Democrats and not Pelosky/Waxman type characters) will support election after election. You promised to work for the constituents of the 7th district and even promised a bi-partisan approach to politics. It's time to deliver. Thanks for your time, Don

Good Afternoon I am worried that we are moving way too fast toward medical coverage reform. There is no doubt that we need to make structural changes in the way medial care is delivered and paid for but I would rather see us moving logically in that direction and not all of a sudden. I am a forever Democrat but I don't think Pres Obama is doing this the correct way. I have a 43 old son out of work and he has Crohn's. There is no way he would pay for health insurance even if he could find coverage that would deal with him and his chronic illness. Also, I will be 64 in September and I will probably be laid-off this winter. The cost of Cobra would be $530/month. I do know about the 65% gov coverage and am thankful for that. Regards, Joyce Misner Dexter MI

While I agree we as the American people can do better when it comes to health care, I see nothing in this bill that accomplishes this. If cost is the true concern that is to be addressed I see no measure in this proposed bill that actually does anything to fix this. It merely shifts the cost from the people who are currently insured to the government. It is my economic 101 understanding that the government has no money of it’s own, and so we the tax papers again will take on a greater burden. If you truly wish to address what is wrong with the health system please meet with Dr. Dee Edington from the University of Michigan. His decades of research make it very clear that this best way to improve the health of our society and reduce costs is to do so through wellness programs. Create incentives for companies who do so, and give tax dollars to communities who take steps to improve the health of their constituents through encourage physical exercise. I hope you will reconsider your support of this bill. As an active voter, it is my greatest wish that you consider how we can truly change for the better.

Congressmen Schauer I do not support a government run health care system. Not in any way shape or form. Public education was at one time voluntary. It now costs more than the best private schools in the country and delivers results that are mediocre at best and scandelous at worst. Social Security was at one time voluntary. It is now one of the most costly programs of the US government and delivers pennies on the dollar to those who have contributed to it over their lifetimes. Please don't give me anymore help. You are not supporting my interests, if you vote for this "reform".

Congressman Schauer - Please do all you can to get a HEALTH CARE REFORM bill passed. We do NOT need to slow down! We need to systematically overhaul the "for high profit" price-fixing private health care system we now have. Its actually killing people. Those who say slow down are catering to the killers of the bill. Those that say the Canadian system is bad, know little or nothing of their system. Those that talk of socialized medicine know little of the difference to single payer. They are locked into the 50's mentality of communism. I have seen people vote against their own best interests, and they are doing it NOW by destroying reform and options! Slow down?! We've been stagnated for the last 16 years! Oh yes, the buzz word The Lewin Group. What a health study group they are. Affiliated with with the largest private health care insurance company - United Health Care. UHC's profits - up 155%. So Congressman Schauer, please don't kick this health care "can" down the road. College students, low income, newly unemployed, under-employed, and stressed small businesses need relief. We, that have employee paid health care are only one piece of mail (our Dear John letter) away from our employer terminating our health care. Godspeed!

please do not pass a health plan that you yourself would not have .thank you.renita,Branch co.mi.

no on health care

In 1995, I had one of the BEST health insurance policies money could buy, and access to any of the BEST physicians and/or care I might seek. What did it buy me? A critical MIS-DIAGNOSIS. A year later, I sought a second opinion, based on the advice of a friend who had been to Mayo Clinic in Rochester. I spent a week at Mayo. After a full battery of tests, I was diagnosed with nothing more than normal symptoms of MENOPAUSE. This was an amazing revelation, after I had been misdiagnosed with a debilitating disease by a staff physician at one of Michigan's most prestigious university hospitals! WHY should any patient, insured or not, have to drive from MICHIGAN to MINNESOTA to get quality i.e. CORRECT medical diagnosis/care??? WHY did the U.S. need a Presidents' (Clinton) Commission on Hospital Deaths to study WHY there were so many un-necessary deaths and medical malpractice claims in our Nation's medical facilities? WHY was the wrong heart put in the wrong heart patient, or WHY was hydraulic fluid mistaken for sterilizing cleanser for medical instruments? WHY is the American public led to believe that MEDICAL MALPRACTICE litigation has led to the high cost of care, when IN FACT, it accounts for only ONE PERCENT (1%) of the medical costs equation? (As reported on NPR). WHY?? Because the Medical/Pharmaceutical/Physicians' LOBBIES have turned U.S. healthcare into another "derivitives" market! Get the LOBBYISTS out of Washington, and make our country healthy and whole again! Mandatory Health Insurance??? I am ALL for it. If it CAN'T work, then WHY do we still have mandatory automobile inurance for anyone who operates a vehicle???? By the way, the insurance companies STILL manage to do their CHERRY-PICKING in that industry as well. I am now retired and need affordable insurance coverage. But more than that, I desire REAL (safe) medicine, doctors and cures which have been fully tested, fully regulated, and fully PROVEN! I thank you in advance Congressman Schauer, for pressing forward with full speed on this important legislation. ALL Americans need and deserve quality healthcare!

Congressman Schauer~Please work heartily towards passing Health Care Reform for ALL Americans. Also, please ask any of your constituents who honestly believe health care reform will cost the American taxpayer more, to consider this example: Yesterday, I received a flyer from my local County Commission on Aging, to participate in low cost health screening being offered for a limited time. For $139.00 they would screen for Stroke, Vascular Disease & Heart Rythm. I could receive an Osteoporosis Screening for just $10 more. This is the kind of screening that TOO MANY Americans need but cannot presently afford. Those with no insurance, or credit card to pay for this life-saving screening CAN end up costing taxpayers so much MORE...if these diseases go undetected. Here is what the flyer says: "Nearly 4 out of 5 people that have a stroke have no apparent symptoms or warning signs. Painless untrasound screenings can help identify problems that lead to stroke and vascular disease before it is TOO LATE." (and much MORE expensive to treat, if possible) STROKE is the 3rd leading cause of death in America, and the leading cause of nursing home admissions. CAN WE AFFORD NOT TO VOTE "YES" for HEALTH CARE REFORM? Preventative Care costs much less than Long Term Care/Surgeries, to the patient, OR to the taxpayers! If an uninsured individual becomes totally disabled due to a lack of PREVENTATIVE medicine, just WHO do those opposed to this legislation reform think IS going to pay for THAT care???

Please! Please! stop the current health care bill that Is being pushed through Congress for a vote. Please stop it, it is against everything we in America stand for. Have you read it and understand the ramifications to our elderly if this bill is passed. Do you support Euthanasia??? That is what this bill is all about, I beg you to please put a stop to this bill and encourage all your colleagues to do the same. I beg for your mercy on the American people.

Since only 10% of the population have no health care, why do we need a totally new health care system. It would a lot cheaper to tweek the existing health care system than get a whole new system which mirrors the bankrupt Massachusetts plan. Remember the bottom 40% of income tax fillers pay no tax, about the next 25% pay less that $500. The top 1% pay 40% of the taxes collected. That leaves the remaining 24% the middle class to pay for the Presidents still unfunded total new health system, which according to all sources costs are out of this world. Be smart remember elections are shortly here. Do the right thing and vote no on the President's Bill and save America. Our total national debt has climbed way out of line the past six months. Rain it in and save the future of this country

I am against the health bill being proposed in congress. This bill is to intrusive into the lives of senior citizens.

You promised to work for the constituents of the 7th district and even promised a bi-partisan approach to politics. It's time to deliver!! This health care reform bill is being rammed down our throats! Stand up for us AS PROMISED and VOTE NO!!

Congressman Schauer; Please do what you can to pass this health care bill. My family has what some would consider full coverage and we owe thousands of dollars from a C-section, tubes in my sons ears, and from out patient surgery. Then on top of that I was miss informed by BCBS for coverage on another procedure for my son and that has added on top of what we already owe. My husband and I both work very hard and pay our bills on time but sometimes I think that we are one major medical problem away from bankruptcy. Right now I need out patient surgery and crowns on my teeth but I refuse to add on to our debt. Come this next January I know the large company I work for will probably once again have to reduce our medical benefits in order to meet their budget. My family is lucky. We are still paying our bills. I can only imagine what some families are struggling with and I can only imagine how much longer my family has. Thank you very much for your open communication concerning this very important subject.

