HEALTH CARE
Medicaid decision will surely hurt Georgians
Please read Jay Bookman’s column of Aug. 14 regarding the Affordable Care Act (“Drive against health law is self-destructive for Ga.,” Opinion). It very succinctly identifies the tremendous value of expanding Medicaid, and the unbelievable consequences of rejecting it.
For how long does the governor have to stand in the way of what is in the best interest of the people of this state before we begin the process of impeachment?
TRUMAN A. MOORE, ATLANTA
Insurance costs rise; how is this helping?
I’m almost 62 years old. I’m a single, self-employed female with no health problems.
Last year, I increased the deductible on my private health insurance to $10,000 in order to get my premium down to $590 per month. I have just learned that my premium is now going up to $732 per month effective Oct. 1.
Since premiums increase every year, I’m sure I’ll be paying at least $1,000 a month by the time I qualify for Medicare — if it still exists when I reach age 65. Can someone explain how Obamacare is helping me?
S. PIERCE, FAYETTEVILLE
EXECUTIVE PAY
Corporate America blind to its excesses
The news that H.J. Heinz is eliminating 600 jobs in the U.S. and Canada as part of a reorganization would not be such a shock — except that the company is providing a “golden parachute” to an outgoing CEO to the tune of millions of dollars. What kind of “parachute” is being provided to those workers who no longer have jobs?
It is hard to understand and imagine how any individual can be worth this much, particularly if the person had obviously not done the kind of job needed, or he would not have been replaced. Corporate America is operating with blinders on when it comes to the excessive earnings of some top executives.
MIKE DEAL, ALPHARETTA
INCOME MOBILITY
Single-parent families perpetuate poverty
Recent pieces in the AJC decry the fact of single-parent families (“Reduce economic immobility now,” Opinion, Aug. 14) and the number of African-Americans in the prison system (“Call for change 50 years later,” Living, Aug. 14).
The statistics are there. Children of single parents do not do well in school and are more prone than those from traditional families to embark on a life of crime. Yes, we must do something to reduce income immobility, but no solution was proposed here. How about a massive propaganda campaign to teach children — starting at pre-pubescence — that if they don’t want to live a life of poverty, they must either refrain from sex or practice birth control?
Where are our leaders on this issue, from the president on down?
DENNIS BALLOU, ATLANTA
