Your voice is essential in proposed changes to your health care

As the president and Congress prepare a federal health care bill, a national debate is underway on whether or not government should take over health care. People are overflowing town hall meetings, writing letters, making phone calls and sending e-mails. Citizens not only want to be heard — it is essential they be heard by those elected officials who will be making the decision on this important issue.

In Olympia, many of my colleagues and I have received correspondence and multiple phone calls from constituents concerned about the future of their health care coverage. As a state representative, I am unable to vote on federal legislation considered by Congress. However, I believe all of our voices are important on this issue. That is why I recently joined with other state representatives to write a letter to our congressional delegation in Washington, D.C., articulating our concerns.

Here is part of that letter:

“We agree our health care system is in need of reform. Reform, however, should not be synonymous with government-run health care or put the fiscal well being of our nation at risk. We are particularly troubled by claims that people would be able to keep their current physicians and health care plans under the Obama proposal. This is simply not possible, as employers would be forced to cancel health insurance for employees due to billions, if not trillions, of dollars in taxes that would be required to implement health care for all. Millions of Americans could lose their existing health insurance and be forced into government-run health care under these proposals. There is an important role for government in health care, but it should be limited to helping people who truly cannot afford it.” (Read the full letter and our suggestions at www.houserepublicans.wa.gov/News/Kristiansen/090715a.htm)

Last fall’s buzz word was “change.” The most effective change comes from grassroots citizens. That’s why I encourage every individual to speak up in this health care debate and not let others discourage you to the sidelines. I appreciate those who have contacted me, but I want to make sure your concerns are directed to the right people, those who will be taking the actual vote on this proposed federal health care legislation — and that is our congressional delegation who serve this state in Washington, D.C. For the change you want, please contact them and make your voice heard. I’ve included their contact information below.

President Barack Obama

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20500

Phone: 202-456-1111

Web site: www.whitehouse.gov

Sen. Patty Murray

173 Russell Senate Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20510

Phone: 202-224-2621

Toll-free: 866-481-9186

Web site: http://murray.senate.gov

Everett office

Phone: 425-259-6515

Sen. Maria Cantwell

511 Dirksen Senate Office

Building

Washington, DC 20510

Phone: 202-224-3441

Toll-free: 888-648-7328

Web site: http://cantwell.senate.gov

Everett office

Phone: 425-303-0114

Fax: 425-303-8351

Congressman Rick Larsen

— District 2

108 Cannon House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

Phone: 202-225-2605

Web site: www.house.gov/larsen

Everett office

Phone: 425-252-3188

Bellingham office

Phone: 360-733-4500

Congressman Jay Inslee

— District 1

403 Cannon House Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20515

Phone: 202-225-6311

Web site: www.house.gov/inslee

Shoreline office

Phone: 206-361-0233

State Rep. Dan Kristiansen, R-Snohomish, represents the 39th Legislative District, and also serves as chairman of the Washington House Republican Caucus. He can be contacted at 360-786-7967 or from his Web site at www.houserepublicans.wa.gov/

Kristiansen.

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