A bipartisan majority of the House of Representatives made history Saturday by passing H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act.
After nearly a century of false starts, this was the first time a chamber of Congress has ever passed comprehensive health insurance reform. This is an historic accomplishment.
Representatives who voted for this bill deserve thanks for resisting tremendous pressure from the insurance industry lobbyists and standing up for their constituents.
Those who did not vote for the bill have one last opportunity to reconsider and support reform -- and they should do so.
A vote for this bill was a vote to provide secure and stable coverage for Americans with insurance, expand coverage for those who do not have insurance, lower costs for families and businesses and begin to reduce the deficit.
JOSEPH GARNER JR.
Durham
Thanks for courage
I want to thank all the representatives who had the courage to stand up to the special interests, and finally vote for change for America's health system. As debate nows moves to the Senate, I hope Senators will have the same willingness to do the right thing.
JOSHUA SCHNECK
Durham
Thanks to Price
The U. S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3952 and made history by finally passing a comprehensive healthcare reform bill after nearly 50 years of discussion. Thank you, Rep. David Price, for standing up for all of us.
The battle isn't over. The fight goes on. Hopefully, America will win affordable health care reform based on H.R. 3952. We now move on to reduce the deficit. We are in capable hands with Price.
LOIS JOHNSTON
Durham
When elephants fly
"Just not this," Congressman John Boehner (R-Ohio) kept repeating at a press conference when referring to the Democrats' proposed health-care reform. However, Republicans do want to reform health care, Boehner assured us.
If Boehner and Republicans succeed in stopping health-care reform, does anyone seriously believe they will introduce their own version of health-care reform between now and the November 2010 elections -- or even after those elections? Between 1995 and 2007, Republicans had control of both houses of Congress; and for eight of those 12 years, they also controlled the presidency. Yet, not even once did they introduce a proposal for health-care reform.
When elephants fly, Republicans will introduce health-care reform -- and it will be approved by the health insurance companies. Along with other current practices, expensive customers will continue to be dropped -- droppings being the only thing flying elephants have to offer.
EUGENE V. FARRELLY
Oxford
Forward-thinking
I want to congratulate the House of Representatives, and particularly our representative, David Price, for taking the ethical stand in favor of health care reform. Of special importance is the vote to support a "public option," potentially making such a choice available to all Americans and not keeping a public plan solely for themselves as members of Congress.
These stalwart, and forward-thinking, Representatives have set a precedent that we can only hope the Senate will follow -- starting the process of bringing the United States into the 21st century and the company of more civilized nations that do care for all their peoples!
KATHLEEN LOHR
Chapel Hill
Stand with Price
I congratulate U. S. Representative David Price for the excellent job of standing with this historic health care plan. We stand with him and wish him the best as he continues to fight to see this bill pass in Congress.
CLETUS FONCHINGONG
Durham
Embarrassing time
What am embarassment for our beloved Durham, vaunted as an advanced center that pulls the world toward a better future. I just checked Verizon time service. Wrong by, wait -- not an even hour, from not having taken note of the return to EST -- but 56 minutes fast! Verizon should fix it (and find out why it's is badly handled by their SOPs) or at least change the greeting so as to surpress who it is handing out bad data to an unwary public.
ALAN MAGID
Durham
Has my vote
On Nov. 7th, Rep. David Price was our champion. He supported H.R. 3962. With Price's support, we have a chance for a real health care reform with the public option.
Thank you, David Price. He stood up for health care reform and for us. Finally, someone who puts us first rather than the corporations.
He has my vote in his next re-election campaign.
GLORIA FALEY
Chapel Hill
On to Senate
Finally, a truly democratic piece of legislation -- a historic moment in our country. Everyone who voted for the health care reform bill -- and those who supported it -- should be commended and re-elected to office for resisting tremendous pressure and false data and more importantly, for wanting fair and equal access and coverage to medicine and insurance.
Now, on to the Senate where they should follow suit and ensure that all Americans have fair and equal coverage in our country.
DIANE EVIA-LANEVI
Durham
Learn from others
Many thanks to Rep. David Price for standing up for health care reform and, thus, standing up for the American people. Despite common myth, the U.S. health care system ranks poorly in comparison to other developed countries -- we spend a lot more for worse care.
Many other countries, including Japan, Germany, and France provide coverage for all citizen through private insurance companies at lower cost with choices of doctors and little or no waiting for first-rate care. It's about time we learned from other nations about how to implement a better and more fair healthcare system.
JENNIFER OLSON
Hillsborough
Great Commission
Gen. George Casey has asked we not presume a connection between Nidal Malik Hasan's Islamic roots and his attack on the Fort Hood soldiers. Inasmuch as quite a volume evidencing Hasan's anti-American, pro-jihad views has been compiled, Casey has shown over-the-top political correctness here. His comments were more to be expected of a floral arranger or hairdresser than of a U.S. Army Chief of Staff.
I'm certainly no holy Joe, but sometimes I can't help thinking of a certain Biblical passage that liberal clerics have been trying to run away from for the better part of a century. That would be the Great Commission, which concludes the Gospel of St. Matthew. The present-day United States is the first entity in history with both the willing missionaries and the military power to carry out that instruction. Doing so sure would eliminate a lot of problems. Just thought I'd mention it.
FRANK HURLEY
Chapel Hill
Thanks for listening
I would like to thank Rep. Price for listening to the people he represents and not the insurance companies with all their scare tactics.
YVONNE CAVIL
Durham
Proud of Price
Health insurance reform, in my opinion is what all Americans need. I am proud to say that North Carolina has a representative who voted for the bill that can make that possible. I would just like to say thanks to David Price.
PAWLEY BRENT EDWARDS
Durham