I like the healthcare that we have. I don't want to lose it. There are other ways to take care of the poor besides revamping the whole system. The government should not be in control of healthcare. This is a very slippery slope.

Congressman Schauer; I would request that you do not vote for a public health care option. There is no easy answer for the current health care crisis. Pushing through a plan that is not a colaboration of both parties is not serving the American people. A descision of this magnitude should not be decided at the federal level this quickly. Allow local and state level governemnts the opportunity to correct healthcare problems that affect them the most. This could be done similarly to how monies are distributed for education through NCLB requirements.

I am strongly opposed to the healthcare reform proposed by congress. When and if a bill is written that Congressional members would accept as their own, I may change my mind but until then I will consider it as another step towards socialism. I haven't seen a government program yet that is well run.

Dear Congressmen Schauer: Both the Wall Street Journal and CNN-Money have reported that high deductible health care plans (HSA plans) are going to be eliminated in the current versions of the health care bills. My family relies on a health saving account and a high deductible plan. High deductible plans offer low premiums which make health care affordable for millions of Americans. Under these new proposals, we will lose our affordable health coverage. I DO NOT want government provided health insurance. If this is "reform", please leave health care alone.

Congressman Schauer, As a retired Air Force member of 26 years, I'm utilizing my Tricare benefits and the VA system to obtain my medical needs. At times I have to utilize my Tricare benefits because a few of the VA doctor(s) dismiss my complaints about some of my medical conditions. Right now there is a 5 month wait for me to see my primary care doctor at the VA. At least with my Tricare, I'm able to obtain medical consultation with my primary doctor on the outside within a few days. I want to keep my Tricare and VA medical benefits! I want to keep my Tricare and VA medical benefits. VOTE NO on this proposal!

Mr. Schauer, I am concerned about this upcoming health care bill. Is there going to be any transparency in this process, or are you going to vote lock step with the leadership, just like you did with the bail out bill? Another question, is congress going to fall under the same health care system as the American people, or are you going to have a premium plan just like your retirement plan. If you do really think we need government health care, than make it something that is really needed, and that is catastrophic health care, not preventive care. That is something that could be paid for my the individual.

I have served in the military for 22 years now and have spent the majority of my last 9 years of service living overseas. This has afforded me the opportunity to view the government run, or socialized, medical programs first hand. We don’t want this program and I ask that you vote against these types of reform. What we do need is reform within the health care industry and tort system. We need to promote competition in the medical industry by; reforming and enforce patent laws, open the market to foreign competition, and permit imported drugs. I pay much less overseas for medication than I do in the U.S. and it’s not because of a government sponsored program, it’s because the government permits competition in the market. Tort reform will reduce the costs to care givers at all levels permitting doctors and nursed to get back to treating patient versus worrying about lawsuits. This is one area I would suggest looking at Europe as a model. Tort reform would reduce the lawsuits and reduce the liability costs for all aspects of the health care industry and all citizens. Thanks for providing this forum to convey my thoughts on this critical issue.

Congressman Schauer, PLEASE READ THE BILL!!!! I went to college and I only got through the first one hundred pages of the House Bill. PLEASE THINK OF THE CHILDERN!!!!! I hate to add to the financial troubles my children already face with a trillion dollar deficit. TIMES ARE TOUGH. Yes many people are unemployed and finding a good job is a hard thing but do not make it anymore difficult by passing a bill that will add taxes to the middle class and small business. Yes, Healthcare Reform is need, but the proposals I have read do nothing more than make the problem worse. Medicare (broke), Social Security (broke), State of Michigan (broke) PLEASE STOP THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FROM GOING BROKE BY PASSING A BILL THAT HAS NO FINANCIAL ENDING.

Dear Congressman Schauer, Some have commented about the apparent rush to pass a health care reform bill. I respectfully disagree. We have been debating this issue for literally decades. I think it is about time for Congress to finally enact legislation that will make sure that all Americans are covered. My family's experience with Medicare has been a very positive one. My parents chose their own doctor, their own hospital and clinic, and their bills were promptly taken care of by the Medicare system. I have family in Canada, in England, and in France. They all dispute the false notion put forth by insurance interests that people in those countries do not receive good care. I am personally in favor of a similar single-payer public system, but if only offering a public option is politically feasible at this time, then let's go for that and not delay this process any further. Thank you.

Congressman Schauer: Do Not Pass a health care system that you will not receive yourself. If you will receive the same heath care plan that we will receive as an average American Citizen it will make you stop and think about the quality of the plan. The plan is being pushed too fast and rammed down our throats. Is this government by the government for the government. It is supposed to the OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE. This plan is going to ruin our health care system for everyone. Help those that don't have insurance and leave the rest of us alone. LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE REPRESENTING. (Also I am concerned about the amount of PORK that will be shoved through with this plan.)

Obama said in 2007 as a candidate (to the SEIU) that he favored a single payer system and that a public option, once in place, would eventually displace private insurance (within a "decade or 15 or 20 years"). He now says that nobody is "talking about government controlled health insurance". I guess he means that literally. Nobody is talking about it for fear we will all see the single payer philosophy behind the current effort to reform health care in this country. Single payer, government controlled insurance is unacceptable. The government does all things poorly. We don't need some GS 5 telling us what health care we will receive. In my view, govenment single payer insurance is involutary servitude and is prohibited under the thirteenth amendment.

Congressman Schauer: The misinformation being peddled to the public by the insurance companies needs to be taken to task. The "problems" that people are listing concerning the bill are not truthful. We've been fighting for health care for decades, this is not a rush job. What is happening is that the republicans and blue dog democrats who have their campaigns enriched by insurance companies are stalling in the hope that if stalled long enough, the proposal will die. I would expect that you work for the people, not for the insurance companies. It is insane how much this country spends on health care, with no apparent benefits. When it comes to infant mortality, longevity; many basic attributes concerning the health of a country, we are too far down the list. For all the naysayers of government run health systems, apparently it works wonders not only concerning the health of a nation, but the financial stability as well. I appreciate your work and efforts, thank you.

Dear Congressman: I am strongly opposed to overhauling the health care system and implementing government run health care. My family and friends are vehemently opposed as well. Respectfully, Kathy Hastings

I have read through some of the previous comments and been struck by the similarities of those that are against reform. I wonder how many of those posters even live in your congressional district? I do. It amazes me to think so many people believe the government can't do ANYTHING well. In reality, the government is surprisingly effective at most everything it does to the extent that politics is removed from the process. In everything I can think of that is provided by both the public and the private sector, the public version is superior. Maybe the government needs to hire a PR firm to educate the People of its many day-in and day-out successes. As one of your actual constituents, I strongly support a strong public option for health insurance. I would prefer a single-payer system like the rest of the civilized world has, but I think a strong public option can probably be good enough for now. Of course, no private business works for free, and about 20% of every dollar spent on private insurance goes for the administration and profit of the insurance companies. Only about 3% of Medicare premiums goes to administration and 0% to profit. I don't know why anyone thinks that some employee at a private insurance company, who's promotions, raises, and bonuses depend on increasing company profits, will not deny coverage but that a federal employee who receives no incentive for denying coverage will deny coverage. In either case, some unknown person stands between the caregiver and the patient. Many people that oppose reform talk about not rushing it. In theory, their concern seems reasonable. Except that this isn't the first time that people have started thinking about this. The issues are already understood. Second, the opposition isn't trying to improve the reform, they're trying to destroy it. Under those circumstances, taking longer won't do anything to improve the outcome. It's like the patient is bleeding to death and people are standing in the way saying, "Don't rush! Take your time! You never did anything well before!"

