To the editor:

In its rush to have a bill out of the Senate on healthcare reform before we enter the 2010 election year, the Democrat Senate met a 60-vote cloture requirement (no Republicans) to end debate and move toward a Christmas Eve vote on their version of healthcare reform.

This bill has plenty of fatal flaws, whether one is on the left, middle or right on the political spectrum.

The left has no public option, no expansion of Medicare to younger persons, more than $493 billion in Medicare cuts over 10 years, a likely Supreme Court challenge on Roe v. Wade and a financially surging private insurance industry that would have every U.S. citizen mandated to buy private insurance from the very insurance industry the left is targeting as unfair.

On the right, we have a bill outlining mandates that are not constitutional, oppressive and very expensive to implement. Supreme Court challenges are already being drafted. Finally, all citizens can expect a substantial rise in premiums and taxes in 2010 for new healthcare mandates that do not take effect until 2014. Why the rush? Could it be 2010 is an election year and Gallup currently estimates 53 percent oppose and 37 percent approve of the known elements of this legislation?

There is still time to be heard. Fax, e-mail or call Sen. Murray, Sen. Cantwell and Rep. Larson.

Let them know this is not a bill we can support — left, middle or right. It is time to start over and have all parties at the table working on true reform.

Richard Bacigalupi

Langley