Dreier on health care reform

Dear Editor:

I am glad that David Dreier is “standing up” for Algird Leiga in the health care debate (COURIER, September 16), as he doesn’t seem to be doing very much for the rest of us.

Mr. Leiga is “appreciative” of the way Congressman Dreier “reached out” in his telephone town halls last month, but when invited to a “real” Town Hall (Hughes Center, August 27), Rep. Dreier declined to attend, or to send a representative, or to supply a statement that could be read to his constituents gathered there! He was able, however, to set up a “robo” call to his followers, urging them to arrive early and occupy the majority of seats. These followers included Mr. Cox and his “abortion holocaust survivors” from Riverside who did their best to destroy the meeting.

Mr. Leiga is impressed that David Dreier feels that “we need to reform health care the right way.” In a letter to constituents, the Congressman urges them to examine his very own reform bill, HR 99.

Actually, this bill has only one provision that relates to health care—a call for the creation of a tax exemption ($7,500 for individuals, $15,000 for families) to facilitate the purchase of private insurance. I consulted a prominent local financial adviser to find out what percentage of the population could take advantage of such a plan. This expert concluded that it would apply only to the wealthiest 2 percent. The other provisions of HR 99 call for cuts in corporate taxes and capital gains taxes, the elimination of inheritance and gift taxes and a reconfiguration of the tax brackets— comprising what one might call “The Rich Man’s Relief Act of 2009.”

Meanwhile on the health care front, a recent study reveals that over 40,000 Americans die each year because they can’t get proper medical care. And every day, 14,000 more lose their health insurance. Mr. Leiga finds the prospect of people “leaving their health care decisions...in the hands of bureaucrats” to be “frightening.” I urge him to read or listen to Wendell Potter, the former SIGNA flack, who has plenty to say about insurance bureaucrats canceling policies and refusing treatment.

Finally, it is instructive that in 2008, David Dreier was ranked 32nd among California’s 52 Congressional members, but only that high because of his seniority. Out of 25 points for length of service he got 24; but out of a possible 25 for influence, he got 3; and out of 25 for legislation, he received 2 points.

In sum, in these difficult times when the country faces truly critical decisions, Mr. Dreier just may be a luxury we can no longer afford.

David Levering
Claremont