Why do we have to reform healthcare in 2009?

Here's a letter I recently sent to Senator Murray of WA in response to her broadcast email asking to support healthcare reform.

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Senator Murray,

I appreciate your efforts in leading the charge for changing our healthcare system. I, however, do not agree with the overall direction our politicians are currently taking. As a concerned constituent, I am asking you to consider in the following matters:

* There has been little debate out in the public on what is being proposed. The public wants real details - not just promises. President Obama's townhall session that aired on ABC June 25th, 2009 has only hindered the process, not helped it.
* Tort reform must be a significant part of the package to garner my support. Doctors need the ability to practice medicine in the way they see fit, based on the information, practices and procedures known at the time, without fear of retribution.
* There must be no real or perceived penalties for those who opt out of a public plan. There are many of your constituents who are not convinced a public plan is even necessary.
* Given the current economic and budgetary commitments, committing trillions, or even billions, to a program that has not seen the full light of day does not seem prudent.

In summary, slow the process down. There is no reason to put a healthcare bill on the President's desk by the end of the year. Rushing things will only lead to mistakes we will all regret later. My children and grandchildren are in enough debt as it is. Once a public healcare plan is put in place, everyone pays and there will be no going back.