FRANK BERNHEISEL

Health care e-mails to my senators

Dear Senators Warner and Webb,

I noticed that health care was not front and center on your website. I think that health care should be passed on right away so that Congress can move on to other pressing matters.

The Senate passed a health care bill, which politically is the only viable basis for getting a new law. However, frankly, it stinks. It has too many special favors to people like Sen. Mary Landrieu and Sen. Ben Nelson. This was done to buy their votes, but that is another issue.

Anyone paying attention knows that the only route to getting a health care bill passed this week, month, or year, is for the House to pass the Senate bill. But as I said, it stinks.

To be a viable option, the Senate must agree to significant changes. However, the House members in favor of health care do not trust the Senate and I do not blame them. p> The solution, in my view, is for fifty-one Senate leaders, such as yourself, to go on record stating the changes that you will support in a reconciliation bill. "On Record" should include website, C-SPAN, and public statements.

It has been sixty years since Harry Truman tried to get universal health care passed in the United States. That is long enough and the issues are clear; letŐs get a significant improvement in health care done, now.

Sincerely,

Frank Bernheisel