Thank you Congressman Schauer for asking for our experiences and opinions. I have 4 kids and my husband and I have always had private health insurance through our employer. I could not be happier with our insurance. Our children are always seen the day I call for appointments, our co-pay is less than $20 and we have never been denied coverage. I do not want this bill to pass. Coverage for uninsured Americans should come from Medicare being extended to those who truely need help. But this current bill threatens to ruin the private health care that I and many other families are happy with. I do not want to be forced into a public option, I worry about my elderly parents and in-laws being denied coverage based on age and I believe that this bill will destroy the greatest health care system by rationing care and increasing wait times. Please do not vote to pass this bill. Look to reforming the system to help cover the uninsured and tort reform. Let American citizens who are happy with there coverage take care of their own families. And please, no tax funded abortions. Thank you for listening to your voters.

Congressman Schauer: I do NOT support passage of the health care "reform" bill which Congress and President Obama are trying to hammer through. We have the best health care in the world. We do not need another massive government program which we can ill afford. There are other ways to reform health care without taking away our choices for insurance coverage. Cover the people who truly need coverage (not the illegals and not the younger adults who CHOOSE not to pay for health care). Encourage tort reform.Medicaid/Medicare is nearly broke, same with Social Security. Big government programs waste money and throwing money at a problem doesn't work. Congress won't give up their gold-plated insurance package and use the public/government option, why should we? I encourage you vote NO on this bill.

If the government is concerned about the LEGAL Americans who are uninsured, why not put them on Medicaid? It seems like it would be a lot less complicated then trying to revamp the system for the 90% of us who are insured. I think our current government is not as interested in covering the uninsured as it is controlling our entire health care system. I believe that most Americans don't want the federal government controlling health care. Figure out how to insure the uninsured and leave the rest of us alone.

This is simply too much too fast. There are several options that would better preserve our current right to choose health insurance providers while at the same time making insurance more affordable. Tort reform would be a major step in the right direction and alone could reduce the cost of insurance 20%. It doesn't make sense to throw away the best health care system in the world for a socialized program that has proven itself a failure in Great Britian, Canada and numerous other countries. I am encouraging you to make non-partisan common-sense changes to our current system and to not play a role in this powergrab by a few democrats of the socialist ilk.

So far I see no advantage to the Democratic health care program; so why are you in such a hurry to pass it?

Congressman Schauer - Why does the current administration believe that it can achieve what no other country has done successfully? I just spent 6 months living in Europe, and let me tell you - ALL public forms of health care become outrageously costly as soon as people learn how to abuse the system, which WILL always happen. No country in Europe can afford its exponentially growing health care costs, why does anybody think we can with our already outrageous deficit? Welcome to reality! I can't believe this is even being considered in MY country. Let's try a baby step first - let's try forcing everyone to show proof of health insurance before than can buy luxury items like iphones, $50,000 vehicles, home entertainment systems, etc., and see how that works. Force people to get their priorities straight before you start forcing the honest, hard-working, educated Americans who lead this country to pay for the lazy and irresponsible. (Disclaimer: I am not saying that all Americans who can't afford health insurance are lazy, but in the country with the highest median income in the world and some of the lowest living costs out of all the industrialized nations, something isn't adding up! Health care is NOT a right!!! Doctors are not charity workers!!!)

Sherri, you won't be forced onto the public option. That's why it's called an option!

Thank you for the opportunity to express my feelings/concerns. I AM a constituent ,a retired teacher and a person who believes this nation is the GREATEST in the world, blessed by God in MANY ways. We have a constitution which allows us to express our opinions and beliefs freely for which I am thankful. The push for govt. control of our health care system is starting as the "camel nose under the tent" and I fear and oppose it. There is no such thing as a free lunch and those who use reasoning of "savings can be achieved to cover a large portion of the cost" of any program are not using a great deal of common sense. Do they think that the "wasted money" in the health care programs isn't paying salaries for someone (not just CEO's) and those people will need jobs when that "waste" is eliminated? How can we add millions to our health care coverage without it costing huge sums of money? Where will we get that money? Shall we borrow it from our kids and grandkids? Who will pay the bill? Why should we provide coverage to people who enter our country illegally? Should anyone have a right to go to another country-sneak in for reasons of trying to get a job and then tell that country "you have to give me free health coverage"---RIDICULOUS!!! No health care program can be perfect. There will always be room for changes and we who have lived a "few" years know that "life is not fair". Don't trade our health care system for that of "the rest of the civilized world" which isn't as good as ours is now. Even the proposed changes do not end up covering everyone so where will it end? Use this time to make cost saving or efficiency changes to improve our system, not convert it into a form of government controlled system. One way to help would be to reduce frivolous lawsuits!

Mr. Schauer - Regarding your statement referring to small business: this so-called health care bill will drive up taxes (and not just on the "rich") and drive small business out...just what Michigan needs! Why should I trust the government taking over a large portion of the US economy (health care) when government health care like Medicaid and Medicare are not effective? My husband dreads the day he will have to go on Medicare. VOTE NO on this health care bill.

Single Payer ! You Bet. I'm all for it. As for the nattering nabobs of negativism , if you can't recognized you are being manipulated by Industry Special Interests you never will. We need reform now. Take Infant mortality ... the US is rank 29th in industrial nations. In Michigan , for 2007 , nearly 1% of children born died with in one year. Those socialist in Europe are easily half that rate. Talk about family values. Let's take the profit motive out of health care. Doctors and nurses "God Bless Them" they don't get paid enough. Corporate executives ...let'em burn in hell.

Please support the president's health care reform. We need a gov't sponsored alternative. Do not let the ignorant thugs showing up at meetings have their way.

Mr. Schauer--I agree we need to reform our health care system. I know that the current health care legislation is not about making a government health care system. There is no mention of euthanasia at all in this legislation. However, I believe that any reform of health care insurance will be underminded by the increasing unhealthiness of Americans. It is a health care tsunami coming. Without taking this into consideration health care reform will eventually get overwhelmed. My hope is that you lawmakers figure out a way to address this issue. I don't believe in making healthy living mandatory, but those who eat and live in a healthy manner should get a tax break or something. McDonald's just launched it's third pound angus bomb, not because they're intentionally making people obese, but they are responding to consumer demands. Please Mr. Schauer, keep this in mind as you're busy legislating in September.

An awful lot of people don't seem to understand the word "option," as in "public health option." Maybe they should crack open a dictionary before telling you not to support health insurance reform. In any case, I suspect that nearly all the people that are against reform either don't live in your congressional district or they voted for Tim Walberg. And those that voted for Tim Walberg before will vote for him again. There's nothing you can do that will ever satisfy them, so please don't forget who did vote for you... the same people that will vote for you again if you do the right thing for America rather than succumb to the irrational mob mentality surrounding this issue. The mob says America is the greatest country on Earth but that it has the worst government that can't do anything right. That makes sense? The mob says that only lazy, stupid, poor "illegal" people don't have health insurance. In reality, one out of six American citizens does not have health insurance, and it's increasing every day. That includes children too young to work, people that have been laid off work (there's been a lot of that going around here in Michigan), people that start their own businesses (the real driver of job creation), people that go to college to make a better life for themselves and their families, people that work for obscure little companies like WalMart and lots of others. None of these people deserves the disrespect the mob has for them. The mob has been saying how bad Medicare is... polls show real people are more satisfied with Medicare than with private health insurance... my parents have been on Medicare for 20 years and couldn't be more satisfied... none of the mob's fears are realistic or well informed. They are trying to intimidate you... be strong! One more thing: since the mob thinks they are so superior to all the uninsured Americans, let them know that uninsured tax payers are subsidizing their employer-provided insurance through the largest tax loophole of all, the tax-free health insurance benefits they enjoy. The mob wants to talks about cost? Let's start by eliminating their undeserved tax benefits! Level the playing field. What's fair is fair. That will save $2.5 trillion per ten years right there! I'm sick of subsidizing the mob's employer-provided health insurance when I don't (as a self-employed person) get anything. It's about time the mob learns something about the real world. If they expect me to subsidize their benefits, then I deserve mine. They are no more an American than I am.

