To the editor,

If you think there have been fireworks over President Obama’s budget and financial bailout, just watch the sky as Obama’s health care initiatives get under way!

The key to Obama’s proposal is to form a government-sponsored health care plan that people could join (voluntarily). This plan would compete directly with the insurance companies. Not surprisingly, the insurance lobby (and their friends in Congress) are screaming. They have already unleashed the dogs of fear and rumor: “You won’t get to pick your own doctor,” and “The government will decide what treatments you can have.”

Consider the facts regarding their threats. Who currently picks your doctor? If you’re in a PPO or HMO, as most insured are, it’s your insurance company. Who currently decides what treatments you get? Again, who hasn’t been told by their insurance company that a recommended treatment “isn’t covered”?

Now, ask yourself why these guys are so worried about some competition for health care coverage. Simple, they operate for profit. A recent study shows the Obama plan would cost about 30 percent less than an average health insurance policy. Is that difference the insurance companies’ profit? Who knows (they hide money well), but Exxon-Mobil makes 10 percent! Should profit even be in the health care equation?

The Obama plan will drive costs down for all through competition and enable many more Americans access to quality health care. It is time to take on the lobby that profits at the expense of the well-being of all Americans.