The healthcare industry comprises 1/6 of the American economy.  The current administration wants to reform the health care system and has prepared 2500+ pages of legislation that most likely hasn’t been read by Congress. Does this bother anyone? 

For months, we have heard the President and his administration tell the American people that, if this healthcare legislation passes, no one would have to change their insurance plans or doctors if they didn’t wish to do so.  On Sept. 9, 2009 during his remarks to a joint session of Congress on Health Care, the President assured everyone TWICE that they could keep their doctor when he stated, “Here are the details that every American needs to know about this plan.  First, if you are among the hundreds of millions of Americans who already have health insurance through your job, or Medicare, or Medicaid, or the VA, nothing in this plan will require you or your employer to change the coverage or the doctor you have.  (Applause.)  Let me repeat this:  Nothing in our plan requires you to change what you have.”

The people of the United States kept asking Congress to READ the healthcare bill before voting on it.  And now, it appears, the President has given us a clear reason why these bills need to be read before they are passed.  (Can you say duh?)  According to the Washington Times, President Obama stated in an address to House Republicans less than two weeks ago, “For example, we said from the start that it was going to be important for us to be consistent in saying to people, if you can have your--if you want to keep the health insurance you got, you can keep it.  You’re not going to have anybody get between you and your doctor in your decision-making, and I think that some of the provisions that got snuck in might have violated that pledge…”   

Here is video of the “stunning admission”:

SNUCK IN?    That leads to a few initial thoughts.  Exactly what else has been SNUCK IN?  And who exactly does the President think snuck this in the bill?  Hmmm…..

Health Care Reform is a big deal.  This bill and its implications will impact us and our children for the rest of our (and their) lives, as well as the lives of future generations of Americans.  Talk about this bill shouldn’t be done in secret, behind closed doors. It shouldn’t involve just talking with the unions to see what they want. It shouldn’t be done by giving bribes to various state senators to secure their votes.  It should be done in the light of day, with input from the People. The Health Care Bill proposals should be read out in the open.  Taking these simple steps would make it harder to “sneak” things into major legislation. 

Mr. President, you seem to believe that health care reform is needed for the good of the people. I ask you to do this reform out in the open, where good prevails. I ask you to see what else has been “snuck” into these reform measures.  And I ask you to lead. Tell Congress that part of the Hope and Change that the people expect comes from saying what you mean, and meaning what you say — not sneaking things into bills…

And most importantly, it comes from listening to the people.