Nat'l health care will 'body slam' free enterprise
Open letter to House of Representatives: Iwrite to implore you not to support pending legislation for national health care. Passing this legislation will be team Obama's next "body slam" to the free enterprise system (but you already know that).

Already the White House has trumpeted their goal of saving $1.7 trillion of costs over the next decade. They are proud to announce this will be achieved by rationing care. Service reductions have already been proposed in four areas:

• Cutting diagnostic imaging tests like MRIs and CAT scans;

• Reducing the use of antibiotics;

• Performing fewer Caesarean sections; and

• Cutting care for management of chronic back pain.

This is just the beginning. Decisions will not be based upon medical need but rather upon financial requirements. Remember, "affordability" is the primary focus of this legislation. Treatment will not be based on a doctor's opinion of what the needs of the patient are, but a bureaucrat's and accountant's opinion of what the new health care system can afford.

This is exactly what is taking place in other countries with single payer systems. Today in Canada, kidneys are being removed instead of applying advanced treatments developed in the U.S. because government cost guidelines won't allow it.

And you will not be able to bypass their rulings and pay for this care yourself. The rules laid down must be followed and private payments will not be permitted to override them. That is why people from other countries come here to receive treatment(s) they can't get under their "affordable" system. Support for this legislation will destroy the finest health care system the world has even seen.

What we now call a doctor's private fee for service will metastasize into a bribe.

A national health care system is the biggest threat to our personal liberty. If the government has to pay for one's health care, you can be certain it will have a say over any behavior they deem "risky." There is literally no limit on the kind of personal activity that the government won't have the right to supervise or control should this legislation be passed. Giving this much power to government constitutes tyranny.

Is this really the kind of future you wish to help create for your children and your children's children? Or are you willing to sell your very soul to sit at the seat of power?

The cost of such a system is incalculable — especially when illegal aliens are provided free coverage and they will be. Millions will enter this country illegally to receive free health care. Costs will grow exponentially into untold trillions of dollars and finally lead our country into financial ruin. One has to ask — why would a legislator knowingly assist in driving the future of this nation off an economic cliff? The answer is too ugly to contemplate.

The voters are watching and believe me when I say your political future hangs in the balance. Please act responsibly. The future of our country will be decided by this one piece of legislation. Your family is waiting to see what you are willing to do to them.

Lawrence Odell

Matawan