Tweak, don’t eliminate, health care act

Neighbors of all political views need to be aware of the consequences of the repeal of the ACA. The generally agreed upon facts are that 1.2 million Illinoisans stand to lose their health coverage and the state $50 billion in federal funding for Medicaid, CHIP and financial assistance for marketplace coverage. That affects 260,000 of our colleagues and friends.

Over 5 million citizens with pre-existing conditions could once again be denied affordable, comprehensive coverage. Women in Illinois might again be charged more for health coverage because they are women.

The ban on lifetime coverage limits could disappear, which means that insurance companies could cut off coverage for the sickest of us. Free preventive services such as cancer screening and vaccines could be lost. Insurers will no longer be held accountable for using premiums on care, not profits. According to Families USA, to date, Illinoisans have received about $21 million in refunds from plans that overcharged.

Seniors and people with disabilities saved an average of $1,041 on drug costs. The Medicare donut hole is scheduled to disappear in 2020.

We’re in agreement that ACA needs to be tweaked. But throwing the baby out with the bath water isn’t a solution. We’re a more inventive and compassionate people. We can figure this out.

Julie Sass

Elk Grove Village

Sessions reports don’t tell whole stsory

After writing an extensive series identifying and explaining “fake news,” the Daily Herald last week published articles on Attorney General Jeff Sessions that should be used as a great example how the media tries to shape our opinion instead of report the truth. Nowhere in the two pages of reports (Washington Post, mostly) do readers see the actual question Democrat Sen. Al Franken asked Sessions during his confirmation hearing which Democrats now argue Sessions lied about. To paraphrase, Franken -- quoting a “breaking news” report from CNN -- asked Sessions if he met with a Russian Ambassador to discuss the upcoming election. Sessions answered he did not.

Could Sessions have elaborated further information? I suppose he could have but that’s not what he was asked. By omitting Franken’s full question and not providing the proper context, readers are led to believe Sessions lied.

Now, the liberals and fake media are in an uproar, calling Sessions a liar and demanding him to resign. It’s very obvious that liberals are doing everything they can to de-legitimize President Trump and his agenda. Foreign Governments, whether Russia, China or others have been trying to influence elections around the world forever. The election is over. Can you please start working on running our country and the jobs you were elected to?

Folks are getting tired of it.

Tim Hurley

Arlington Heights

Roskam facing a real political test

Question: Is U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam, in fact, the moderate conservative he portrays? Or is he a man caught in the middle between Tea Party ideology and Trump populism? If so, he may find 2018 to be a very tough year, indeed.

Rep. Roskam won his race last Election Day, but Hillary Clinton prevailed in the 6th District presidential vote. Clearly, the majority of this district’s voters are neither red state ideologues nor out-of-work coal miners. Whether Democrat or Republican, a critical number of us are basically moderates who are sensitive to the needs of those with less, uneasy with the growing imbalance of wealth in America, and very concerned about the weight of debt we will hand to our children.

In his leadership position on the House Ways and Means Committee, Roskam will lead the charge for reducing taxes for the now famous 1 percent - at the same time his party grudgingly passes a budget that will sharply increase the national debt while it reduces the “discretionary” resources now aiding most Americans with everything from housing to nutrition to clean water and energy. Moderate 6th District voters will not be happy with such fiscal, human and environmental harm.

Roskam’s biggest challenge will be defending the Republican Obamacare replacement program. It will not create the better, more affordable, everyone-will-love-it, healthcare program for which Trump created such a huge expectation. People, particularly those who need affordable healthcare the most, will be seriously hurt.

Roskam has not been tested since his first race. It is likely opposition will be vociferous in 2018, with moderates who voted both for him and Clinton making the difference. Which way will they break in the next election? Roskam will be judged by his leadership and votes in the 115th Congress. It’s going to be a cliffhanger.

Peer T. Lykke

Barrington Hills

Start budget cutting with Planned Parenthood

In 2015, The Center for Medical Progress released videos showing Planned Parenthood executives haggling with undercover investigators over the prices they would receive for fetal organs and tissue.