It doesn't matter what else is in this bill. What it does contain is a clause that states any change in your current, private plan, including premiums, then you are kicked out of that plan and must enroll in the government run plan. That is what I object to. If there is any public plan at all in this bill, we will all eventually be in it. Period. End of our freedom.

I have an advantage over most, in that I experienced Great Britain's National Health System firsthand. In 1971, my father was in a car accident in England. Both legs were broken above the knee. He was in traction - in a 300-year old hospital - for 6 months. It was a year before he could walk again, unaided. He was in a large, open ward with 15 to 20 other orthopedic patients. His hospital bed had been repainted numerous times; we had to bring a TV in for him; it was, by our standards, archaic. However, he received the best of care and through his hospital stay, including continued recovery at home where a hospital bed, wheel chair, walker, crutches, canes and built up shoes were provided, he paid virtually nothing. During this period, the Conservative Party was railing against the National Health, claiming that it would bankrupt the country by the end of the decade. Obviously, that didn't happen. Nor did it happen to all of the other industrialized countries that also provide national healthcare. Did people have to wait for treatment in non-life threatening situations? No - they didn't HAVE to - they could go to a private physician and pay for it. Have healthcare costs increased? Of course they have, just as they have everywhere. And for those of you who are lucky enough to have health insurance, keep in mind that insurance companies charge a "cost of administration" of between 15% - 25% of revenue; the Federal government administers Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security for 2% - 8%. The money is already in the system, people. A program for the health and welfare of all Americans is long overdue.

I would first like to say that I live in the Michigan 7th congressional district. I suspect that is not true of everyone commenting here. I believe very strongly in reforming health care by reforming the behavior of insurance companies, drug companies, and health conglomerates. They have had decades of large profits, big bonuses, and lush living. It is time now for health care to be about keeping Americans healthy. It is time for all Americans to be covered by health care. It is time for preventative care. It is time to use the money we are already spending to do these things. The only way the insurance companies, health care providers, and drug manufacturers can be contained is by having a strong public option in the health care plan or by going to a single payer system. I personally perfer the single payer system because it is ludicrous to have health care tied to employment. That is an archaic system that needs to be changed. A lot of money is being thrown around out there trying to convince people that we have great health care and that other counties don't. This is totally untrue and your health care dollars are being used to convince you that it is true so that insurance companies and health care conglomerates can continue to rake in the profits. I have confidence that Congressman Schauer will continue to do what is right for ordinary Americans by bringing our health care system into the modern world and putting health care in the hands of the people instead of insurance executives.

We pay more for health care than any other nation on the planet. Health care takes a bigger portion of our Gross Domestic Product, and a bigger portion of average family income. Our health results rank at the bottom among civilized nations. We suffer more preventable diseases; our kids have more illness, and die at rates equal to the poorest countries in the world. We leave millions without basic health care, and then treat their resulting crises in the emergency room and in intensive care. And insurance companies tell these poor schleps we have the best health care in the world-- that we should not fix this broken system? Pay attention, people! We pay more, we get less! And the insurance companies went us to believe we can't do better than that? This is America. We sure should not settle for leaving our kids in hock to the insurance industry, cause there's a better way.

The #1 way to minimize the cost, while improving ANY product or service is for the consumer of that product or service to have a direct influence in the cost through comparison shopping. We have not had that in this country in my lifetime (I'm 51). We haven't even had real choices in the insurance used to provide this service. This bill does nothing to change that trend. In fact, it moves in the opposite direction. In the case of health care, the second greatest influence in cost is our unhealthy lifestyles. This bill does nothing to incourage the majority of individuals toward healthy lifestyles. It totally ignores this aspect of health care costs. When you elected officials come up with a plan that does those 2 things, then I can support it. Everything else is just a lot of frosting on very little (actually NO) cake. After reading a lot of this bill I've to the conclusion that is way too much "socialized medicine" in "sheep's clothing."

I'm not in favor of the new health insurance program,tring to be pushed thru the House. The plan mandates that there will be little or no advanced treatments to be available in lthe future. It creates The Federal Coorddinating Councile For Comparattive Effectiiveness Reasearch, the purpose of which is " to slow the development of the new medications and technologies in order to reduce costs, Yes, this is to be the Law The coordinator will monitor traeatments being delivered to make sure doctors and hospitals are strictly following government guidelines that are deemed appropriate. I'm getting ready to retire in a few years, and want to know that if and when I need to have insurance, that BIG brother will not be telling me what I need or dont need. Thank you

Mark, Thank you so much for your energy and committment to getting the present health care system reform done. We as a country can no longer accept the status quo of 50 million people uninsured which is raising the cost of every insured person's insurance premium. We have got to get ahold of the insurance companies who's executives are averaging pay levels of 14 million dollars a year on the backs of something that should be the right of every American. I can't believe there is not already a lot of money in the system where employers are paying $18,000 a year for their employees families health coverage it seems like the insurance companies percentage of that would be enough to provide universal coverage. Again thank you for representing so well on this issue..

Changeing a major system in america is scary. But these are scary times! Never has health care been more needed, and the days of businesses providing a blank check for health care are over if they want to compete in a global economy. Count me in as happy to have your yes vote on a health care. Do not be bullied by politics on this issue and educate those who have not gotten the facts correct.I found it ironic when our local Hillsdale paper, very conservative, had a recent "man on the street" poll. EVERY respondent said health care was their main concern! It touches us all.

Congressman Schauer; Why have you stopped posting comments on your site? I sent one three days ago that has yet to appear (nor has anything else). The abbreviated version of my first message: please don't support any of the Democrat's proposed bills presently in Congress. They expand the role of government in our health care delivery (not a good thing) and don't serve your constituents well. Let's reduce the cost of health care. But let's be certain that tort reform is part of the effort.

Dear Congressman Schauer, I urge all your constituents to read the current bill before the House. I would certainly hope I wouldn't need to urge you to read it, but considering Congress's track record on the stimulus bill, I am not convinced you know what is in it either. This health care bill is not first and foremost, about health care. It is about controlling the American populace. It is about having the government make decisions as to who gets treatment and who doesn't, who should just die off and leave the limited resources that would be in place with this reform to those the goverment deems worthy. There will be no incentive with this type of madated health care limits to provide the best care....the incentive will be to limit and dummy down the care delivered and research conducted in order to meet arbitrary costs and control goals. For those people who think suddenly they are going to get expensive joint replacements, free pharmaceuticals, or unlimited visits to doctors, hospitals, etc. wake up. NOTHING in life is free, and certainly nothing from the government is free. It has been proven over and over in other countries with socialized medicine that the people who need treatment the worst, those with the most severe diseases, actually get the least treatment. They are considered a drain on the system and everything that can be done to limit their treatment is encouraged by goverment bureuacrats whose job it is to deliver cost numbers as is deemed acceptable by yet another bureuacrat. And for Representative Schauer...where in the constitution does it say that Americans are entitled and the government is empowered to supervise, control and deliver health care to the population? This bill currently has provisions that mandate state agents to go into private homes to give parenting instruction to low income parents that the state deems needs instruction. It also madates "end of life" counseling every five years for the "elderly" or those with life threatening diseases, including a script for discussing hospice, etc. All with financial incentives for encouraging non treatment of diseases and disorders as opposed to treatment. Even the president agrees with this provision with his now famous answer to the woman whose mother has a pacemaker inserted at age 100, after a second opinion. The woman asked the president if this bill would require doctors to deny placing the pacemaker due to the woman's advanced age. His statement verbatim,,, "OBAMA: I don't think that we can make judgments based on people's spirit. That would be a pretty subjective decision to be making. I think we have to have rules that say that we are going to provide good, quality care for all people. End-of-life care is one of the most difficult sets of decisions that we're going to have to make. But understand that those decisions are already being made in one way or another. If they're not being made under Medicare and Medicaid, they're being made by private insurers. At least we can let doctors know and your mom know that, you know what, maybe this isn't going to help. Maybe you're better off, uhhh, not having the surgery but taking, uh, the painkiller. Is deciding that this lady's mom was better off with a"painkiller' really the goverment's constitutional role in American's lives?

