Washington must fix our broken health care system

Washington must fix our broken health care system

EDITOR:

I am writing to ask that our federal legislators and President Obama work diligently to fix our broken health care system, and find workable solutions to meet the needs of American families and businesses. The organization in which I work employs 75 full-time employees and 165 part-time employees. I am very aware of the exorbitant cost associated with providing health care to our full time employees which constitutes only a fraction of our work force. Over the last four years, the cost of our health care has increased over 38 percent with decreasing benefits and increasing employee contributions for co-pays, deductibles and premiums. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide insurance for our entire workforce and the many of our staff are included in the 46 million Americans that are uninsured.

Most of those that are uninsured as well as underinsured do not have the financial resources to pay co-pays for preventative care. Therefore, many allow their medical conditions go untreated which eventually results in time lost from work, which speeds up the vicious downward spiral medically as well as financially. In fact, I understand that half of all personal bankruptcies stem from medical expenses. This is not good for our neighbors, community, employers or our country.

I hope that our legislators will work to ensure that quality, affordable health care is available for every American; that we can eliminate co-pays for preventative care (as in “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”) and that we end coverage denials for pre-existing conditions. Healthy communities lead to healthy work forces and healthy economies.

JOSEPH F. CARUSO

Austintown

Some of the talk about fixing health care is scary stuff

EDITOR:

I’m a 28-year-old mother of three kids. What I have heard on the news about these brilliant health care plans is dumb. Other countries have done the whole government control thing, and, guess what, it doesn’t work. They come to us for help. If it hasn’t worked elsewhere, chances are its not going to work here. Wow, I didn’t graduate from college, and I figured that out.

I do not want government controlling my health care or controlling the doctors. If you’re healthy and fine, then this plan would work. But if you’re not, you’re screwed. What do I do then for my parents who are getting older and my children? Oh, sorry, honey, we can’t fight your cancer because John Doe says we can’t use that medicine or can’t afford it.

We should improve our health care, but not so it hurts people in the long run. Health insurance should be there for people, but people do have to pay for it. It’s not fair for me to pay so others can have it, and when I need it I can’t get help because what I’m going through costs too much.

If you or your kids were sick, you would want the best treatment and doctors — not a stranger telling you how things should be working.

HEATHER JOKI

North Jackson

Motorist saved by a wave

EDITOR:

Last Saturday, my husband was at the corner of Indianola Ave. and Hillman St. heading north on Hillman at the traffic light which was green for him. In the northeast corner suddenly a man jumped up waving his arms. My husband stopped in time to avoid a car speeding west through the intersection at speed which he estimated at 70 mph.

If he hadn’t stopped I’m afraid to think what might have happened. I hope the man in the purple shirt who waved him a warning will see this letter and know that he is thanked sincerely for his thoughtful act.

PATRICIA MARSHALL

Youngstown

Bernie deserves better than he got — in life and in story

EDITOR:

I feel compelled to comment on The Vindicator’s recent story concerning one of our Valley’s favorite son’s, Bernie Kosar. I attended one of our local parochial schools with Bernie for eight years. Even as a young boy, he stood out. He was not only a straight-A student, but a kind and polite boy who we all looked up to as the leader of our class. He possessed something you don’t see very often in children that age — a drive and determination that obviously brought him great success in life until his most recent troubles.

Let’s not forget that success in reaction to The Vindicator’s unflattering story that portrayed Bernie as an eccentric, physically deteriorated, ex-NFL quarterback. When I read that he grew up to be a generous, giving man who willingly gave away large amounts of money, I was not surprised.

I hope that he is able to find the inner strength to overcome all of the challenges he is currently facing and wish him the best.

SUZANNE FISHER GREENAWAY

Youngstown

Facts show we’re not the best

EDITOR:

The health care discussion needs to be conducted in light of facts, not opinion, fears, and bias.

There are many who say that the United States has the best health care system in the world, and that claim is used to support the position that we should not reform or change an already world class system. Unfortunately the data that is available seems to deny these most patriotic claims of “best in the world.”

While it is true that the United States leads the world in health care spending and that the United States is ranked first in responsiveness to its citizens demands, its overall health care performance is 37th. I was shocked to learn that the United States trails Japan, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Columbia, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Costa Rica and many others.

BOB ELSTON

New Middletown

Great news, but a bad picture

EDITOR:

What great news for our wonderful city to rank in the Top 10 for business potential in the nation. We are finally beginning to be recognized outside our community for the greatness we possess.

However, to my dismay, as I turned the pages of Entrepreneur magazine one thing was most obvious to me. Every town featured had a full page article with a photo of the city across the top of each page. Each photo showed the city at its best ... evening, with all the city lights. Then there was Youngstown, the only daylight shot, with a view of the back of the City Hall Annex as one drives down the Market Street Bridge.

Of all the beautiful “photo-ops” around town, why would the photographer choose this particular shot to highlight our city?? One has to wonder.

PHYLLIS A. RICCHIUTI

Poland