Letter: Health care crisis deserves most attention

Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2005 | 9:21 a.m.

It is true -- America is facing a crisis. Most economists admit it. But the problem is not with Social Security, which is not going bankrupt. It does not need to be fixed.

The real problem in America is health care. Although health care got just a brief mention in the State of the Union address, it is our major domestic concern and needs immediate attention.

More than 40 million Americans are uninsured. Many of those with insurance have inadequate coverage or cannot afford the premiums. Insufficient reimbursement rates for Medicaid for some services makes it difficult or impossible for some people to get care. Medicaid is threatened even further by administrative caps and cuts.

A recent study shows that over half of all bankruptcies in this country are a result of unpaid medical bills and illness. Seventy-five percent of those bankrupted by medical bills had health insurance when they got sick. This is where we have our crisis in America, and this is where we need to put our energies. We need to come up with a fair solution so that all Americans can have affordable, safe and quality health care.

It is possible to make our health care system better. Nationally elected officials have quality health care and we provide it for them. They are our public servants. Let them do the right thing for the American people, and put the focus where it needs to be. Don't let yourself be distracted or frightened by the false spin about Social Security.

PATRICIA VAN BETTEN

Editor's note: The writer is a registered nurse.