Enroll Congress in the Public Option

Below is the text of a letter I received from Congressman John Fleming who represents Louisiana’s 4^th District in the House of Representatives. I contacted Congressman Fleming in support of H. Res. 615, a resolution to enroll representatives in the public option if one were to ever be passed.

If Congress has the poor judgment to force Americans to accept the creation of a public option, they should lead the way in enrolling it in themselves. Perhaps once enrolled, Congress could get a better view of the mess they had created.

Letter from Rep. John Fleming:

Dear Deborah,
Because you have previously contacted my office by email in support of H. Res. 615, my resolution calling on Members of Congress to enroll in the public option, I wanted to give you an update.
Like many of you, I am deeply concerned that Congress will press forward to enact an intrusive government administered health care plan, despite the higher costs and lowered level of care other countries with similar systems have experienced.

You will be pleased to know that more than 100 Members of Congress joined in support of H. Res. 615, my common sense measure calling on Members who vote for an intrusive government-administered health care plan to enroll in that system.  Since launching this effort, nearly 3 million Americans like you have contacted my office in support of H. Res. 615.  In response I offered an amendment to the Democratic Leadership health care bill to automatically enroll all Members of Congress and all Senators in the public option.  Predictably, my amendment was rejected out of hand by the Majority and was not given a vote on the floor of the House of Representatives.

Common sense seems to have failed us in the health care debate.  That is why I offered a resolution asking Members of Congress to put their “money where their mouth is” and call for Members who support a public option lead by example and be required to enroll in the public option themselves.  If a Member is willing to vote for such an option, why shouldn’t they enroll in it?

THE DOCTOR’S DIAGNOSIS: There is no doubt about it; health care in America must be reformed.  The answer, however, is not an intrusive government administered health care plan.  As a practicing physician for over 30 years, I am concerned that the kind of “reform” being debated back and forth on Capitol Hill will insert Washington bureaucrats between patients and their doctors, burden the middle class with new taxes, and raise insurance premiums for almost everyone.  That is unacceptable “reform.” I will continue to work to represent you and to bring common sense back to this debate.

You can also click these links to follow me on Facebook or Twitter.

JOHN FLEMING, M.D.