This is not the time to be sitting on the side lines waiting to see which way the wind will blow before you make your choice on health care reform. I want you to come out and tell everyone that you are for a Public Option and that you will start fighting for one now. Also if a Single Payer option comes to the floor I expect you to support that first. If you can not do this then I will work and vote to see that you are replaced with someone that wants to work for what's good for the country. Please don't take this as a threat, but rather my determination to see that EVERYONE gets something that will make their lives better reguardless of their social status. 

Dear Representative Schauer I am very concerned over the so called "health care reforms" as being proposed and urge you to go slowly. As our representative of this largely conservative district, please do not follow lock step with Nancy Pelosi. She is not liked or respected in your district and following her will not get you re-elected when your time comes. The rush to socialism and big governement is NOT favored by your constituants. For now, you might consider joining the so called "blue dog" democrats. That would be a positive move on your part without completely alienating yourself from your party. It would also send a message to Pres Obama. To start with, consider a more limited bill initiating reforms aimed at health care savings such as the data base and tort reforms. No more than that this year. Absolutely, no bill that would incur additional budget deficit or expand the federal government role in health care should be considered this year. More from me later. For now, I would appreciate your thoughtful reply and not just a form letter blog that waffles on the issue as you have previously sent. Norb Strobel Coldwater, Mi.

Congressman Schauer, I hope that you will not vote for a bill which excludes a public option. If private health care plans are so good, why are they afraid of competition? If the Government option has poor quality, people will not choose it. I'd like to be able to identify those who are on Medicare, but don't want "government healthcare". The best bill would be to simply introduce a bill which would make all citizens Medicare beneficiaries as of Jan 1, 2010. Please stay strong on the public option! To rebut Mr.Strobel, the delay and doing nothing about health care is NOT favored by your constituents.

congressman Schauer, --Tort reform is a must! --Our healthcare system is excellent! --Paying for healthcare is in need of repair. --Costs are out of control and will get worse if a public option is adopted. --TORT REFORM IS A MUST! --Please keep the bureaucrats out of this. --Personal responsibility must be a part of any solution. --TORT REFORM IS A MUST!

I am amazed that some writers are questionning whether others who oppose the proposed health care reform legislation are residents of your district! I certainly am. And, I don't know anyone who supports the legislation currently being considered. That's not to say that they don't believe there can't be some improvement in the present system...they just find too much wrong with the legislation being considered. I'm also tired of hearing that we have the highest health care bills for ineffective health care. This is a classic case of statistics being distorted. The countries we are being compared with don't have the medical liabililty suits that we do....nor are their health care systems dealing with the horrible lifestyles that we Americans have. Ours is, to a far greater degree than most, an obese and addicted society....and that carries a substantial healthcare price tag with it. And, let's stop using the popularity of Medicare as an indication that the government can run a sucessful health care program. Congress "balances" the medicare budget by under-reimbursing doctors for many of their services. They are driving many doctors out of medicine at a time when we need doctors more than ever.

Lately, I am trying to spend more time listening than talking. I realize there is a real undercurrent of dissatisfaction with many in our district...in our nation. There is bailout fatigue, people are rightly upset with the high unemployment, and no one wants to take on an additional monetary burden. What seems to get lost in the shuffle (and the loud, angry voices) is the fact that millions were clamoring for health care reform/change prior to the election. People understood that there was vast room for improvement...and we asked for our legislators help in sorting it all out. This issue is a hot potato, and one that previous administrations avoided due to its complexity and obvious potential to divide. The easy answer is to retreat and do nothing...again. But, we have a model that is unsustainable. We can't just go back. I credit our leaders in government for rolling up their shirt sleeves and trying to come up with a workable solution. Let's continue the dialogue throughout the summer recess. Let's listen...and not just speak (or scream). We all have a stake in the outcome of this important debate and need to be invested in a workable solution for our great nation.

I support HR 3200 and ask that you vote in favor of the bill. Health care costs have doubled over the past 10 years forcing businesses and working families to pay increasingly higher pre-pays and co-pays while coverage continues to decline. The current system isn't working. It encourages spending on unnecessary procedures. Market based cost controls don't work when the great majority of the costs for procedures are paid for by all policy holders rather than by patients. There is very litte incentive for patients to declines services and every reason for providers to perform and bill insurance companies for unnecessary services at inflated costs. Government regulation through a public option is the only method that can bring costs under control. Those who are complaining about this legislation are like frogs in a pot of water on the stove. It's warm now, but it's going to get a lot hotter unless something changes. This discussion has been going on for at least 20 years. It's time to get it done. I am a resident of Marshall and live in the district you represent.

Stay the course... keep supporting reform/change as you have been. You had my vote in the last election and you will have it again in 2010. Brady S. has it quite right. No need to add anything to that.

Congressman Schauer, Please only vote YES to a Health Plan that you and your entire family are signing up for the Public Option. Your compassion is otherwise without basis. Sincerely, Shawn Healey

The other night Pres Obama said we don't need to fear a health "reform" bill competing against private insurance, we just had to look at the post office as an example of the private sector( UPS and FedEx) being able to compete with the gov't. I have yet to hear anyone in the media point out why this statement is exactly the reason why there SHOULDN"T be a gov't option. The gov't is part of running a "company" that does not turn a profit and is looking at "rationing" services if you will (No Sat delivery). Obama gave a perfect example of how the private sector ALWAYS does a better job than the public sector, and yet there are those that think the solution to solving healthcare costs is to create a gov't program. I wish Schauer and all others in favor of this would just admit that while reform is needed, this program is not the reform.

Based on last night's telephone town hall it sounds like nothing will dissuade you from voting for President Obama's health care reform. Well, here's the problem---an honest reading of the Constitution would say that the federal government has no authority to "reform" health care as is being proposed by the President and Congress. Therefore, promises such as "if you like your health plan, you can keep it" are meaningless. Neither Congress nor the President has authority to tell me whether I can keep my plan or not. If you assert that you have an unauthorized authority to reform my health care, why should I believe that you won't later assert authority to tell me what health plan I can have or not have? I'd like to take my chances with the free market, but the government has already cobbled that up, so I'll stick with modicum of freedom I have under the status quo rather than accept President Obama's government-controlled health care system. I hope you will reconsider your position.

I listened in on your town hall meeting on August 13th. You kept insisting we could read the Health Care Reform Bill on your web site. Where do we need to go to find the entire bill? The only thing I could find is in your questions and answers area, you have a small thing saying (click here to down load bill). I have so many concerns. Does this end of life couseling mean if were over 50 and have a catastopic illness, they'll let us die, and not try to save our lives! Why can't we all have the same coverage as you and the other congessmen? Isn't all human life equal to recieving the best quality of care? The cost of some of these tests are astronomical. I know of someone in my family having a test that cost $30,000.00 it's outradgeous. I went to the dentist and all he did was cement my crown back into my mouth that had fallen out he spent maybe 15 minutes on me total he charged my insurance over $200.00 I have many other questions that is why I wanted to read the bill. We need some regulations on the way these doctors, hospitals, and drug stores charge people and insurance companies too! Thank You Mrs. Laura Vipond

Mr. Schauer, please do not vote for government run health care. Take a hard look at current government run programs, and tell me honestly how you think the government can run the single most important thing-our healthcare system. Yes, I think we need reform, but not government takeover. I am very frustrated with you as our rep, we who oppose in a civil manner have yet to be given a moment of your time. As I am sure this will not appear on your website, I hope you at least consider listening to the majority of your district who oppose the current health care bill. I have never seen my mother, a lifetime democrat, so worried and upset about the direction of this country. She is scared, and rightfully so. And so am I. Tell the goverment to stay out of our health care!!!!

