Letter: Herger's stance counter to needs

There is no room here to dissect Rep. Wally Herger’s highly partisan letter to constituents opposing Federally-subsidized health insurance for those who need it. However, four of the five top industries contributing to Herger’s campaign represent for-profit health care: insurance, health professionals, pharmaceuticals/health products, and health services/HMOs. Three of his top five individual contributors are also from this field:  AFLAC INC. (an insurance company specializing in group health), Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and the American Society of Anesthesiologists. (www.opensecrets. org/politicians).

Before this became a highly political issue, Herger’s interest in the subject was negligible: he received ratings of zero from the American Medical Association, the American Public Health Association, the American Society for Therapeutic Radiation and Oncology and the National Breast Cancer Coalition. ( www.votesmart.org.)

Does Herger’s opposition to the option of subsidized health insurance align with the needs of his constituents? According to the federal Cost of Living Index, the cost of living in California during the fourth quarter of 2008 was 136.9 percent of the national average, but income in Herger’s district is 79.75 percent of the national average.

It stands to simple reason that Herger’s constituency would actually benefit far more than the national average from an optional subsidized health insurance plan.

David Shepard
Hat Creek