Listen up, America.

We still have a chance to help the 15% uninsured Americans. But not at the risk of taking away great health care from the 85% of Americans who earned and like their great—yes great—health benefits.  

Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) says it best: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=G44NCvNDLfc 

Why would our great country pass legislation that will punish 85% (if not higher) of Americans who like their coverage, want more—not fewer—choices, and want their children and parents to keep it too? 

Congress should vote “yes” only on a bill that focuses solely on the 10-15% uninsured as a group, and doesn’t punish the 85-90% by changing or downgrading their benefits. A reasonable health access and quality bill should only address the scope of the problem—the relatively few uninsured Americans. It should not have the prowess of downgrading and punishing the bulk of Americans that represent the best health care in the world. Congress should quickly come up with a separate, much smaller bill that reforms COBRA and expands coverage options for Americans with pre-existing conditions. 

Rep. Rogers correctly demonstrates the slippery slope of Socialism in this House by listing the Federal government’s recent taxpayer-funded endeavors. The House Bill in discussion is yet another step in the chipping away of American’s right as citizens and taxpayers. This one, if adopted, may just be even harder to reverse in future years. Once employer coverage is lost, those long-developed markets will be very difficult to re-build. 

I think all of us look forward to the day that GM and Chrysler become once again stand-alone, private companies. Let’s not risk more of the long-established American infrastructure—the portion our health sector that is working well—to this form of government takeover. That may be even riskier for all Americans than the prospect of a “reformed” American auto industry. 

Robin R. King has over 20 years of senior-level organizational management experience directing strategy-led, national organizations in economic communications, government relations, policy issues management, and brand strategy for organizational growth.