I believe that healthcare reform at this time is critical. While I want us to be thorough and knowledgeable in passing a bill, unfortunately I think that the election cycle will probably impact when or if a bill is passed. The kind of reform I support is reform that will rein in the escalating costs of hospitals, medical services and pharmaceuticals. Continuing the status quo is unsustainable as I think more of us will find ourselves without coverage either because our employers can no longer afford to provide it or we will no longer be able to afford the employee's share of premiums, co-pays and/or deductibles. I also believe that everyone should be required to carry health insurance. This will mean that younger and healthier persons who do not purchase coverage currently will be required to do so joining their premiums to the pool of others who are not as healthy. After all, isn't that how insurance is suppose to work. I also support having an independent agency of experts who will set quality standards and assess whether newer more expensive procedures or pharmaceuticals are worth their increased costs. I do not consider this rationing but simply getting the "best bang for one's buck". While I don't have great hopes for this idea, I think we need to wring out the profitability in healthcare today. I wish we could ban pharmaceutical advertising. In addition to the billions spent on advertising, it is a proven fact that advertising increases usage - often times unnecessary usage. I believe the increased costs of healthcare in our country, as compared to other countries, also results from the generous compensation packages paid to pharmaceutical and insurance company executives, hospital management teams and specialist physicians.

I am writing this note to you to let you know where we stand on the Health Care issue. I am a firm believer that the government should stay out of health care. when the government gets involved, money is almost always wasted, and abuses arise. I also think that if you made Social Security the senator's and congressman's pension plan... you could also fix that relatively quickly as well. I think the biggest problem with Washington is that Senators and Congressmen forget they are "of the people, for the people". Also I think one of the most important things is to not loose site of who is paying the bill. "We the people" pay the bill for everything. There is no free lunch. I don't believe in entitlements. The only things that Americans' are entitled to are outlined in the Constitution and Bill of Rights. We must not spend more money that what we make. It is unsustainable.

Dear Rep. Schauer: First, thank you for the excellent work you are doing in Washington on behalf of the 7th District. As you know, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan just enacted a massive rate increase. My monthly premiums are rising 28.45% effective Oct. 1. Our deductible for this plan is $3,000. This latest increase, which is being blamed on a number of factors, including higher fees for service providers, is evidence of the skyrocketing health care costs that are always passed on to the subscriber rather than negotiated with the provider. I respectfully ask you to support the public option and HR 3200 to control costs and provide real competition.

We received your flyer yesterday and I still have questions regarding the reform issue and your approach to it. They may be general in nature, but I think they represent a good first step in resolution. 1. You and other lawmakers and commentators refer to the current system as broken or needing to be replaced or some other similar statement. Can you be more specific? Certainly the treatment options and effectiveness are rivaled by none on this planet. Is it simply a cost issue? Certainly solutions for that can be found within existing programs (maybe a campaign to better expose those options is necessary) or targeted actions. Ultimately a boosted economy would be a fine solution as well. 2. Many of the focal points on the flyer as well as the comments on your site seem to be issues related to a minority of the population. Is is truly effective and proper to reform an industry when it seems to be functioning for the majority? 3. Are options previously offered solutions such as Health Savings Accounts and catastrophic policies off the table? From my exploration these would seem to address real shortcomings and inject reality into the situation. Please reply with any insight you can offer, but certainly include these perspectives in any further decision making.

Dear Congressman Schauer, I have a good job, I make good money and I have health coverage. However I work for a small non-profit company in Ann Arbor. Because there are so few of us employed here, we ultimately pay more for our coverage. My company covers me, however it would cost me an additional $400+ each month to cover my husband. We simply cannot afford that amount. My husband is self-employed as a musician. We've looked into getting health insurance for him, but cannot afford the monthly payments. Like most, we have a mortgage on a home we bought 3 years ago and at an interest rate that is higher than the rates are now. Our home is worth less than what we owe. I'm trying to get our mortgage refinanced but am struggling to do so. My husband & I are both in our early 50's and healthy. We hope to keep it that way. Having affordable health coverage for him would be a blessing and give us a peace of mind. Thank you for all you're doing for us in Washington D.C. We appreciate it.

Representative Schauer, I am a sole proprietor business owner, and my wife works in retail. Fortunately, she gets health insurance. The problem is that the deductable has increased from $200 to $4,000 in three years. Our monthly payments have doubled in in two years. I used to sell health/life, but I quit because I couldn't stomach it. We were told (at 3 different companies) to tell the applicant anything to close. We both wholeheartedly support single payer. Our friends in Canada and Europe have shown us through their own experiences that the system works, and the stats prove it out. Folks on Medicare not wanting governmental "intrusion", illegal aliens "taking over the system", death panels, huge insurance lobbyist campaign contributions, insurance holdings of Rupert Murdoch the owner of FOX ...this is becoming a loon event. 85% of the citizens of this Nation voted for our President because he promised health care reform. Let's stop mincing around before get Bushed again and get to it. Thanx.

Dear Congressman Schauer, I had the opportunity to study abroad in the UK for a bit, and was able to benefit from their single payer system as a U.S. citizen. Although different than the system here (obviously), not one person I knew ever complained about their health coverage or not being able to see a doctor due to various conditions that weren't covered by the government. I could make an appointment, often times the same day, to see my GP for whatever ailment I suffered. I could never do that here with the way doctor's offices are run in the states. Additionally, I never had to deal with the over-prescribing and tests that I often get when I visit a GP in the U.S. (my last checkup required 4 vials of blood for general tests to ensure the health of 26 year old woman?!). I hope that you will support some sort of public option (if not single payer) because every American deserves the right to health care. Like freedom and liberty, we also should have the RIGHT TO LIVE (healthy). Try to take Medicare away from people, and there's no way they would let you. I am confident people will feel the same way about a more expansive health care plan once it is implemented... but only if the PUBLIC OPTION is included. Otherwise, what are we really changing? Thank you.

To the Honorable Mark Schauer, In the health care debate, we seem to be missing the key point. We don't need a better health care delivery system, we need to control the costs of the one we have. No matter what we "reform" within the current system, unless we address tort at the same time there will be no real change and no reduced cost. I have heard from many Doctors who say they run dozens of potentially unnecessary tests every day in the interest of self defense against future possible litigation. If we can get a handle on frivolous litigation, and let Doctors determine which tests need to be run from a purely medical perspective, to reach a diagnosis, we will shave untold billions out of our country's overall health care costs. Tort reform should be the very first topic in any discussion on reducing the cost of our health care delivery system. Thanks

Dr Mr. Schauer I am disturbed by what appears to be a rush and rash push to get this reform passed. I wholeheartedly support Heath Care reform but I do not support the current plan. The implications of this plan are much more far reaching than probably any of us truly realize. Sir, I have lived in Germany for 3 years, and I have many friends in Canada, and they too, have "choice and competition" as this bill is being described , but unfortunately they are not in control of their health care, the government is, which has meant for several of them serious health consequences. If for some reason your convictions lead you to to vote to pass this bill then so be it. However, I must respectfully make it clear that the GOVERNMENT OPTION MUST NOT BE ACCEPTED IN THE CURRENT BILL. In my circle of friends, acquaintances and colleagues- democrat, independent and republican alike, - NOT ONE of them would vote again for a representative who would allow this to enter the reform. PLEASE LISTEN TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS, this is not a party line issue in your district. THIS IS AN AMERICAN ISSUE. Thank you for your service to this district, and for taking the time to listen. Peggy

I feel that all Americans need access to health care. We need a system like they have in Canada or England . Call it socialized medicine or whatever but it is working. It may not be perfect but it is better that nothing This takes the burden off of employers. With fewer and fewer employers offering health care and the cost going up in double digits every year we need reform. This needs to happen now not later. How many people need to go bankrupt or have no health before our Government does something.

