My Email to the President
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My Great Idea
There are certain things you probably should not admit in life. You shouldn't admit if you have some stomach issues and you can blame the odor on the dog. You shouldn't admit you tripped over your own feet. There must have been something there! You should not admit it if you forgot and asked someone, "Hey, what's the number for 311?" I will add to that list, you should not admit you emailed some friendly advice to the President of the United States of America.
Since I am pretty foolish, I am willing to admit I did just that. I wanted to make a difference, damn it! I heard that President Obama wanted the American public to email him. He wants to be totally accessible. Seriously, it even says that on the web site. Of course, I needed to email him. I had some advice and I wanted to give it. So I went on the White House site and I emailed our president. I am not sure what I thought would happen. I mean, I am sure I am on some FBI list somewhere now, but I guess, deep in my heart, I thought he would email or call me back. I thought maybe he would think I was pretty awesome. I know that is really naive and idealistic. Coming from a sarcastic little snot like myself, it is also pretty funny. Which is why I am going to post my email to the president for everyone to enjoy.
Yes, I saved it. I was that proud of my achievement. It was exhilarating hitting that send button. After all, if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. I was just trying to help.
The Email
Dear President Obama,
It is my understanding you would like suggestions from the American public concerning the Health Care Reform Act. I have a few ideas.
What I think Americans would appreciate most is simplifying the health insurance system. Every time I go to the doctor, I pay a co-pay. Months later after the doctor's office submits the paperwork to the insurance company, there are always items / services the insurance company will not cover. I then receive a "surprise" invoice in the mail and I have to find a way to pay it. Sometimes the whole process takes months. Health insurance companies should use an easy pricing system that all doctor's offices can understand so there is less work for the doctor's office staff and less worry for patients.
If this policy was in place, then the doctor's office would have no reason to send out bills so late. This is something else that should be included in the Health Care Reform Act. I don't think it is fair for a doctor's office to bill a patient after a certain period of time. Personally, I feel like there should be a 90 day limit. Sometimes, the bill comes so late I don't even remember why I went to the doctor and my Flex Spending Account is no longer valid for that time period.
Also, it would be great if everyone could use their Flex Spending Account to pay for over the counter medicine again. I understand if I have a doctor's note I can still make an over the counter purchase. However, I still have to pay out of pocket and apply to be reimbursed. This does not help me if I am sick and need medicine, but I don't have the money for it at that time. I really wish you would reconsider that policy.
If you are reading this email, President Obama, I really appreciate you taking the time to read this. For that matter, I appreciate anyone at the White House who is taking the time to read this email. Thank you for taking on the task of reforming our health care system because we really need it. Also, thank you for being so accessible to the public.
Sincerely,
Jeannie
Maybe I'm Just a Dreamer
Yes, clearly I was kissing up at the end. President Obama seems like a really nice guy, so I thought a compliment or two would be a good idea. I am sure he probably did not read the email. I have to at least believe someone on his staff read it. The web site said someone would read each email and so it must be true! I guess in some delusional way I still believe he will hold a press conference in the future, he will talk about some changes he is making to the Health Care Reform Act, and he will say, "I just want to thank Jeannie. Without her ideas, none of this would be possible." It could happen.
White House Site:
- The White House
WhiteHouse.gov is the official web site for the White House and President Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States. This site is a source for information about the President, White House news and policies, and White House history.
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Thank you for reading and thanks for the comment.
Aww, bless Jeannie! Living over this side of the Atlantic our healthcare is usually free, unless you feel you just have to pay for it. We pay for repeat prescriptions, though not when we are receiving old age pension.
I was under the impression that your president wanted you people to have a similar system and I couldn't understand why so many people objected.
So, good luck with your campaign to simplify things ...
Angie : )
This cracks me up! I sent an actual letter to POTUS (cc'd my State Senators and State Rep.)via snail mail about some other issues and had the same delusions. I fantasized about phone calls and being featured in one of his State of the Union addresses! LOL!! What a deludenoid!
Thanks for the comment, Angie. It must be nice to have free healthcare. Our healthcare is complex, frustrating, and expensive. Insurance companies, drug companies, and some doctors make a fortune in the US and they are not willing to give that up. They are in business to make money, but not help the public. It is a shame. I guess that's the American way.
