Comments on: Asking Sen. Gillibrand, Sen. Schumer, Rep. Hinchey about the Healthcare Bill http://www.mvass.com/2009/08/11/asking-sen-gillibrand-sen-schumer-rep-hinchey-about-the-healthcare-bill/ Politics, commentary and more Tue, 07 Sep 2010 21:28:19 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Senator Gillibrand on voter concerns | VASS political blog http://www.mvass.com/2009/08/11/asking-sen-gillibrand-sen-schumer-rep-hinchey-about-the-healthcare-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-643 Senator Gillibrand on voter concerns | VASS political blog Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:27:58 +0000 http://www.mvass.com/?p=350#comment-643 [...] Given that choice, I sent a letter to Senators Gillibrand and Schumer on August 11th. In that letter I asked 21 specific questions about the Health Care Reform Bill that they were supporting in the Senate. The simplest of those questions was “Have you personally read and understood all 1000+ pages of the proposed Health Care Reform Bi... [...] [...] Given that choice, I sent a letter to Senators Gillibrand and Schumer on August 11th. In that letter I asked 21 specific questions about the Health Care Reform Bill that they were supporting in the Senate. The simplest of those questions was “Have you personally read and understood all 1000+ pages of the proposed Health Care Reform Bi… [...]

]]> By: The speeding bullet of Health Care Reform | VASS political blog http://www.mvass.com/2009/08/11/asking-sen-gillibrand-sen-schumer-rep-hinchey-about-the-healthcare-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-527 The speeding bullet of Health Care Reform | VASS political blog Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:02:46 +0000 http://www.mvass.com/?p=350#comment-527 [...] These are but a few of the questions that have circled the Health Care Reform Bill since August 2009. In all that time there has been no clear answer to any of these questions, often with any answer changing from version to version. In all that time not a single supporter has been able to summarize the entire Bill and its functions in a simple description. In fact a number of major supporters in Congress REFUSED to discuss the Bill at all with constituents. [...] [...] These are but a few of the questions that have circled the Health Care Reform Bill since August 2009. In all that time there has been no clear answer to any of these questions, often with any answer changing from version to version. In all that time not a single supporter has been able to summarize the entire Bill and its functions in a simple description. In fact a number of major supporters in Congress REFUSED to discuss the Bill at all with constituents. [...]

]]> By: Senator Kirsten Gillibrand responds to Michael Vass | Breaking News Blog http://www.mvass.com/2009/08/11/asking-sen-gillibrand-sen-schumer-rep-hinchey-about-the-healthcare-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-296 Senator Kirsten Gillibrand responds to Michael Vass | Breaking News Blog Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:40:40 +0000 http://www.mvass.com/?p=350#comment-296 [...] following is the letter from Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, responding to my letter and email on August 11, 2009. This is the verbatim transcription of the letter received today in the mail. September 10, [...] [...] following is the letter from Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, responding to my letter and email on August 11, 2009. This is the verbatim transcription of the letter received today in the mail. September 10, [...]

]]> By: Senator Kirsten Gillibrand responds to Michael Vass | VASS political blog http://www.mvass.com/2009/08/11/asking-sen-gillibrand-sen-schumer-rep-hinchey-about-the-healthcare-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-295 Senator Kirsten Gillibrand responds to Michael Vass | VASS political blog Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:27:10 +0000 http://www.mvass.com/?p=350#comment-295 [...] following is the letter from Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, responding to my letter and email on August 11, 2009. This is the verbatim transcription of the letter received today in the [...] [...] following is the letter from Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, responding to my letter and email on August 11, 2009. This is the verbatim transcription of the letter received today in the [...]

]]> By: Michael Vass http://www.mvass.com/2009/08/11/asking-sen-gillibrand-sen-schumer-rep-hinchey-about-the-healthcare-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-294 Michael Vass Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:22:29 +0000 http://www.mvass.com/?p=350#comment-294 The following is the letter from Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, responding to my letter and email on August 11, 2009. This is the verbatim transcription of the letter received today in the mail. September 10, 2009 Dear Mr. Vass, Thank you for writing to me about the current state of our healthcare system. I appreciate your point of view and share many of your concerns. I believe that it is vital that we act now to bring forth health care reform solutions that will lower the cost for those currently covered by private insurance, strengthen Medicare for seniors and allow every American to access quality and affordable health care. Our healthcare system is currently badly broken. Over the last ten years, health care premium increases have far outpaced earned wages and forty-seven million Americans, including three million New Yorkers, are currently uninsured and an additional 25 million are under insured. With our current economic situation, many Americans are losing their insurance coverage when they are laid off from their jobs. Even people who thought they were adequately covered with the health insurance they purchased later to learn that they are not when facing catastrophic diagnosis. This is unacceptable. No family should be one health care emergency away from bankruptcy. Congress must act to provide stability in the health insurance industry. Quality care for the patient, affordability for families and small businesses, and patient choice are all important considerations in reforming our health care system. We need a plan in place that Americans will be able to afford, as well as allow them a true choice between competing health insurance plans. Having a public option, similar to a Medicare-for-all program, would create competition and result in lower health care costs across the board. If you are happy with the coverage you currently have, a public option would also allow you to keep it. I have been a strong supporter of affordable, quality health insurance for all. I am committed to addressing this important issue and will work with my Seante colleagues on a bipartisan solution. Thank you again for writing to express your concerns and I hope that you keep in touch with my office regarding future legislation and concerns you may have. For more information on this and other important issues, please visit my website at http://gillibrand.senate.gov and sign up for my e-newsletter. Sincerely yours, Kirsten E. Gillibrand The following is the letter from Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, responding to my letter and email on August 11, 2009. This is the verbatim transcription of the letter received today in the mail.

