Reader in favor of Affordable Care Act

To the editor:

With each day we see another authoritative and factual nonpartisan report that President Barack Obama?s ?Affordable Care Act? is good for America.

The highly regarded Congressional Budget Office tells us this health care legislation will shrink ? not grow ? the deficit. (Associated Press, July 25, 2012.)

I recently reviewed an equally encouraging report by the nonpartisan National Council on Aging (www.ncoa.org/public-policy) that describes in detail the benefits of the law to America?s senior citizens.

With this and a great deal of authoritative information available ? online and elsewhere ? it would seem responsible citizens find the time to examine the facts. Most of these accounts are written for average folks to understand.

The studies available address the key health care issues of pre-existing conditions, demands on our system of so many uninsured, chronic and preventive care, fear of bankruptcy from medical bills, prescription drugs, the ?doughnut hole?, doctors in rural areas, long-term care and much, much more.

With facts in hand we should each take a look at our own communities ? family, friends, neighbors, seniors, kids ? and ask simply, ?Is this health care law a good thing for the health and well-being of those I care about and love??

This seems the responsible thing to do. When we as citizens react with reason and compassion ? void of fear and misinformation ? the answer becomes clear.

Dave Helman

Salem