Good morning, friends:

 

Speaking last Friday to the owner of the largest and most successful business in our district – one which brings in millions from out of state and has added dozens of new jobs to our region -- I asked him his single greatest priority for Maine’s economy.  His answer was fast: make health care universal.

 

Universal health care can and must be our goal.  And while Dirigo has proven imperfect in many regards, a return to the failures of the past is not an option.

 

Our challenge is great.  Today, Mainers:

Ø      breathe some of the worst air in the country, thanks to rollbacks in the Clean Air Act;

Ø      are paying higher and higher taxes to support higher and higher corporate profits;

Ø      must go to Canada for affordable medications;

Ø      pay higher insurance rates because the working poor are unable to afford preventive health care, and instead rely on emergency rooms; and

Ø      too often, think of health insurance as a privilege rather than a responsibility.

 

Real and workable alternatives are critical.  Maine must set a bold goal for itself:  all Mainers must be insured by 2020.  And to this end, we must work together.

 

Dirigo Choice has worked for many, but not for all.  My own father, brother and sister are now covered through Dirigo.  Bill Keleher at Micro Technologies in Richmond, an outstanding hi-tech company poised for explosive growth, has found that it works better for him and his employees.

 

To my constituents, I pledge to seek fair, reasonable, and bold solutions in Maine to our national health care crisis.  I pledge to educate myself to the greatest possible extent on this issue, and to listen carefully to your concerns as I work to represent you. 

 

To help me be a forceful and effective voice for you in Augusta, I encourage you to call me at home, at 737-4149, at any time.

 

Yours for tomorrow,

 

Seth