September 10, 2009

Dear Mr. Vass,

Thank you for writing to me about the current state of our healthcare system. I appreciate your point of view and share many of your concerns. I believe that it is vital that we act now to bring forth health care reform solutions that will lower the cost for those currently covered by private insurance, strengthen Medicare for seniors and allow every American to access quality and affordable health care.

Our healthcare system is currently badly broken. Over the last ten years, health care premium increases have far outpaced earned wages and forty-seven million Americans, including three million New Yorkers, are currently uninsured and an additional 25 million are under insured. With our current economic situation, many Americans are losing their insurance coverage when they are laid off from their jobs. Even people who thought they were adequately covered with the health insurance they purchased later to learn that they are not when facing catastrophic diagnosis. This is unacceptable. No family should be one health care emergency away from bankruptcy. Congress must act to provide stability in the health insurance industry.

Quality care for the patient, affordability for families and small businesses, and patient choice are all important considerations in reforming our health care system. We need a plan in place that Americans will be able to afford, as well as allow them a true choice between competing health insurance plans. Having a public option, similar to a Medicare-for-all program, would create competition and result in lower health care costs across the board. If you are happy with the coverage you currently have, a public option would also allow you to keep it.

I have been a strong supporter of affordable, quality health insurance for all. I am committed to addressing this important issue and will work with my Seante colleagues on a bipartisan solution.

Thank you again for writing to express your concerns and I hope that you keep in touch with my office regarding future legislation and concerns you may have. For more information on this and other important issues, please visit my website at http://gillibrand.senate.gov and sign up for my e-newsletter.

Sincerely yours,

Kirsten E. Gillibrand

]]> By: Senator Gillibrand and ACORN - a connection becomes clear | American Blog http://www.mvass.com/2009/08/11/asking-sen-gillibrand-sen-schumer-rep-hinchey-about-the-healthcare-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-287 Senator Gillibrand and ACORN - a connection becomes clear | American Blog Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:10:07 +0000 http://www.mvass.com/?p=350#comment-287 [...] considering Senator Gillibrand was unwilling to even send me a confirmation email of the emailed and written letter I sent her (and Senator Schumer, and Rep. Hinchey), I doubt her [...] [...] considering Senator Gillibrand was unwilling to even send me a confirmation email of the emailed and written letter I sent her (and Senator Schumer, and Rep. Hinchey), I doubt her [...]

]]> By: Senator Gillibrand and ACORN - a connection becomes clear | Breaking News Blog http://www.mvass.com/2009/08/11/asking-sen-gillibrand-sen-schumer-rep-hinchey-about-the-healthcare-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-285 Senator Gillibrand and ACORN - a connection becomes clear | Breaking News Blog Wed, 16 Sep 2009 06:22:14 +0000 http://www.mvass.com/?p=350#comment-285 [...] considering Senator Gillibrand was unwilling to even send me a confirmation email of the emailed and written letter I sent her (and Senator Schumer, and Rep. Hinchey), I doubt her [...] [...] considering Senator Gillibrand was unwilling to even send me a confirmation email of the emailed and written letter I sent her (and Senator Schumer, and Rep. Hinchey), I doubt her [...]

]]> By: Senator Gillibrand and ACORN – a connection becomes clear | VASS political blog http://www.mvass.com/2009/08/11/asking-sen-gillibrand-sen-schumer-rep-hinchey-about-the-healthcare-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-284 Senator Gillibrand and ACORN – a connection becomes clear | VASS political blog Wed, 16 Sep 2009 06:19:41 +0000 http://www.mvass.com/?p=350#comment-284 [...] considering Senator Gillibrand was unwilling to even send me a confirmation email of the emailed and written letter I sent her (and Senator Schumer, and Rep. Hinchey), I doubt her [...] [...] considering Senator Gillibrand was unwilling to even send me a confirmation email of the emailed and written letter I sent her (and Senator Schumer, and Rep. Hinchey), I doubt her [...]

