New York Times
Letter to the Editor
Confronted too often with the sentiment so succinctly expressed by Nicholas D. Kristof when he writes that “even if a single-payer system isn’t politically possible right now” (“A Short American Life,” column, May 21), I can’t help but wonder what makes us different from the other developed nations that made the successful transition to national universal health care systems.
I’m tempted to blame the usual cast of special interests: enormously profitable commercial insurance and pharmaceutical companies; and providers who maximize revenues by promoting costly tests and procedures that deliver high margins but dubious outcomes.
But I’m beginning to wonder if it isn’t our own repetition of the defeatist notion that a national health care solution isn’t politically feasible that contributes to our inability to ultimately realize substantive health care reform.
The public needs to be disabused of the myths that portray the national health systems of other nations as inferior to ours when the reverse is demonstrably evident by measure of their health outcomes and per capita expenditures compared with ours.
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again — and recognize that the special interests are hoping that we’ll grow weary and settle for less when we deserve better.
Ted Herman
Vice President, Communications
Hudson Health Plan
Tarrytown, N.Y., May 21, 2007
To the Editor:
Of course, it is pleasant to receive the recognition from Nicholas D. Kristof: “So bravo to the Physicians for a National Health Program,” which favors a single-payer system.
Let me return the accolade by informing him that Massachusetts’ recent legislation, which he found promising, is certainly not “feasible” and is already dysfunctional. This is important because a bevy of states are responding to private health insurance pressures with Massachusetts-like panaceas.
It is increasingly important for the morale of the American public that we move as promptly as possible to a Medicare-for-all solution. Time is running out.
Quentin D. Young, M.D.
National Coordinator, Physicians for a National Health Program
Chicago, May 22, 2007