MESSAGE FROM CONG. PAUL KANJORSKI OF PENNSYLVANIA
The following is an email from Congressman Paul Kanjorski of Pennsylvania. It is a response to an email I sent to him as well as the President and leaders of both houses of Congress.
Dear Mr. Masters:
Thank you for informing me of your concerns about the rising costs of health care. I appreciated hearing from you on this important issue and apologize for my delayed response. I agree with you that we must find ways to lower the cost of health care to a level where the average American can afford it.
Obtaining health insurance at an affordable price has increasingly become a major concern for many American families. The expense of providing health insurance benefits to workers has also become one of the most pressing concerns for employers, especially small businesses. Additionally, many households in Northeastern Pennsylvania in recent years have unfortunately experienced higher cost sharing arrangements or a total loss of their insurance because of escalating health care costs. Moreover, more than 45 million Americans lack any access to health insurance, and an additional 30 million are underinsured.
Please know that I am very concerned about these trends and statistics. I am therefore working in Washington to take steps to counter them in order to ensure that all Americans have access to reasonably priced, quality health care in the future. Ideally, all Americans would have health care coverage on which they could rely through a universal health care system.
Under a universal health care system, employers would no longer be burdened with ever-increasing health care costs, and U.S. businesses would be more competitive in the growing global economy, especially against those nations in which the government rather than individual businesses assumes the cost of providing health care to its citizens. Although many Americans receive health care through government programs like Medicare and Medicaid, the United States is virtually alone among developed nations in failing to implement a universal system. Its employers therefore bear a significant financial burden that businesses in other countries do not carry.
While providing universal health care is a long-term goal, I am working within the limitations of the current system to make health care more affordable and accessible in the short run. In addition, I am working to ensure that programs such as Medicare and Medicaid remain available and effective. In the coming months, I suspect we will consider legislation to address these issues. You can rest assured that during the coming debates I will continue to keep your thoughts in mind and take action as appropriate.
Again, thank you for you contacting me with your concerns about the costs of health care. Please feel free to contact me again about any matter that concerns you.
Sincerely,
Paul E. Kanjorski
Member of Congress
Confirmation# 1360508
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