As we “dither” going trillions of dollars into debt (Kevin Smith column, Feb. 21), the current Democratic health-care bills force our ­country to ask China to accept almost $2 trillion more of debt from us. My rebuttal:

1. Most health-insurance companies made a profit. Real profit margin was an overall average of 12 percent. Shareholders saw a return. Many shareholders are everyday working people with some of their 401Ks being put into these insurance companies by their business. If one does not make a profit, one will be out of business.
   

2. Insurance companies are raising their rates because if current bills are passed they will be forced to insure the uninsured with pre-existing conditions and forced to pay their medical bills. The money has to come from somewhere; can’t print money like the government.

3. Thousands are losing their insurance, many because they are losing their jobs.

4. No Tea Party conjure, only common sense. Two million people added to Medicare, plus Medicare cut by half a trillion, equals government-run rationing.

5. Republicans offered no less than 49 amendments to the bills. Not one was allowed by Reid to come to the Senate floor. Sen. Burr would be happy to send you a copy of these amendments:

A. Malpractice reform;

B. Free choice to shop for insurance across state lines;

C. Allow small companies to “pool” their money to buy insurance at lower rates;

D. Government sponsors low income so they can have insurance; and

E. If we have to accept government health care, Congress does, too.

These proposals cost far less than $2 trillion, insuring millions more and keeping free market and choice intact!

Diane McLellan

West End