Letters to the Editor for July 22

Talk about it

Pro health care reform

Statistics have shown the current health care system has neglected more than 45 million Americans. Although it is natural to be critical of present health care reform efforts, past presidency efforts have not tackled the issues of health care to these depths before and has resulted in a great portion of the population to be uninsured or underinsured. Negative impacts of uninsured or under-insured individuals have impacted individual’s quality of life, and the economic, educational, and financial systems of the country. Ironically, “we” have created the need for government to step in.

Would we be looking as seriously at health care reform if the current crisis wasn’t as far reaching as it is today? Has it taken the negative impact to reach middle and upper classes to propel the need for reform into the center of American’s minds? Whatever the reason, I am glad reform is here.

The health care reform plan proposes to be a combination of government and private insurers, leaving medical decisions in the hands of patients and doctors. A single payer insurance system should not to be confused with socialized medicine. These checks and balances between patients, doctors, insurers, if utilized adequately will increase quality and continuity of care.

Key areas of benefit suggest coverage for all individuals, reduced rates of prescription medications, more manageable rates of insurance coverage, ending discrimination against preexisting conditions, and addressing the “donut hole” in Medicare part D. For those who have become invisible to society and have been overlooked by current health care programs, many elderly, low-income, women and children will have access to basic health care. As a moral society it is essential we look at the common good of all people, regardless of race, class, age, gender, etc. And keep working to shape and build a system that works for all people.

Julie Alsum

Woodbury

What should we believe?

On Father’s Day, President Obama made it a point to emphasize what responsible fatherhood means to him and to recognize fathers who have had the courage to step up, be there for their families, provide for their children with guidance, love and support that they need to fulfill their dreams. He said something else that I found encouraging and perhaps a reason for hope. He said that the responsibilities of fatherhood do not end at conception.

I take this to mean that he acknowledges that as of the moment of conception, the man’s role of fatherhood has begun…and as of that point, he has the responsibility to provide that child love and the support to realize his or her dreams.

But President Obama has clearly stated that he supports taxpayer-funded abortions as part of health care reform and the intent of his administration appears to be to weave government-backed abortion into the fabric of American life. How on one hand can we be asking fathers to fulfill their roles as fathers looking after the health and well being of the child from the moment of conception and on the other hand promote tax funded abortion as reproductive health care?

Our president emphasized the role of fatherhood effectively and eloquently. I hope and pray that he will realize the importance to embrace and express the truth not some of the time but all of the time. Unless and until he does, conflict and peril will be a mark of his administration and affect his effectiveness leading our country.

Norb Tennessen

Woodbury

Tags: letters to the editor, opinion, health, care, obama, abortion, reform