DEAR EDITOR:

In these very tumultuous times for our country when every day brings a bombardment of news, it can be difficult to follow the moving parts. There is one part we dare not lose sight of, and that is the part about the freedom to have quality health care. Our government was recently shut down over this very issue. The Big Bad Bill (my name for it), with the support of the Republican Party, has cut the renewal of funding for the Affordable Care Act, which enabled millions of people to afford sorely needed health care. This was when Democrats dug in their heels to refuse to move forward until the ACA tax credits were reinstated. Choosing to let Americans’ premiums skyrocket, the Republicans let the government shut down.

Without these tax credits (or subsidies) 24 million persons may find it difficult to afford health care. Without health care it is estimated that 45,000 people will die. As more people are uninsured or underinsured, health care costs, which are already high, are expected to increase for all of us as we assume the health care costs for others.

Republican leaders in the Senate have promised to allow a vote the first week of December to extend the ACA tax credits. We need to watch for this vote and do what we can to promote this basic right for our citizens. We should work for a healthy and robust democracy. Call your congressional representatives.

ANNETTE HUTCHISON

Villa Maria, Pa,