When we did our Faxapoloosa during the Health Care Rally, I sent several cc:'s of my Rep letters to the White House via fax. I've also contacted the White House about health care reform online at their website. Not sure what prompted the response, but lo and behold, today I received a letter (on really nice stationery, too, LOL!). Okay, so it's a form letter, but still.....it made me feel good. I'm sure a number of you have received the same, but if not, I'd like to post it here.

August 6, 2009

Ms. <LisB>

yada yada

Pelham, NY

Dear Elisabeth:

Thank you for contacting me. I appreciate knowing your thoughts on health care reform.

There is a broad consensus among the American people on the need for affordable, high-quality health care. The rising cost of health care is the most pressing financial challenge for families and for our Nation, and controlling this cost is essential to bringing down the Federal deficits we inherited. Now is the time to move forward, and I am committed to getting health care reform done this year.

Since I took office, we have done more to advance the cause of health care reform that we have in the previous decade. In February, I signed H.R. 2, providing coverage for millions of children through the Children's Health Insurance Program. I also signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to make key investments in computerized medical records and expanded preventative services. I encourage you to read more about my plans at: www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/health_care.

Looking forward, we will take additional steps to lower costs, expand coverage, and improve the quality of health care. My 2010 Budget makes a major down payment on health care reform, funded by implementing efficiencies in Government health care spending and restoring a sense of fairness and balance to our tax code. There are tough choices to be made, and I will bring business and workers, health care providers and patients, and Democrats and Republicans together to create a system that delivers better care and puts the Nation on a much sounder long-term fiscal path.

I share the sense of urgency that Americans like you have voiced. I watched as my ailing mother struggled with stacks of insurance forms in the last moments of her life. This is not who we are as a Nation; together, we will fix it.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama