Dear President Obama,

I'm really really upset today. A dear friend of mine - one of the kindest bravest people in the world - finally has a diagnosis for the medical condition that has been plaguing her for years. But her husband just started a new job. He had to start a new job; he was cheated out of his sales bonus in his last job.

You know where I'm going with this, don't you?

My friend has a "pre-existing condition" and the new insurance is refusing to pay her treatment costs for at least 6 months. So, while she is at a crucial stage in treatment, and let me tell you that she is exhausted, she now is forced to fight the insurance company with what little energy she has. Did I mention that means her small ration of energy is not spent on her kids? That she is forced to go to work with a pic line in? That now she MUST work more to pay for the extra health care costs?

Please explain to me exactly HOW the health care initiative - the one that you tout as a great victory - helps my friend and people like her? Because honestly? I don't see it. What I do see is rates rising, insurers doing away with child only policies (thank the heavens for those when we couldn't afford our own insurance), and record insurance company profits.

But that's ok. You really don't need to tell me why. I know that it's because you needed "buy-in" from one of the foxes that was guarding the hen house. Oops. I mean the insurance industry. That really is an amazing approach, btw. Like asking someone who's been arrested for grand theft to decide their own punishment. I mean, how does a year of picking up trash on a beach in Tahiti sound? All expense-paid trip, of course, since it's a punishment leveled by the government.

Of course, you and your family have health insurance and I'm betting you are pretty sure you'll never be affected by all of this.

Don't be so sure. Things change, President Obama.

Sincerely,
Belle