This is in response to a letter from one of your readers, (“Keep health care debate simple,” Letters, The Reporter, Dec. 25) Rowan Hinds, who writes in part regarding health care: “…is it too much to ask that you give us the same coverage you have as our elected representatives?… I ask only that your respective legislative bodies agree to accept the same coverage that you are able to provide for us.”

I agree whole-heartedly with Rowan’s position. In fact when the Ways and Means Committee, of which I am a member, considered the House version of the health care overhaul, I supported an amendment offered by Rep. Dean Heller of Nevada that would require members of Congress and their families to be covered by the proposed Public Plan if it were approved for all Americans.

The amendment was defeated, voted down by 21 Democrats on the Committee.

In my opinion, the amendment was a simple way of saying that if the government-run public plan is good enough for every American it is certainly good enough for the officials they’ve elected to represent them. Unfortunately, not all of my colleagues agree.

On the most basic level, health care is about people. It is not about payment flows, political jargon, or complicated regulations.

Quality health care is the foundation for our children to grow and prosper, and it is the basis for seniors to enjoy comfortable retirements.

Anything the Congress approves for Americans should be good for us all.

Thank you, Rowan, for making your voice heard and for the opportunity to comment on your concerns.

Congressman Dave Reichert

WA-08