Once these videos became available for all to see, Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards defended their actions with the tired old argument that “only 3 percent of PP services are abortions.” In particular she stressed mammograms and prenatal care as services being provided that should justify her organization receiving our tax dollars.

Revelations followed from the Washington Post stating PP does not provide mammograms, but rather refers them to legitimate health providers who do. As far as the “prenatal” claims, Pro Life organization Live Action contacted over 100 PP facilities asking “Do you provide prenatal services?” The consistent answers in all but five said to look elsewhere for this need.

Planned Parenthood sold more than 324,000 this past year alone. Why then does PP continue to make these false claims? The answer of course is for $500,000,000 reasons. This the staggering amount that you and I pay towards the PP bottom line with our tax dollars. A half a billion reasons. In the sorry world of abortion, the end always justifies the means, any means.

Our country is $20 trillion dollars in the red. We elected Donald Trump to put an end to this financial burden. A major effort across our country feels that the money going to PP is an excellent place to start. After all, a half a billion is not chump change. It is the ethical and frugal step to take.

James Patrick Finnegan Sr.

Barrington

Surprise might await at your local library

In this time of fake news, political protest and state budget woes, it’s a useful time to remind all citizens in our region that libraries are here for you.

Libraries are your resource for information that’s unbiased, fair and available to all. Libraries connect you not only to the resources within their walls, but to books, magazines, newspapers, both in print and online, as well as music, movies and much more.

We invite you to participate in library programs and events throughout the coming year and hope you will join us in spreading this message.

If you use and value your public or school or university library, tell them what you need and how much you appreciate them being here. You will be welcome.

If you haven’t been to a library in a while and want to know more about what you can find there, visit one.

In the Kane County area there are several academic libraries and public libraries. Find the one in your city, town or village and stop in for a visit. You may be surprised about what you will find.

Kevin Davis, Administrator

Messenger Public Library of North Aurora

Time for a state graduated tax rate

When Rauner won the governorship 30 months ago, he allowed the Quinn temporary 5 percent Illinois state tax rate to fall to 3.75 percent. That’s led to a $4 billion loss in revenue per year, based on the 2014 budget projected individual income taxes of $16 billion.

Now Springfield is so desperate for funds there is talk of raising the state income tax rate back up to 4.99 percent. Why not be fair for once and institute a graduated tax rate? People making less than $45,000 pay 3 percent, $45,001-$90,000 pay 4 percent, $90,001-$180,000 pay 5 percent, and anything above pay 6 percent.

Millionaires and minimum wage should not pay tax at the same rate.

Dave Volkman

Naperville

Villa Park library deserves your support

When my kids were little we would go to story time on Saturday mornings at the Villa Park Library — a big outing with twins. We would check out books to take home and enjoy reading them together cuddled on the couch. They never seemed to get their fill of the pictures and the stories the books contained.

On April 4, there is a referendum to repair, remodel and expand the Villa Park Library. The facility is in bad shape — the mechanical systems are falling apart, the plumbing needs to be redone and the wiring needs to be upgraded. The roof leaks so badly staff have to put tarps over the children’s books when it rains.

The building is also not up to code — there is no fire protection system or fire sprinklers and the elevator cannot accommodate a stretcher — which means emergency personnel have to carry injured patrons down two flights of stairs on a stretcher. Another big issue is that the building is not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. People in wheelchairs or with walkers can’t fit their wheelchairs or walkers through the stacks — they have to ask staff to assist them. This is not right.

I want to encourage Villa Park residents to Vote Yes on April 4 for the Villa Park Library referendum to repair, remodel and expand the library. Our residents in wheelchairs deserve to be able to get books for themselves. And our current and future children deserve a chance to select books in a building that is up to code and not falling apart.

Vote Yes for the Villa Park Library on April 4.

Holly Sloan

Villa Park

Why wasn’t driver in crash imprisoned?

Driving more than 25 miles over the posted limit merits a reckless driving ticket and is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by a $1,500 fine and 180 days in jail.

With his multiple convictions for excessive speed, why was Piotr Rog not imprisoned? If he had been in jail that Friday night, the Crawford family would still be intact.

I urge our state legislators to enact legislation to prevent this from happening again.

Laura J. Graf

St. Charles