Press Conference: July 22, 2009

Dear President Obama,

Thank you for your press conference this evening. It was, as always, very insightful to hear you speak; because when you do speak, I hear the real you. After both watching the full press conference and rereading the transcript of the event, I do have a few thoughts to share:

1. While you might be shocked, I am still against the current state of HR 3200. This does NOT mean I am against Health Care Reform. I am against THIS reform, as a package. Some elements are a great starting point. I am sure the dialogue which you have organized has been enlightening. I am sure that great advances in the debate have been made. I still believe, however, that advances being made does not translate into, how did you put it, “stars aligning?”

2. Like many Americans, apparently, I, too, have written prior letters to you about Health Care. In case my previous letters have been lost in the shuffle of your Oval Office Desk, I wanted to clarify that “this debate is not a game” for me, either. And for this purpose, I “can't afford” for you not “to wait any -- any longer for reform.” I, too, am “counting on [you] to get this done.” I, too, am “looking to [you] for leadership.” So, why not stop the Washington game that you play so well and look at all the players in Health Care Reform. (You don’t even have to look at the stars, just see #3 for a hint!)

3. I am so glad you have organized so many meetings in Washington and have published the logs identifying White House meeting guests. I have found one group missing from those logs: the trial lawyers and their associations. I am sure it is not a coincidence that there is nothing related to Tort Reform or Medical Malpractice expenses in HR 3200. I am sure it was just those “stars aligning” again!

Until the next presser,

One who doesn’t wait for the stars when making choices

P.S. As you fly to the Cleveland Clinic tomorrow, a few things to remember: 1) Airline flights are great times for reading. Perhaps you would like to read and learn more about what exactly is in HR 3200. 2) The Cleveland Clinic has an office in downtown Toronto where they recruit patients from the Canadian Health Care System to come to Cleveland for procedures. Maybe you could ask them why they find that a profitable venture. 3) Remember: "Go Green!" and "We are in the worst recession in the past 50 years" -- Spend that money! Fly those planes!