TIME \@ “MMMM d, yyyy” July 20, 2009

Thank you for contacting my office regarding reforming the health care system. I am honored to represent you, and I appreciate your active participation in our legislative process. Your involvement makes democracy work better by helping me more effectively represent you and Illinois Fourteenth District.

Our health care system is in dire need of reform. Sadly, in a stark illustration of the current dysfunction of our system, nearly half the respondents in a recent survey of U.S. primary care physicians by the American Medical Association said that they would seriously consider getting out of the medical business within the next three years if they had an alternative. Many said they are overwhelmed with their practices, not because they have too many patients, but because there’s too much red tape generated from insurance companies and government agencies.

Given the fact that health care expenses must be reduced if our economy is to grow again, I am hopeful that working together, Democrats and Republicans and associated stakeholders (patient groups, physicians, insurers and hospitals) will be able to develop common-sense legislation that reduces cost and red-tape. Reforming health care is one of my passions and one of the chief reasons I entered public service. Rest assured, I will continue to do what I can to ensure that Americans have access to affordable, quality health care.

Hearing from the families I serve is vital to doing my job right. Thanks again for taking the time to share your concerns and I hope you keep in touch with me on this or any other issue you feel important. To stay informed of my work, or to sign up for my electronic

newsletters, please visit my Web site at http://foster.house.gov. Please contact me if I can help you in the future. You can reach my office in Batavia toll free at (866) 324-6128, my office in Dixon at (815) 288-0680 or my office in Washington toll free at (866) 777-6670.

Sincerely,

Bill Foster

MEMBER OF CONGRESS