What I’d Ask Politicians at a Town Hall on Health Care

My Congresswoman, Carol Shea-Porter is holding two town hall meetings today to answer questions about the proposed health care reform. I won’t be there, but if I could ask a question, these are my concerns:

Opponents say we will have “Death Panels” and the Government will decide when to “pull the plug on grandma”. Is this true?

Opponents say the health care system isn’t broken and we should leave it alone. That means we should allow private insurance companies to cancel policies when people get sick, and deny them coverage with pre-existing conditions, so they can go bankrupt paying their medical bills. Do you agree with this status quo?

Opponents say the 46 million people who are not insured either chose not to buy it, or they’re illegal aliens. Is this true?

Opponents say the proposed health reform will hurt Medicare service and quality. The Republicans really love their single payer Medicare and don’t want the Democrats to mess with it.) Is this true?

Opponents say the proposed public option will cover illegal aliens. Is this true?

Opponents say the Government will pay for abortions on the public option. Is this true?

Opponents say the proposed health reform will put a government bureaucrat (instead of an insurance bureaucrat) between you and your doctor. Is this true?

Opponents say the proposed public option is a stalking horse for socialized single payer and 170 million people currently on employer paid insurance will eventually lose their private insurance. Is this true?

Opponents say the proposed health care reform will increase the deficit? Is this true?

In fact, none of these assertions are true, but that doesn’t stop opponents (mostly Republicans) from being disingenuous and continuing to use fear to block health care reform. I hope Americans will have the good sense to see past these attacks and support health care reform that benefits everyone.