In our current status of political polarization, we are facing an important midterm election. The positions of many candidates are shifting to become more strident and extreme. This is certainly true for healthcare.
We have suffered through several years of the Affordable Care Act that punished physicians with a panoply of new regulations coupled with decreased reimbursements for their treatment of Medicare patients. Millions of American seniors received a notice that their physician was no longer able to accept Medicare patients. This was the direct result of Obamacare requirements and payments that did not cover the cost of providing care.
One side is recommending a return to a more historically proven private system while the other touts a government single-payer system or “Medicare for All”(a classic oxymoron since Medicare is based upon an individual paying into the system for 40 years or more before becoming eligible for coverage).
Colorado voters rejected a state single-payer plan by a whopping 70 percent majority. It is imperative that we elect representatives who spend time studying complex issues. In Colorado, we have been fortunate that Scott Tipton is our representative in Congress. I know for a fact that Scott has carefully studied healthcare and receives information and advice from medical experts rather than political consultants. His positions are based upon what is best for patients and their physicians.
That is exactly what we need in Washington, D.C. I strongly support Rep. Scott Tipton in our upcoming election.
William G, Plested, MD
Bayfield
