December 15, 2009
Thank you for contacting me regarding our nation's
health care system. I appreciate your taking the time to
write.
Throughoutthe nation the cost of medical care continues to rise
and isunaffordable for many individuals and businesses. This problem is
mostacute in New Mexico. Without health reform, our state is expected
toexperience the greatest increase in health insurance premiums in thenation.
For example, the average employer sponsored insurance premiumfor a family in New
Mexico was about $6,000 in 2000. By 2006, this ratehad almost doubled to over
$11,000. By 2016, this amount is expected torise to an astonishing $28,000. New
Mexicans also spend more on healthinsurance premiums as a percentage of their
income than almost allother Americans.
Weare at a critical point when it
comes to our health care system, andthat we need to implement major changes. At
the same time, I feelstrongly that people who like their coverage should be able
to keep it.Health care should be affordable and accessible to all Americans
andthis is an area in which Congress can and should do a better job ofmeeting
the needs of the American public. As a member of both theCommittees on Finance
and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions(HELP), I have worked to create
legislation to address three key areas:containing health care costs, ensuring
that every American has accessto affordable health insurance, and improving the
quality of care. Tothis end, Congress has debated various models to reduce costs
whileextending coverage. One model includes a public option, which Isupport. A
public option would leverage competition and safeguardagainst unscrupulous
insurance practices. I also believe we must worktowards responsible legislation
that is paid for and does not increasethe deficit. I understand the importance
of this issue, and please beassured I will keep your comments in mind as the
Senate debates thisissue.
Again, thank you for writing. I hope you
will continue to keep me informed of issues of importance to you and your
community.
Sincerely,
JEFF BINGAMAN
United States
Senator
Phone: (202) 224-5521
Toll-free in NM:
1-800-443-8658
Website: http://bingaman.senate.gov
Subscribe to my e-newsletter.
Look
for me on Facebook and YouTube.
Thank you for contacting me regarding our nation's
health care system. I appreciate your taking the time to
write.
Throughoutthe nation the cost of medical care continues to rise
and isunaffordable for many individuals and businesses. This problem is
mostacute in New Mexico. Without health reform, our state is expected
toexperience the greatest increase in health insurance premiums in thenation.
For example, the average employer sponsored insurance premiumfor a family in New
Mexico was about $6,000 in 2000. By 2006, this ratehad almost doubled to over
$11,000. By 2016, this amount is expected torise to an astonishing $28,000. New
Mexicans also spend more on healthinsurance premiums as a percentage of their
income than almost allother Americans.
Weare at a critical point when it
comes to our health care system, andthat we need to implement major changes. At
the same time, I feelstrongly that people who like their coverage should be able
to keep it.Health care should be affordable and accessible to all Americans
andthis is an area in which Congress can and should do a better job ofmeeting
the needs of the American public. As a member of both theCommittees on Finance
and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions(HELP), I have worked to create
legislation to address three key areas:containing health care costs, ensuring
that every American has accessto affordable health insurance, and improving the
quality of care. Tothis end, Congress has debated various models to reduce costs
whileextending coverage. One model includes a public option, which Isupport. A
public option would leverage competition and safeguardagainst unscrupulous
insurance practices. I also believe we must worktowards responsible legislation
that is paid for and does not increasethe deficit. I understand the importance
of this issue, and please beassured I will keep your comments in mind as the
Senate debates thisissue.
Again, thank you for writing. I hope you
will continue to keep me informed of issues of importance to you and your
community.
Sincerely,
JEFF BINGAMAN
United States
Senator
Phone: (202) 224-5521
Toll-free in NM:
1-800-443-8658
Website: http://bingaman.senate.gov
Subscribe to my e-newsletter.
Look
for me on Facebook and YouTube.