After you have read the following sample letter, you may send it to your Representatives along with any additional comments that you add. To send the letter below as an email, copy/paste the sample text into your Senators' or Representatives' contact form.  Use the form at the bottom of this page to find your Representative.

Congress and the President are of a different mind. We are going to get mandated health insurance coverage rammed up our backsides and unfortunately (for me) it will make a colonoscopy seem pleasant. I've looked at all the constitutional angles I can think of and given the composition of the Supreme Court, the only conclusion I can come up with is mirrored by the O'neil Institute, Georgetown Law:

"The Constitution permits Congress to legislate a health insurance mandate. Congress can use its Commerce Clause powers or its taxing and spending powers to create such a mandate. Congress can impose a tax on those that do not purchase insurance, or provide tax benefits to those that do purchase insurance. If Congress would like the states to implement an insurance mandate, it can avoid conflicts with the anti-commandeering principle by either preempting state insurance laws or by conditioning federal funds on state compliance. A federal employer mandate for state and local government workers may be subject to a challenge; however, such a challenge is unlikely to be successful. Individual rights challenges under the First Amendment’s Free Exercise Clause or RFRA are unlikely to succeed, although a federal insurance mandate should include a statement that RFRA does not apply or provide for a religious exemption. Fifth Amendment Due Process and Takings Clause challenges are also unlikely to be successful. The legal analysis presented is likely to endure, as the Supreme Court’s current position and approach to interpreting relevant Constitutional issues appear to be stable."

We're screwed. Not only are you going to pay for your neighbors mortgage, pay off their credit cards, pay for their new GM car - but now, you'll be paying for their heath care costs, too.

Good or bad, we most likely will be getting nationalized health care. I believe the impact will be devasting for this country but again, that's just me. We "might" have a few options: The sovereign states can call for a constitutional convention to modify the "Commerce Clause" (no chance, really) or, if Congress really tries to "fast-track this legislation, they might (in their haste) screw up where the legislation CAN be challenged constitutionally or, we may have an opportunity to lessen the impact of this program if we can convince Congress that this mandate must contain the following priciples:

• CHOICE: A patient must have the right to choose their own doctor, and must protect a consumer's right to choose the health insurance that best fits their needs and budget.
• COMPETITION: Leveling the playing field for doctors, insurers, and consumers will result in healthy competition that drives down costs and increases favorable outcomes. Providers should publicly post their prices so consumers can shop and compare. States should eliminate burdensome regulations so insurance companies can compete equally across state lines.
•  ACCOUNTABILITY: Making health care services more accessible, transparent and open through standardized insurance claims forms and equal tax breaks for individuals and companies will control costs by helping consumers and businesses compare "apples to apples" across the health care spectrum.
•  PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY: Placing responsibility squarely where it belongs, on the shoulders of the patient, will encourage individuals to make healthy lifestyle choices. Infusing personal responsibility into health care reform allows us all to maintain our cherished freedom to live our lives without government intrusion.

Regardless of the outcome, I believe the federal government still has no constitutional or delegated authority to use public funds in this manner. As a result, and I hope you are in agreement, I will not support or vote for any Senator or Representative who votes for this legislation.

This sample letter has just been updated to more accurately reflect the "mood" in Congress. It isn't one of my best but right now, I'm so disgusted with Congress that if I write what I'd really like to, I'd probably wind up getting up close and personal with a cellmate named Bubba. Feel free to compose your own - or, If you come up with an alternative letter, submit it and if it's appropriate, I'll include it here.  Here's a couple of interesting articles: Should Citizens Derail the Health Care Express? and Diagnosis:Reform.  Also, to look at the insurance available to gov't employees, click here.