Dear Legislator: I am writing to you as a friend of Lee Memorial Health System to express my deep concern about using vitally needed health care funds to pay an amount which is far beyond what is fair and needed to care for Aaron Edwards. I am asking you to vote “no” on House Bill 965, the Aaron Edwards claim bill. I believe that the $15,000,000 to be awarded under this bill is excessive and will damage our public health system’s historical mission of caring for the sickest and neediest patients in our community, regardless of their ability to pay, including many children with conditions even more challenging than Aaron’s. I understand that an appropriate life care annuity can be purchased for Aaron for about $5,000,000, which will more than adequately provide for his current and future health care needs. In this era of increasing needs and limited resources, Lee Memorial cannot sustain a $15,000,000 claim bill without harmful repercussions to our patients, thousands of health system employees and our community. I am asking you, as a state representative for our area, to step up on behalf of Lee Memorial Health System and health care in our community by helping to strike a better balance between the needs of one child and the needs of all the children of Southwest Florida.