Letters

Print this story | |

Comment (6 comment(s)) |

Rate |

Text Size

A basic right

Published: Tuesday, September 29, 2009 9:42 PM MST

Editor:

I personally see health care as a basic human right, not as a perquisite of wealth, type of employment or genetics.

My husband and I are now recipients of Medicare, a federally administered, publicly funded program.

We have never been denied physician-recommended services by Medicare.

I want my children to have affordable access to health care insurance with the same degree of care and dependability that we have had in the past through our employer-provided private plans and Medicare.

I worry that this level of care will not be available for them if we do not address the current crisis in health care insurance cost and funding promptly.

Unbridled corporate interests are not synonymous with democracy and have not adequately addressed the needs of many citizens.

Theoretically at least, U.S. citizens are privileged in having access to the most advanced, effective medical treatments world-wide.

Our public and private scientific communities have been extraordinarily adept at research and innovation, providing cures for many diseases and alleviation of suffering from others.

Yet, we have worse outcomes for longevity, infant mortality, etc. than do other developed and some not-so-developed nations.

The issue which drives this disparity is not the quality of our medical care options but our access to them.

I suggest examining Sen. Ron Wyden’s fiscally responsible amendments to the Senate Finance Committee’s proposed bill as viable compromises promoting quality private plan competition while providing support for those individuals currently excluded from the health care insurance system for financial reasons.

Judith Thut, Green Valley


		No on bond issues

Article Rating

Reader Comments

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of gvnews.com.

scr1bbler wrote on Sep 30, 2009 3:49 PM:

" Couple of questions about this 'basic human right to health care' that you claim ...

1. What if a lot of us don't recognize that 'right'? And why should we?

2. Somebody has to pay for medical insurance and/or services for your kids. Why should my kids be forced to pick up the bill?

3. Why can't your kids pay for their own needs? They don't make enough money? Why not? Is it perhaps because they aren't contributing (producing) their fair share?

And before you get your knickers in a knot about Social Security and Medicare: those are not free either. We had money confiscated for 60 years (SS) and more than 40 years (Medicare). We already paid our way.

After the first winter surviving under the Mayflower Compact, the pilgrims at Plymouth Rock found that several of their number were sitting back and letting the rest of the folks carry the workload. So they posted a notice: "No Work, No Eat."

That principle applies just as well to government coerced medical care. "

Barb wrote on Oct 2, 2009 12:00 PM:

" Scribble,
I can't believe your response to Ms. Thut. You sound like a very mean, selfish person. Do you think people deserve to die if they are seriously ill and have had their medical insurance cut off, as many do when they find themselves in that situation? I am so sad that people in this country no longer care about others. I hope you have no children as you would be a poor example of a parent. How awful to have no soul! "

scr1bbler wrote on Oct 2, 2009 8:36 PM:

" A. Nobody can be refused necessary medical service at a hospital in this country (and we pay for it.)

B. If more people would take care of themselves and their own, nobody else would have to care about them.

C. I hope my children produce things other people want, so they'll have the income they need to pay for their own insurance and won't have to 'rely on the kindness of strangers'.

D. No matter how you try to wriggle out of it, you're advocating an abdication of self reliance, and being a burden to other people. I hope you find the suckers who will cover your lack of initiative. "

Johnny Ringo wrote on Oct 4, 2009 6:58 AM:

" The whole idea behind the government giving things away whether it is healthcare or something else is to make the populace dependent on the government. It is not done for altruistic reasons either - it is done for votes.

Medicare and social security are not free programs. Most people collecting paid for it their entire working lives. "

Barb wrote on Oct 6, 2009 2:26 PM:

" Have you ever heard of the "Working Poor". These aren't people that are takers. Yes, many people must get their care in ER's. Is that what you really want to pay for? That in and of itself is a good reason for heathcare reform. I hope no person in your family is ever put in the situation that I have witnessed in mine and we're all "working people" with college degrees. "

Minny wrote on Oct 11, 2009 9:52 AM:

" The League of Women Voters of AZ has assembled a booklet discussing the complex issues involved in our health care system--especially the problem of gainfully employed, productive citizens not being able to afford health care. The booklet, which ought to be read and studied by commenters on the current health care debate, is readily available at the following web address:

lwvaz.org/azvoterservice/LWVAZ%20-%20Issues%20Behind%20HC%20Reform%20-%20General.pdf

We do all pay for the care of people who for various legitimate reasons cannot afford it with our current system. Let's give the issue the thoughtful consideration it merits. After all, the U. S. was formed to be "...a government of the people, by the people and for the people..." "

Submit a Comment

We encourage your feedback and dialog, all comments will be reviewed by our Web staff before appearing on the Web site.

Return to: Letters « | Home « | Top of Page ^

Today's Weather

Green Valley, AZ