President of the United States, Barack Obama

The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC  20500

I want to tell you about my longtime friend, Aimee Silver. Like millions of Americans, she is fighting debilitating illness yet receiving only a fraction of her required and rightful health insurance coverage.

For the past year and a half, she has spent much of her out-of-bed time fighting for the 30% coverage she receives from her insurance plan of last resort, which has skyrocketed from $180 per month to $450 per month. If Aimee loses her current coverage, which is possible since she’s unable to work, certainly no other insurance company will accept her pre-existing condition, which means her meager coverage will go from 30% to zero.

When I first met Aimee, she was just leaving her position as a well-respected software developer in San Francisco and taking time to travel. She taught me to salsa dance and together we attended the Carnaval festival in the City’s Mission District, where we danced in the streets and enjoyed the colors and rhythms and flavors of “Rio by the Bay.” We were joined by a welcoming crowd of Aimee’s friends, representing several countries and Aimee’s worldwide travels. Delightful, vivacious, well-loved, and glowing with youthful health—that’s how I remember her on that day.

Today, Aimee struggles with a rare condition that requires treatment, rest, and multiple compromises including relocating far from her home, family, and friends.

My friend is in danger of falling through the cracks. Our healthcare system is so full of holes that people who need care and treatment are getting a fraction or none of what each of us pays insurance companies to provide.

No more healthcare holes; enough is enough.

People need and deserve comprehensive coverage regardless of pre-existing conditions, regardless of work status, regardless of income.

Please actively support:

• Health reform with a public option, for real health reform
• Health coverage independent of employment
• Healthcare that is realistic and fair and covers pre-existing conditions

Thank you.