To the editor:
Health care reform remains a critical issue and continues to take shape in Washington. For the good of America, let us hope our elected representatives focus on assuring that appropriate affordable private or public coverage is made available and that the exorbitant cost of health care is reduced. The nation collectively, our employers and each of us cannot let reform fail. What we have now is not working. Where I work, no one can afford to provide insurance coverage for his or her family. Our insurance has increased yearly by double digits and our last premium increase pushed family coverage to $25,536 a year. The median income for a family in Aroostook County is $36,107 a year. Who can imagine spending 71 percent of income just for health insurance? How long will it take before such increases makes insurance unaffordable for all?
I shake my head in disbelief when I hear those opposing reform say Congress must avoid destroying the private, employer-based insurance system that is working so well. It sure is not working well for any employer I am familiar with. Even many with insurance coverage face growing deductibles that make all but catastrophic care the only care they can receive.
Opponents of reform have used half-truths, distortion and distraction to move the focus away from what needs to be done. The status quo is not the answer. Too many of us are uninsured and the number grows daily, the underinsured are increasing, employers and employees cannot afford continued double-digit increases.
We have an opportunity to set the system on a better track. It now depends on our elected representatives doing the right thing.
Mapleton