Honorable Mark Schauer: In the last 4 years, Texas drastically lowered their health care cost, increased the number of doctors by more than 16,000 and added 10s of thousands of health care jobs; not through "health care reform" but through Tort reform. Tort reform will get the job done without enslaving our children with massive deficits. Why is tort reform not on the table? In fact, Tort Reform is favored over current Health Care Reform by every consumer group and professional organization, except the TRIAL LAWYER lobbies. Please consider this low cost solution over the massive pork barrel that is currently on the table.

I am totally for health care reform with a public option and no triggers. No taxes on health insurance benefits. Health insurance needs to be affordable and accessible to every citizen. The United States does NOT have the best health care system in the world, in fact many countries have a much better system. In talking to various people I have discovered that those who have good insurance coverage feel the system is fine the way it is. I have also spoke with many misinformed people, and have read the comments posted here in your blog and see that there are many misinformed people making comments. The government is capable of administering well run programs, including Medicare, with low overhead costs. The government is also also not about making a profit off the programs it administers. Please vote for health care reform, with public option and no triggers and taxation of benefits, read your blogs carefully, and you can see for yourself who is making informed statements. Put health care back in the hands of the patient and their doctor of choice.

Why does America think that affordable or even free healthcare is a right. My healthcare costs a lot but I don't complain about paying for it because that is my choice. I like having the choice. I do not support the government taking over and mandating the private doctors and hospitals, etc.

Dear Mr Schauer, There will be no real health care reform in this country until the following happens: 1. The people of the United States are allowed to purchase RX medicines from sources other than the current mismanaged medical delivery systems. 2. Until the people of the United States start taking financial responsibility and control for their own health care by not allowing the "system" to determine how it should be delivered or paid for. 3. Until Congress passes a bill making it illegal for Drug Companies, Insurance Companies and Large Medical Manufacturers to buy influence in Washington using the Large Health Care Lobby groups on K Street. 4. Until Congress passes a bill making it illegal for Hospitals to install equipment and offer services that are either ineffective or not necessary just to increase hospital revenues at the expense of the patient. 5. Until Congress passes a law that forces hospitals and hospital groups to cooperate with each other for services offered in a given geography thus reducing technology costs for all. This is quite a wish list, and will probably never happen in this country due to the amount of money controlled by the special interests mentioned above and the how they use it to buy influence in Washington.

Dear Mark Schauer: I would ask that you vote againts any bill that contains any sort of public option. A public option will only force all private insurance to go out of business over time. I am not convinced the government can provide the quality health care that we all enjoy now. The last thing we want is a system even remotely similar to Canada or Great Britain. I am a small business owner. Offering quality health insurance to employees is a great tool for recruiting qualified applicants. I have surveyed my employees and 100% of my employees chose to receive health care from me rather than the government. If you are concerned about costs to small business then why don't you consider cutting taxes for small businesses. Taxes are a far bigger expense to my business that health care is.

Congressman Schauer - I also am concerned by the haste with which Congress and the President seem to want to pass this legislation. I appreciate your posting the text of the bill online. I have reservations about the idea of a single-payer system, but I will support whatever plan Congress and the Administration come up with, providing that members of Congress and their families as well as the President and his family are required to be enrolled in the same program as the rest of us.

So why is tort reform out? Is it because the lawyer lobby are big contributors? Why can't the Federal Government make health insurance be competitive across state lines like other kinds of insurance and internet banking? I do not call the current bills "reform", it is govt. socialism to change the system not fix the system. The government has a poor track record of running anything except "red ink" and should be out of business!

Mr. Schauer, I dont believe that the American worker can pay for much more. The stimulus, bailing out car companies, bailing out banks - holy cow. This is not "the Governments" money- this is the taxpayers money. I believe that we have gotten off track somehow. As far as the health reform issue- I think that's an oxymoron. We cant afford it, and it is unconstitutional to require people to have insurance. If I am healthy and dont see a need for insurance, who are you or anyone else to tell me I have to go spend my money on it? That's ridiculous. Please attack the issues that others have listed- tort reform, fraud, etc., but dont require me to purchase something that I dont want or need, and dont spend the money I work for to give someone else something for free. Thanks and keep up the good work

America is the rishest nation in the world and yet the only 1st world country that does not have universal health care. Why is it that we sold our health away to the insurance companies?How is it that we let people die, and go sick because of lack of money?France, Canada, Britan,Cuba, all have a health system 1000 times better then ours, one that works for all the people not just the rich and elected officials. I think America needs a single payer system, at the least we need a puiblic option, anything less is the status quo, and leaving the insurance companies the decision on who gets treatment, what the costs are, and who gets denied even when they do have coverage, lets let doctors do that or treat people and stay out of the messy politics that is currently our health system. I dont undertand why some people are so worried about health care costing to much and sending the country into more debt, are these people that concerned about the cost? If so why not end either war, each one alone will pay for the health care bill, why not end farm substides, or the ridiulas war on drugs? Are these same people against throwing or wasting our taxes on these things too, or is it just for arguments sake, or is the insurance money and the lobbying working to pull the wool over our eyes? America needs universal health care, and should stand for nothing less, the American Government is never going to go bankrupt like me, you or any other citezen will and can and do they have the ability to go in debt, to raise more money (taxes, cutting spending, makeing or getting out of wars, taxing the richest 1%, millions of ways the government can do it but your average person cant have a negative checking account).Please support the House version of the health care bill, or try to go further into a single payer system which is best.

Thank you for the health care reform poll and allowing my input. All people living in America should have proper health care. Medicaid through the States has been the avenue; however, another form would be more efficient. Government should provide proper health care for those who do not have and need it. America as we have known is prosperous and EVERYONE is entitled to proper health care. Finally, if if works don't fix it (like peole). Taxpayers will save MONEY!

Mr. Shauer, I do not support the health care bill because whenever the government gets involved in anything it almost always costs the taxpayer more than in the private sector. Our government loves to waste money, like stimulus packages or car company and finance company bailouts. If you feel you must vote against the majority of your constituents (yes) on this bill, please sign yourself up for the same fate that awaits all the rest of the taxpayers in this country.

Representative Schauer, I am in favor of health care reform but the massive, complicated bills that are being discussed and modified and merged are not what we need. DO NOT include a public option. We already have too many huge government bureaucracies and we cannot afford the cost. I also do not believe the government should control our health care and that is where this will lead. DO NOT ALLOW BENEFITS FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. DO implement tort reform. This would solve many of the problems in the health care system. DO create more competition in the health care system by allowing competition across state lines. DO create tax incentives for people to pay for their own health care, like health saving plans for individuals that are easy to use and where the benefits can be rolled over from year to year. Instead of paying massive amounts to overhaul the entire health system, spend a smaller amount and expand Medicaid to cover those who need help. These and other less radical things could be done. PLEASE DO NOT PASS THIS MASSIVE BILL. Respectfully, Elizabeth Knight

