Readers Write 12/04

HEALTH CARE

Our free market lets people die, go bankrupt

In “Moochers need free-market dose” (Opinion, Nov. 14), Neal Boortz made the absurd claim that “never in the history of mankind” has there been a better system to improve the standard of living than the competitive free market.

Nonsense. Under our free-market system, millions of Americans are uninsured. Tens of thousands die annually for lack of health care.

Almost two-thirds of bankruptcies result from medical bills, even though most of those bankrupt Americans had health insurance. Coverage can be denied or rates raised for pre-existing conditions, including being a kidney donor or a woman of child-bearing age.

We are the richest of all wealthy industrialized nations, but all the others have universal health coverage.

Not one of those countries would trade their health care systems for the blessings of our competitive free market.

Chris Moser, Lithonia

HEALTH CARE

U.S. costs are highest, and not spent effectively

All parties to the current “health care” reform debates are solving the wrong problem. The debates focus on health care insurance reform.

The real problem is the very poor cost-effectiveness of our health care. Our per capita health care cost is the highest in the world.

But, how effectively is this money being spent? The answer becomes apparent when one examines the available American public health statistics. Our life expectancy and infant mortality rates are not even among the top 25 nations in the world. The mortality rate of women in this country during pregnancy is even worse.

Health care in this country is not cost-effective — we spend the most, but the health of the American public is not even mediocre, compared to other countries.

To be meaningful, health care reform must result in measurable improvements. Not only must costs be contained, but our public health must improve from its current level.

Health care reform legislation must address our poor public health, and provide mechanisms for measuring the resulting improvements in health care quality and costs of health.

Arnold C. McQuaide Jr., Berkeley Lake

SOCIETY

Atlanta students give themselves head start

Thank you so much for “Students wrestle with issue of racism” (Metro, Nov. 17). I was very pleased to read that young Atlantans are taking a stand and doing their part in educating themselves on racism in our society.

It takes all kinds of people to make the world go ’round, and your article touches on the many misconceptions about different cultures and how they are portrayed in the media.

I also like the fact that you used quotes from other cultures to show the world how racism and discrimination affect our society in a big way.

I think educating ourselves is key to making the world a better place.

OluMayowa Ojemuyiwa, Marietta