A Senator’s Threat to Free Speech

To the Editor:

Sen. Charles E. Grassley is now threatening nonprofit hospitals with stiff legislative action.

Why? Because they are pressing for a more rational new Schedule H in the ill-conceived revamp of the IRS Form 990.

In other words, if you advocate your position, you may be penalized. That is why the article entitled “Senator Threatens Hospitals With Tougher Rules” (November 15) should have been entitled “Senator Threatens Free Speech.”

All Americans and their associations possess the freedom to speak out on issues and vigorously defend their opinions and interests. Good-faith negotiations are part and parcel of the American political landscape, but threats to penalize institutions for speaking out bring the senator and his aides to a new low. The hubris endemic on Capitol Hill, insulating lawmakers from all manner of the free market (and knowledge of its operations), has now expanded to an attack on our First Amendment rights.

Sadly, this is not the first time the political establishment has attempted to stifle the exchange of ideas in the nonprofit sector. Under President Clinton, the Department of Housing and Urban Development actually took a California housing organization to court for criticizing the administration’s housing policies. The judge rightly found for the defendants.

I just hope the senator doesn’t threaten me for writing this letter.

Robert A. Vitas
Director
Healthy Smiles, Healthy Children:
The Foundation of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
Chicago