September 24, 2009
Dear Mr. Silverstein:
Thank you for writing to me about the current state of our healthcare system. I share your concerns and am committed to finding a solution that will give quality, affordable health care to every American.
I believe that by opening up a not-for-profit public health plan like a “Medicare for all,” we can ensure that every American has access to quality, affordable healthcare where anyone could buy in at an affordable rate, such as 5% of their income. In the world’s wealthiest nation, it’s unconscionable that people are turned away from coverage because of a pre-existing condition and that families are just one illness away from bankruptcy.
Offering a public health care plan option to compete with private insurers is the best way to truly lower health costs, improve quality of care and ensure access to care in rural and other underserved areas. Injecting healthy competition into the health care market is the only way to achieve real health care reform. I am committed to addressing this important issue and will work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle toward a bipartisan solution.
Again, thank you for contacting me about health care. Please keep in touch with my office regarding any future legislation and concerns you may have. For more information on this and other important issues being discussed in the United States Senate, please visit my website http://gillibrand.senate.gov and sign up for my e-newsletter.
Sincerely Yours,
Kirsten Gillibrand
United States Senator