Inzax

Word on the street, it was 90 to 1 phone calls to his office in opposition to this bill….yet he voted to move forward to debate.  I am not sure he read my email or if he is responding to my calls to his office.   Either way, you don’t vote to debate the end of our country.   Ben Nelson has FAILED.

Dear Thomas:

Thank you for contacting me regarding health care reform.  I appreciate hearing from you on this critical issue.

As you may know, the greatest long-term economic concern our nation faces is out of control spending on health care.  The Government Accountability Office said last year, “If there is one thing that could bankrupt America, it’s runaway health care costs.”  Additionally, the Medicare program is predicted to become insolvent in 2017.  We must not allow that to happen.

On November 21, 2009, the Senate held a vote, which I supported, on the motion to proceed to the bill currently before the Senate, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.  I would like to explain what a vote on the motion to proceed means because there has been a lot of commentary in the media, by special interest groups, and in Congress offering definitions.  The motion to proceed is a vote to begin debate, consider amendments, and have an opportunity to make improvements.  I anticipate weeks of debate and the consideration of dozens of amendments.

Some seek to define a vote for the motion to proceed as one in favor of or in opposition to the Senate bill; those who do so are either misinformed or intentionally trying to mislead people.  Others define the vote as supporting or opposing President Obama and his agenda because they want him to either succeed or fail.  And still others define it as the last chance to stop bad legislation because they have a political agenda.

All of this is more of the old Washington political gamesmanship with which Americans are fed up.  Congress needs to be working together on a bipartisan basis for the good of the American people, and we need to take the time to craft the right health care bill.  So, in reality, the meaning of the motion to proceed is very simple:  It is a motion to commence debate, which will give the Senate the opportunity to make changes, and be pro-active on an issue affecting every American.

If the changes I believe must be made to this bill are not possible, I will oppose the second cloture motion to end debate (one which requires 60 votes) and ultimately oppose the final bill.  But I will not slam the Senate doors in the face of fellow Nebraskans now.  The Senate owes Americans a full and open debate to try to improve our health care system and make sure the changes are the right ones for Nebraskans.

I have posted links to the bill, as well as other resources pertaining to the current health care reform debate, on the Health Reform feature on my website at:

http://bennelson.senate.gov/feature_healthcare.cfm

I hope you find this information useful. 

As I continue to scrutinize this legislation and do all I can to make positive changes, I will work to ensure that the final plan provides Americans with reliable and secure health care at all stages of their lives.  The final health plan should reduce costs, extend the solvency of Medicare and be one which stresses prevention and wellness and improves quality in the delivery of health care services, while not raising taxes, increasing the deficit, rationing care, or funding abortions.  These are some of the basic principles which will remain my guides as Congress works its way through this difficult issue. 

I am truly thankful that so many Nebraskans such as yourself have shared their opinions and ideas with me on this crucial matter.  Rest assured I will keep them in mind as Congress needs the input of all Americans to solve such an important issue.

Sincerely,

Ben Nelson
U.S. Senator