Letters
The New York Times, May 1, 2011
There is a āreal choice on Medicareā (editorial, April 24) just not within the narrow confines defined by the deficit zealots inside the Beltway or in editorial offices.
The G.O.P.-Ryan plan is little more than a thinly veiled scheme to destroy one of the most fundamental reforms in American history through privatization and further cost-shifting to many of the most vulnerable in our society.
But the White House plan also fails, through a reliance on a health care law that expands the role of private insurers while taking inadequate steps to rein in price-gouging by the private insurers that ultimately puts cost pressures on Medicare as well.
The āreal choiceā would be securing the future of Medicare once and for all by extending it to cover everyone. Through its proven formula of global budgeting and federal bulk-purchasing power, it is the best way to effectively control costs while ensuring that we change our broken health care system from one based on ability to pay to one based on patient need.
ROSE ANN DeMORO
Executive Director
National Nurses United
Oakland, Calif., April 25, 2011