Ben Nelson announces more town hall meetings in Kearney, Norfolk, NP, S. Sioux City

[Maru Kitteh]

Friday, August 21, 2009
NELSON ANNOUNCES FOUR MORE PUBLIC MEETINGS ON HEALTH CARE

August 21, 2009 – Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson announced today that he has schedule four more public meetings across the state to meet with Nebraskans about health care reform.

<snip>

Details of upcoming meetings:


North Platte, NE
August 24, 2009
9AM to 10AM CT
Media Availability: 10AM to 10:15AM CT
County Fairgrounds
5015 Rodeo Road

Kearney, NE
August 24, 2009
2PM to 3pm CT
Media Availability: 3pm to 3:15pm CT
Merryman Performing Arts Center

Norfolk, NE
August 25, 2009
9AM TO 10AM CT
Media Availability: 10AM TO 10:15AM CT
Northeast Community College
Lifelong Learning Center

South Sioux City, NE
August 25, 2009
1:30PM TO 2:30PM CT
Media Availability: 2:30PM TO 2:45PM CT
Marina Inn and Conference Center
510 East 5th Street

http://bennelson.senate.gov/press/press_releases/082109-09.cfm

[residentfan]

1. So,,.,.

did our liberal democrats show up to these or did they let the knucklehead teabaggers take these meetings over and ONCE AGAIN give the media the belief that Americans don't want health care? The lack of organizing on our side in this issue is making me sick!

[LiberalAndProud]

2. I haven't been able to attend, so I sent another letter.

How did I do?

=================================================
So I sent Ben a letter:
==============================================

Dear Senator Nelson:

I received your flyer today outlining your views on public health care. Thank you for reaching out to me.

My family owns and operates a small business in Lincoln. We have been in business for 15 years. Up until last year, we were able to afford insurance.

In the early years of owning our business, we were able to afford one of those cadillac plans with United Health Care. EVERYTHING was covered.

Every year since, we were hit with at least a 12% increase. The standard was usually 15% -- unless our employees aged into a more expensive bracket. Then the increase would be much greater. Each year we would pay more to buy a less comprehensive plan.

The final straw occurred when my husband turned 55. That year our already hefty rates increased by 25 percent. We simply cannot justify the cost of a catastrophic plan with accompanying HSA. It makes NO economic business sense for us.

I am pleading with you to find a way to make health care affordable for small businesses and self-employed individuals.

The answer is NOT mandated health care. The time for that has passed. The cost of a truly helpful insurance coverage has already exceeded our grasp.

If you cannot enact true reform, please direct your attention to REGULATION of the insurance industry, because something is VERY wrong when a company can increase profits on the basis of a decreasing clientelle.

Thank you so much for considering my views as you work toward meaningful change.

[LiberalAndProud]

3. Video of Senator Nelson's Omaha public meeting is available here.

http://bennelson.senate.gov/multimedia_preview.cfm?fullpath=http://www.senate.gov/fplayers/I2009/urlOfficeOpenPlayer.cfm?fn=3522921090821092244&filetype=Streaming&filename=undefined&filedescription=Senator%20Nelson

[TicketyBoo]

4. I'm sorry to be late!

I was at the meeting in North Platte. I spoke with him, actually. But he isn't listening.

I've mailed him twice, too. Medicare For All is the best thing to do, and I told him so.

I'm afraid his past professional association with the insurance industry is clouding his judgement.