Letter to a Freshman Congressman

[Brigid]

Dear Stupid Freshman Republican Congressman from IL:

I don't know you. I don't live in your district. Still, I've been thinking a lot about you over the past few days. I saw you on CNN the other morning, saying that you were not going to accept the health insurance offered because it is from the federal government. You pontificated that you wanted to experience what other Americans go through when buying health coverage on the open market. You also stated that your wife has a pre-existing condition. Well, let me spare you -- and, more importantly, your wife -- a lot of pain and suffering. I can tell you exactly what you are in for. I have worked for a large health insurance company. Not only that, I worked in the individual division.

First of all, have fun trying to find coverage for your wife. I don't know what her pre-existing condition is, but even if you do find coverage, which is extremely unlikely, I can promise you it will cost the proverbial arm and a leg. Even if you are wealthy, this will have to take a financial toll at some point.

Next, just wait until you actually have to file a claim. You will fight with the insurance company for months over every one, until the provider finally gets tired of waiting and turns the bill over to collections, thereby affecting your credit rating. And then there are the services that the policy does not cover. Those will also come out of your pocket, and that is after you deductibles and co-pays. You are in for some real financial hardships as the medical bills pile up. It is even possible that you will wind up filing for bankruptcy; medical bills are the number one cause of personal bankruptcies in this country, and the majority of those who find themselves in this situation had health insurance. This could even jeopardize your marriage, as financial issues are very fertile ground for marital strife. Even an unmarried person like myself knows that.

You have put ideology ahead of common sense and the welfare of your wife. How you talked her into this, I don't know. Have fun with this little experiment, you idiot.

Sincerely,
Brigid

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Superbly well said.

Recommended.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

2. a big ole K&R

His heart may be in the right place but, his head is not.

[gateley]

3. I hope he keeps us posted on how it's going - and that he learns a lesson that

will help him better serve in the House. He's got the Fed plan to fall back on (I assume) so I hope he takes advantage of it before his wife is negatively impacted. (Pre-existing conditions aren't all life-or-death, she just may have a situation where she needs prescription meds and a doctor can prescribe those for her. I speak from experience.)

[Drale]

4. Three things

1) He won't have any problems with health insurance as I'm sure he's a rich man, and 2) His wife is probably a republican as well and we all know that women who vote republican don't have their best interests at heart. 3) You really expect a republican to have common sense?