Louisville Courier-Journal: Readers' Forum
Originally published February 13, 2006
READERS’ FORUM
Providing health care for everyone: ‘Everybody in, nobody out’
I’m writing to thank state Rep. Joni Jenkins and her colleagues who raised their voices in support of HCR 40, a resolution that urges Congress to pass House Resolution 676, the United States National Health Insurance Act, which provides a system of universal single-payer health care insurance.
HR 676 is a publicly funded, privately delivered plan to address the current immoral system, which rations care to those who can afford it. The health care meltdown is accelerating, threatening families, stifling job growth and squeezing funds for education and housing. The solution is HR 676: Everybody in, nobody out.
The deep-pocketed interests that profit from the current collapsing system demonize the single-payer alternative as a form of socialized medicine, which it is not. The current system is bankrupting families, but not industry CEOs and their collaborators.
Ten years ago, Taiwan moved from a system similar to our current system to a single-payer model. Coverage was expanded from less than 60 percent to 97 percent of Taiwan’s residents. What’s the deal? Taiwan can figure this out, but we can’t?
Our current system leaves 46 million out, and millions more underinsured. George Washington wrote: “The admiration of justice is the firmest pillar of government.” Rather than shuffle and make excuses, Jenkins and HCR 40 supporters have taken a giant step forward for justice.
MARK McKINLEY
Louisville 40204
‘The right thing to do’
Thank you for the Jan. 30 article on single-payer health insurance. Most everybody knows someone who needs medical treatment but cannot afford it.
Before thinking that health insurance for all Americans is too good to be true, read U.S. Rep. John Conyers’ bill, HR 676, which outlines the financing. With the money that can be saved from the administrative costs and advertising of privately owned insurance companies, the U.S. government could provide health care services to all, as do Britain and Canada.
Federal and state funding of existing health care programs would involve a modest payroll tax on all employers of 3.3 percent, a 5 percent health tax on the top 5 percent of income earners, and a small tax on stock and bond transfers.
HR 676 would give us more ownership for health care. We could afford it and would be able to choose our own doctors. Morally, it is the right thing to do, and it makes good business sense. . . .
If you want this, ask your Kentucky state representative and senator to vote yes on HRC 40, which endorses the U.S. House bill, HR 676.
JILL HARMER
Louisville 40205
‘We’re all in this together’
In the Jan. 9 Readers’ Forum, single-payer health insurance was endorsed by a local Democratic club. As major corporations . . . crash under their commitments to employees, health insurance and pensions are of equal interest to Republicans.
Thanks to economy of scale, the cost to employers to provide health insurance was less than equivalent salaries, and it guaranteed a healthier workforce. Employees, in turn, bought it as a money-saver.
Today, our national piecemeal attempts to provide health insurance through employers are collapsing. The wonderfully proficient medical treatment available has made the gamble of health care insurance a game too expensive to get into.
Originally, employee pensions looked profitable if company profits increased to cover the eventual cost or if valued employees worked longer to collect the deferred compensation. Employees trusted management to hold part of their pay as savings for old age.
Today, so many companies are going bankrupt or ending up without the projected resources that even the U.S. Treasury can’t cover the needed pensions. . . . Republicans and Democrats, we’re all in this together.
PRUDENCE TODD MOFFETT
Masonic Home, Ky. 40041