I am responding to the LTE by Charlie Wall . First of all , Charlie and I are good friends (so far) and engage in spirited debate on occasion.This is one of those occasions.
In regard to the BOA bailout, I agree, maybe we should have called Hank Paulsons’ bluff and let the banks tumble.
You mention Socialism………Do you utilize Federal Student Loans? Do you drive the Interstate Highway system? Do you support Firefighters and Police? That Charlie is a straw man argument because the services I asked you about are a form of Socialism.
Now to the meat of the letter………..HEALTH CARE. Is there a steady stream of Canadians migrating across the Rainbow and Peace bridges to get quality health care? Au Contrare, I will dare to say there are more Yanks going North for cheaper prescritions (which is being stopped by threats from big Pharma to the Canadian pharmacies to stop supplying the same).
I have been to Canada and haven’t had to sidestep to avoid cadavers in the street who croaked due to a waiting list.
You see Charlie, the major insurance companies will have you believe we have the best care in the world at the lowest cost . Wrong, we are somewhere around 53 on the scale. Do I think it is time for a single payer option? You’re darn tootin’!!!!! As far as the Government goes, I really do not like them to interfere in our lives but when companies cannot be trusted and do not follow the rules, it becomes necessary for the Government to take a parental role and give the offenders a good whack with the hickory switch.
You can continue to “drink the Kool Aid” fed by the major health insurance carriers, or you can actually speak with some people from Canada, the U K and others as I have. You will be surprised. A Canadian Parliament member was on television the other night complaining that the advertising machine of US Healthcare companies is distorting the truth and in some cases outright lying to the public about Canadian healthcare.
A good example I can cite: As a member of Curwensville Borough Council, I am involved in negotiations with the Teamsters Union for the Police and Street Department contracts every two or three years. We try to work with the members and are willing to work within reason and our budget in regard to benefits. Last year, we were told without warning that our premiums for the Departments were increasing by 69 percent. Can your trucking company get away with that?
A few years back, our comp went through the roof due to a claim being filed (the claim was denied and the company did not pay out on it ) yet they raised our premium by I believe well over 50 percent.
I have an idea, if you do business with someone in the Health Insurance Industry, charge them triple for youre services and tell them the reason you are doing it is “because you can”.
Peace,
Frederick G. Sopic
Curwensville,Pa.
