April 26, 2010 – Today, I attended a “Listening Session” this morning hosted by the Fox Valley Technical College-Venture Center, where Congressman Kagen invited small businesses (from his District) to share their concerns about the provisions of the Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act and the Health Care & Education Reconciliation Act.  Short notice of this meeting (last Friday) produced a very small audience, as there were less than 20 people in attendance and that included the media!

The general population should know that these were very broad provisions signed into Law.  It is now the arduous task of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services (CMS), Department of Labor (DOL), US Treasury, and the Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) to begin to issue the guidelines for these provisions, starting now and continuing through 2018!  So do you honestly think that anyone fully understands the ramifications of this sweeping legislation, including the politicians?

As a constituent, small business owner, licensed health insurance broker for 18 years (and someone who has worked in the medical field for many years), I can hardly keep up with the information and changes that are taking place daily. 

This legislation focuses on health insurance reform and taxes, not “healthcare” or the healthcare delivery system.  They are two very different issues.  By Congressman Kagen referring to this legislation as the “health security law”, he is even further confusing the public.

Congressman Kagen deflected every question and comment, preferring to focus on his own “talking points”.  I am tired of the rhetoric.  I have attended enough sessions to observe that he has failed to listen THEN and NOW.

It is an election year. You and I will decide who will listen to us.