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February 10, 2010

Letter: Time for everyone to get behind health reform effort

To the editor:

As a small business owner who provides health care coverage to staff and my family, I've seen the yearly rise in premiums over the last 15 years.

Has the coverage or access gotten better? No, in fact I've had to reduce the coverage options for staff simply to lower my expenses to keep the business viable.

The ever-rising costs for those who can afford coverage simply has to be curbed and some level of reform must happen to protect the public. Those who oppose the president's plans haven't offered any real reform and seem hell-bent on simply discrediting his efforts. Politics is getting in the way of the people's business!

If we don't change something to do with health care, when will we start — two administrations from now?

All Americans have the right to coverage and if we are to function as a society, we need to own up to this communal responsibility. Where is the humanity? Where is the sacrifice in our lifestyle that is going to allow for meaningful change?

I fully support Obama's initiative. The last administration ignored these issues completely, playing to the industry. It has to be checked.

I believe the role of government is to help the public, not to move over and expect the private sector or business to do the work. History has shown that not to work.

Give us health reform!

Dave Seibert

Salem

(Editor's note: This is a representative sample of one of numerous letters The Salem News has received from places near and far in recent days urging support for President Obama's health-care reform effort.)

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