]]> By: Polispeak builds for 2010 mid-term elections | American Blog http://www.mvass.com/2009/08/11/asking-sen-gillibrand-sen-schumer-rep-hinchey-about-the-healthcare-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-211 Polispeak builds for 2010 mid-term elections | American Blog Thu, 03 Sep 2009 20:41:50 +0000 http://www.mvass.com/?p=350#comment-211 [...] that nearly every Democrat in Congress did not read the Stimulus package, nor have they read the Health Care Reform Bill. They need to distract from the fact that the Stimulus package has led to more unemployment and [...] [...] that nearly every Democrat in Congress did not read the Stimulus package, nor have they read the Health Care Reform Bill. They need to distract from the fact that the Stimulus package has led to more unemployment and [...]

]]> By: Sen. Gillibrand can do commercials, but won’t talk to voters | Breaking News Blog http://www.mvass.com/2009/08/11/asking-sen-gillibrand-sen-schumer-rep-hinchey-about-the-healthcare-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-175 Sen. Gillibrand can do commercials, but won’t talk to voters | Breaking News Blog Fri, 21 Aug 2009 18:51:23 +0000 http://www.mvass.com/?p=350#comment-175 [...] But Sen. Gillibrand is far more accurately visualized as a groundhog. By that I mean she is afraid to stick out her head and see what voters have to say. On Aug 14th it was reported by the New York Daily News that both Sen. Gillibrand and Sen. Schumer will not hold any town hall meetings about the current Health Care Reform Bill in Congress. Add to that the fact that Sen. Gillibrand has so far refused to respond, in any manner, the letter I sent her and Sen. Schumer and Rep. Hinchey. That letter was sent on the 11th, via email and.... [...] [...] But Sen. Gillibrand is far more accurately visualized as a groundhog. By that I mean she is afraid to stick out her head and see what voters have to say. On Aug 14th it was reported by the New York Daily News that both Sen. Gillibrand and Sen. Schumer will not hold any town hall meetings about the current Health Care Reform Bill in Congress. Add to that the fact that Sen. Gillibrand has so far refused to respond, in any manner, the letter I sent her and Sen. Schumer and Rep. Hinchey. That letter was sent on the 11th, via email and…. [...]

]]> By: Sen. Gillibrand can do commercials, but won’t talk to voters | American Blog http://www.mvass.com/2009/08/11/asking-sen-gillibrand-sen-schumer-rep-hinchey-about-the-healthcare-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-173 Sen. Gillibrand can do commercials, but won’t talk to voters | American Blog Fri, 21 Aug 2009 18:45:11 +0000 http://www.mvass.com/?p=350#comment-173 [...] But Sen. Gillibrand is far more accurately visualized as a groundhog. By that I mean she is afraid to stick out her head and see what voters have to say. On Aug 14th it was reported by the New York Daily News that both Sen. Gillibrand and Sen. Schumer will not hold any town hall meetings about the current Health Care Reform Bill in Congress. Add to that the fact that Sen. Gillibrand has so far refused to respond, in any manner, the letter I sent her and Sen. Schumer and Rep. Hinchey. That letter was sent on the 11th, via email and.... [...] [...] But Sen. Gillibrand is far more accurately visualized as a groundhog. By that I mean she is afraid to stick out her head and see what voters have to say. On Aug 14th it was reported by the New York Daily News that both Sen. Gillibrand and Sen. Schumer will not hold any town hall meetings about the current Health Care Reform Bill in Congress. Add to that the fact that Sen. Gillibrand has so far refused to respond, in any manner, the letter I sent her and Sen. Schumer and Rep. Hinchey. That letter was sent on the 11th, via email and…. [...]

]]> By: Sen. Gillibrand can do commercials, but won’t talk to voters | VASS political blog http://www.mvass.com/2009/08/11/asking-sen-gillibrand-sen-schumer-rep-hinchey-about-the-healthcare-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-172 Sen. Gillibrand can do commercials, but won’t talk to voters | VASS political blog Fri, 21 Aug 2009 18:42:35 +0000 http://www.mvass.com/?p=350#comment-172 [...] But Sen. Gillibrand is far more accurately visualized as a groundhog. By that I mean she is afraid to stick out her head and see what voters have to say. On Aug 14th it was reported by the New York Daily News that both Sen. Gillibrand and Sen. Schumer will not hold any town hall meetings about the current Health Care Reform Bill in Congress. Add to that the fact that Sen. Gillibrand has so far refused to respond, in any manner, the letter I sent her and Sen. Schumer and Rep. Hinchey. That letter was sent on the 11th, via email and.... [...] [...] But Sen. Gillibrand is far more accurately visualized as a groundhog. By that I mean she is afraid to stick out her head and see what voters have to say. On Aug 14th it was reported by the New York Daily News that both Sen. Gillibrand and Sen. Schumer will not hold any town hall meetings about the current Health Care Reform Bill in Congress. Add to that the fact that Sen. Gillibrand has so far refused to respond, in any manner, the letter I sent her and Sen. Schumer and Rep. Hinchey. That letter was sent on the 11th, via email and…. [...]

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