Public option needed

Editor:

Controlling soaring health care costs and managing our own care can only happen by reforming the system. Costs projections indicate that if we stay on the current path, Medicare will end up in the red.

For those of us on a retirement income, this would be disastrous. Additionally, all citizens need access to decent health care. Reform with a public option is the only means to achieve both of these objectives—an option health insurers do not want passed.

The fight for health care reform is not political but a struggle between the individual and the health insurance industry.

As we have seen, the industry is spending massive funds to maintain their strangle hold on our health care and to assure their excessive profits.

Health insurers take our money while contributing nothing to improving our health. At times, the health insurers’ refusal to pay for preventative care actually contributes to poor health.

The industry is pouring tremendous funds into congressional campaign chests to maintain the status quo. However, we have the power to counter act those funds with our voice and our vote.

It is imperative that we contact members of Congress indicating our desire to control our own health care by insisting on reform and calling for an end to the health insurance massive profits by including a public option.

Linda Harter, Green Valley