Dear Senator Shaheen,

New Hampshire doesn’t want the “Obama/Reid/Pelosi” health care bill. Competition and sensible marketplace reforms will lower premium costs and improve health care choices for individuals and businesses.

I express my strong opposition to the “Government takeover” of healthcare! This adds up to a massive, expensive new federal program that we can’t afford. How on earth do you think we’ll be able to pay for government-subsidized health care?

I know the answer to that question: More taxes and stifling mandates. My children, grandchildren, and I will pick up the tab.

What is less apparent, though, is the disproportionate share of the burden small businesses will bear. According to the independent Congressional Budget Office, new taxes on health benefits, prescriptions, medical devices, and reduced payments to hospitals would result in significant cost increases that will be passed on directly to employers and employees. That will make health insurance more expensive, not less.

For self-employed business owners buying coverage in the individual market, policies would be 10 percent to 13 percent higher in 2016 than the same coverage under current law. That is unacceptable! It runs counter to the Congress’ stated goal of expanding access to care.

Seniors and those nearing retirement are highly skeptical of the Senate’s pending legislation because the majority of congress wants to pay for the $2.5 trillion bill, in part, by making cuts to Medicare. Just last week, they thwarted an effort to stop cuts for home nursing services which are critical for Medicare beneficiaries who can’t leave the house.

Senator Shaheen, this legislation in not good for New Hampshire and for the U.S.A.!

Sincerely

Richard H. Olson, Sr

Jaffrey, NH