Also, thank you Jeanastra. I see we are in the same boat. I knew it was unlikely I would get a response, but some part of me thought it might happen. I was so excited when I first sent the email. Haha. It is OK though - I still believe someone had to read it!
I feel like writing him and saying something about education in America. The country really is screwed up right now with healthcare and education. Unfortunately, some governors find it necessary to not apply what Obama has put into order. Like Florida for instance, when we move back I will not be on any insurance because I am 23 and the governor decided to not go with the healthcare reform. I have been disappointed with many things that have been happening.
I think most of the states are going against the Health Care Act. They are passing their own laws against some of the new rules. Most of the states resent having the residents told they have to get health insurance. The last I heard, more than 20 states have already voted against it. What was the point of all of this if no one is going to bother with it anyway?
I haven't followed exactly what is going on with the Health Care Act and what all is involved. I just know that I'd really love to have insurance until I am 26, especially since I have medical issues.
You gotta keep hoping hey?
Yes, there is always hope.
Nice e-mail to the President...did you get any type of generic response? voted up
No response yet. I am now receiving weekly White House updates though. They are honestly not that exciting. Thanks for the vote!
I think we should all email the President. There are so many issues in this country that regular people like us could probably solve. That's what it's all about, "By the People, For the People". Right? Good Job Jeannieinabottle.
Thank you for your support. I felt really empowered when I sent the email. Who knows if he ever read it. Maybe the president reads hubs on Hubpages and he will respond on here. I would love that!
Good for you for writing to the president. If more people would take the time to write to their legislators as well as to Prez Obama, then the power of numbers would kick in. Keep writing, signing petitions and exercising your right to speak up for yourself in various ways. It's essential to a vibrant democracy.
Thank you for your encouraging words. Hopefully, things will start to change for the better!
I agree there are some things you shouldn't admit in public, but taking time to email your elected officials isn't something to be ashamed of.
Thinking the president himself might actually respond... well, that's a little different, but, hey, the next time he hits the campaign trail, he'll be looking for stories from "regular folks" to include in his speeches, so you never know...
Yes, it was a little silly thinking he might respond. I got an email the other day that said it was from President Obama and I got really excited. Turns out, it was just a standard email update that he sends to everyone on his email list, but it was exciting for a moment. At least I had my one moment!
Thanks for reading and commenting!
you are too funny Jeannie. I agree with everything you wrote about health care reform, I get the same bills and I also question the insurance when they cover one thing but not something else especially when they are almost the same thing. Insurance companies have pretty much ruined middle class America and it makes me always wonder how many people have suffered or even died because of our country's stupid health insurance policies? We are one of the last countries in the world that do not have adequate health insurance for most of our population. I just don't know what it will take to get people to wake up and realize that.
Thank you for the comment. I am very frustrated by our health care system as well. I believe we will never really have the health care system we need because companies have so much power over their workers due to health insurance. Imagine if it were easy to get health insurance without being employed? There are plenty of us that would only work part time. It would be total chaos at these businesses. They hold health insurance over our heads. I don't think any president can ever really fight that. After all, someone has to fund the campaigns.
You are right and I never thought about it that way. But I have turned down great jobs simply because they didn't offer health insurance or not adequate coverage and taken jobs that I absolutely don't want but have amazing coverage and well you have to make the sacrifice. Think about how much better most of our careers and work lives would be if we didn't have to make these tough choices.
You are absolutely right. I would love to only work part time, or even just work part time at two different jobs. Most jobs do not offer benefits to anyone working under a certain amount of hours a week, so I am stuck with my 40 + hours a week and not enough time to work online.
Funny...I feel the same way. There is so much more I would like to tell him. Just the other night I dreamed I was describing my ranch dressing recipe to him in detail before he had to get back to his side job as principal to my daughters grade school. It was very moving for me believe it or not. I felt like we were almost friends in the end.
Wow! I've never had that kind of dream about the president. I do dream about food quite a bit though. Thanks for the comment!
I remember Obama saying that he wanted to change the laws so that insurance companies can't deny payments. I don't think healthcare is going to get fixed anytime soon. Big coorporations are running this country. Nobody is helping out the American people, its all just so sad.
I don't think the healthcare reform laws helped too many of us. If anything, it hurt some of us. I had hoped the laws would simplify everything. Instead, everything is more complicated. At least he tried, I guess. Thanks for reading and for the comment.
jrsearam 14 months ago
Very refreshing Jeannie. JR