STAND UP FOR HEALTH CARE

They are at it again. What the Bush Administration tried and failed to do with Social Security, they now intend to do with health care. They want to shift the health care system into private health care savings accounts.

We're not going to let them. Once again, we must stop their ill-advised, unfair plan in its tracks.
What would private health care savings accounts (HSA's) mean for Americans? It would mean that the well to do, those who are already the best able to pay for health care, would perhaps be fine. But those who are already struggling to pay for health care -- everybody else -- would be left out in the cold again.

Just as they did with their Medicare Drug bill, the Bush Administration is putting the special interests first and wishing everybody else the best of luck.

Now, I've had some experience with health care. I know that making health care more accessible for every American family will not be easy. But I also know that we will never get there if we don't address the facts and determine we are going to help all Americans. That's why I am hosting a roundtable on health care this week in Rochester, New York -- the first in a series.

Many of you will not be able to attend; that's why I need to hear from you about your stories about health care -- or lack thereof. Many of your stories will be posted on HillaryClinton.com, and others will be shared at our roundtable discussion going forward.

Please use this link to share your story:

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/healthcarestories/

We have already seen the ineptitude of the Bush Administration and the Republican Congress when it comes to health care. Their new Prescription Drug Plan, touted as a benefit for America's seniors, has literally left tens of thousands of seniors denied their medications,
overcharged, or turned away from pharmacies.

Meanwhile, the pharmaceutical industry is the true beneficiary. The Bush plan prevents Medicare from negotiating lower drug prices for seniors. It bars Americans from re-importing safe, affordable prescription drugs from Canada. It has the wrong priorities.

I didn't vote for the Bush Medicare plan, but I am determined to fix it. And I'm determined to do the same with access to affordable health care as well.

There are now over 45 million uninsured Americans. There are over 13 million uninsured children. In New York alone, 3 million people do not have health insurance. Premiums are rising at over twice the rate of inflation and the number of employers offering coverage is dropping.

The Republican majority's proposed cuts in Medicaid would raise co-pays and premiums for over 7 million Americans, including 3.5 million children.
This is a national crisis and a flat-out moral failing. We need to make sure all Americans and their representatives know the truth about how our present health care policies are impacting you and your family.

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/healthcarestories/

It's time to speak up about health care. Please help me tell the true story –- your story –- about health care and our need to chart a better course.

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/healthcarestories/

Thanks for your friendship and for all you do.

Sincerely,
Hillary Rodham Clinton