Healthcare needs Senator Obama
Many of the patients I care for in Cherokee and Clay County cannot afford adequate health care.Many are uninsured or underinsured and they face extremely high health care costs. Many of my uninsured patients often make the choice between food and medicines and live under the constant threat of catastrophic illness.Many of my insured patients face higher deductible and co-pay costs as well as reduced benefits and reduced access to care. Many of my senior patients still have great difficulty affording the cost of their medicines despite the new Medicare Part D Drug Plan.

I witness on a daily basis in my community patients not seeking health care when they should, not taking necessary medicines, and not using important preventive health services simply because of cost.

I also witness my community hospital and many of my fellow health care providers giving free medical care at considerable loss to their revenue and at risk to their continued provision

needs Senator Obama

of high quality service.

I am aware of each of the presidential candidates' positions on health care. I believe our country needs a health care plan that guarantees adequate health services to all our citizens and that commits the federal government as well as businesses to that effort. Despite the economic crisis we now face due to the mismanagement of our financial system, and despite the great long-term economic burden foreseen as a consequence, I believe we must have a president who is committed to such health care reform during his leadership.

Our country must have a leader that believes health care is a right, not a priviledge. Our country must have a leader that has the best plan to ensure adequate, affordable, and accessible care to all in my community, and in my country. I am convinced that leader is Sen. Barack Obama.
Brian Mitchell MD
Murphy