Letters to the editor: Nov. 11

We encourage readers to submit letters to the editor on issues of interest to East Valley residents. Submissions should be no longer than 300 words, factually accurate and original thoughts of the writer. Please be brief and include name, address, city and phone number for verification. Letters and comments may be edited for clarity and length.

Submit your letter to the editor

HEALTH CARE

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We need change now

I used to be strongly pro-business and a staunch Republican. I was a highly paid, successful actuary, benefits consultant and entrepreneur who believed in the free enterprise system. Those beliefs are long gone.

The health care system is just one example of what's wrong with the Republican Party and the free market system. I once believed that the health care industry reasonably balanced the desire to provide worthwhile services and the desire to make a profit. But that balance is gone.

My husband and I pay $20,000 per year for health insurance; we each have a $5,000 deductible. In attempting to lower our premiums, we tried to get an even higher deductible. We could not, and my husband could not even get coverage somewhere else. He is 58, I am 61; we are healthy, active, and do all the work to run a small ranch. Furthermore, if we did get sick, we'd be terrified to get treated or even diagnosed for fear of losing the coverage we have.

The America's Affordable Health Choices Act will fix the broken status quo in America's health insurance system. All Americans would be guaranteed coverage. As for me, I like my current coverage, my local hospital, my current physicians. I will not be forced to change anything. And contrary to Republican misinformation, the bill leaves care decisions to me and my doctor.

Doing nothing is not an option. My husband and I cannot afford to have this reform fall victim to the same Republican scare tactics that keep insurance companies profitable and every American paying insane amounts for health care. I urge your readers to contact Congress and demand that both parties make this bill happen.

JANE RHODES

CAVE CREEK

Opponents wrong on government's role

The whole idea that the government will decide who lives or dies is just plain wrong. I understand the right of all citizens to publish what they think. We call it freedom of speech. But I have a new word, and that is responsibility! People who insist that government will decide who lives or dies are the same people who said Social Security will cause us to be a socialist state, that the GI Bill of Rights would bankrupt the nation and that Medicare would do the same. These people create fear that has no basis in fact.

TOM SCHNETTLER

APACHE JUNCTION

Flake not part of debate

I didn't need to ask how my representative voted on the health care reform bill. Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., always votes no! That leaves me with no real participation in the actions of the House of Representatives. Voting without participation in the discussion and the search for solutions to the many problems on the floor is an abdication of Flake's responsibility to represent Congressional District 6. We have been disenfranchised. The next election must be a time of reconsideration by this district. If there is no Republican to run against Flake, then we will have to support a Democrat. Anything that participates will be better than what we now have.

HARRY WETTIG

MESA