Ben Nelson's response:

[LiberalAndProud]

Did anyone else get one of these?

Thank you for contacting me regarding health care reform. I appreciate hearing from you on this critical issue.



As you know, one of the greatest economic concerns our nation faces - across the age spectrum - is access to affordable health care. Those who are insured continue to be hit by the spiraling costs of health care premiums, which have increased by 78 percent since 2001, while income only increased by 19 percent. Recent reports predict that health care costs may rise by approximately 9 percent again next year.



Transforming our health care delivery system and lowering the cost of care are the most important goals of reform. We must begin paying for value rather than volume, and contain costs to make health care more affordable for all Americans without compromising quality. Congress took a step forward with the approval of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, P.L. 111‑5, which made a downpayment on advancing health information technology and comparative effectiveness research, giving patients access to improved health records and better evidence about which medical treatments may best serve their needs.



I have been pleased to see a consensus develop around insurance reforms that will help ensure affordability and strengthen coverage and choice for those with insurance, and ultimately cover millions who cannot obtain coverage today. Guaranteeing affordable coverage, eliminating pricing based on health status, and no longer excluding individuals due to pre-existing conditions will provide American families with reliable and secure health care. I believe meaningful health reform is within reach, and the President and Congress must find common ground to improve care by lowering cost and expanding access, while not worsening the deficit.



I truly appreciate hearing from Nebraskans such as yourself on such a crucial issue. In many of my recent weekends at home, I have made it a priority to meet with others from our state, including patients, caregivers, doctors, nurses, small and large business owners, and health reform advocates, to hear their views as well. As we move ahead, I will continue this dialogue; and I remain committed to working in a constructive, bipartisan manner to do all I can to ensure that the ultimate reforms are the right ones.


Thank you again for contacting me. Congress needs the input of all Americans to solve such an important issue, and I believe we can come together as a nation and collectively confront this shared challenge.


Sincerely,

Ben Nelson
U.S. Senator

[shcrane71]

1. I didn't even get a response for my letter to Nelson

But then again, I said that I couldn't understand how anyone could oppose the public option. I see he's skirted that issue here.

[LiberalAndProud]

2. He's on record. He wants a weak trigger.

If he will vote for cloture, we stand a chance of getting some sort of health care relief. I will leave it to the other Representatives to hammer out the best deal we can get.

Somehow I feel like a puppy begging for table scraps, but I've lived too long, I guess. I no longer believe that politicians of any stripe have the will to push through the reforms that are truly needed. So I'll settle for the leftovers, because the alternative is worse. And that is always the 'Option' in politics.

[LiberalAndProud]

3. I forgot to say, Welcome to DU.

I'm always glad to see another Nebraskan here.

[shcrane71]

4. thanks for the welcome

Nebraska/Iowan. Where are you located?

[LiberalAndProud]

5. I'm just down the road from you in Lincoln.

You live on the river? (jk)

[shcrane71]

6. Iowa has 3 natural borders and 5 man-made borders

We're taught in Iowa schools that Iowa is a state with two natural (Mississippi River & Missouri River) borders, and two man-made borders (IA/MN and IA/MO).

In actuality, there's a natural border, a horseshoe lake, and two man-made borders in the city of Omaha between Nebraska and Iowa. Little known fact. The shortest highway in the US highway system is also located in Iowa between the two IA/NE borders. Cool, eh?

[TicketyBoo]

9. I didn't get a letter from him, either.

I sent two letters to him.

There is no way he can respond to me, I think. Our premiums are going up by over 17% for next year. How can he respond to a figure like that when he wants to play along with the insurance companies?

I've been kicking around (and being kicked around) in the General Discussion forum for several months before I found my way here, just today. Sorry I didn't find you all sooner.

It's hell living out here in red meat Republican territory where every Tom, Dick, and Floyd R. Turbo thinks Fox News is the only channel that comes in on their TV set.

[firedupdem]

7. I didn't get anything from him. I may be on the "ignore" list at this

point.

[LiberalAndProud]

8. Now 60 votes are not enough for ben. No we must have 65

senators ... or what? he won't vote for the measure? I don't expect him to. We need a good bill. We need a vote for cloture. My expectations are few from Sen. Nelson, but even so he disappoints.