**Representative Schauer: I would like you invite you to come and spend a day at the urgent care center that I work in. Perhaps you will see first hand part of the reason for skyrocketing healthcare costs. It is not uncommon for a mother to come with her 3,4 or 5 children and want them all see at once even though they may not all be sick!. One child doesn't feel well so they want the others checked "just in case". I bet if she had to pay a $20 or $30 copay she wouldn't abuse her benefits like that. I can tell you that this only happens with someone who has Medicaid because it's of no consequence to them. Why can't Medicaid have rules for people to follow just like commercial insurances? I did NOT get any form of raise this past year yet it's now open enrollment and the cost of my insurance has gone up, including co-pays, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. So, I will be making less this year than I did last year. My taxes are paying for these people to come in and have all 5 of their kids seen just because they want to while I make less money than I did last year to cover the cost of my family's benefits! I can't tell you how very frustrating this is. These 5 kids to be seen unnecessarily cost approximately $500!!! Granted, Medicaid only reimburses less than 50% but this is still blatant abuse. I'm sure this is happening at places other than our urgent care center. I believe the only option is to level the playing field and give everyone the same coverage. Or, make the people who receive Medicaid follow the same rules as people with commercial insurance. I feel as if I'm being penalized for trying to do the right thing--work and support my family and provide healthcare coverage. Why are all the politicians acting like this is rocket science?? The middle class (like me) is the fabric of society and that fabric is being shred to bits. Soon, we will be a society of the very rich and the very poor--no middle class. What a sad day in America that politics and greed has overcome all sense of logic and doing the right thing because it's the right thing to do. I look forward to hearing from you regarding your visit to urgent care. By the way, I think EVERY senator and state representative should have to visit a front line medical provider before voting on healthcare reform. How dare everyone sit on their holy throne in Washington and make decisions that affect the masses without knowing first hand what goes on! I would be happy to talk further about this. Most Respectfully, Rhonda A. Richards

I have scoliosis. After having my last child my back began to curve more and compress my heart and lungs. Eventually, I had to have surgery where they fused most of my back. In the past 15 years the fusions caused the rest of my vertebra to develop arthritis and ate most of one of the vertebra and disc. I was told by my insurance company that I had to have cortisone shots (Which were totally ineffective) and every time my business changed insurances, which was frequently, I had to go through the cortisone treatment again. I could not get a nerve block. Then I had doctors who would not do anything but send me to PT which my insurance tried to take me to court for then the doctors decided I had to be totally fused which causes high mordidty. Finally, I did research and found that Dr. Bertagnoli of the Pro-spine institute in Germany did movement preserving artificial disc replacement. He's been doing it for 20 years! In 2005 and 2006 I had a disc replaced between my sacrum and 2 discs replaced in my neck. I took out $40000 in loans and $40000 from my IRA (paid a heap of tax!) But guess what, I now have very little pain, I can bend and turn my head and I work full time paying taxes! Insurance is such a scam. It isn't about people, it is about profit. I don't have a lot of money and it will take me a long time to replace the IRA losses if ever and pay off my loan but it actually, "cured" me, it wasn't palliative. I'm no spring chicken (55) but I feel better than I have since being a teenager. The way we practice medicine holds us back from research that actually helps people rather then brings in profit. I don't thing the two are incompatible but it is the end all be all of the Health Care Industry. Besides, Health Insurance is not Health Care but they are inextricably linked but not for the patient.

I just hope you choose to vote for the health care bill. I have great health care coverage, but I do not want health care tied to profit. It is a very unhealthy system we currently have. Vote to fix it.

I am Pro-Life and I believe the Federal Gov't or anyone else should NOT support/fund ABORTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

I hope you have courage like Bart Stupak and other Democrats who won't bow to Pelosi and actually vote representing their constituents. I think this health care reform bill reforms the wrong things and will cost taxpayer money and become yet another huge goverment program.

Thank you Mark for supporting health care reform! As a Christian, I along with Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Mennonite Central Committee Washington Office, NETWORK: A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Washington Office. The Episcopal Church, United Church of Christ Justice and Witness Ministries, United Methodist Church General Board of Church and Society, and others believe health care for all is a moral imparative. In addition it will save us money, keep jobs in America, and keep us productive. Medicare, Medicaid, and VA are well run systems that don't take 25 cents of every dollar for a corporate machine focused on profit, not health. Even if it raises taxes it's worth every penny. But there is still a ways to go before this is passed into law. My prayers are for your strength to carry on support and prevent the niche interests from eliminating a national embarasment. Thanks again for your suport

Rep Schauer, I hope you are reading these posts. While some people favor the govt plan, many do not. I am a graduate student in Public Admin and have studied HC for two classes, one class focused only on the HC issue. Most people are not aware of the wide scope of the issue. Personally, do not like the use of the term "reform." It implies our system is broken. On the contrary the system is not broken and certainly it the government is in no position to declare such. Perhaps some tweeking can be done, but in reality, HC simply is very expensive. The expense is due to infrastructure, personnel and technological improvements. Also, the term, "affordable high quality health care," is misleading too. Around the world, affordable health care is not high quality. One significant issue is the lack of general practitioners, which is why many people end up in hospitals for general care. Its foolish for anyone to think a govt plan is going to work well unless congress really tells people that in order to provide high quality HC, its simply going to cost a lot of money, a huge raise in taxes. This plan is not good and it has not been properly investigated and explained to the public.

Congressman Schauer, I share the sentiments of so many who have posted here. As a family currently without health care insurance, we are keenly aware of the issues for limited income people with medical expenses. Yet in spite of that, I would never expect my neighbors to pay for my insurance or my health care, and certainly do not want this monstrous, over-reaching government to offer its tender care. The so called "reform" recently passed, and which you are so proud to have been a supporter of, is nothing that will solve any of the current problems and issues within the health care system. Reform implies that there is an improvement, but that is not the case at all. While I am sure that there are some that are unscrupulous and greedy within the health care field in general, there are also many who know that the solutions from Washington to date are nothing remotely helpful and will in fact create bigger and worse problems than we currently experience. It has become increasingly apparent, that even though "thousands die every year from lack of health care" paraphrasing yours and others statements, no relief would be arriving for these condemned ones for 3 to 4 years. I would hope that you, if you are sincere in wanting to be a part of the solution rather than part of the problem, would step back and renew your perspective on exactly what the purpose of all this is. It seems clear from here - it is not to solve problems, but to gain power.

Representive Schauer, I will make this short. Government should not be involved in free enterprise period!! Do not support any programs that do not include government leaders. In other words, if you support this health care then government leaders all the way up to the president should have the same plan as what is being pushed on us. Case in point would be the social security system.

Representative Schauer: Do not support this health care plan in it’s present form! Vote No, Or I will vote no for you.

Rep. Schauer: I am one who has no health insurance. I am self-employed and currently don't have the finances to pay for health insurance. I had to pay a year's wages out of pocket for some health issues I've had over the past two years. But I do not want to steal the green from someone else's pocket to pay for my own health. If they want to be generous, let them put it in a fund I can benefit from; but don't steal it from them: they made it fair and square. This is one step toward socialism: if socialism doesn't work on the total and absolute measure, then why do we think it works on the half-way measure? Please take great note of the fact that the overwhelming majority of these comments are *against* the health care bills being proposed at the time! Please realize that if you vote for this bill, you are voting *against* your constituents! A recent gallup poll (http://www.gallup.com/poll/4708/healthcare-system.aspx - Nov 2009) will give you a lot of important information about the public opinion. It seems to reveal that people do generally think there are some problems, though these problems are for the most part not critical; that the costs are high, but not incredibly high; and that the government should not be the one with main responsibility for fixing the markets. This is the public opinion. You are held responsible by your constituents to vote for us, and not simply for your party. Voting NO for the current health-care bills *does not mean* that you are against health care reform. Please be patient enough to vote no and push that the current problems to be taken care of in a better way.

Representative Shauer: Reliable data from the CDC and other surverys indicate that about 70% of health care cost is associated with life style choices, e.g. diet, exercise, or use of alcohol, tobacco, or other chemicals. Therefore, any reasonable health care plan aimed at cost control would focus on this opportunity. However, the Pelosi House bill not only does not focus on it, this bill specifically requires insurance companies to charge the SAME preimiums for all in a particulare cohort group. In additon, there has been an amendment approved that an individuals weight and body mass index (BMI) can NOT be considered in any aspect of this health care program to be funded by other tax payers. This is ridiculous to have absolutely no incentive for performance in this "free service" program. Above all, do not support this plan---it has major flaws well beyond the above example.

Allowing an option to join a public non-profit health care plan is the only meaningful way to address the high costs of health care. Insurance companies would compete for business against the government option. If the government run program proves ineffective, people could buy through the traditional insurance companies. We would all benefit if people of all ages could buy into medicare at it's actual per person cost.