Letters to the Editor On Health Care

Care for all

Regarding “Is this the change?” (Letters, Nov. 3):

The author cites irrelevant quotes; I presume to back up his inference that President Obama favors the killing of us senior citizens. Dismissing such drivel with the contempt it deserves, I submit the basic question: Who gets health care priority; the old, the young, the rich, the needy, the veterans or nobody, if there isn’t enough money for everyone?

In all other advanced countries that’s no problem. Everyone gets health care. And at less expense and better quality per patient. So could we, with merely a few priority adjustments. An expulsion of the insurance companies from the system — corporations, whose prime goals are profits which rise higher when services to their policy holders are reduced or denied. And how about current law, which prohibits our government from negotiating lower prices for the pharmaceuticals they buy?

There are far more examples than space policy allows me to expose.

J.B. Thomas

Arroyo Grande

Thanks, Lois Capps

I would like to thank Rep. Lois Capps for her recent vote supporting health insurance reform. The current status quo is deplorable and I am thankful that the House of Representatives passed a bill that brings us closer to resolving this issue.

I hope and pray that the U.S. Senate works hard to pass a health insurance reform bill that requires affordable health insurance be available for every citizen regardless of age, gender, health status or ability to work for a big company. Just like public education, health coverage should be equally available for all of us.

Cathy Bonnett

Los Osos

Leftist AARP

Recently I learned that AARP has endorsed the Obama health care plan. Since AARP is an organization of older people, I would think that they would remember the spirit of self-reliance and individualism that made the United States great. The endorsement of the Obama socialist health plan is inexcusable. This is the type of thinking I would expect from some young kid who is incapable of taking care of himself so he is dependent on the government. I have requested that AARP stop sending their leftist literature to me.

Richard Placak

Atascadero

Moral imperative

I noted with some satisfaction that the House of Representatives passed a health care bill over the weekend. I am among the majority of Americans who regard universal health care not only as good public policy but a moral imperative as well.

While I felt that the legislation was not as strong as it should have been, it was an historic effort given the dismal record of past attempts going back to Teddy Roosevelt.

That said, I was dismayed, though not surprised, that my representative, Kevin McCarthy, voted no. I wonder what Rep. McCarthy is waiting for. The arguments against reform put forth by his party are specious at best and dishonest at worst. I hope that Mr. McCarthy will reconsider his vote in time for the final House vote. I would like to have a reason to vote for a Republican.

Michael Swan

Atascadero

Housing solution

Finally, a solution to our low-cost housing shortage. If you can’t afford the mandated health care and you can’t pay the fine, you go to jail. Hey, a great deal! Free health care, food and housing in jail, courtesy of your government.

Sure, I know what they say: If you claim an inability to pay for health care, some bureaucrat will decide whether or not your priorities are correct.

Let’s all be grateful for a government that cares enough to provide for us.

Lorenzo Lowe

Avila Beach

Universal Medicare

Medicare for all is the easiest and most recognized health care plan out there. If only the Dems would have pushed for this concept in the beginning, we would not be arguing over this other dribble!

Michael Clark

Paso Robles

Children first

As a pediatrician with 50 years of experience caring for infants and children I have seen too many children die or become disabled for lack of effective primary care. Only by providing all children with ready access to health care can we begin to reduce our child mortality and morbidity so that the United States is no longer No. 31 among nations in child health.

Dr. Donald Pinkel

San Luis Obispo